Nation of our hopes and prayers, Time steals by us unawares, Gravestones seal our joys and cares. We must leave thee whilst thou’rt young, Whilst the bell for freedom rung, Echoes still from heart to tongue: Standing on Oppression’s tomb, In thy youthful beauty’s bloom, Monument of tyrants’ doom; Gazing with a lofty pride O’er thy hearthstone, boundless, wide,-- Oceans washing either side; Towns and cities, hills and vales; Earth with joy thy Queenship hails, Seas and rivers bear thy sails! Fair Columbia, we must go, Far beyond thy oceans’ flow, Far beyond thy mountains’ snow; Other sons will ’bout thee rise, Love thy blue and starlit eyes, Love the white thy life flow dyes: May their hearts’ love never leave thee, May they dream no thoughts to grieve thee, Never of a star bereave thee; May the olive in thy hand Spread until its branches grand Shelter safely all thy land; And as days and years are told, May thy brilliant flag enfold Strength which never groweth old. May the world beneath the sun, In the freedom thou hast won, See a boon denied to none. For a gift from God thou art, Missioned bravely to impart Sunshine to the sunless heart. This poem was telegraphed, word for word as spoken, to the “New York Herald,” appearing in that sheet next morning. From its columns it was copied, the week after, into the Philadelphia journals. After the poem, Messrs. Arbuckle and Levy, the cornetists, played “Old Hundred.” It proved a great success, as it had never before been attempted--in a horn. The Massachusetts gentleman selected for the honor, then read an essay by Thomas Jefferson, entitled THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. [AN APPRECIATIVE PRESIDENT.] This production was replete with witty sayings and wise aphorisms, doubtless very applicable to the time in which it was written, but somewhat obsolete and wanting in point at present. The soda-water fountain was much patronized during this portion of the ceremonies. General Grant sat it out, however, and mentioned afterwards that he considered it one of the finest things he had ever listened to. He inquired particularly concerning the author, and seemed disappointed when informed that he was dead. He would doubtless have enjoyed making Thomas a revenue inspector or an Indian commissioner. Again the combined orchestra and chorus howled forth. This time it was “Paddle your own Canoe.” Mr. L.Q.C. Lamar, of Mississippi, ORATOR OF THE DAY NO. 2, stepped forward. He remarked that as it was growing late he should not detain them long. At this, those favored ones to take part in the banquet concluding the ceremonies, brightened up wonderfully.