It thunders down its rocky coast, and stirs its frugal homes; The Saxon hears it as he toils, the Indian as he roams; The buffalo upon the plains, the panther in his lair, And the eagle hails the kindred note, and screams it through the air. "Make way for liberty," it roared, "here let the oppressed go free, Break loose your bands of tyrant hands, this land is not for thee. The old world in its crusted grasp grinds out the souls of men, Here plant their feet in freedom's soil, this land was made for them." The mother slept in her island home, but the children heard the call, And ere the western sun went down, had answered, one and all; For Britain's thirteen colonies had vanished in a day, And six and half a hundred men had signed their lives away. And brows were dark, and words were few, the steps were quick and strong, And firm the lips as ever his who treasures up a wrong; And stern the tone that offered up the prayer beside the bed, And many a Molly Stark that night wept silent tears of dread. The bugles call, and swords are out, and armies march abreast, And the old world casts a wondering glance to the strange light in the west; Lo, from its lurid lightnings play, free tossing in the wind, Bursts forth the star-gemmed flag that wraps the hopes of all mankind. And weary eyes grew brighter then, and fainting hearts grew strong, And hope was mingled in the cry, "How long, oh Lord, how long?" The seething millions turn and stir and struggle toward the light; The free flag streams, and morning gleams where erst was hopeless night. And grim Atlantic thunders still adown its rocky shores, And still the eagle screams his note, as aloft he sails and soars; And hope is born, that even thou, in some far day to come, O blue and rolling Marmora, shalt bear the message home. Dedicated to W.W. Peet, Esq. CLARA BARTON. _Constantinople, July 4, 1896._ Reports are always tedious. If some reader, having persevered thus far, if such there be, shall find himself or herself saying with a little thrill of disappointment, "But this does not give the information expected, it does not recommend any specific course to be pursued, whether emigration for the Armenians, and if so, where, and how; or autonomy, and if so, how to be secured, and assured; if more ships should be sent, and what they should do when there; if greater pressure of the Powers should be demanded by us, or what course, as a nation, we ought to pursue. We had expected some light on these questions."