His poem entitled, Our Home's Fireside, expresses his appreciation of domestic life. He felt that the homes of a country are the fountain of all true happiness, and the bulwark of civil and religious liberty: "There's not a place on earth so dear As our Home's Fireside, When parents, children all draw near To our Home's Fireside; When the toil-spent day is past, And loud roars the wintry blast, Then how sweet to get at last By our Home's Fireside! 'Tis wedded love's peculiar seat, At our Home's Fireside, Where happiness and virtue meet At our Home's Fireside; When each prattler, loth to miss, Climbs to claim the wonted kiss, 'Tis the sum of human bliss, At our Home's Fireside." He was ambitious to write a National Hymn which should voice the patriotism of the people, but this wish was never gratified. The "Ode for the Fourth of July" was an effort in that direction--constant attention to business prevented the cultivation of his poetical talent: "ODE FOR THE FOURTH OF JULY." Tune--"Hail to the Chief." Hail to the day that gave birth to a nation! And hail each remembrance it annu'lly brings! Hail Independence! Thy stern declaration Gave Freedom a home in defiance of Kings. Britain's despotic sway Trammeled thy early day. Infant America, "child of the skies." Till with a daring hand Freedom's immortal band Severed thy shakles and bid thee arise! Then was the standard of Liberty planted-- The star-spangled banner proud floated on high; Columbia's sons met the foeman undaunted, With firm resolution to conquer or die. Precious the prize they sought, Dearly that prize they bought: Freedom and peace cost the blood of the brave. Heaven befriended them, Fortune attended them-- Liberty triumphed o'er tyranny's grave! Peace to those patriots, heroes, and sages, Whose glorious legacy now we enjoy! May it descend to the world's latest ages, Like primitive gold, without any alloy! Then let our motto be, "Union and Liberty," High on our national banner enshrined, Like a bright morning star, Glittering from afar, Casting its beams o'er the world of mankind.