The 'Vention did in Boston meetBut State House could not hold 'em,So they went to Federal Street,And there the truth was told 'em.Yankee doodle, keep it up!Yankee doodle, dandy,Mind the music and the step,And with the girls be handy.They every morning went to prayer;And then began disputing;Till opposition silenced were,By arguments refuting.Then 'Squire Hancock, like a manWho dearly loves the nation,By a Concil'atory plan,Prevented much vexation.He made awoundyFed'ral speech,With sense and elocution;And then the Yankees did beseechT' adopt the Constitution.The question being outright put(Each voter independent),The Fed'ralists agreed to adopt,And then propose amendments.The other party seeing thenThe People were against them,Agreed, like honest, faithful men,To mix in peace amongst 'em.The Boston folks are deuced lads,And always full of notions;The boys, the girls, their mams and dads,Were fill'd with joy's commotions.So straightway they procession made,Lord, hownationfine, sir!For every man of every tradeWent with his tools—to dine, sir.John Foster Williams in a shipJoin'd with the social band, sirAnd made the lasses dance and skip,To see him sail on land, sir!O then a whopping feast began,And all hands went to eating,They drank their toasts, shook hands and sung—Huzza for 'Vention meeting!Now, politicians, of all kinds,Who are not yet derided,May see how Yankees speak their minds,And yet we're not decided.Then from this sample, let 'em ceaseInflammatory writing;For freedom, happiness, and peace,Are better far than fighting.So here I end my Federal song,Composed of thirteen verses;May agriculture flourish long,And commerce fill our purses.
The 'Vention did in Boston meetBut State House could not hold 'em,So they went to Federal Street,And there the truth was told 'em.Yankee doodle, keep it up!Yankee doodle, dandy,Mind the music and the step,And with the girls be handy.They every morning went to prayer;And then began disputing;Till opposition silenced were,By arguments refuting.Then 'Squire Hancock, like a manWho dearly loves the nation,By a Concil'atory plan,Prevented much vexation.He made awoundyFed'ral speech,With sense and elocution;And then the Yankees did beseechT' adopt the Constitution.The question being outright put(Each voter independent),The Fed'ralists agreed to adopt,And then propose amendments.The other party seeing thenThe People were against them,Agreed, like honest, faithful men,To mix in peace amongst 'em.The Boston folks are deuced lads,And always full of notions;The boys, the girls, their mams and dads,Were fill'd with joy's commotions.So straightway they procession made,Lord, hownationfine, sir!For every man of every tradeWent with his tools—to dine, sir.John Foster Williams in a shipJoin'd with the social band, sirAnd made the lasses dance and skip,To see him sail on land, sir!O then a whopping feast began,And all hands went to eating,They drank their toasts, shook hands and sung—Huzza for 'Vention meeting!Now, politicians, of all kinds,Who are not yet derided,May see how Yankees speak their minds,And yet we're not decided.Then from this sample, let 'em ceaseInflammatory writing;For freedom, happiness, and peace,Are better far than fighting.So here I end my Federal song,Composed of thirteen verses;May agriculture flourish long,And commerce fill our purses.
The 'Vention did in Boston meetBut State House could not hold 'em,So they went to Federal Street,And there the truth was told 'em.Yankee doodle, keep it up!Yankee doodle, dandy,Mind the music and the step,And with the girls be handy.
They every morning went to prayer;And then began disputing;Till opposition silenced were,By arguments refuting.
Then 'Squire Hancock, like a manWho dearly loves the nation,By a Concil'atory plan,Prevented much vexation.
He made awoundyFed'ral speech,With sense and elocution;And then the Yankees did beseechT' adopt the Constitution.
The question being outright put(Each voter independent),The Fed'ralists agreed to adopt,And then propose amendments.
The other party seeing thenThe People were against them,Agreed, like honest, faithful men,To mix in peace amongst 'em.
The Boston folks are deuced lads,And always full of notions;The boys, the girls, their mams and dads,Were fill'd with joy's commotions.
So straightway they procession made,Lord, hownationfine, sir!For every man of every tradeWent with his tools—to dine, sir.
John Foster Williams in a shipJoin'd with the social band, sirAnd made the lasses dance and skip,To see him sail on land, sir!
O then a whopping feast began,And all hands went to eating,They drank their toasts, shook hands and sung—Huzza for 'Vention meeting!
Now, politicians, of all kinds,Who are not yet derided,May see how Yankees speak their minds,And yet we're not decided.
Then from this sample, let 'em ceaseInflammatory writing;For freedom, happiness, and peace,Are better far than fighting.
So here I end my Federal song,Composed of thirteen verses;May agriculture flourish long,And commerce fill our purses.
Hot battles were still to be fought in some of the other states,—hottest of all in New York,—but by midsummer of 1788 all the states had ratified the Constitution, and it stood an accomplished fact.
Hot battles were still to be fought in some of the other states,—hottest of all in New York,—but by midsummer of 1788 all the states had ratified the Constitution, and it stood an accomplished fact.
THE FEDERAL CONSTITUTION
Poets may sing of their Helicon streams;Their gods and their heroes are fabulous dreams!They ne'er sang a lineHalf so grand, so divineAs the glorious toastWe Columbians boast—The Federal Constitution, boys, and Liberty forever.The man of our choice presides at the helm;No tempest can harm us, no storm overwhelm;Our sheet anchor's sure,And our bark rides secure;So here's to the toastWe Columbians boast—The Federal Constitution and the President forever.A free navigation, commerce, and trade,We'll seek for no foe, of no foe be afraid;Our frigates shall ride,Our defence and our pride;Our tars guard our coast,And huzza for our toast—The Federal Constitution, trade and commerce forever.Montgomery and Warren still live in our songs;Like them our young heroes shall spurn at our wrongs:The world shall admireThe zeal and the fire,Which blaze in the toastWe Columbians boast—The Federal Constitution and its advocates forever.When an enemy threats, all party shall cease;We bribe no intruders to buy a mean peace;Columbia will scornFriends and foes to suborn;We'll ne'er stain the toastWhich as freemen we boast—The Federal Constitution, and integrity forever.Fame's trumpet shall swell in Washington's praise,And time grant a furlough to lengthen his days;May health weave the threadOf delight round his head.No nation can boastSuch a name, such a toast,The Federal Constitution, boys, and Washington forever.William Milns.
Poets may sing of their Helicon streams;Their gods and their heroes are fabulous dreams!They ne'er sang a lineHalf so grand, so divineAs the glorious toastWe Columbians boast—The Federal Constitution, boys, and Liberty forever.The man of our choice presides at the helm;No tempest can harm us, no storm overwhelm;Our sheet anchor's sure,And our bark rides secure;So here's to the toastWe Columbians boast—The Federal Constitution and the President forever.A free navigation, commerce, and trade,We'll seek for no foe, of no foe be afraid;Our frigates shall ride,Our defence and our pride;Our tars guard our coast,And huzza for our toast—The Federal Constitution, trade and commerce forever.Montgomery and Warren still live in our songs;Like them our young heroes shall spurn at our wrongs:The world shall admireThe zeal and the fire,Which blaze in the toastWe Columbians boast—The Federal Constitution and its advocates forever.When an enemy threats, all party shall cease;We bribe no intruders to buy a mean peace;Columbia will scornFriends and foes to suborn;We'll ne'er stain the toastWhich as freemen we boast—The Federal Constitution, and integrity forever.Fame's trumpet shall swell in Washington's praise,And time grant a furlough to lengthen his days;May health weave the threadOf delight round his head.No nation can boastSuch a name, such a toast,The Federal Constitution, boys, and Washington forever.William Milns.
Poets may sing of their Helicon streams;Their gods and their heroes are fabulous dreams!They ne'er sang a lineHalf so grand, so divineAs the glorious toastWe Columbians boast—The Federal Constitution, boys, and Liberty forever.
The man of our choice presides at the helm;No tempest can harm us, no storm overwhelm;Our sheet anchor's sure,And our bark rides secure;So here's to the toastWe Columbians boast—The Federal Constitution and the President forever.
A free navigation, commerce, and trade,We'll seek for no foe, of no foe be afraid;Our frigates shall ride,Our defence and our pride;Our tars guard our coast,And huzza for our toast—The Federal Constitution, trade and commerce forever.
Montgomery and Warren still live in our songs;Like them our young heroes shall spurn at our wrongs:The world shall admireThe zeal and the fire,Which blaze in the toastWe Columbians boast—The Federal Constitution and its advocates forever.
When an enemy threats, all party shall cease;We bribe no intruders to buy a mean peace;Columbia will scornFriends and foes to suborn;We'll ne'er stain the toastWhich as freemen we boast—The Federal Constitution, and integrity forever.
Fame's trumpet shall swell in Washington's praise,And time grant a furlough to lengthen his days;May health weave the threadOf delight round his head.No nation can boastSuch a name, such a toast,The Federal Constitution, boys, and Washington forever.
William Milns.
The Continental Congress, in putting an end to its troubled existence, decreed that the first presidential election should be held on the first Wednesday of January, 1789, and that the Senate and House of Representatives should assemble on the first Wednesday in March.
The Continental Congress, in putting an end to its troubled existence, decreed that the first presidential election should be held on the first Wednesday of January, 1789, and that the Senate and House of Representatives should assemble on the first Wednesday in March.
THE FIRST AMERICAN CONGRESS
[April 6, 1789]
Columbus looked; and still around them spread,From south to north, th' immeasurable shade;At last, the central shadows burst away,And rising regions open'd on the day.He saw, once more, bright Del'ware's silver stream,And Penn's throng'd city cast a cheerful gleam;The dome of state, that met his eager eye,Now heav'd its arches in a loftier sky.The bursting gates unfold: and lo, within,A solemn train in conscious glory shine.The well-known forms his eye had trac'd before,In diff'rent realms along th' extended shore;Here, grac'd with nobler fame, and rob'd in state,They look'd and mov'd magnificently great.High on the foremost seat, in living light,Majestic Randolph caught the hero's sight:Fair on his head, the civic crown was plac'd,And the first dignity his sceptre grac'd.He opes the cause, and points in prospect far,Thro' all the toils that wait th' impending war—But, hapless sage, thy reign must soon be o'er,To lend thy lustre, and to shine no more.So the bright morning star, from shades of ev'n,Leads up the dawn, and lights the front of heav'n,Points to the waking world the sun's broad way,Then veils his own, and shines above the day.And see great Washington behind thee rise,Thy following sun, to gild our morning skies;O'er shadowy climes to pour the enliv'ning flame,The charms of freedom and the fire of fame.Th' ascending chief adorn'd his splendid seat,Like Randolph, ensign'd with a crown of state;Where the green patriot bay beheld, with pride,The hero's laurel springing by its side;His sword, hung useless, on his graceful thigh,On Britain still he cast a filial eye;But sov'reign fortitude his visage bore,To meet their legions on th' invaded shore.Sage Franklin next arose, in awful mien,And smil'd, unruffled, o'er th' approaching scene;High, on his locks of age, a wreath was brac'd,Palm of all arts, that e'er a mortal grac'd;Beneath him lies the sceptre kings have borne,And crowns and laurels from their temples torn.Nash, Rutledge, Jefferson, in council great,And Jay and Laurens op'd the rolls of fate.The Livingstons, fair Freedom's gen'rous band,The Lees, the Houstons, fathers of the land,O'er climes and kingdoms turn'd their ardent eyes,Bade all th' oppressed to speedy vengeance rise;All pow'rs of state, in their extended plan,Rise from consent to shield the rights of man.Bold Wolcott urg'd the all-important cause;With steady hand the solemn scene he draws;Undaunted firmness with his wisdom join'd,Nor kings nor worlds could warp his stedfast mind.Now, graceful rising from his purple throne,In radiant robes, immortal Hosmer shone;Myrtles and bays his learned temples bound,The statesman's wreath, the poet's garland crown'd:Morals and laws expand his liberal soul,Beam from his eyes, and in his accents roll.But lo! an unseen hand the curtain drew,And snatch'd the patriot from the hero's view;Wrapp'd in the shroud of death, he sees descendThe guide of nations and the muses' friend.Columbus dropp'd a tear. The angel's eyeTrac'd the freed spirit mounting thro' the sky.Adams, enrag'd, a broken charter bore,And lawless acts of ministerial pow'r;Some injur'd right in each loose leaf appears,A king in terrors and a land in tears;From all the guileful plots the veil he drew,With eye retortive look'd creation through;Op'd the wide range of nature's boundless plan,Trac'd all the steps of liberty and man;Crowds rose to vengeance while his accents rung,And Independence thunder'd from his tongue.Joel Barlow.
Columbus looked; and still around them spread,From south to north, th' immeasurable shade;At last, the central shadows burst away,And rising regions open'd on the day.He saw, once more, bright Del'ware's silver stream,And Penn's throng'd city cast a cheerful gleam;The dome of state, that met his eager eye,Now heav'd its arches in a loftier sky.The bursting gates unfold: and lo, within,A solemn train in conscious glory shine.The well-known forms his eye had trac'd before,In diff'rent realms along th' extended shore;Here, grac'd with nobler fame, and rob'd in state,They look'd and mov'd magnificently great.High on the foremost seat, in living light,Majestic Randolph caught the hero's sight:Fair on his head, the civic crown was plac'd,And the first dignity his sceptre grac'd.He opes the cause, and points in prospect far,Thro' all the toils that wait th' impending war—But, hapless sage, thy reign must soon be o'er,To lend thy lustre, and to shine no more.So the bright morning star, from shades of ev'n,Leads up the dawn, and lights the front of heav'n,Points to the waking world the sun's broad way,Then veils his own, and shines above the day.And see great Washington behind thee rise,Thy following sun, to gild our morning skies;O'er shadowy climes to pour the enliv'ning flame,The charms of freedom and the fire of fame.Th' ascending chief adorn'd his splendid seat,Like Randolph, ensign'd with a crown of state;Where the green patriot bay beheld, with pride,The hero's laurel springing by its side;His sword, hung useless, on his graceful thigh,On Britain still he cast a filial eye;But sov'reign fortitude his visage bore,To meet their legions on th' invaded shore.Sage Franklin next arose, in awful mien,And smil'd, unruffled, o'er th' approaching scene;High, on his locks of age, a wreath was brac'd,Palm of all arts, that e'er a mortal grac'd;Beneath him lies the sceptre kings have borne,And crowns and laurels from their temples torn.Nash, Rutledge, Jefferson, in council great,And Jay and Laurens op'd the rolls of fate.The Livingstons, fair Freedom's gen'rous band,The Lees, the Houstons, fathers of the land,O'er climes and kingdoms turn'd their ardent eyes,Bade all th' oppressed to speedy vengeance rise;All pow'rs of state, in their extended plan,Rise from consent to shield the rights of man.Bold Wolcott urg'd the all-important cause;With steady hand the solemn scene he draws;Undaunted firmness with his wisdom join'd,Nor kings nor worlds could warp his stedfast mind.Now, graceful rising from his purple throne,In radiant robes, immortal Hosmer shone;Myrtles and bays his learned temples bound,The statesman's wreath, the poet's garland crown'd:Morals and laws expand his liberal soul,Beam from his eyes, and in his accents roll.But lo! an unseen hand the curtain drew,And snatch'd the patriot from the hero's view;Wrapp'd in the shroud of death, he sees descendThe guide of nations and the muses' friend.Columbus dropp'd a tear. The angel's eyeTrac'd the freed spirit mounting thro' the sky.Adams, enrag'd, a broken charter bore,And lawless acts of ministerial pow'r;Some injur'd right in each loose leaf appears,A king in terrors and a land in tears;From all the guileful plots the veil he drew,With eye retortive look'd creation through;Op'd the wide range of nature's boundless plan,Trac'd all the steps of liberty and man;Crowds rose to vengeance while his accents rung,And Independence thunder'd from his tongue.Joel Barlow.
Columbus looked; and still around them spread,From south to north, th' immeasurable shade;At last, the central shadows burst away,And rising regions open'd on the day.He saw, once more, bright Del'ware's silver stream,And Penn's throng'd city cast a cheerful gleam;The dome of state, that met his eager eye,Now heav'd its arches in a loftier sky.The bursting gates unfold: and lo, within,A solemn train in conscious glory shine.The well-known forms his eye had trac'd before,In diff'rent realms along th' extended shore;Here, grac'd with nobler fame, and rob'd in state,They look'd and mov'd magnificently great.High on the foremost seat, in living light,Majestic Randolph caught the hero's sight:Fair on his head, the civic crown was plac'd,And the first dignity his sceptre grac'd.He opes the cause, and points in prospect far,Thro' all the toils that wait th' impending war—But, hapless sage, thy reign must soon be o'er,To lend thy lustre, and to shine no more.So the bright morning star, from shades of ev'n,Leads up the dawn, and lights the front of heav'n,Points to the waking world the sun's broad way,Then veils his own, and shines above the day.And see great Washington behind thee rise,Thy following sun, to gild our morning skies;O'er shadowy climes to pour the enliv'ning flame,The charms of freedom and the fire of fame.Th' ascending chief adorn'd his splendid seat,Like Randolph, ensign'd with a crown of state;Where the green patriot bay beheld, with pride,The hero's laurel springing by its side;His sword, hung useless, on his graceful thigh,On Britain still he cast a filial eye;But sov'reign fortitude his visage bore,To meet their legions on th' invaded shore.Sage Franklin next arose, in awful mien,And smil'd, unruffled, o'er th' approaching scene;High, on his locks of age, a wreath was brac'd,Palm of all arts, that e'er a mortal grac'd;Beneath him lies the sceptre kings have borne,And crowns and laurels from their temples torn.Nash, Rutledge, Jefferson, in council great,And Jay and Laurens op'd the rolls of fate.The Livingstons, fair Freedom's gen'rous band,The Lees, the Houstons, fathers of the land,O'er climes and kingdoms turn'd their ardent eyes,Bade all th' oppressed to speedy vengeance rise;All pow'rs of state, in their extended plan,Rise from consent to shield the rights of man.Bold Wolcott urg'd the all-important cause;With steady hand the solemn scene he draws;Undaunted firmness with his wisdom join'd,Nor kings nor worlds could warp his stedfast mind.Now, graceful rising from his purple throne,In radiant robes, immortal Hosmer shone;Myrtles and bays his learned temples bound,The statesman's wreath, the poet's garland crown'd:Morals and laws expand his liberal soul,Beam from his eyes, and in his accents roll.But lo! an unseen hand the curtain drew,And snatch'd the patriot from the hero's view;Wrapp'd in the shroud of death, he sees descendThe guide of nations and the muses' friend.Columbus dropp'd a tear. The angel's eyeTrac'd the freed spirit mounting thro' the sky.Adams, enrag'd, a broken charter bore,And lawless acts of ministerial pow'r;Some injur'd right in each loose leaf appears,A king in terrors and a land in tears;From all the guileful plots the veil he drew,With eye retortive look'd creation through;Op'd the wide range of nature's boundless plan,Trac'd all the steps of liberty and man;Crowds rose to vengeance while his accents rung,And Independence thunder'd from his tongue.
Joel Barlow.
The first business was the counting of the electoral votes. There were sixty-nine of them, and every one was for George Washington, of Virginia.
The first business was the counting of the electoral votes. There were sixty-nine of them, and every one was for George Washington, of Virginia.
WASHINGTON
God wills no man a slave. The man most meek,Who saw Him face to face on Horeb's peak,Had slain a tyrant for a bondman's wrong,And met his Lord with sinless soul and strong.But when, years after, overfraught with care,His feet once trod doubt's pathway to despair,For that one treason lapse, the guiding handThat led so far now barred the promised land.God makes no man a slave, no doubter free;Abiding faith alone wins liberty.No angel led our Chieftain's steps aright;No pilot cloud by day, no flame by night;No plague nor portent spake to foe or friend;No doubt assailed him, faithful to the end.Weaklings there were, as in the tribes of old,Who craved for fleshpots, worshipped calves of gold,Murmured that right would harder be than wrong,And freedom's narrow road so steep and long;But he who ne'er on Sinai's summit trod,Still walked the highest heights and spake with God;Saw with anointed eyes no promised landBy petty bounds or pettier cycles spanned,Its people curbed and broken to the ring,Packed with a caste and saddled with a King,—But freedom's heritage and training school,Where men unruled should learn to wisely rule,Till sun and moon should see at AjalonKing's heads in dust and freemen's feet thereon.His work well done, the leader stepped aside,Spurning a crown with more than kingly pride,Content to wear the higher crown of worth,While time endures, First Citizen of earth.James Jeffrey Roche.
God wills no man a slave. The man most meek,Who saw Him face to face on Horeb's peak,Had slain a tyrant for a bondman's wrong,And met his Lord with sinless soul and strong.But when, years after, overfraught with care,His feet once trod doubt's pathway to despair,For that one treason lapse, the guiding handThat led so far now barred the promised land.God makes no man a slave, no doubter free;Abiding faith alone wins liberty.No angel led our Chieftain's steps aright;No pilot cloud by day, no flame by night;No plague nor portent spake to foe or friend;No doubt assailed him, faithful to the end.Weaklings there were, as in the tribes of old,Who craved for fleshpots, worshipped calves of gold,Murmured that right would harder be than wrong,And freedom's narrow road so steep and long;But he who ne'er on Sinai's summit trod,Still walked the highest heights and spake with God;Saw with anointed eyes no promised landBy petty bounds or pettier cycles spanned,Its people curbed and broken to the ring,Packed with a caste and saddled with a King,—But freedom's heritage and training school,Where men unruled should learn to wisely rule,Till sun and moon should see at AjalonKing's heads in dust and freemen's feet thereon.His work well done, the leader stepped aside,Spurning a crown with more than kingly pride,Content to wear the higher crown of worth,While time endures, First Citizen of earth.James Jeffrey Roche.
God wills no man a slave. The man most meek,Who saw Him face to face on Horeb's peak,Had slain a tyrant for a bondman's wrong,And met his Lord with sinless soul and strong.But when, years after, overfraught with care,His feet once trod doubt's pathway to despair,For that one treason lapse, the guiding handThat led so far now barred the promised land.God makes no man a slave, no doubter free;Abiding faith alone wins liberty.
No angel led our Chieftain's steps aright;No pilot cloud by day, no flame by night;No plague nor portent spake to foe or friend;No doubt assailed him, faithful to the end.
Weaklings there were, as in the tribes of old,Who craved for fleshpots, worshipped calves of gold,Murmured that right would harder be than wrong,And freedom's narrow road so steep and long;But he who ne'er on Sinai's summit trod,Still walked the highest heights and spake with God;Saw with anointed eyes no promised landBy petty bounds or pettier cycles spanned,Its people curbed and broken to the ring,Packed with a caste and saddled with a King,—But freedom's heritage and training school,Where men unruled should learn to wisely rule,Till sun and moon should see at AjalonKing's heads in dust and freemen's feet thereon.
His work well done, the leader stepped aside,Spurning a crown with more than kingly pride,Content to wear the higher crown of worth,While time endures, First Citizen of earth.
James Jeffrey Roche.
Washington left Mount Vernon on April 16, and started for New York, where, on April 30, 1789, he took the oath of office as President of the United States.
Washington left Mount Vernon on April 16, and started for New York, where, on April 30, 1789, he took the oath of office as President of the United States.
THE VOW OF WASHINGTON
[April 30, 1789]
The sword was sheathed: in April's sunLay green the fields by Freedom won;And severed sections, weary of debates,Joined hands at last and were United States.O City sitting by the Sea!How proud the day that dawned on thee,When the new era, long desired, began,And, in its need, the hour had found the man!One thought the cannon salvos spoke,The resonant bell-tower's vibrant stroke,The voiceful streets, the plaudit-echoing halls,And prayer and hymn borne heavenward from St. Paul's!How felt the land in every partThe strong throb of a nation's heart,As its great leader gave, with reverent awe,His pledge to Union, Liberty, and Law!That pledge the heavens above him heard,That vow the sleep of centuries stirred;In world-wide wonder listening peoples bentTheir gaze on Freedom's great experiment.Could it succeed? Of honor soldAnd hopes deceived all history told.Above the wrecks that strewed the mournful past,Was the long dream of ages true at last?Thank God! the people's choice was just,The one man equal to his trust,Wise beyond lore, and without weakness good,Calm in the strength of flawless rectitude!His rule of justice, order, peace,Made possible the world's release;Taught prince and serf that power is but a trust,And rule alone, which serves the ruled, is just;That Freedom generous is, but strongIn hate of fraud and selfish wrong,Pretence that turns her holy truth to lies,And lawless license masking in her guise.Land of his love! with one glad voiceLet thy great sisterhood rejoice;A century's suns o'er thee have risen and set,And, God be praised, we are one nation yet.And still we trust the years to beShall prove his hope was destiny,Leaving our flag, with all its added stars,Unrent by faction and unstained by wars.Lo! where with patient toil he nursedAnd trained the new-set plant at first,The widening branches of a stately treeStretch from the sunrise to the sunset sea.And in its broad and sheltering shade,Sitting with none to make afraid,Were we now silent, through each mighty limb,The winds of heaven would sing the praise of him.Our first and best!—his ashes lieBeneath his own Virginian sky.Forgive, forget, O true and just and brave,The storm that swept above thy sacred grave!For, ever in the awful strifeAnd dark hours of the nation's life,Through the fierce tumult pierced his warning word,Their father's voice his erring children heard!The change for which he prayed and soughtIn that sharp agony was wrought;No partial interest draws its alien line'Twixt North and South, the cypress and the pine!One people now, all doubt beyond,His name shall be our Union-bond;We lift our hands to Heaven, and here and nowTake on our lips the old Centennial vow.For rule and trust must needs be ours;Chooser and chosen both are powersEqual in service as in rights; the claimOf Duty rests on each and all the same.Then let the sovereign millions, whereOur banner floats in sun and air,From the warm palm-lands to Alaska's cold,Repeat with us the pledge a century old!John Greenleaf Whittier.
The sword was sheathed: in April's sunLay green the fields by Freedom won;And severed sections, weary of debates,Joined hands at last and were United States.O City sitting by the Sea!How proud the day that dawned on thee,When the new era, long desired, began,And, in its need, the hour had found the man!One thought the cannon salvos spoke,The resonant bell-tower's vibrant stroke,The voiceful streets, the plaudit-echoing halls,And prayer and hymn borne heavenward from St. Paul's!How felt the land in every partThe strong throb of a nation's heart,As its great leader gave, with reverent awe,His pledge to Union, Liberty, and Law!That pledge the heavens above him heard,That vow the sleep of centuries stirred;In world-wide wonder listening peoples bentTheir gaze on Freedom's great experiment.Could it succeed? Of honor soldAnd hopes deceived all history told.Above the wrecks that strewed the mournful past,Was the long dream of ages true at last?Thank God! the people's choice was just,The one man equal to his trust,Wise beyond lore, and without weakness good,Calm in the strength of flawless rectitude!His rule of justice, order, peace,Made possible the world's release;Taught prince and serf that power is but a trust,And rule alone, which serves the ruled, is just;That Freedom generous is, but strongIn hate of fraud and selfish wrong,Pretence that turns her holy truth to lies,And lawless license masking in her guise.Land of his love! with one glad voiceLet thy great sisterhood rejoice;A century's suns o'er thee have risen and set,And, God be praised, we are one nation yet.And still we trust the years to beShall prove his hope was destiny,Leaving our flag, with all its added stars,Unrent by faction and unstained by wars.Lo! where with patient toil he nursedAnd trained the new-set plant at first,The widening branches of a stately treeStretch from the sunrise to the sunset sea.And in its broad and sheltering shade,Sitting with none to make afraid,Were we now silent, through each mighty limb,The winds of heaven would sing the praise of him.Our first and best!—his ashes lieBeneath his own Virginian sky.Forgive, forget, O true and just and brave,The storm that swept above thy sacred grave!For, ever in the awful strifeAnd dark hours of the nation's life,Through the fierce tumult pierced his warning word,Their father's voice his erring children heard!The change for which he prayed and soughtIn that sharp agony was wrought;No partial interest draws its alien line'Twixt North and South, the cypress and the pine!One people now, all doubt beyond,His name shall be our Union-bond;We lift our hands to Heaven, and here and nowTake on our lips the old Centennial vow.For rule and trust must needs be ours;Chooser and chosen both are powersEqual in service as in rights; the claimOf Duty rests on each and all the same.Then let the sovereign millions, whereOur banner floats in sun and air,From the warm palm-lands to Alaska's cold,Repeat with us the pledge a century old!John Greenleaf Whittier.
The sword was sheathed: in April's sunLay green the fields by Freedom won;And severed sections, weary of debates,Joined hands at last and were United States.
O City sitting by the Sea!How proud the day that dawned on thee,When the new era, long desired, began,And, in its need, the hour had found the man!
One thought the cannon salvos spoke,The resonant bell-tower's vibrant stroke,The voiceful streets, the plaudit-echoing halls,And prayer and hymn borne heavenward from St. Paul's!
How felt the land in every partThe strong throb of a nation's heart,As its great leader gave, with reverent awe,His pledge to Union, Liberty, and Law!
That pledge the heavens above him heard,That vow the sleep of centuries stirred;In world-wide wonder listening peoples bentTheir gaze on Freedom's great experiment.
Could it succeed? Of honor soldAnd hopes deceived all history told.Above the wrecks that strewed the mournful past,Was the long dream of ages true at last?
Thank God! the people's choice was just,The one man equal to his trust,Wise beyond lore, and without weakness good,Calm in the strength of flawless rectitude!
His rule of justice, order, peace,Made possible the world's release;Taught prince and serf that power is but a trust,And rule alone, which serves the ruled, is just;
That Freedom generous is, but strongIn hate of fraud and selfish wrong,Pretence that turns her holy truth to lies,And lawless license masking in her guise.
Land of his love! with one glad voiceLet thy great sisterhood rejoice;A century's suns o'er thee have risen and set,And, God be praised, we are one nation yet.
And still we trust the years to beShall prove his hope was destiny,Leaving our flag, with all its added stars,Unrent by faction and unstained by wars.
Lo! where with patient toil he nursedAnd trained the new-set plant at first,The widening branches of a stately treeStretch from the sunrise to the sunset sea.
And in its broad and sheltering shade,Sitting with none to make afraid,Were we now silent, through each mighty limb,The winds of heaven would sing the praise of him.
Our first and best!—his ashes lieBeneath his own Virginian sky.Forgive, forget, O true and just and brave,The storm that swept above thy sacred grave!
For, ever in the awful strifeAnd dark hours of the nation's life,Through the fierce tumult pierced his warning word,Their father's voice his erring children heard!
The change for which he prayed and soughtIn that sharp agony was wrought;No partial interest draws its alien line'Twixt North and South, the cypress and the pine!
One people now, all doubt beyond,His name shall be our Union-bond;We lift our hands to Heaven, and here and nowTake on our lips the old Centennial vow.
For rule and trust must needs be ours;Chooser and chosen both are powersEqual in service as in rights; the claimOf Duty rests on each and all the same.
Then let the sovereign millions, whereOur banner floats in sun and air,From the warm palm-lands to Alaska's cold,Repeat with us the pledge a century old!
John Greenleaf Whittier.
Benjamin Franklin had been in ill-health for many months, and the end came at Philadelphia, April 17, 1790. He was born at Boston, January 17, 1706.
Benjamin Franklin had been in ill-health for many months, and the end came at Philadelphia, April 17, 1790. He was born at Boston, January 17, 1706.
ON THE DEATH OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
[April 17, 1790]
Thus, some tall tree that long hath stoodThe glory of its native wood,By storms destroyed, or length of years,Demands the tribute of our tears.The pile, that took long time to raise,To dust returns by slow decays;But, when its destined years are o'er,We must regret the loss the more.So long accustomed to your aid,The world laments your exit made;So long befriended by your art,Philosopher, 'tis hard to part!—When monarchs tumble to the groundSuccessors easily are found;But, matchless Franklin! what a fewCan hope to rival such as you,Who seized from kings their sceptred pride,And turned the lightning's darts aside!Philip Freneau.
Thus, some tall tree that long hath stoodThe glory of its native wood,By storms destroyed, or length of years,Demands the tribute of our tears.The pile, that took long time to raise,To dust returns by slow decays;But, when its destined years are o'er,We must regret the loss the more.So long accustomed to your aid,The world laments your exit made;So long befriended by your art,Philosopher, 'tis hard to part!—When monarchs tumble to the groundSuccessors easily are found;But, matchless Franklin! what a fewCan hope to rival such as you,Who seized from kings their sceptred pride,And turned the lightning's darts aside!Philip Freneau.
Thus, some tall tree that long hath stoodThe glory of its native wood,By storms destroyed, or length of years,Demands the tribute of our tears.
The pile, that took long time to raise,To dust returns by slow decays;But, when its destined years are o'er,We must regret the loss the more.
So long accustomed to your aid,The world laments your exit made;So long befriended by your art,Philosopher, 'tis hard to part!—
When monarchs tumble to the groundSuccessors easily are found;But, matchless Franklin! what a fewCan hope to rival such as you,Who seized from kings their sceptred pride,And turned the lightning's darts aside!
Philip Freneau.
On November 6, 1792, George Washington was again unanimously chosen President of the United States, and was inaugurated on March 4, 1793.
On November 6, 1792, George Washington was again unanimously chosen President of the United States, and was inaugurated on March 4, 1793.
GEORGE WASHINGTON
This was the man God gave us when the hourProclaimed the dawn of Liberty begun;Who dared a deed and died when it was donePatient in triumph, temperate in power,—Not striving like the Corsican to towerTo heaven, nor like great Philip's greater sonTo win the world and weep for worlds unwon,Or lose the star to revel in the flower.The lives that serve the eternal veritiesAlone do mould mankind. Pleasure and prideSparkle awhile and perish, as the spraySmoking across the crests of cavernous seasIs impotent to hasten or delayThe everlasting surges of the tide.John Hall Ingham.
This was the man God gave us when the hourProclaimed the dawn of Liberty begun;Who dared a deed and died when it was donePatient in triumph, temperate in power,—Not striving like the Corsican to towerTo heaven, nor like great Philip's greater sonTo win the world and weep for worlds unwon,Or lose the star to revel in the flower.The lives that serve the eternal veritiesAlone do mould mankind. Pleasure and prideSparkle awhile and perish, as the spraySmoking across the crests of cavernous seasIs impotent to hasten or delayThe everlasting surges of the tide.John Hall Ingham.
This was the man God gave us when the hourProclaimed the dawn of Liberty begun;Who dared a deed and died when it was donePatient in triumph, temperate in power,—Not striving like the Corsican to towerTo heaven, nor like great Philip's greater sonTo win the world and weep for worlds unwon,Or lose the star to revel in the flower.The lives that serve the eternal veritiesAlone do mould mankind. Pleasure and prideSparkle awhile and perish, as the spraySmoking across the crests of cavernous seasIs impotent to hasten or delayThe everlasting surges of the tide.
John Hall Ingham.
On September 19, 1796, Washington issued his "farewell address," declining a third term as President.
On September 19, 1796, Washington issued his "farewell address," declining a third term as President.
WASHINGTON
Where may the wearied eye reposeWhen gazing on the Great;Where neither guilty glory glows,Nor despicable state?Yes—one—the first—the last—the best—The Cincinnatus of the West,Whom envy dared not hate,Bequeath the name of Washington,To make men blush there was but one!Lord Byron.
Where may the wearied eye reposeWhen gazing on the Great;Where neither guilty glory glows,Nor despicable state?Yes—one—the first—the last—the best—The Cincinnatus of the West,Whom envy dared not hate,Bequeath the name of Washington,To make men blush there was but one!Lord Byron.
Where may the wearied eye reposeWhen gazing on the Great;Where neither guilty glory glows,Nor despicable state?Yes—one—the first—the last—the best—The Cincinnatus of the West,Whom envy dared not hate,Bequeath the name of Washington,To make men blush there was but one!
Lord Byron.
The election was held on November 8, 1796, and the electoral votes were counted February 8, 1797. John Adams received seventy-one, Thomas Jefferson sixty-eight, Thomas Pinckney fifty-nine, and Aaron Burr thirty. Adams assumed office March 4, 1797. Relations with both France and England had become more than ever strained, and a war, especially with the former, seemed certain. These circumstances gave birth to one of the most popular political songs ever written in America.
The election was held on November 8, 1796, and the electoral votes were counted February 8, 1797. John Adams received seventy-one, Thomas Jefferson sixty-eight, Thomas Pinckney fifty-nine, and Aaron Burr thirty. Adams assumed office March 4, 1797. Relations with both France and England had become more than ever strained, and a war, especially with the former, seemed certain. These circumstances gave birth to one of the most popular political songs ever written in America.
ADAMS AND LIBERTY
[1798]
Ye sons of Columbia, who bravely have foughtFor those rights which unstained from your sires have descended,May you long taste the blessings your valor has bought,And your sons reap the soil which their fathers defended.'Mid the reign of mild peace,May your nation increase,With the glory of Rome and the wisdom of Greece;And ne'er shall the sons of Columbia be slaves,While the earth bears a plant, or the sea rolls its waves.In a clime, whose rich vales feed the marts of the world,Whose shores are unshaken by Europe's commotion,The trident of commerce should never be hurl'd,To incense the legitimate powers of the ocean.But should pirates invade,Though in thunder array'd,Let your cannon declare the free charter of trade.For ne'er shall the sons of Columbia be slaves,While the earth bears a plant, or the sea rolls its waves.The fame of our arms, of our laws the mild sway,Had justly ennobled our nation in story,Till the dark clouds of faction obscured our young day,And enveloped the sun of American glory.But let traitors be told,Who their country have sold,And barter'd their God for his image in gold,That ne'er will the sons of Columbia be slaves,While the earth bears a plant, or the sea rolls its waves.While France her huge limbs bathes recumbent in blood,And society's base threats with wide dissolution;May peace, like the dove who return'd from the flood,Find an ark of abode in our mild constitution.But, though peace is our aim,Yet the boon we disclaim,If bought by our sovereignty, justice, or fame;For ne'er shall the sons of Columbia be slaves,While the earth bears a plant, or the sea rolls its waves.'Tis the fire of the flint, each American warms:Let Rome's haughty victors beware of collision,Let them bring all the vassals of Europe in arms,We're a world by ourselves, and disdain a division.While, with patriot pride,To our laws we're allied,No foe can subdue us, no faction divide,For ne'er shall the sons of Columbia be slaves,While the earth bears a plant, or the sea rolls its waves.Our mountains are crown'd with imperial oak;Whose roots, like our liberties, ages have nourish'd;But long ere our nation submits to the yoke,Not a tree shall be left on the field where it flourish'd.Should invasion impend,Every grove would descend,From the hill-tops, they shaded, our shores to defend.For ne'er shall the sons of Columbia be slaves,While the earth bears a plant, or the sea rolls its waves.Let our patriots destroy Anarch's pestilent worm;Lest our liberty's growth should be check'd by corrosion;Then let clouds thicken round us; we heed not the storm;Our realm fears no shock, but the earth's own explosion.Foes assail us in vain,Though their fleets bridge the main,For our altars and laws with our lives we'll maintain.For ne'er shall the sons of Columbia be slaves,While the earth bears a plant, or the sea rolls its waves.Should the tempest of war overshadow our land,Its bolts could ne'er rend Freedom's temple asunder;For, unmov'd, at its portal, would Washington stand,And repulse, with his breast, the assaults of the thunder!His sword from the sleepOf its scabbard would leap,And conduct, with its point, every flash to the deep!For ne'er shall the sons of Columbia be slaves,While the earth bears a plant, or the sea rolls its waves.Let fame to the world sound America's voice;No intrigues can her sons from their government sever;Her pride is her Adams; her laws are his choice,And shall flourish, till Liberty slumbers forever.Then unite heart and hand,Like Leonidas' band,And swear to the God of the ocean and land,That ne'er shall the sons of Columbia be slaves,While the earth bears a plant, or the sea rolls its waves.Robert Treat Paine.
Ye sons of Columbia, who bravely have foughtFor those rights which unstained from your sires have descended,May you long taste the blessings your valor has bought,And your sons reap the soil which their fathers defended.'Mid the reign of mild peace,May your nation increase,With the glory of Rome and the wisdom of Greece;And ne'er shall the sons of Columbia be slaves,While the earth bears a plant, or the sea rolls its waves.In a clime, whose rich vales feed the marts of the world,Whose shores are unshaken by Europe's commotion,The trident of commerce should never be hurl'd,To incense the legitimate powers of the ocean.But should pirates invade,Though in thunder array'd,Let your cannon declare the free charter of trade.For ne'er shall the sons of Columbia be slaves,While the earth bears a plant, or the sea rolls its waves.The fame of our arms, of our laws the mild sway,Had justly ennobled our nation in story,Till the dark clouds of faction obscured our young day,And enveloped the sun of American glory.But let traitors be told,Who their country have sold,And barter'd their God for his image in gold,That ne'er will the sons of Columbia be slaves,While the earth bears a plant, or the sea rolls its waves.While France her huge limbs bathes recumbent in blood,And society's base threats with wide dissolution;May peace, like the dove who return'd from the flood,Find an ark of abode in our mild constitution.But, though peace is our aim,Yet the boon we disclaim,If bought by our sovereignty, justice, or fame;For ne'er shall the sons of Columbia be slaves,While the earth bears a plant, or the sea rolls its waves.'Tis the fire of the flint, each American warms:Let Rome's haughty victors beware of collision,Let them bring all the vassals of Europe in arms,We're a world by ourselves, and disdain a division.While, with patriot pride,To our laws we're allied,No foe can subdue us, no faction divide,For ne'er shall the sons of Columbia be slaves,While the earth bears a plant, or the sea rolls its waves.Our mountains are crown'd with imperial oak;Whose roots, like our liberties, ages have nourish'd;But long ere our nation submits to the yoke,Not a tree shall be left on the field where it flourish'd.Should invasion impend,Every grove would descend,From the hill-tops, they shaded, our shores to defend.For ne'er shall the sons of Columbia be slaves,While the earth bears a plant, or the sea rolls its waves.Let our patriots destroy Anarch's pestilent worm;Lest our liberty's growth should be check'd by corrosion;Then let clouds thicken round us; we heed not the storm;Our realm fears no shock, but the earth's own explosion.Foes assail us in vain,Though their fleets bridge the main,For our altars and laws with our lives we'll maintain.For ne'er shall the sons of Columbia be slaves,While the earth bears a plant, or the sea rolls its waves.Should the tempest of war overshadow our land,Its bolts could ne'er rend Freedom's temple asunder;For, unmov'd, at its portal, would Washington stand,And repulse, with his breast, the assaults of the thunder!His sword from the sleepOf its scabbard would leap,And conduct, with its point, every flash to the deep!For ne'er shall the sons of Columbia be slaves,While the earth bears a plant, or the sea rolls its waves.Let fame to the world sound America's voice;No intrigues can her sons from their government sever;Her pride is her Adams; her laws are his choice,And shall flourish, till Liberty slumbers forever.Then unite heart and hand,Like Leonidas' band,And swear to the God of the ocean and land,That ne'er shall the sons of Columbia be slaves,While the earth bears a plant, or the sea rolls its waves.Robert Treat Paine.
Ye sons of Columbia, who bravely have foughtFor those rights which unstained from your sires have descended,May you long taste the blessings your valor has bought,And your sons reap the soil which their fathers defended.'Mid the reign of mild peace,May your nation increase,With the glory of Rome and the wisdom of Greece;And ne'er shall the sons of Columbia be slaves,While the earth bears a plant, or the sea rolls its waves.
In a clime, whose rich vales feed the marts of the world,Whose shores are unshaken by Europe's commotion,The trident of commerce should never be hurl'd,To incense the legitimate powers of the ocean.But should pirates invade,Though in thunder array'd,Let your cannon declare the free charter of trade.For ne'er shall the sons of Columbia be slaves,While the earth bears a plant, or the sea rolls its waves.
The fame of our arms, of our laws the mild sway,Had justly ennobled our nation in story,Till the dark clouds of faction obscured our young day,And enveloped the sun of American glory.But let traitors be told,Who their country have sold,And barter'd their God for his image in gold,That ne'er will the sons of Columbia be slaves,While the earth bears a plant, or the sea rolls its waves.
While France her huge limbs bathes recumbent in blood,And society's base threats with wide dissolution;May peace, like the dove who return'd from the flood,Find an ark of abode in our mild constitution.But, though peace is our aim,Yet the boon we disclaim,If bought by our sovereignty, justice, or fame;For ne'er shall the sons of Columbia be slaves,While the earth bears a plant, or the sea rolls its waves.
'Tis the fire of the flint, each American warms:Let Rome's haughty victors beware of collision,Let them bring all the vassals of Europe in arms,We're a world by ourselves, and disdain a division.While, with patriot pride,To our laws we're allied,No foe can subdue us, no faction divide,For ne'er shall the sons of Columbia be slaves,While the earth bears a plant, or the sea rolls its waves.
Our mountains are crown'd with imperial oak;Whose roots, like our liberties, ages have nourish'd;But long ere our nation submits to the yoke,Not a tree shall be left on the field where it flourish'd.Should invasion impend,Every grove would descend,From the hill-tops, they shaded, our shores to defend.For ne'er shall the sons of Columbia be slaves,While the earth bears a plant, or the sea rolls its waves.
Let our patriots destroy Anarch's pestilent worm;Lest our liberty's growth should be check'd by corrosion;Then let clouds thicken round us; we heed not the storm;Our realm fears no shock, but the earth's own explosion.Foes assail us in vain,Though their fleets bridge the main,For our altars and laws with our lives we'll maintain.For ne'er shall the sons of Columbia be slaves,While the earth bears a plant, or the sea rolls its waves.
Should the tempest of war overshadow our land,Its bolts could ne'er rend Freedom's temple asunder;For, unmov'd, at its portal, would Washington stand,And repulse, with his breast, the assaults of the thunder!His sword from the sleepOf its scabbard would leap,And conduct, with its point, every flash to the deep!For ne'er shall the sons of Columbia be slaves,While the earth bears a plant, or the sea rolls its waves.
Let fame to the world sound America's voice;No intrigues can her sons from their government sever;Her pride is her Adams; her laws are his choice,And shall flourish, till Liberty slumbers forever.Then unite heart and hand,Like Leonidas' band,And swear to the God of the ocean and land,That ne'er shall the sons of Columbia be slaves,While the earth bears a plant, or the sea rolls its waves.
Robert Treat Paine.
On May 28, 1798, Congress authorized a provisional army of ten thousand men and empowered the President to instruct the commanders of American ships of war to seize French armed vessels attacking American merchantmen, or hovering about the coast for that purpose. Public excitement ran high, and when Hopkinson's "Hail Columbia" was sung one night at a Philadelphia theatre, it met with instantaneous success.
On May 28, 1798, Congress authorized a provisional army of ten thousand men and empowered the President to instruct the commanders of American ships of war to seize French armed vessels attacking American merchantmen, or hovering about the coast for that purpose. Public excitement ran high, and when Hopkinson's "Hail Columbia" was sung one night at a Philadelphia theatre, it met with instantaneous success.
HAIL COLUMBIA
[First sung at the Chestnut Street Theatre, Philadelphia, May, 1798]
Hail! Columbia, happy land!Hail! ye heroes, heav'n-born band,Who fought and bled in freedom's cause,Who fought and bled in freedom's cause,And when the storm of war was gone,Enjoyed the peace your valor won;Let independence be your boast,Ever mindful what it cost,Ever grateful for the prize,Let its altar reach the skies.Chorus—Firm, united let us be,Rallying round our liberty,As a band of brothers joined,Peace and safety we shall find.Immortal patriots, rise once more!Defend your rights, defend your shore;Let no rude foe with impious hand,Let no rude foe with impious handInvade the shrine where sacred liesOf toil and blood the well-earned prize;While offering peace, sincere and just,In heav'n we place a manly trust,That truth and justice may prevail,And ev'ry scheme of bondage fail.Sound, sound the trump of fame!Let Washington's great nameRing thro' the world with loud applause!Ring thro' the world with loud applause!Let ev'ry clime to freedom dearListen with a joyful ear;With equal skill, with steady pow'r,He governs in the fearful hourOf horrid war, or guides with easeThe happier time of honest peace.Behold the chief, who now commands,Once more to serve his country stands,The rock on which the storm will beat!The rock on which the storm will beat!But armed in virtue, firm and true,His hopes are fixed on heav'n and you.When hope was sinking in dismay,When gloom obscured Columbia's day,His steady mind, from changes free,Resolved on death or liberty.Joseph Hopkinson.
Hail! Columbia, happy land!Hail! ye heroes, heav'n-born band,Who fought and bled in freedom's cause,Who fought and bled in freedom's cause,And when the storm of war was gone,Enjoyed the peace your valor won;Let independence be your boast,Ever mindful what it cost,Ever grateful for the prize,Let its altar reach the skies.Chorus—Firm, united let us be,Rallying round our liberty,As a band of brothers joined,Peace and safety we shall find.Immortal patriots, rise once more!Defend your rights, defend your shore;Let no rude foe with impious hand,Let no rude foe with impious handInvade the shrine where sacred liesOf toil and blood the well-earned prize;While offering peace, sincere and just,In heav'n we place a manly trust,That truth and justice may prevail,And ev'ry scheme of bondage fail.Sound, sound the trump of fame!Let Washington's great nameRing thro' the world with loud applause!Ring thro' the world with loud applause!Let ev'ry clime to freedom dearListen with a joyful ear;With equal skill, with steady pow'r,He governs in the fearful hourOf horrid war, or guides with easeThe happier time of honest peace.Behold the chief, who now commands,Once more to serve his country stands,The rock on which the storm will beat!The rock on which the storm will beat!But armed in virtue, firm and true,His hopes are fixed on heav'n and you.When hope was sinking in dismay,When gloom obscured Columbia's day,His steady mind, from changes free,Resolved on death or liberty.Joseph Hopkinson.
Hail! Columbia, happy land!Hail! ye heroes, heav'n-born band,Who fought and bled in freedom's cause,Who fought and bled in freedom's cause,And when the storm of war was gone,Enjoyed the peace your valor won;Let independence be your boast,Ever mindful what it cost,Ever grateful for the prize,Let its altar reach the skies.
Chorus—Firm, united let us be,Rallying round our liberty,As a band of brothers joined,Peace and safety we shall find.
Immortal patriots, rise once more!Defend your rights, defend your shore;Let no rude foe with impious hand,Let no rude foe with impious handInvade the shrine where sacred liesOf toil and blood the well-earned prize;While offering peace, sincere and just,In heav'n we place a manly trust,That truth and justice may prevail,And ev'ry scheme of bondage fail.
Sound, sound the trump of fame!Let Washington's great nameRing thro' the world with loud applause!Ring thro' the world with loud applause!Let ev'ry clime to freedom dearListen with a joyful ear;With equal skill, with steady pow'r,He governs in the fearful hourOf horrid war, or guides with easeThe happier time of honest peace.
Behold the chief, who now commands,Once more to serve his country stands,The rock on which the storm will beat!The rock on which the storm will beat!But armed in virtue, firm and true,His hopes are fixed on heav'n and you.When hope was sinking in dismay,When gloom obscured Columbia's day,His steady mind, from changes free,Resolved on death or liberty.
Joseph Hopkinson.
Word crossed the ocean that Napoleon was gathering a great fleet at Toulon and it was generally believed that he intended to invade America. The fleet, of course, was intended for his expedition to Egypt, and the idea that he hoped to conquer America seems ludicrous enough, but some verses written by Thomas Green Fessenden in July, 1798, show how seriously it was entertained.
Word crossed the ocean that Napoleon was gathering a great fleet at Toulon and it was generally believed that he intended to invade America. The fleet, of course, was intended for his expedition to Egypt, and the idea that he hoped to conquer America seems ludicrous enough, but some verses written by Thomas Green Fessenden in July, 1798, show how seriously it was entertained.
YE SONS OF COLUMBIA
AN ODE
[July, 1798]
Ye sons of Columbia, unite in the causeOf liberty, justice, religion, and laws;Should foes then invade us, to battle we'll hie,For theGod of our fatherswill be our ally!Let Frenchmen advance,And all Europe join France,Designing our conquest and plunder;United and freeForever we'll be,And our cannon shall tell them in thunder,That foes to our freedom we'll ever defy,Till the continent sinks, and the ocean is dry!When Britain assail'd us, undaunted we stood,Defended the land we had purchas'd with blood,Our liberty won, and it shall be our boast,If the old world united should menace our coast:—Should millions invade,In terrour array'd,Our liberties bid us surrender,Our country they'd findWith bayonets lin'd,And Washington here to defend her,For foes to our freedom we'll ever defyTill the continent sinks, and the ocean is dry!Should Buonapart' come with his sans culotte band,And a new sort of freedom we don't understand,And make us an offer to give us as muchAs France has bestow'd on the Swiss and the Dutch,His fraud and his forceWill be futile of course;We wish for noFrenchifiedFreedom:If folks beyond seaAre to bid us be free,We'll send for them when we shall need 'em.But sans culotte Frenchmen we'll ever defy,Till the continent sinks, and the ocean is dry!We're anxious that Peace may continue her reign,We cherish the virtues which sport in her train;Our hearts ever melt, when the fatherless sigh,And we shiver at Horrour's funereal cry!But still, though we prizeThat child of the skies,We'll never like slaves be accosted.In a war of defenceOur means are immense,And we'll fight till ourallis exhausted:For foes to our freedom we'll ever defy,Till the continent sinks, and the ocean is dry!Theeagleoffreedomwith rapture behold,Overshadow our land with his plumage of gold!The flood-gates of glory are open on high,And Warren and Mercer descend from the sky!They come from aboveWith a message of love,To bid us be firm and decided;"At Liberty's call,Unite one and all,For you conquer, unless you're divided.Unite, and the foes to your freedom defy,Till the continent sinks and the ocean is dry!"Americans, seek no occasion for war;The rude deeds of rapine still ever abhor:But if in defence of your rights you should arm,Let toils ne'er discourage, nor dangers alarm.For foes to your peaceWill ever increase,If freedom and fame you should barter,Let those rights be yours,While nature endures,ForOmnipotencegave you the charter!"Then foes to our freedom we'll ever defy,Till the continent sinks, and the ocean is dry!Thomas Green Fessenden.
Ye sons of Columbia, unite in the causeOf liberty, justice, religion, and laws;Should foes then invade us, to battle we'll hie,For theGod of our fatherswill be our ally!Let Frenchmen advance,And all Europe join France,Designing our conquest and plunder;United and freeForever we'll be,And our cannon shall tell them in thunder,That foes to our freedom we'll ever defy,Till the continent sinks, and the ocean is dry!When Britain assail'd us, undaunted we stood,Defended the land we had purchas'd with blood,Our liberty won, and it shall be our boast,If the old world united should menace our coast:—Should millions invade,In terrour array'd,Our liberties bid us surrender,Our country they'd findWith bayonets lin'd,And Washington here to defend her,For foes to our freedom we'll ever defyTill the continent sinks, and the ocean is dry!Should Buonapart' come with his sans culotte band,And a new sort of freedom we don't understand,And make us an offer to give us as muchAs France has bestow'd on the Swiss and the Dutch,His fraud and his forceWill be futile of course;We wish for noFrenchifiedFreedom:If folks beyond seaAre to bid us be free,We'll send for them when we shall need 'em.But sans culotte Frenchmen we'll ever defy,Till the continent sinks, and the ocean is dry!We're anxious that Peace may continue her reign,We cherish the virtues which sport in her train;Our hearts ever melt, when the fatherless sigh,And we shiver at Horrour's funereal cry!But still, though we prizeThat child of the skies,We'll never like slaves be accosted.In a war of defenceOur means are immense,And we'll fight till ourallis exhausted:For foes to our freedom we'll ever defy,Till the continent sinks, and the ocean is dry!Theeagleoffreedomwith rapture behold,Overshadow our land with his plumage of gold!The flood-gates of glory are open on high,And Warren and Mercer descend from the sky!They come from aboveWith a message of love,To bid us be firm and decided;"At Liberty's call,Unite one and all,For you conquer, unless you're divided.Unite, and the foes to your freedom defy,Till the continent sinks and the ocean is dry!"Americans, seek no occasion for war;The rude deeds of rapine still ever abhor:But if in defence of your rights you should arm,Let toils ne'er discourage, nor dangers alarm.For foes to your peaceWill ever increase,If freedom and fame you should barter,Let those rights be yours,While nature endures,ForOmnipotencegave you the charter!"Then foes to our freedom we'll ever defy,Till the continent sinks, and the ocean is dry!Thomas Green Fessenden.
Ye sons of Columbia, unite in the causeOf liberty, justice, religion, and laws;Should foes then invade us, to battle we'll hie,For theGod of our fatherswill be our ally!Let Frenchmen advance,And all Europe join France,Designing our conquest and plunder;United and freeForever we'll be,And our cannon shall tell them in thunder,That foes to our freedom we'll ever defy,Till the continent sinks, and the ocean is dry!
When Britain assail'd us, undaunted we stood,Defended the land we had purchas'd with blood,Our liberty won, and it shall be our boast,If the old world united should menace our coast:—Should millions invade,In terrour array'd,Our liberties bid us surrender,Our country they'd findWith bayonets lin'd,And Washington here to defend her,For foes to our freedom we'll ever defyTill the continent sinks, and the ocean is dry!
Should Buonapart' come with his sans culotte band,And a new sort of freedom we don't understand,And make us an offer to give us as muchAs France has bestow'd on the Swiss and the Dutch,His fraud and his forceWill be futile of course;We wish for noFrenchifiedFreedom:If folks beyond seaAre to bid us be free,We'll send for them when we shall need 'em.But sans culotte Frenchmen we'll ever defy,Till the continent sinks, and the ocean is dry!
We're anxious that Peace may continue her reign,We cherish the virtues which sport in her train;Our hearts ever melt, when the fatherless sigh,And we shiver at Horrour's funereal cry!But still, though we prizeThat child of the skies,We'll never like slaves be accosted.In a war of defenceOur means are immense,And we'll fight till ourallis exhausted:For foes to our freedom we'll ever defy,Till the continent sinks, and the ocean is dry!
Theeagleoffreedomwith rapture behold,Overshadow our land with his plumage of gold!The flood-gates of glory are open on high,And Warren and Mercer descend from the sky!They come from aboveWith a message of love,To bid us be firm and decided;"At Liberty's call,Unite one and all,For you conquer, unless you're divided.Unite, and the foes to your freedom defy,Till the continent sinks and the ocean is dry!
"Americans, seek no occasion for war;The rude deeds of rapine still ever abhor:But if in defence of your rights you should arm,Let toils ne'er discourage, nor dangers alarm.For foes to your peaceWill ever increase,If freedom and fame you should barter,Let those rights be yours,While nature endures,ForOmnipotencegave you the charter!"Then foes to our freedom we'll ever defy,Till the continent sinks, and the ocean is dry!
Thomas Green Fessenden.
Though there was to be no invasion to repel, the new navy was soon to win its spurs. On February 9, 1799, the Constellation, Captain Truxton, sighted the 36-gun frigate, Insurgente, off St. Kitts, in the West Indies, and promptly gave chase. The Frenchman was overhauled about the middle of the afternoon, and after a fierce engagement was forced to surrender. Two months later, Napoleon agreed to receive the American envoy "with the respect due a powerful nation," and all danger of war was soon over.
Though there was to be no invasion to repel, the new navy was soon to win its spurs. On February 9, 1799, the Constellation, Captain Truxton, sighted the 36-gun frigate, Insurgente, off St. Kitts, in the West Indies, and promptly gave chase. The Frenchman was overhauled about the middle of the afternoon, and after a fierce engagement was forced to surrender. Two months later, Napoleon agreed to receive the American envoy "with the respect due a powerful nation," and all danger of war was soon over.
TRUXTON'S VICTORY
[February 9, 1799]
When Freedom, fair Freedom, her banner display'd,Defying each foe whom her rights would invade,Columbia's brave sons swore those rights to maintain,And o'er ocean and earth to establish her reign;United they cry,While that standard shall fly,Resolved, firm, and steady,We always are readyTo fight, and to conquer, to conquer or die.Tho' Gallia through Europe has rushed like a flood,And deluged the earth with an ocean of blood:While by faction she's led, while she's governed by knaves,We court not her smiles, and will ne'er be her slaves;Her threats we defy,While our standard shall fly,Resolved, firm, and steady,We always are readyTo fight, and to conquer, to conquer or die.Tho' France with caprice dares our Statesmen upbraid,A tribute demands, or sets bounds to our trade;From our young rising Navy our thunders shall roar,And our Commerce extend to the earth's utmost shore.Our cannon we'll ply,While our standard shall fly;Resolved, firm, and steady,We always are readyTo fight, and to conquer, to conquer or die.To know we're resolved, let them think on the hour,When Truxton, brave Truxton off Nevis's shore,His ship mann'd for battle, the standard unfurl'd,And at the Insurgente defiance he hurled;And his valiant tars cry,While our standard shall fly,Resolved, firm, and steady,We always are readyTo fight, and to conquer, to conquer or die.Each heart beat exulting, inspir'd by the cause;They fought for their country, their freedom and laws;From their cannon loud volleys of vengeance they pour'd,And the standard of France to Columbia was lower'd.Huzza! they now cry,Let the Eagle wave high;Resolved, firm, and steady,We always are readyTo fight, and to conquer, to conquer or die.Then raise high the strain, pay the tribute that's dueTo the fair Constellation, and all her brave Crew;Be Truxton revered, and his name be enrolled,'Mongst the chiefs of the ocean, the heroes of old.Each invader defy,While such heroes are nigh,Who always are ready,Resolved, firm, and steadyTo fight, and to conquer, to conquer or die.
When Freedom, fair Freedom, her banner display'd,Defying each foe whom her rights would invade,Columbia's brave sons swore those rights to maintain,And o'er ocean and earth to establish her reign;United they cry,While that standard shall fly,Resolved, firm, and steady,We always are readyTo fight, and to conquer, to conquer or die.Tho' Gallia through Europe has rushed like a flood,And deluged the earth with an ocean of blood:While by faction she's led, while she's governed by knaves,We court not her smiles, and will ne'er be her slaves;Her threats we defy,While our standard shall fly,Resolved, firm, and steady,We always are readyTo fight, and to conquer, to conquer or die.Tho' France with caprice dares our Statesmen upbraid,A tribute demands, or sets bounds to our trade;From our young rising Navy our thunders shall roar,And our Commerce extend to the earth's utmost shore.Our cannon we'll ply,While our standard shall fly;Resolved, firm, and steady,We always are readyTo fight, and to conquer, to conquer or die.To know we're resolved, let them think on the hour,When Truxton, brave Truxton off Nevis's shore,His ship mann'd for battle, the standard unfurl'd,And at the Insurgente defiance he hurled;And his valiant tars cry,While our standard shall fly,Resolved, firm, and steady,We always are readyTo fight, and to conquer, to conquer or die.Each heart beat exulting, inspir'd by the cause;They fought for their country, their freedom and laws;From their cannon loud volleys of vengeance they pour'd,And the standard of France to Columbia was lower'd.Huzza! they now cry,Let the Eagle wave high;Resolved, firm, and steady,We always are readyTo fight, and to conquer, to conquer or die.Then raise high the strain, pay the tribute that's dueTo the fair Constellation, and all her brave Crew;Be Truxton revered, and his name be enrolled,'Mongst the chiefs of the ocean, the heroes of old.Each invader defy,While such heroes are nigh,Who always are ready,Resolved, firm, and steadyTo fight, and to conquer, to conquer or die.
When Freedom, fair Freedom, her banner display'd,Defying each foe whom her rights would invade,Columbia's brave sons swore those rights to maintain,And o'er ocean and earth to establish her reign;United they cry,While that standard shall fly,Resolved, firm, and steady,We always are readyTo fight, and to conquer, to conquer or die.
Tho' Gallia through Europe has rushed like a flood,And deluged the earth with an ocean of blood:While by faction she's led, while she's governed by knaves,We court not her smiles, and will ne'er be her slaves;Her threats we defy,While our standard shall fly,Resolved, firm, and steady,We always are readyTo fight, and to conquer, to conquer or die.
Tho' France with caprice dares our Statesmen upbraid,A tribute demands, or sets bounds to our trade;From our young rising Navy our thunders shall roar,And our Commerce extend to the earth's utmost shore.Our cannon we'll ply,While our standard shall fly;Resolved, firm, and steady,We always are readyTo fight, and to conquer, to conquer or die.
To know we're resolved, let them think on the hour,When Truxton, brave Truxton off Nevis's shore,His ship mann'd for battle, the standard unfurl'd,And at the Insurgente defiance he hurled;And his valiant tars cry,While our standard shall fly,Resolved, firm, and steady,We always are readyTo fight, and to conquer, to conquer or die.
Each heart beat exulting, inspir'd by the cause;They fought for their country, their freedom and laws;From their cannon loud volleys of vengeance they pour'd,And the standard of France to Columbia was lower'd.Huzza! they now cry,Let the Eagle wave high;Resolved, firm, and steady,We always are readyTo fight, and to conquer, to conquer or die.
Then raise high the strain, pay the tribute that's dueTo the fair Constellation, and all her brave Crew;Be Truxton revered, and his name be enrolled,'Mongst the chiefs of the ocean, the heroes of old.Each invader defy,While such heroes are nigh,Who always are ready,Resolved, firm, and steadyTo fight, and to conquer, to conquer or die.
THE CONSTELLATION AND THE INSURGENTE
[February 9, 1799]
Come all ye Yankee sailors, with swords and pikes advance,'Tis time to try your courage and humble haughty France,The sons of France our seas invade,Destroy our commerce and our trade,'Tis time the reck'ning should be paid!To brave Yankee boys.On board the Constellation, from Baltimore we came,We had a bold commander and Truxton was his name!Our ship she mounted forty guns,And on the main so swiftly runs,To prove to France Columbia's sonsAre brave Yankee boys.We sailed to the West Indies in order to annoyThe invaders of our commerce, to burn, sink, and destroy;Our Constellation shone so bright,The Frenchmen could not bear the sight,And away they scamper'd in affright,From the brave Yankee boys.'Twas on the 9th of February, at Montserrat we lay,And there we spy'd the Insurgente just at the break of day,We raised the orange and the blue,To see if they our signals knew,The Constellation and her crewOf brave Yankee boys.Then all hands were called to quarters, while we pursued in chase,With well-prim'd guns, our tompions out, well spliced the main brace.Soon to the French we did draw nigh,Compelled to fight, they were, or fly,The word was passed, "Conquer or die,"My brave Yankee boys.Lord! our Cannons thunder'd with peals tremendous roar,And death upon our bullets' wings that drenched their decks with gore,The blood did from their scuppers run,Their chief exclaimed, "We are undone!"Their flag they struck, the battle won,By the brave Yankee boys.Then to St. Kitts we steered, we bro't her safe in port,The grand salute was fired and answered from the fort,John Adams in full bumpers toast,George Washington, Columbia's boast,And now "the girl we love the most!"My brave Yankee boys.1813.
Come all ye Yankee sailors, with swords and pikes advance,'Tis time to try your courage and humble haughty France,The sons of France our seas invade,Destroy our commerce and our trade,'Tis time the reck'ning should be paid!To brave Yankee boys.On board the Constellation, from Baltimore we came,We had a bold commander and Truxton was his name!Our ship she mounted forty guns,And on the main so swiftly runs,To prove to France Columbia's sonsAre brave Yankee boys.We sailed to the West Indies in order to annoyThe invaders of our commerce, to burn, sink, and destroy;Our Constellation shone so bright,The Frenchmen could not bear the sight,And away they scamper'd in affright,From the brave Yankee boys.'Twas on the 9th of February, at Montserrat we lay,And there we spy'd the Insurgente just at the break of day,We raised the orange and the blue,To see if they our signals knew,The Constellation and her crewOf brave Yankee boys.Then all hands were called to quarters, while we pursued in chase,With well-prim'd guns, our tompions out, well spliced the main brace.Soon to the French we did draw nigh,Compelled to fight, they were, or fly,The word was passed, "Conquer or die,"My brave Yankee boys.Lord! our Cannons thunder'd with peals tremendous roar,And death upon our bullets' wings that drenched their decks with gore,The blood did from their scuppers run,Their chief exclaimed, "We are undone!"Their flag they struck, the battle won,By the brave Yankee boys.Then to St. Kitts we steered, we bro't her safe in port,The grand salute was fired and answered from the fort,John Adams in full bumpers toast,George Washington, Columbia's boast,And now "the girl we love the most!"My brave Yankee boys.1813.
Come all ye Yankee sailors, with swords and pikes advance,'Tis time to try your courage and humble haughty France,The sons of France our seas invade,Destroy our commerce and our trade,'Tis time the reck'ning should be paid!To brave Yankee boys.
On board the Constellation, from Baltimore we came,We had a bold commander and Truxton was his name!Our ship she mounted forty guns,And on the main so swiftly runs,To prove to France Columbia's sonsAre brave Yankee boys.
We sailed to the West Indies in order to annoyThe invaders of our commerce, to burn, sink, and destroy;Our Constellation shone so bright,The Frenchmen could not bear the sight,And away they scamper'd in affright,From the brave Yankee boys.
'Twas on the 9th of February, at Montserrat we lay,And there we spy'd the Insurgente just at the break of day,We raised the orange and the blue,To see if they our signals knew,The Constellation and her crewOf brave Yankee boys.
Then all hands were called to quarters, while we pursued in chase,With well-prim'd guns, our tompions out, well spliced the main brace.Soon to the French we did draw nigh,Compelled to fight, they were, or fly,The word was passed, "Conquer or die,"My brave Yankee boys.
Lord! our Cannons thunder'd with peals tremendous roar,And death upon our bullets' wings that drenched their decks with gore,The blood did from their scuppers run,Their chief exclaimed, "We are undone!"Their flag they struck, the battle won,By the brave Yankee boys.
Then to St. Kitts we steered, we bro't her safe in port,The grand salute was fired and answered from the fort,John Adams in full bumpers toast,George Washington, Columbia's boast,And now "the girl we love the most!"My brave Yankee boys.
1813.
On December 14, 1799, George Washington died at Mount Vernon after an illness lasting only a few days. The funeral took place four days later, with only such ceremonials as the immediate neighborhood provided.
On December 14, 1799, George Washington died at Mount Vernon after an illness lasting only a few days. The funeral took place four days later, with only such ceremonials as the immediate neighborhood provided.
WASHINGTON'S MONUMENT