THE TRIUMPH OF LIBERTY.
1788-1888.
WRITTEN FOR THE MARIETTA
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION
BY R. K. SHAW.
We meet this splendid April morn
Where EQUAL LIBERTY was born.
We meet to celebrate the birth
Of her whose hand redeems the earth.
This day in joy and pride we meet
To worship at triumphal feet.
Her age this day-a hundred years,
As measured by the rolling spheres,
As measured by her works sublime
She grandly runs abreast of time.
Here FREEDOM built her perfect arch
Through which her faithful legions
march,
Here wisely formed her model State,
Here reared her inner temple-gate,
And on its stainless pillars white
Her deft and matchless fingers write
" The human race are EQUAL-FREE;
" Mankind are born to
liberty."
0, matchless boon of human years,
We celebrate thy pioneers.
We meet within that temple-gate
Where human slavery met its fate.
Here conscience trembles not in fear,
And woman walks the earth a peer.
Each plants his fig tree and his vine,
And says, "A part of earth is mine;
" I own the land that's great-and
free;
" I worship God in liberty."
To lands untrodden by the slave
Earth's heroes came, the strong, the
brave,
Who freedom's race had nobly run
When marching with a Washington.
They bought these hills at costly price-
They tendered life a sacrifice;
Their manhood's strength, their
manhood's year
They spent in war, in blood and tears;
They grandly grew to freedom's height
216