Ohio Day at the Jamestown
Exposition. 187
An honored picture, his who built so
fair,
The soldier-statesman, who, in days of
stress,
Toiled 'midst the brave, high-hearted
pioneers
To make a garden of the wilderness.
From old Virginia he, blessed with her
dower
Of courage high. Could nobler gift be
given?
'Twas on her shore that our fair
freedom's flower
Raised its first, bravely shining bud
toward heaven!
Ah, those who went to brave the Western
wilds,
To fell the forest, rout the savage foe,
Full well they showed how mighty were
the sons
Of that first honored home of long ago.
Gathered in that first, many-memoried
home,
On grand old Jamestown's honored soil we
stand,
The sister States to her their greetings
bring,
Freedom's first bulwark in our glorious
land!
And here, as in some tale of Eastern
lore,
Adena's walls, new-raised, show fair and
strong.
Built by Ohio's hand, they witness well
Her dauntless strength the Western hills
among.
Here, where the courtly Governor, of
yore,
Gave stately welcome to his dwelling
place,
Ohio's brave and gallant sons now greet
Virginia's deathless chivalry and grace-
Throng, as of old, beneath Adena's roof,
Hearts loyal to our country's high
behests,
Making the ancient halls where welcome
reigns,
Honored and proud to hold such noble
guests.
Many
representatives of the Ohio
Society, Sons of the
American Revolution, were present and as
a special tribute of
that Society to the program of the day,
Colonel W. L. Curry,
President, Ohio Society, S. A. R., wrote
the following poem,
which was distributed through the
audience:
"OUR PATRIOTIC SIRES."
Today around this festal board,
With wonted zeal burn Freedom's fires;
Today we crown anew the sword
And musket of our patriot sires;