Ohio History Journal

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THE TRIUMPH OF LIBERTY

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

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