Ohio History Journal

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Ohio Day at the Jamestown Exposition

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;