Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Lincoln Assassination (April 15). In Memory of Abraham Lincoln, The Pacific Commercial Advertiser of July 29, 1865


The following poem by "Gravity Joy" was published on the front page of the July 29, 1865 edition of Honolulu's Pacific Commercial Advertiser:


In Memory of Abraham Lincoln
by "Gravity Joy"

Toll the ponderous, deep-toned Bell,
With cadent pauses grand!
Roll the solemn, echoing Knell
From Mountain-top to Strand
Let the heavy, pendant hammer
Wake a mournful, brazen clamor-
Spread a melancholy glamour
O'er the Land!

Near and far, let Patriots all,
Weep o'er the Stricken Just
Efer and funeral plume and pall
Give to his Holy Dust!
Let the Wall our deep grief urges
Swell to mighty, vocal Surges
Antheming a Nation's Dirges
O'er it's Trust!

Borne safely through the Battle-Wrath
By God's abundant Power
Torn from his heaven Appointed Path
In his High Zenith-Hour!
But Forevermore, the Story
How the Wrongs of Ages Hoary
He subdued, shall be his Glory-
Stand his Tower!

Crushed he the Monster, Slavery,
For Darkness gave he Light;
Hushed the Rebellious Knavery,
Restored the Country's Right
"Malice to None; but Charity
To All," without disparity-
Ehoue this such Christian Rarity
in him Bright!

Oh, his Sweet Heroism shall nerve
To braver deeds the Brave!
No More shall Freedom's Progress swerve
No More shall toil the Slave!
He shall Live in Hist'ry's pages
As Earth's Purest, Best of Sages,
Truth shall Radiate through Ages
From his Grave!

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