The following lines, which I wrote on July 4th, 1876, and which express the inmost feelings of my heart, I now publish in addition to the story of my trip to California: OUR CENTENNIAL BIRTHDAY. The day made glorious on the western main, Oppression's bonds their early years confined; Ruled by a king enthroned 'mid distant seas, The royal tyrant, with outrageous laws, The issue forced upon unwilling hands, That ne'er did wish from parent ties to part, 'Till royal greed, with its unjust demands, Drove loyalty from each indignant heart. The day on which the deadly strife began One century marks her course of self-control, What heart but beats on this Centennial day 198 OUR CENTENNIAL BIRTHDAY. Perish the hand that basely lifts the sword, This land, that patriots won, to sever; Cursed be the tongue that would with trait'rous word America! safe haven for down-trodden man, |