Classic Poem

Why with its ring has the connecting sea
Married the Hemispheres and join'd their hands,
Why has the Magnet's guiding ministry
Made paths athwart the deep to distant lands?

Why are the winds to our controul resign'd,
Why does resistless steam our will obey,
Why are all arts, all elements, combined
To speed us o'er the ocean-world's highway?

That from wide earth, and from the watery waste,
Creation's sacred flag may be unfurl'd,
Whereon the finger of the Lord hath traced
Creation's law — — " Free T RADE WITH ALL THE W ORLD ! "

Thus Nature, — her maternal hands untied,
Shall scatter fresh supplies of wealth and food,
And from each varied soil and clime provide
Some separate blessing for the common good.

So shall the sever'd races of mankind,
Bidding all barriers and restrictions cease,
By constant intercourse become combined
In one vast family of love and peace.

Let no man part whom God would thus unite!
They who would speed this high and holy aim,
Leagued in the cause of universal right,
All factious ends, all party views disclaim.

Their weapons, Faith, and Charity; and Hope,
Justice and Truth the champions of their cause,
Firmly but peacefully they seek to cope
With selfish interests and mistaken laws.

Ye who love man's advancement, — peace, — free trade,
Ye who would blessings win from every land,
Oh! give the liberating League your aid,
And speed its course with zealous heart and hand!