R. W. Stokes to Richard Yates

with R. W. Stokes letter 2/3/66 (Sept 22, 1863)

I Respectfully dedicated to His Excellency, Richard Yates, Chief Magistrate of the State of Illinois, the first of the governors of the loyal States to propose to the national executive, the conservation of the National life and liberties, by the immediate cauterization of the National Cancer.

Anniversary of the initial act in America's Redemption,

September 22nd 1863.

Our Country.

Our country dear! heaven poured its blessings on thee,

And wast thy shelter when thou wast but young.

He lifted up His countenance upon thee,

Whose praise on high by angel hosts is sung.

II

He bade thee walk in paths of truest glory -

Building thy life upon Himself - "the Rock" -

But now alas! alas! thy plains are gory,

And all thine altars feel the battle-shock!

III

For there, thine own creator's counsel scorning,

In the great error of thy ways hast run,

From Mayflower's dawn, to this thy manhood's morning,

Seeking to drive the Chariot of the Sun.

IV

The vials of His wrath now on thee pouring,

Thy Great Chastiser seeks to purge thy stain,

And bring the rightward, to His feet adoring

That He may bless thee with His dew and rain.

V

Oh! Kiss the sod that smites thy dire rebellion,

Against the power that built thy greatness up,

That He may make thee His beloved pavillion,

Or thou must drink His indignation's cup!

VI

Lay thy fair streets with Sapphires - and thy dwellings,

Oh! gild them with the burnished sardius Stone,

Till thy great heart with all its might of wellings,

Shall worship "God and Liberty," alone!

VII

Bowing to naught save "the Almighty Ruler,"

With "Liberty" engraven in thy hands,

Thy land shall be indeed the land of Beulah,

Thy sons more numerous than the sea-wash'd sands

VIII

But thy great "House of Baal" thou must demolish -

No more find music in the bondman's chain;

What e'er in thee opposes Right abolish,

And God shall visit thee with peace again.

IX

Proud mayst thou be of thy ennobling daughters -

Proud of thy sons whose valor shines so bright -

Proud of the blood-bought freedom of thy waters,

But still thou hast within thy heart the blight,

X

That paralyses all thy good endeavor -

That checks the power in thy upward way -

That blinds thy sight, and will not let the ever

View the efflulgent glory of the day.

XI

When Liberty shall be thy Law - diurnal,

Where e'er thy flag its glorious folds shall wave,

Invoking treasures from the hand Eternal,

To bless the land that scorns to bear a slave!

XII

From out the charnal house of dire oppression,

Oh! draw thy children from the blood-stained sod;

Make this atonement for thine own transgression,

And lift the scorned ones on thine arm to God!

XIII

Be this thine offering, laid on Right's high altar,

Whence shall arise a savor sweet to heaven;

Let not thy footsteps in thy duty falter,

That thy red past at length may be forgiven.

XIV

The dear old bell that heralded a nation,

Still holds its court in "Independence Hall;"

God speed the hour and give it consecration,

When other bells shall freedom ring for All!

R.W. Stokes.

Coldwater Michigan

Sep 22nd 1863

R W Stokes

Coldwater Mich

Poetical - Dedicated to Gov Yates