The New Hampshire Gazette

STANZAS
On the ANNIVERSARY of the
AMERICAN REVOLUTION.
From a political publication lately printed
in England, entitled "Liberty Scraps."

Ye men of Columbia, O hail the great day
Which broke your tyrannical chain;
Which taught the oppress'd how to spurn lawless sway,
And establish'd equality's reign!
Yes, hail the blest moment, when awfully grand,
Your Congress pronounc'd the decree,
Which told the wide world that your pine-cover'd land.
Spite of Britain's coercion, was free.
Those worthies who fell in the just cheering cause,
To the sons of true freedom are dear,
Their deeds the unborn shall rehearse with applause
And bedew their cold turf with a tear.
O cherish their names! let their darling exploits
And their virtues be spread far and wide:
And if fierce-ey'd ambition encroach on your rights
Again shall her schemes be destroy'd.
As he tills his rich globe the old peasant shall tell
(While his bosom with gratitude flows)
How your WARREN expir'd, how MONTGOMERY fell.
And how WASHINGTON baffled your foes.
With transport his offspring shall catch the glad sound,
And as freedom takes root in his breast.
Their country's defenders with praise shall be crown'd;
While their plunderers they learn to detest.
By those fields that were ravag'd, those towns that were fir'd,
By those wrongs which your females endur'd.
By those blood sprinkled plains, where your warriors expir'd,
O preserve what your prowess procur'd.
And reflect that your rights are the rights of mankind,
That to all they were bounteously given;
And he who in chains would his fellow man bind
Uplifts his proud hand against Heaven.
How can you, who have felt the oppressor's hard hand,
Who for freedom, all perils will brave-
How can you enjoy peace while one son of your land
Is disgrac'd by the toil of a SLAVE?
O rouse, then in spite of a merciless few,
And pronounce this immortal decree--
That, whate'er be man's tenets, his fortune, his race,
He is MAN-and shall therefore be FREE.