Kenosha Telegraph

"The following beautiful song was recently sung to the convicts of the Ohio Penitentiary by the Baker Family of singers. We are happy to be able to announce to the citizens of Kenosha, that they will be here to entertain and charm our citizens with their sweet music, in the course of a short time.

To the Convicts.

We come, we come, with song to greet you,
To soothe the anguish of the heart,
To calm the waves of woe that meet you,
And bid their dreary hues depart.
Tho' clad in robes of shame and sorrow,
And doomed a convict's fate to bear,
You may greet a bright to-morrow,
Your mis'ries all dispersed in air.

Think of early youth's affections,
Childhood's pure and happy years,
Ere crime had cast its dark reflections,
Drowning bliss in bitter tears,
Yet think not hope is dimmed forever
And lost its soul-inspiring ray,
But say that vice again shall never
Steal the source of bliss away.

Then dry the tears that now are streaming
Adown the cheek that's worn with woe,
The gentle eye of Hope is beaming
And bids thy tears forget to flow
Oh! let your song of hope and gladness,
Turn your steps in honor's way;
We come to quell your notes of sadness
And point to Virtue's holy way.

Oh! tread her flowery paths of meekness,
Put all your trust in Him above,
For He will teach you in your weakness
And guide you to His home of love,
Our hearts will mourn the ills that press you,
Our sympathy no words can tell;
We pray that Heaven will kindly bless you
And wash your sins away-Farewell!"
Baker Family.
The following remarks were made by the editor of the Cleveland Herald, on the occasion of their singing the soul-subduing poetry which we have placed on the outside of our paper this week. "Verily, music hath charms "They sung as the Baker's only can sing, a melody of childhood's home and childhood's innocence-of the friendship and love of companions, relatives, and parents. Soon the moistened eyes told the power of song; and the fast-rolling tears down many a sin-hardened cheek, the potent influence of music in reaching the heart and welling up its deepest fountains. The scene was so feeling that the accomplished vocalists proceeded with difficulty, and guards and spectators wept with "the spirits in prison." The advent of the Bakers was a "white day" in the silent, gloomy routine of prison life; and some of the convicts expressed their deep gratitude by asking permission to present the "ministering angels" with little remembrancers they had taxed their ingenuity to prepare in hours of unemployment.