Republican Herald

In Northfield, N. H. on the day of the election, nine revolutionary soldiers attended the polls together, and voted for the Democratic ticket.

Room, for the grey haired soldiers!
In a noble band they come--
But not with the battle-shout,
Nor the sound of the martial drum--
Not now with the nodding plume,
Nor the war-steed proudly prancing,
Do they come, with the light of the early day
On their bayonets brightly glancing.
Not now with the stars and stripes,
Above them floating free,
Do they press to the battle-field,
With the cry of Liberty;
Nor now does the cannon roar
Or the speedy musket flash,
Rally the ranks of the freemen bold
Where the swords of the foemen clash.
With tottering steps they come,
And lips all bloodless now,
They press like the bride at the altar shrine,
To renew their early vow;
For Freedom still, the cry
Echoes from hill and valley,
And they rush at the call as in other days,
When the war-cry bade them rally.
One, treads the hair beneath his scapes,
With Stark, at Bennington,
Another drops a soldier's tear
As he speaks of Washington.
And they tell to each the olden tale
Renowned in golden story,
Of Lexington and Bunker Hill.
And the death of the craven tory
Room for the grey-haired soldier!
Room for the patriot sires,
Who kindled in our own green land
The light of freedom's fires;
Long, long, may they gather here
With the children of the Free,
And ever as now renew their vow
In the cause of Liberty!