Sunday Dispatch

[Written for the Sunday Dispatch.]

OUR COUNTRY'S JEWELS.

Respectfully dedicated to Hon. Richard Yates,
Governor of Illinois.

BY W. C. H.

The brightest jewels which adorn
And grace our country's brow,
Are those brave, true, and loyal souls
Who uphold her honor now;
The warrior in the tented field
Within the scenes of strife;
The statesman, pure and undefiled,
In walks of public life;
Are gems of "purest ray serene,"
Whose brilliancy shall be
As bright as gleams of sunshine, which
Fall on a Summer's sea.

There is one name endeared to all,
Who take an active part
In warding off Secession's steel
From our loved country's heart;
A name around which laurels crowd,
That never can decay;
Which soldiers love to dwell upon
When struggling in the fray.

Oh, Statesman pure! oh, Patriot true,
Around whom honors twine;
Oh, Governor of the Prairie State,
That well-loved name is thine.

Thou art a priceless jewel set
Within our country's crown,
Thou art the soldier's trusty friend,
To crush Rebellion down;
Thou art a Patriot, pure unbought
By honors or by gold;
An honest man, cast by thy God
In Nature's noblest mould;
And midst the gems that sparkle bright,
With brilliancy divine,
There shall be one more pure than all,
And that one shall be thine.