88 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 



The wisdom that men slowly gain, 



They lose not in an hour, 

 It took us centuries to learn 



To find in Union, power. 



And centuries of advancing growth 

 Will yet mark our progression, 



Ere sons and daughters of the soil 

 Forget that dear-bought lesson. 



Nor is the lesson yet complete, 

 Scarcely our feet have entered 



Upon that road that leads to heights, 

 "Where toil's full hopes are centred. 



Where the starved soul at wisdom's fount 



May be a free partaker, 

 And the bent form, erect, clear-eyed, 



Honor once more its Maker. 



The road lies upward, new and strange, 

 Its curves unwind before us ; 



Not always do we find it smooth. 

 Or clear the blue sky o'er us. 



But with each obstacle o'ercome. 

 The devious way grows clearer. 



With every step that we advance 

 Our glorious goal draws nearer. 



Patrons our hearts may well be glad 

 Our souls new courage gather. 



As o'er that road we mark the hosts 

 That now keep step together. 



Their tread resounds through all the land 



From ocean unto ocean ; 

 Slowly they march, but not more sure 



Is time's resistless motion. 



From western plain, and southern grove, 

 From eastern hill and valley 



They move as one — could fancied wrongs 

 So vast an army rally '? 



Or have they risen as one man 

 Such mooted points to settle ; 



In rural matters, as, the kind 

 To raise of sheep and cattle ? 



