41 



THE PEACE AUTUMN. 



BT JOHN G. WHITTIEK. 



An Ode written for the Society and sung at its anniversary, Sept. 26, 1865. 



Thank God ! for rest, where none molest, 



And none can make afraid, — 

 For peace that sits as Plenty's guest, 



Beneath the homestead shade ! 



Bring pike and gun, the sword's red scourge. 

 The negro's broken chains, 

 And beat them at the blacksmith's forge 

 To ploughshares for our plains. 



Alike henceforth our hills of snow, 



And vales where cotton flowers ; 

 All streams that flow, all winds that blow. 



Are Freedom's motive-powers. 



Henceforth to Labor's chivalry 



Be knightly honors paid ; 

 For nobler than the sword's shall be 



The sickle's accolade. 



Build up an altar to the Lord, 



O grateful hearts of ours ! 

 And shape it of the greenest sward 



That ever drank the showers. 



Lay all the bloom of gardens there. 

 And there the orchard's fruits ; 



