Excerpt from Offering of the Mutes

This vast land area, stretching in all its magnitude between two magnificent oceans, which roll their giant waves unceasingly against its shores, is my native land. Here my forefathers lived and died, and the lowly pilgrims trod its soil in years agone, and their dust now slumbers beneath its green grass, waiting for the coming of the last great day which Shall callus all to a final judgment. Its beauties are made. Manifest in everything: in its great rivers, bordered by beauti ful groves and moss-y banks; in its old forests, where thetrees lift their giant branches till they seem to meet the sky where the Wild flowers bloom in beauty in the green meadows, where the little lambs may be seen skipping around their dams; in the. Farm yards, Where in the well' hangs the moss-covered bucket; in its mountains, with their snow covered peaks towering far in the distance like the pillars of the, firmanent, and in the magnificent cities which here and there point their Spires towards the heavens. Yes, its beauties are seen everywhere, from the ground Where the green grass, strewn with Vari onely colored flowers, forms a soft carpet for my feet, to the blue sky above me, where White clouds floa't by like drifts of snow glittering in the light of the sun. Not many hundred years ago it was a vast Wil derness, unknown to any nation, and inhabited only by fierce tribes of Indians and wild animals. But many and great changes have taken place since it was discovered. It has grown into a mighty republic, whose fame has spread far and Wide over all the globe, and people come from far and near, some to make this their home, some to climb its mountains plains, and others to go away laden with its riches. Many dear friends lie slumbering beneath its sod. It sways no sceptre but that.of a free republic. Its laws are mild and just; its schools of learning are not surpassed. It gives a safe refuge to all who love its freedom and are worthy of its benefits, no matter what their color or condition may be. No country can rival it in strength and greatness. Its soil has been dyed with the blood of many brave men, who, when it was sinking under the curse of slavery, came out in arms, and fought, bled, and died for its freedom and its security. But have they succeeded, do you ask? Yes, they have.

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