Page:Democratic Ideals (Olympia Brown).djvu/29

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Thy messages of mercy I have given

Unto this downcast people, and with faith

And patience, they have borne their ills, and now

They garner up their harvests. From afar

Thy children I have brought to till the soil,

And now they live content in happy homes.

Nebraska rivers sail my boats, and turn

My mills with ceaseless whirr. All up and down

The country's breadth I've laid my iron roads

On which my fiery, tireless steed conveys

The wealth and commerce of a prosperous State.

Thine altars rise on every hill and point

Their tapering spires to heaven; and thy best gift

To man—the knowledge of thy works and thee

Is jrrowing clearer with each opening day."

WAKONDA'S CHARGE TO THE GUARDIAN SPIRITS.

Then Wakan spake with grave, majestic words:—

"Ye Guardian Spirits of my fair young State, Ye have done well. Heyokah from the North, Tis well that thou did'st stand the Red Man's friend.

To lead him in the hunt, to mingle in His sports, to fight his battles, to protect Him from his foes, and teach him of his gods. But grieve not that thy work is well nigh done. The Red Man needs must perish from these plains Because the march of progress he prevents. The world must prosper, though a people cease. But I, their Maker, will not them forget; Not all shall die; a remnant shall be saved; And, settled on the soil, shall strong become, And learn the arts of industry and peace."

"And thou, serene Unktaha, bless the earth With thy continued rule; thy streams shall run More swift and clear, thy dews more kindly fall; The grass shall spring at thy approach,