Classic Poem

Pull down the " Stars and Bars! "
Once proudly waved from battlement and fort,
While millions cheered and thousands gave support,
And now a thing of scars
It droops in token of its own defeat,
And humbly doth its honored victor meet.

The edict has been said:
This country brooks no standard but its own!
Let this one live in memory alone!
Like its defenders dead
It must lie buried in the nation's dust!
'T is never what we would, but what we must!

Emblem of mortal strife —
Its stripes were cut out by the sabre blade;
In human blood 't was dyed, in discord made;
And borne where war was rife
In constant battle-smoke without surcease;
It never knew the gentle breath of peace!

Flag of the bleeding South —
How many noble souls have rushed to death,
And said their final prayer in gasping breath,
With dry and parched mouth,
Through holding faith in thee! Their closing eyes
Watching their banner lowered from the skies.

Brave men, with coats of blue —
Behold these gray battalions battle-worn!
Behold their flag in smoke of battle torn!
This work was done by you!
Go, count the slain! On every field they lie!
Opinions live, while their defenders die!

I've heard an army cheer
That flag, and shout above the cannon's roar,
And rushing, pile their dead up by the score
Like grain sheaves, tier on tier;
And make in one short hour a world of woe,
To wrest a worthless standard from the foe!

Let no more blood be shed!
Pull down the flag! 'T is no disgrace to yield —
Our father's flag is master of the field!
Go, spread it o'er the dead,
Where it shall mutely our sad failure tell
To those brave souls who fought for it so well.

'T is painful to return
To ruined homes, where mothers sit, and wives,
In useless tears, bewailing wasted lives;
And meekly bid them learn
That nevermore on high with martial strain
That flag may cleave their southern breeze in twain.

A generous victor saith:
Lay down your guns — no more shout war's alarm;
Let each man keep his horse to till his farm
And plough the field of death!
Wrap those who fell within the flag they bore;
For us, one flag, one country evermore.

The " Stars and Bars " came down —
The certain cause of fratricidal war —
The " Stars and Stripes " they raised and shouted for;
Then back through field and town,
As proudly as the victors, bore it thence,
To be the first to die in its defense.