Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900.

By Frank LebbyStanton

1286 One Country

AFTER all,

One country, brethren! We must rise or fall

With the Supreme Republic. We must be

The makers of her immortality,—

Her freedom, fame,

Her glory or her shame:

Liegemen to God and fathers of the free!

After all—

Hark! from the heights the clear, strong, clarion call

And the command imperious: “Stand forth,

Sons of the South and brothers of the North!

Stand forth and be

As one on soil and sea—

Your country’s honor more than empire’s worth!”

After all,

’T is Freedom wears the loveliest coronal;

Her brow is to the morning; in the sod

She breathes the breath of patriots; every clod

Answers her call

And rises like a wall

Against the foes of liberty and God!