"How can the red men be forgotten, while so many of our states and "How can the red men be forgotten, while so many of our states and territories, bays, lakes and rivers, are indelibly stamped by names of their giving?" YE say they all have pass'd away, That noble race and brave, That their light canoes have vanish'd From off the crested wave; That, 'mid the forests where they roam'd, There rings no hunter's shout; But their name is on your waters, Ye may not wash it out. 'T is where Ontario's billow Like ocean's surge is curl'd; Where strong Niagara's thunders wake The echo of the world; Where red Missouri bringeth Rich tribute from the West, And Rappahannock sweetly sleeps On green Virginia's breast. Ye say their conelike cabins, That cluster'd o'er the vale, Have fled away like wither'd leaves Before the autumn's gale: But their memory liveth on your hills, Their baptism on your shore; Your everlasting rivers speak Their dialect of yore. Old Massachusetts wears it Within her lordly crown, And broad Ohio bears it 'Mid all her young renown; Connecticut hath wreathed it Where her quiet foliage waves, And bold Kentucky breathes it hoarse, Through all her ancient caves. Wachusett hides its lingering voice Within his rocky heart, And Alleghany graves its tone Throughout his lofty chart; Monadnock on his forehead hoar Doth seal the sacred trust: Your mountains build their monument, Though ye destroy their dust. |