Jasper County Democrat, Volume 4, Number 33, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 November 1901 — A POEM ON THE TIMES. [ARTICLE]

A POEM ON THE TIMES.

This is a fine world and full of good cheer There’s room for all people enough and to spare. No need for oppression whatever befall , The Master that built # it made room for us all. The earth yields abundance of corn, fruit and wine. The water yields fish and the meadows yield kine, While Nature is smiling from hilltop and tree Inviting her children to feast and be free. While Nature provides for her children at large She never intended that any should starve. A few hold all rights to the tools and the soil And the many must starve or else for them toil. I oftentimes wonder why is it that some Must keep in the harness from cradle till tomb. Deprived of all pleasure, ill-cared for and poor And always the wolf keeping close to the door. —' W ith others it s sunshine, day in and day out, Aud untiling to mar-it or put them about They toil not but feast on the best in the land Procured from the ones who are wronged at their hand. How pleasant and happy this world it could be if men were less sellish and kindly agree And lay up less treasure where parting is pain, But lav it where treasure and friends meet again. The millionaire's treasure is riches and gold, What care he though thousands are hungry and cold I hough strong men are wore out and soon pass away, And widows and orphans increase every day. brail women and children are turned out to work From long before daylight until after dark. Strong men are laid idle, increasing each day For women are cheaper and men want more pay.

How can a poor man. then, be ready to die. When hunger and poverty bids him defy? Broke down by hard labor, long hours and small pay And no time allowed him to thicik or to pray. He scarce has a Sunday that God made for man. His master demands and exacts all he can At the great duy of reck'ning when all must appear. Will the Judge be as hard as the master was here. How dreary and dark looks the picture indeed The world v, ith tier millions of soldiers to feed New weapons for warfare inventing each day r or innocent livbs to ue slaughtered away. Could tile battlefields speak, what tales could be told broiii hunger and suffering, neglect and from cold I heir widows and orphans what tales they could tell. Of homes long deserted by those they loved well. * * * » • » * In futnre if kings and their friends disagree And are anxious to tight, what care you or me. Let it be to a tinish, if they wish for gore. And soon we’ll have kingrule and lighting no more. f here » plenty of work for brave soldiers to do *1 he forests to conquor and lands to subdue, Their sabers and guns will make plowshares . and spades New music will ring through the forest and glades.

No more will the war cry be heard anywhere To destroy wiiat kind Nature has formed so lair. But peace and her blessings will conquer the foe And flowers will blossom wherever they go. Nor more will the land or its produce be sold or yet shall our labor be bartered for gold. Beneath our own vine and beneath our fig tree We will share with the world what Nature gives free. Should a scarceness occur anywhere through the world Humanity’s banner will soon be unfurled Stout hearts and proud ships will sail over the sea With aiu for our brothers whoever they be. The millionaire’s gold will be worth litt’e then, The plowshare and spade will be better to him. The prison and almshouse no more will be known, * The cause that produced such forever is gone. Great guns, shot and shell will be sunk in the sand To stop the inroads of the sea through the land, And our fine ships of war will sail over the main With the gospel of peace and good will to all men.

When peace and prosperity reigns everywhere And man is contemed with nothing to fear His thoughts will be Heavenward, where parting is o’er And friends meet with friends on that beautiful shore. Thou mighty Jeliovan, who rules over all That even a sparrow without thee can’t fall, Look dow n on thy people we earnestly pray Let those who oppress them no longer hold sway. Thy promise to Israel we pray thee renew And let not the many he slaves to the few, kstuhlish thy kingdom aud reign among men And thine will be glory forever. Amen ! - William Button Creech. Remington, Ind.. Oct 24, luoi. Don’t forget Lee handles lumber and hardware at McCoysburg.