The following Campaign Song was written by Samuel Copp, Esq., aged 75
years, for the “Lincoln and Hamlin Club” of Stonington, Conn., a place
rendered memorable by the gallant repulse of a naval attack by the
British, on the 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th of Aug., 1814, in which four
days’ contest Mr. Copp took a part. The original song is furnished to
us by the author’s friend, Samuel C. Brewster, Esq.:
WHAT mean the joyful shouts that ring
So gladly through the air?
A better day is opening—
A day all bright and fair!
Lincoln and Hamlin, wise and great,
Our star-lit standard bear
Triumphant to the helm of State,
And these their heralds are.
They rise, from hamlet, city, town,
From high-souled men and free,
Who shout aloud as they strike down
Misrule’s dark tyranny!
From Bunker’s Hill and Lexington,
Hark! how the anthems rise;
From Groton’s heights and Stonington
Their echoes reach the skies!
They roll from the Atlantic shore,
O’er mountain, plain, and glen,
To where the vast Pacific’s roar
Proclaims the loud Amen!
From where Superior rolls her flood,
From where Saint Lawrence flows,
They peal along, o’er dale and wood,
To where the orange grows.
These shouts go up from men of might,
Of heart and principle;
Sure conquerors in a righteous fight,
_Truth_ is invincible!
Lincoln and Hamlin!—honest, great—
The spangled banner bear
In triumph to the helm of State!
We _hail_ their entrance there!