Thy messages of mercy I have given
Unto this downcast people, and with faith
And patience, they have borne their ills, and now
They garner up their harvests. From afar
Thy children I have brought to till the soil,
And now they live content in happy homes.
Nebraska rivers sail my boats, and turn
My mills with ceaseless whirr. All up and down
The country's breadth I've laid my iron roads
On which my fiery, tireless steed conveys
The wealth and commerce of a prosperous State.
Thine altars rise on every hill and point
Their tapering spires to heaven; and thy best gift
To man—the knowledge of thy works and thee
Is jrrowing clearer with each opening day."
WAKONDA'S CHARGE TO THE GUARDIAN SPIRITS.
Then Wakan spake with grave, majestic words:—
"Ye Guardian Spirits of my fair young State, Ye have done well. Heyokah from the North, Tis well that thou did'st stand the Red Man's friend.
To lead him in the hunt, to mingle in His sports, to fight his battles, to protect Him from his foes, and teach him of his gods. But grieve not that thy work is well nigh done. The Red Man needs must perish from these plains Because the march of progress he prevents. The world must prosper, though a people cease. But I, their Maker, will not them forget; Not all shall die; a remnant shall be saved; And, settled on the soil, shall strong become, And learn the arts of industry and peace."
"And thou, serene Unktaha, bless the earth With thy continued rule; thy streams shall run More swift and clear, thy dews more kindly fall; The grass shall spring at thy approach,
