Show LAND OF OUR forefathers edward everetta Eve retti tribute to england aa the craddo and refuge of free principles for myself I 1 can truly ay that after my native land I 1 feel ft tender bees and a reverence for of my fathers the pride I 1 take in my own country makes me respect that from which we are the bound of tny native language beyond the sea la a music to my ears beyond the rich beet strains of tuscan softness or can alllan majesty I 1 am not I 1 need not eay I 1 am cot the panegyrist of england I 1 am not dazzled by her riches nor awed by her power the scepter the miter and the coronet stars bartera and ribbons seem to me poor things for great men to contend for hut england la the cradle and the refuge of free principles though often persecuted the school of religious liberty the more precious for the struggles through which it has passed hp holds the tombs of who have reflected honor on all who speak tho english tongue she Is the birthplace of our fathers the home of the pilgrims it Is these which I 1 lovo and venerate in england I 1 should feel ashamed of an enthusiasm for italy and greece did I 1 not also feel it for a land like ahli in fin american it would seem to be degenerate and ungrateful to hang with passion upon the traces of homer and virgil and follow without emotion the nearer and plainer footsteps of shakespeare and milton I 1 should think him cold la lore for his nativo land who felt no melting in his heart for that other native country which holds tho ashes of his forefathers edward everett |