The Hero's Legacy. Poem by George Pope Morris

Upon the couch of death,
The champion of the free,
Gave, with his parting breath,
This solemn legacy:--
'Sheathed be the battle-blade,
'And hushed the cannons' thunder:
'The glorious UNION GOD hath made,
'Let no man put asunder!
'War banish from the land,
'Peace cultivate with all!
'United you must stand,
'Divided you will fall!
'Cemented with our blood,
'The UNION keep unriven!'
While freemen heard this counsel good,
His spirit soared to heaven.