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His rule of justice, order, peace, Made possible the world's release; Taught prince and serf that power is but a trust,

And rule alone, which serves the ruled, is just;

That Freedom generous is, but strong In hate of fraud and selfish wrong, Pretence that turns her holy truth to lies, And lawless license masking in her guise.

Land of his love! with one glad voice
Let thy great sisterhood rejoice;
A century's suns o'er thee have risen and set,
And, God be praised, we are one nation yet.

And still we trust the years to be
Shall prove his hope was destiny,
Leaving our flag, with all its added stars,
Unrent by faction and unstained by wars.

The election was held on November 8, 1796, and the electoral votes were counted February 8, 1797. John Adams received seventy-one, Thomas Jefferson sixty-eight, Thomas Pinckney fifty-nine, and Aaron Burr thirty. Adams assumed office March 4, 1797. Relations with both France and England had become more than ever strained, and a war, especially with the former, seemed certain. These circumstances gave birth to one of the most popular political songs ever written in America..

ADAMS AND LIBERTY
[1798]

YE sons of Columbia, who bravely have fought

For those rights which unstained from your sires have descended,

May you long taste the blessings your valor has bought,

And your sons reap the soil which their fathers defended.

'Mid the reign of mild peace,
May your nation increase,

With the glory of Rome and the wisdom of
Greece;

And ne'er shall the sons of Columbia be slaves,

While the earth bears a plant, or the sea rolls its waves.

In a clime, whose rich vales feed the marts of the world,

Whose shores are unshaken by Europe's commotion,

The trident of commerce should never be hurl'd,

To incense the legitimate powers of the

ocean.

But should pirates invade,
Though in thunder array'd,

Let your cannon declare the free charter of trade.

For ne'er shall the sons of Columbia be slaves,

While the earth bears a plant, or the sea rolls its waves.

The fame of our arms, of our laws the mild sway,

Had justly ennobled our nation in story, Till the dark clouds of faction obscured our young day,

And enveloped the sun of American glory. But let traitors be told,

Who their country have sold, And barter'd their God for his image in gold,

That ne'er will the sons of Columbia be slaves,

While the earth bears a plant, or the sea rolls its waves.

Chorus - Firm, united let us be,

Rallying round our liberty,
As a band of brothers joined,
Peace and safety we shall find.

Immortal patriots, rise once more!
Defend your rights, defend your shore;
Let no rude foe with impious hand,
Let no rude foe with impious hand
Invade the shrine where sacred lies
Of toil and blood the well-earned prize;
While offering peace, sincere and just,
In heav'n we place a manly trust,
That truth and justice may prevail,
And ev'ry scheme of bondage fail.

Sound, sound the trump of fame!
Let Washington's great name

Ring thro' the world with loud applause!
Ring thro' the world with loud applause!
Let ev'ry clime to freedom dear
Listen with a joyful ear;

With equal skill, with steady pow'r,
He governs in the fearful hour

Of horrid war, or guides with ease
The happier time of honest peace.

Behold the chief, who now commands,
Once more to serve his country stands,
The rock on which the storm will beat!
The rock on which the storm will beat!
But armed in virtue, firm and true,
His hopes are fixed on heav'n and you.
When hope was sinking in dismay,
When gloom obscured Columbia's day,
His steady mind, from changes free,
Resolved on death or liberty.

JOSEPH HOPKINSON.

Word crossed the ocean that Napoleon was gathering a great fleet at Toulon and it was generally believed that he intended to invade America. The fleet, of course, was intended for his expedition to Egypt, and the idea that he hoped to conquer America seems ludicrous enough, but some verses written by Thomas Green Fessenden in July, 1798, show how seriously it was entertained.

YE SONS OF COLUMBIA

AN ODE

[July, 1798]

YE Sons of Columbia, unite in the cause Of liberty, justice, religion, and laws;