ome and pulpit.
And the doctors and the lawyers,
All the households and the tradesmen,
Still pursued their avocations,
Still enjoyed their social pleasures,
Still advanced in arts and learning,
In the peaceful Christian city.
But a great financial crisis
O'er the people was impending;
A depression in all traffic
Drew the citizens together,
Brought about excited meetings,
To discuss important measures,
For relief amid the pressure;
To originate devices
For averting present danger.
All along this stirring epoch
There was incident and action;
There were interests of public
And of private weight and import;
Varied causes and occasions
Kept the people in commotion.
The Militia drills and musters
Still diverted men and boys;
And the quaint, unique processions,
Called "Log Cabin," ruled the hour.
Eighteen hundred four and forty,
Brought the fierce election canvass
For the presidential office;
Democrat and Whig opponents,
In the race for fame and power.
Henry Clay and Frelinghuysen
Proudly bore the great Whig banner,
James K. Polk and George M. Dallas,
Were the Democratic champions.
And the voters of Lancaster,
All the voters of the county,
Met together in the masses,
Met to celebrate the contest;
Barbecues and basket dinners,
Gathered orators and hearers,
Gathered women, men, and children,
All together in the masses.
In the wood of Isaac Myers
Politicians were assembled;
In this ample, shaded woodland
Was a glorious celebration,
Hempstalk flag-poles bore the colors,
High o'er wagon, coach, and horseman;
All the people congregated
To do homage to th' occasion.
Doctors Craig and Cross were speakers,
Also Caperton of Richmond.
Grand this gala day of feasting,
Loud the triumph and rejoicing.
But the Whigs were sore defeated,
Vain their festal acclamations.

Now a heavy cloud of sorrow
Overshadows fair Lancaster,
Shadows all the hillside city,
In the swift-revolving cycle.
When the great and vexing question
(See the hist'ry of the country)
Of the Texas annexation
Called for volunteers to aid her,
Called the Union to assist her,
In her daring revolution,
In her independent parting
From the rule of Santa Anna,
Then the city on the hillside,
Sent up wails of grief and mourning.
For the farewells to the brothers,
To the sons and gallant soldiers,
Who took