“Some time afterward, it was reported to me by the city officers that they had ferreted out the paper and its editor; that his office was an obscure hole, his only visible auxiliary a negro boy, and his supporters a few very insignificant persons of all colors.”—­Letter of H.G.  Otis.

    In a small chamber, friendless and unseen,
      Toiled o’er his types one poor, unlearned young man;
    The place was dark, unfurnitured, and mean;—­
      Yet there the freedom of a race began.

    Help came but slowly; surely no man yet 5
      Put lever to the heavy world with less:[22]
    What need of help?  He knew how types were set,
      He had a dauntless spirit, and a press.

    Such earnest natures are the fiery pith,
      The compact nucleus, round which systems grow! 10
    Mass after mass becomes inspired therewith,
      And whirls impregnate with the central glow,

    O Truth!  O Freedom! how are ye still born
      In the rude stable, in the manger nursed! 
    What humble hands unbar those gates of morn 15
      Through which the splendors of the New Day burst.

    What! shall one monk, scarce known beyond his cell,
      Front Rome’s far-reaching bolts, and scorn her frown? 
    Brave Luther answered YES; that thunder’s swell
      Rocked Europe, and discharmed the triple crown. 20

[Footnote 22:  Archimedes, a great philosopher of antiquity, used to say, “Only give me a place to stand on, and I will move the world with my lever.”]

    Whatever can be known of earth we know,
      Sneered Europe’s wise men, in their snail-shells curled;
    No! said one man in Genoa, and that No
      Out of the dark created this New World.

    Who is it will not dare himself to trust? 25
      Who is it hath not strength to stand alone? 
    Who is it thwarts and bilks the inward MUST? 
      He and his works, like sand, from earth are blown?

    Men of a thousand shifts and wiles, look here! 
      See one straightforward conscience put in pawn 30
    To win a world; see the obedient sphere
      By bravery’s simple gravitation drawn!

    Shall we not heed the lesson taught of old,
      And by the Present’s lips repeated still,
    In our own single manhood to be bold, 35
      Fortressed in conscience and impregnable will?

    We stride the river daily at its spring,
      Nor, in our childish thoughtlessness, foresee,
    What myriad vassal streams shall tribute bring,
      How like an equal it shall greet the sea. 40

    O small beginnings, ye are great and strong,
      Based on a faithful heart and weariless brain! 
    Ye build the future fair, ye conquer wrong,
      Ye earn the crown, and wear it not in vain.