Life of Albert Parsons

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Not for the hearts that bled,
not for the bride unwed
children and wives unfed
   should our tears flow;
But for the palsied brains,
But for the stagnant veins,
For the greed that sucks its gains
   For human woe

One with a gentle word,
one with a sob unheard
of warning love; a third
   With triumph cry
Meeting the rope's embrace-
Of gallows' old disgraced,
Making a holy place;
   Thus did they die

And when, in later days
Bards all sing lofty lays,
In Freedom's maker's praise,
   Their name shall live;
And hearts which cannot sing
Shall the pure incense swing
Of love, that all may bring
   That each will give"

Other speeches were made on this occasion by Robert Reitzel, of Detroit, Michigan, Paul Grottkau and T.J. Morgan.