Published in The Crisis, February 1919

"Dedicated to the National Association of Colored Women's Clubs" 

Above Potomac's rhythmic flow,
   To Cedar Hill I go;
   Its charm o'er sense and spirit steals,
And as of yore appeals
In cadence sweet and low.

Once lived the hero of his race,
Within this sacred place;
   The magic of his presence still
   The old home seems to fill,
And mem'ry paints his face. 

Far-fame d the spot where Douglass dwelt,
Here pilgrims oft have knelt
   In homage to his noble fame,
   With blessings on his name,
And gratitude heart-felt. 

And now before a double shrine,
In praises we combine
   With Douglass, great and wise and good,
   Devoted womanhood—
'Round both our garlands twine .

In union strong throughout the land,
A consecrated band,
   A service measureless they wrought
   When Cedar Hill they bought
And saved from alien hand.

Fear not, faint not, O sable race!
The truth naught can efface
   Is writ on ev'ry passing breeze;
   With women such as these
Our fight is won a-pace.

(Josephine T. Washington, “Cedar Hill Saved” in The Crisis, February 1919)