M- THE PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE. IN PROSE AND POETRY. By JB. CLAEK, Sex., YORK, PENNSYLVANIA. TORONTO: ADAM, STEVENSON, & CO., PUBLISHERS. 1867. Entered, ai'cordinj: to Act of roiiRress, in the year 1804, by Cakoune Clark, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, in and for the Eastern District of Michigan. PREFACE. Tins is truly an age of progress and Im- provement. Without method, the following thoughts on the Past, Present, and Future, and the Poems contained in this little Work, were thrown together at such leisure moments when life's cares and duties allow^ed the Author to commune with himself. The only apology he has to offer for the appearance of this Work is, that it may possibly assist in swelling the tone of righteous indignation against a system of oppression, cruelty, and wrong, which has degraded a large portion of the human family, with which the writer is identified. If, by its publication, this is in any wise accomplished, the Author will patiently bear whatever criticism he may be exposed to, under the impression that the friends of humanity will not too severely deal with that which, though im- perfect, is at least well intended. B. CLARK, Sen. CONTENTS. i'A(ii: Autobiography, 7 Introductory, Part I. The Past, 11 Part II.— The Present, 17 Part III.— The Future, •21 The Fugitives, . :n West Inbia Emanlipation, . -Ao A Thought, . . . 40 I. II.- III. IV.- V.- VI.- VII.. VIIT.- IX.- X.- XI.. XII.- XIII.. POETEY. -Ethiopia, -An Acrostic, -Sing unto God, -In Memoriam : On the late IIigiit Rener end Eichard Allen, first Bishop o THE A. M. E. Church, -Hymn, .... -Haman, -Labor, -Winds, -The Emicjrant, . -Friendship, -On Seeing a Snow-Bird, -An Acrostic, -To Spring, 41 48 44 40 40 50 52 54 55 57 59 61 62 COX TEXTS. \ XIV. — TiiK Slave-Catch r,J!, . VM.t: 04 XV. —Links Inscuibed to Benjamin Li'ndv > E,s<^, . (it; XVL- —The Slave-Holdeu's Arouxiv, . . ()!) XVII.- —What is Tkuth? . 72 XVIII.- —Prayer, 74 XIX. —On the FuaiTivE Law, 70 XX. -Acrostic, . 71) XXI. —The Seminole, .... . 80 XXII.- —To MY Mother — Letty Wallace, . 82 XXIII.- -The Two Fugitives, . . 84 XXIV.- —Paraphrase, .... . 87 XXV.- —On Jealousy, .... . 80 XXVI. —I've Seen, . 1)1 XXVIL- —No Enemies, .... . 94 XXVIII. - —What is a Slave';^ . 1)7 XXIX.- —On Prejudice, .... . 100 XXX.- -On Bubbles, .... . 101 XXXI. —Bring Flowers, 103 XXXII.- —The Captivf:, .... . 105 XXXIII.- —Lines on hearing of the Burninc oi- the Steamer "LEXiN(4roN," . 107 XXXIV.- -Life's Struggle, 108 XXXV.- -The Tree, 113 XXXVI.- -On Death, 114 XXXVII.- -The Slave's Lament, 110 XXXVIII.- —Acrostic, 117 XXXIX.- -Hymn on the Celebration of thi Freedom of the West Indies, 110 XL.- -Autumn, 120 XLL- -Ode to Deity, 123 XLII.- -God Speed, 124 XLIII.- -Ode, 126 XLIV.- -The ReapeRj . . . . . 127 VI CONTENTS. XLV.— Odk, .... XLVI.— Forget Thee, XLVII. — To Write: upoit beincj asked to Write IN AN Album, by Mish A. C. C, XLVIIT.— Lines on the .Death of a Child J. W., AGED 11 Years, XLIX.— Who hath Courage? . L. — Years, .... LI. — Cheer Up, LII. — The Pauper's Grave, . LIII.— The Crisis, . LIV. — An Acrostic, . LV. — Requiescat in Pace. On t of Caroline Millen Clark, LVI. — Pilgrim, .... LVII. — No Energy, .... LVIII. — Acrostic, A. C. C.,. LIX. — An Epitaph on my Dog Turk, LX. — Do THEY Miss Me? — A Parody, LXI. — Gossip, LXII. — Love, LXIII. — On THE Times, LXIV. — Meet in Heaven, LXV. — Be Joyful: Dedicated to the First Colored Regiment of Michigan, HE Death PAGE 130 132 134 136 137 140 140 142 144 146 147 149 151 153 154 155 157 160 161 163 165 AUTOBIOGRAPHY. The undersigned makes no pretension to educa- tion whatever, having received but little more than one year s tuition at school in his life. Indeed, he can well remember when, in the city where he was born, an admiration would be made when one of his class would be found who could read in a newspaper. Born, therefore, in a slave State in the city of , of parents, on the one side, who, like many others, had the good fortune to become emancipated after more than thirty years of unrequited toil, he may well ask an apology, not only for the imperfec- tions in this little work, but for appearing before the public in the character of an Author at all. He removed from there into the State of Pennsylvania, raised a large family of children. 8 AiroinoiJiJAi'iiv. niul (liiriiiii tlie few loisnro momojits lliat could be spared from the ordiiuiry avocations of life, penned the Prose and Poetrv comprised in tlils book. Not from a desire of notoriety, bnt having seen and felt some of the blessings of the "peculiar institution," if blessings they be; and being identified with his brethren who are suffering, in some of the States of the Union, a worse than Egyptian bondage; — an earnest desire to assist in sweUing tlie tide of righteous indignation against a system of oppression and wrong inflicted upon a helpless and inoffensive portion of his brethren, is his only apology for appearing before the public. He is well aware that he renders liimself liable to the sneers of some, and the severe criticism of d about twenty-two hundred and forty-seven years before Christ. It arose to distinction under Semiramis, an African female conqueress of celebrity, and was further embellished by Nebuchadnezzar, its proud king. Its walls were three hundred feet high; it had its marble quarries, its river banks, its temple 12 THE PAST. of Belus, and also its palaces and hanging gardens, constructed for the pleasure of its queen. The Chaldeans were of the African race; their shepherds acquired a knowledge of the stars while "watching their flocks by night;" and to them are we indebted for that beautiful and God-like science called astronomy. Their idolatrous lives — their licentious and voluptuous acts, will here be omitted. The length of their national existence has been variously estimated by different chronologists ; let it suffice to say, that after ruling the earth, and fulfilling the great destiny of their existence, — viz., the chas- tisement of the chosen people of God, and their own chastisement, in their turn, for their wickedness and disobedience, — they were finally subjugated under the reign of their proud and haughty monarch, Eelshazzar, by the famous Mede and Persian general, Darius, the son of Ahazuerus the Artaxerxes of the Scriptures. The Medes and Persians then became masters THE PAST. 13 of the world, Jiiid governed it accordingly in their turn; bnt how wisely and how well, the reader may learn by referring to history, as it is not my purpose to enter into their national career from Darius down to their subjugation by the Greek general, or the "rough goat of Grecia," as stated by the same great pro- phet of the Scriptures. But the Greeks, under the famous Alexander, son of Philip of Aface- don, then became master of the Medes and Persians. Greece soon was rendered famous for its civil polity, its learning, its military ])rowess, and its conquest over ancient Egypt, which thereupon became a division of its em- })ire. Its Spartan valour is notorious; and its Olympic games were instituted fourteen hundred and fifty years before Christ. Its various kings raised Athens to an unprecedented de- gree of civilization. "Cadrus, the last Athen- ian king, abolished royalty about ten hundred and sixty-nine years before Christ." Corinth, 14 THE PAST. a city of Greece, was handsomely built and beautifully adorned; and within its precincts a thousand virgins were said to be prostituted, e^'ery year, to the god Venus, — which is not incredible when we compare that city with our modern Corinths of the present day. However, it was to its inhabitants that the great Apostle of the Gentiles addressed his epistles. The destruction of Troy — the seduction of Helen — the death of Patroculus by Hector, of Hector by Achilles, and of Achilles by Paris — are important events in its history, together with many others that I cannot here mention. Until it was finally overthrown by the stern iron government, prefigured by the prophet as ^'a great beast arising out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns," and having the cognomen of the Roman government, founded by Romulus about seven hundred and fifty-two years before Christ, — its history has been one of oppression, cruelty, and wrong; of conquest, THE PAST. 15 rapine, war, and bloodshed. Rome proper ex- isted as a monarchy under Tarquin and others ; as a triumverate under Caesar, Pompey, and Crassus; as a republic under the lead of Appius, Sextus, Manlius, and others; and at the time when Jesus Christ, the Saviour of mankind, made his appearance on earth, as was predicted four thousand years before, the then known world was subject to the empire, and per- fectly at peace, — an unusual thing, — under Augustus Csesar. But hail and fire, mingled with blood, was in the cup which Rome, pagan and papal, for her pride, oppression, cruelty, and wickedness, was destined to drink out of. The Barbarians under the celebrated Genseric, and the Goths and Vandals directed by the bold and daring Alaric, strewed devastation and death in their paths, until Rome, Corinth, Argus, and Sparta, yielded almost without resistance, and numbers of their inhabitants were saved by death from witnessing the slavery U) THE PAST. of their families, and the conflagration of their cities. Thus, while the State was exhausted and the Church distracted, "Mohammed, whose followers were taught to believe that every dro}) of l)lood shed in battle would secure eternal salvation," with the sword in one hand and the koran in the other, erected his throne on the ruins of Christianity. Thus fell the Roman Empire ])roper, whilst a branch of it was esta- blished on the British Island, for it is "The blood of Romans, Saxons, Gaiib, and Danes, Fills the rich tribute of the Britisli veins;" —which blood has spread over Europe, over America, and over the Islands of the Seas. From Alfred to Victoria, through a long line of kings, queens, despotisms, and tyrannies, we have seen convulsion after convulsion in almost rapid succession, "like the line of shadowing monarchs before the vision of Macbeth." So much for the Past. 17 PAM II. THE PRESENT. We now enter upon the Present; yet so in- timately connected is the present with the past, and so dependent on the past is the future, til at in recalling the history of mankind in the one, we shall necessarily be obliged to revert to the other. The present is "big," not "wlch the fate of Caesar," or of Rome proper, but with the fate of untold millions of the human race. After a desperate struggle in the Italian govern- ments between the people and their rulers, after years of almost uninterrupted supremacy, we find the Pope, although partially denounced by the people, still occupying the Papal throne, and kept there mainly by the interference of foreign arms. Those Popes who formerly had power to compel sovereigns and their subjects to tremble at a nod, and one of whom, in 18 THE PRESr.NT. 1209, made tl;e British King, John, get down from his throne and kiss his great toe, were succeeded, as we have seen, in these latter days, by one who was dragged to France, during her revolutionary government, to die in a common dungeon; and the present incumbent retained in power partly by the arms of the nephew of the very Napoleon who chained and imprisoned his predecessor in a dungeon as a common felon. Surely times have changed; and prove con- clusively, even to the most superficial observer, that the world is not governed by blind chance, as some have falsely asserted. But we will pass by the days of Kobespierre and the French Revolution, when men were taught by those paragons of piety, D'Alembert, Voltaire, Con- dorcet, and others, that there was no God ; that death was an eternal sleep; modesty, refined voluptuousness; and even Christ himself an impostor. We throw a veil over the blasphemy of those days of 1790, and enter upon the THE rUESENT. 19 present days of progress and refinement — of steamship, railroad, and telegraphic improve- ments. And liere we find the governments of Europe, although really the most despotic, yet relaxing their hold upon their fellow-men, partially breaking the fetters from the necks of their serfs, bursting the chains of oppression, and ameliorating the condition of the children of men. The British, French, Turks, and Brazilians, are rivalling each other in abolishing the slavery of their subjects, and improving both their mental and physical condition. This is seen in the establishment of their evangelical societies, and conventions for religious purposes ; in their ragged schools, their fairs, and exhibi- tions of mechanical ingenuity; their East India improvement societies, and their West India emancipating societies. Whilst Turkey shelters the Hungarian exile, England shelters the American fugitive. Thus we see the tri-colour of France, the crescent of Turkey, and the 20 THE PKESENT. cross of St. George, shake hands together on the ])''()gresslvc iinj)rovemcnt of man and the age, leaving the repubHcanisni and the de- mocracy of America bewildered in efforts to |)erpetnate their cherished and "peculiar in- stitution," founded upon cruelty and injustice, and backed up by unholy compromises and fugitive slave laws. kSo much for the Present. 21 PART III. THE FUTURE. We will now enter npon the dark and myste- rious Future, with which there is so much uncer- tainty connected, that none but those [)ossessin<:; the gift of prescience can, with any probability of approximating to the fact, predict what will really transpire, as "Heaven from all creatures hides the Book of Fate — All but the page prescribed, the present state." Yet, in reviewing the dealings of Divine Pro- vidence with the children of men, we mav form some opinion of the Future from the Past and the Present. That the present con- fused and turbulent condition of the world is ominous — that there is an uneasiness in the minds of men — a fearful looking for what is to take place amongst mankind — that old and long-established maxims are being exploded, and 22 THE FUTUUE. hitherto untried theories arc daily developing tliemsolves — that there is a disorganization in the Councils, Conventions, Assemblies, and Cabinets of the Nations — that they are professedly in favour of liberty, and at the same time are sustaining a system of slavery, — are facts that will scarcely be controverted. It may be said however, that this jarring of the political elements — this convulsed state of the civil and ecclesiastical world, is but the precursor of a better day, — iax indication of the progressive state of the age in this, the nineteenth century, — a greater development of the march of mind, — the harbinger of the **good time coming," "when righteousness shall prevail and cover the earth," when the "leopard shall lie down with the kid," &c. But who believes that the world is any better now, or preparing to be any . better, than it was a century gone by? Look at the high-handed acts of wickedness, blood- shed, and murder brought to light daily, w^hile THE FUTURE. 23 a paralysis so great seems to have seized both Churcli and State, that they may with propriety be said to be countenancing, if not, by their supineness, encouraging, ahnost every vice, Wlio then, with certainty, can predict a better state of things at any future time? No one! and "what lias been is only that that will be." But in view of the future, what will become of that large portion of the human family, comprising more than fifteen millions, partly of mixed blood, of whom we form an inter- esting and important part? Is there a i)lace on this, or any other continent, spoken of in sacred or profane history, where it is recorded that they shall go, and there become a distinct and separate nation, or establish a nationality? If there be, I have yet to know it. I shall pos- sibly be refen^ed to Africa, and that passage of Scripture which says, "Ethiopia shall stretch forth her hands to God." I reply, that Ethiopia has done this, and will continue so 24 THE FUTURE. to do, if, by "stretching forth her hands,'* in Scripture, means supplication and prayer, and not that this mixed blood of her chihh*en in America shall stand up in this, or iv^y other locality, and there become a separate and dis- tinct nation. After inhabiting this Continent for more than a century, both as slaves and nominal freemen, we find them here in juxra- position with the white man — a perfect co- mixture of the Anglo-Saxon and Africo -Ame- rican races — imitating all their vices, and emulating many of their virtues — embracing their habits and customs, their religion and their politics — becoming ^^bone of their bone, and flesh of their flesh," — an amalgamation which has progressed until it has perfectly calicoed the country, in despite of their pre- judices, (which are said to be invincible,) and their local laws, enacted expressly to prevent it. Identified as they are in practice and feeling with this nation, indeed forming part THE FUTURE. 25 of it, will they, by any system of emigration, or colonization, voluntary or involuntary, be removed from this to any other country? We emphatically answer, No, notwithstanding the assertion of those who have injured, and there- fore hate their brother, "that the two races cannot exist in the same country on terms of equality;" and colonization has become the grand panacea of the country, and prejudice its national sin. Emigration seldom, if ever, has drained a country of its inhabi- tants; and Ireland and Germany may be referred to as an illustration of the posi- tion advanced. Individuals emigrate, not nations; and prejudice, being but an opinion prt conceived, cannot therefore be invincible. The elevation of these people is written on the page of destiny. If it were possible for them to remove from this country, it would not ultimately benefit them, nor the race among whom they might go; neither would their re- 2I> THE FUTURE. moval extricate this nation from the just judg- ments of Heaven for the great national sin of slavery. It is in this world only that nations properl j^ are punished ; and this class of persons have no right to claim exemption from punish- ment as the special favourites of Heaven; for they, too, are guilty concerning their brethren, either as holders, apologists, or kidnappers. But individuals of this class have gone, and others will continue to go, from this, elsewhere, — to Canada, to Africa, to the different islands of the West Indian Archipelago, and other portions of the globe. Yet this is only a proof of the migratory spirit existing within them — inherited from the race among whom they have been born, and from whom partly they have sprung — whose march has always been onward — whose desire is aggression and conquest — and whose gigantic aim is the subjugation of the earth, and control of its inhabitants. But will this class of persons remain in their present THE FUTURE. 27 servile, degraded, and dependent condition? We think it impossible in these days of progress and improvement. They have been, and now are, receiving a practical education in the school of adversity and oppression. The time when they shall have completed that education de- pends upon many contingencies which may hereafter arise. There are two antagonistic principles in this country that always have been, and indeed, are now, striving for the mastery — Slavery and Liberty. One is led on by pre^arication and falsehood, the other by truth — eternal truth, that divine attribute of Deity. In such a contest as this we cannot, we dare not doubt which will finally tri- umph, — *' Truth, crushed to earth will rise again ; The eternal years of God are hers." The speedy redemption and final elevation of these people, under Divine Providence, depends mainly upon themselves. Unfortunately, our 28 THE rUTURE. people, as a class, have not yet learnt to tliink that "Those who would be free Themselves must strike the blow !" Those persons, composing a part of this great nation, will remain in these States and on this Continent, not because they are willing so to remain, but because circumstances beyond their control conspire to prevent their removal; whilst the prophet's prediction stands boldly recorded of the admixture of the ^*gold, silver, brass, iron, and clay " being together, constituting, as they do, a part of this great iron, or Roman government, represented as a "beast, having great iron teeth, preparing to tread down the earth;" and ndt content with "mere preserva- tion, is aiming at universal mastery," — taking possession of all parts and places of the earth, in Europe, Asia, Africa, and America, and at a thousand different points exhibiting its stern will by playing the tyrant and aggressor, tramp- THE FUTURE. 29 ling down the earth with impunity. Agreeing with each other, yet really disagreeing — being mixed, yet separated — united, yet divided — composed of every nation, tongue, and people under heaven ; thus fulfilling its great destiny, as predicted more than five thousand years gone by, until the time comes, as come it will? when the terraqueous globe that we inhabit, the solid pavement upon which we slumber, shall be burnt up; the "elastic crust, imprisoning fires that have slept undisturbed from the crea- tion," and are now struggling to escape, daily bursting forth, exhibiting themselves in dreadful earthquakes, which scatter death and destruction in their path, shaking cities and swallowing their inhabitants, upraising islands and deluging countries, thus making preparation and gather- ing strength for the great and final outburst, — the last " great drama," which in the latter day will sweep the nations of every "kindred, tongue, and people" that forget God, as with 30 THE FUTURE. a besom of destruction, and usher in the " new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness." ai THE FUGITIVES. On a bleak and somewhat dreary evening in the month of , near the town of , in the county of , and state of , about twilight were seen two weary travellers from the land of unrequited toil and oppression ; one an half-blood, or familiarly termed a "mulatto,'' and the other of a hue somewhat more sable, sitting leisurely in a by-path by the roadside, resting their weary limbs, sorely fatigued from the effects of the previous evening's journey, and regaling themselves upon a spare and scanty meal of dry corn cake, and a drink of pui-e aqua that gushed from a neighbouring rivulet. Unexpectedly, like the fawn startled by the sharp crack of the hunter's rifle, or the timid hare by the sudden approach of the hounds, they were startled by the sound of footsteps, and the voice of one who, they had 32 THE FUGITIVES. every reason to suppose, — from the locality, and other surrounding circumstances, — ^was a slave-hunter, a kidnapper ; whose object was to return them back to the house of bondage from which they were endeavouring to escape, and to receive, as an equivalent for the unhallowed services rendered, the trifling reward offered by their master for their return. Their first thought was to fly as for their lives, and thus escape from one who they supposed was a betrayer; but upon discovering that the voice proceeded from one who, if not like them in situation, was at least identified in complexion with them, they concluded to stop, and listen to a proposal that he was about to make, and act as circumstances might develop themselves. The person professed unfeigned friendship and sympathy for them; and after repeated protestations, they were induced to accompany him to his domicile, and accept his proffered hospitality. They were concealed by THE FUGITIVES. 33 liim in a loft of the house, while the good house- wife was ordered to prepare forthwith a meal of the good things of life for their accommo- dation and comfort. Scarcely had they heen secreted in their retreat, ere they discovered the room below them filled with armed men, with ropes to pinion them, and return them back from whence they came. No time was to be lost; they soon found that they were betrayed, and determined to defend themselves to the last extremity. Snatching an old scythe from the roof, they threatened an onslaught upon the first man who should attempt to ascend the stair-way. They were summoned to surrender; and upon refusing to do so, one of the crowd ascended the ladder or stair-way, when the half-blood, with the first stroke of his weapon, nearly severed the arm from the body of the man; and with the next blow, he cut the abdomen of the second man open. The fugitives then deliberately walked down stairs, upset the M THE FUGITIVES. supper-table tluit was prepared, not for them, but for their ])ctrayers, and rushed througli the ])anic-struck crowd undaunted and unmolested. They were piu'sued the next day, o\"ertakeu, confined in a stable, tied hand-and-foot, and left to ruminate over their late adventure, and unsuccessful attempt at regaining their liberty. A general jollification was carried on all night by the pursuers in the bar-room of the tavern, while the key of the stable in which the fugitives were confined was entrusted to the care of the stage driver. Sometime during the night he had occasion to visit the stable, which he did alone, when, to his astonishment, he was seized by the fugitives — who had vl some way or other managed to extricate themselves, — tied hand- and-foot, and threatened with instant death if he made the least noise, or dared call for assistance. They then locked the stable door, threw the key away, and, unobserved by any one, they made a second successful and final escape. 35 WEST INDIA EMANCIPATION. The commemoration of the freedom of 800,000 human beings, who, through the pro- vidence of God, received the great blessing of immediate and unconditional emancipation on the 1st of August, 1838, should never be for- gotten by us. We should perpetuate that act, as rational creatures, as lovers of freedom, and as beings connected in the great chain that binds mankind in the common bonds of brother- hood. And not })articularly because coloured men were enslaved, but because they were men, and the workmanship of the great Architect of heaven and earth. Therefore, where men are oppressed, whether wrapped in the fur of the frozen Laplander, or burning under a ver- tical sun in the torrid zone; whether pohtical in the battle-field, or personal in the corn-field ; geographical lines, and complexional distinc- tions, should by no means prevent us from 36 WEST INDIA EMANCIPATION. sympathizing with them when ufHicted, — from weeping when they wxcp, and rejoicing when they rejoice. To tlie introduction of slavery into this coiintiy, by whom, and the slave trade in general, we shall not advert. Suffice it to say, that selfishness and sordid interest, for the supposed advantage of one class of men, led to the enslavement and degradation of another class. And, for gold, they were induced to visit the coast of Africa, and there purchase, plunder, and steal the natives of that unhappy continent, and transplant them to this, to wear out a miserable existence in slavery, if happily they might escape the untold horrors of the middle passage, or survive the afflictions of acclimation in their new home of perpetual servitude. Hence we now find on the continent of North America a large class of persons of "mixed blood," descendants of Africans and Europeans, bond and free, — the sufferings of WEST INDIA EMANCIPATION. 87 whose ancestors, in crossing the Atlantic; the slavery of themsches and their posterity in the West Indies and here; their future elevation here, as well as there, to equal civil and political privileges with their fellow-men, will, to the future historian, afford a theme thrilling and interesting. When the demon of slavery shall have been banished from society by the genial rays of Christianity and right ; when the clank of the slave's chain shall no longer be heard ; when the great blessing of liberty shall be alike enjoyed by all men in this otherwise free and happy countiy; when the oppressor and the oppressed shall become equal participants in the great blessings of civil, religious, and political privileges ; then will the future historian, look- ing through the vista of bygone days, with a pen that glistens, and words that burn, bring to light the iniquity of the slave system, and rescue from oblivion the names of some of the noblest works of God. 88 WEST INDIA EMANCirATION. Since the act of emancipation in the West Indies, the friends of the '^peculiar institution" everywhere, looking through their pro-slavery spectacles at the almighty dollar alone, have denounced the act as injurious to the prosperity of tlie islands, as well as to the best interests of the emancipated. Overlooking or ignoring the fact, that no country ever can be so prosperous jis that in whi(;h the great labouring masses become the proprietors of the soil, none will defend that soil with more avidity and zeal than its actual owners; thus rendering the country more peaceable, and more productive, in direct ratio with the increased intelligence and freedom of its population. The day of emancipation throughout the British West Indies, was, despite the false prophets, as remarkable for quietude and so- lemnity, as that which marks the Sabbath in any Christian land. Disinterested tra^^ellers have declared that their behaviour, since their WEST INDIA EM.VNCirATION. v)l) emancipation, has been remarkable for docility, industry, and obedience, which proves that slavery is an unnatural relation, and against the best interest of enslaver as well as enslaved. We should, then, perpetuate this great event that transpired in our midst, mid return thanks to that Almighty Being, who has His "ways in the whirlwind, and whose footsteps are not seen," for this bloodless vic- tory of liberty over oppression, of right over wrong. Then let us rejoice and be glad When men are released from oppression ; Let none shew a countenance sad If owners give up their possession. In lasting remembrance we '11 keep This d^ay, for Jehovah hath spoken, Although the oppressor may weep, Yet fetters and chains shall be broken. 40 A THOUGHT. How delightful it is to contemplate the annual return of that season of the year, ere cold and dreary winter, with hail, frost, and snow makes its appearance; when the summer has passed by, and the meridian sun hath set behind the western hills; when all nature wears a somewhat sombre aspect, and the toil of the husbandman seems about to be amply rewarded by the full harvest of mellow fruit and ripened grain ; when the variegated fields, fruits, and flowers are blandly smiled upon by an Indian summer sun, and the air is perfumed with the delightful fragrance of newly-made hay, decayed fruits and flowers! How truly delightful is the contemplation of this season of the year, which gives to the eye of the beholder, the lover of nature's God, un- mistakeable evidence that autumnal glory reigns alone supreme, spread by an Almighty hand ! POETRY. I. ETHIOPIA. But Ethiopia hath stretch'd out Her hands to God on hidi ; And midst her many fears and doubts Her voice hath reach'd the skv. And God hath heard Eth'opia's cries, And brought salvation near: He promises her tears and sidis Shall surely disappear. Although her sons are scatter'd wide O'er many distant climes, Yet God commands that thev shall bide His own appointed times. D 42 ETHIOPIA. If stretching forth to God her hands Means supplicating pray'r, Then, from her own and distant lands, Her groans have filled the air. That grace which brings salvation down Hath unto her appear'd; And thousands of her sons around The gracious truth have heard. And millions more in ev'ry land, Who 've felt the heavenly love. Join with Eth'opia's outstretch'd hands, To praise their Lord above. Then stretch, Eth'opia, stretch thy hands, Thy God remembers thee; And all throughout thy sunny lands. Declares thou shalt be free. 43 II. ■ ■•' " , AN ACROSTIC. 11 AST thou, kind lady, broach'd a theme, — A cord that 's reach'd the human soul, (R ound which there hangs a hazy cheam,) Resistlessly from pole to pole? 1 udeed, though thou art still accus'd, E 'en when thou 'rt call'd from earth away. Thy "Cabin" oft will be perus'd By thousands at some future day; E 'en new, in almost ev'ry place, E arnest and swift thy plea is sent, C ailing — appealing to thy race. Hear! hear! the captive's sad lament! E namour'd by thy sparkling wit, E eluctant Truth has been confess'd : 44 SING UNTO OOI). S lav'ry has been pronounc'd unfit T o be supported or earess'd! O ur thanks we tender unto thee — W elcome thy " Cabin " and thy " Ke\ ," E xposing sin and slavery ! III. SING UNTO GOD. Sing unto God on high, And to Emmanuel, Who reigns in yonder spacious sky, And yet with men doth dwell. Declare abroad His fame; Let ey'ry heart rejoice, And praise the Saviour's sacred name With a united voice. SING UNTO GOD. 45 Bear Jesus ! let Tliy gi-ace Be in us, and inspire Our liearts to run the heav'nly race With an intense desire. TIiou art the Christians' friend In ev'ry trying hour; And Thou wilt save them in the end From Satan's grasping power! Then, when our work is done, And all our trials o'er, l^ermit us to surround Thy throne. And praise Thee evermore. 40 IV. IN MEMORIAM, On the late Right Reverend Richard Allen, first Bisiior OF THE A. M. E. Church. Peace to thee, father! thou hast gone To that blest shore ; — Thy last great battle 's fought and won ; Thy conflict 's o'er. As dew-drops from the clouds above On earth distillM, Thy melting words, like floods of love, Our hearts have fill'd. The helpless in thee found relief; And the distress' d Of every kind, though torn by grief, Pronounce thee bless'd! IN MEMOBIAM. 47 Thou lab'rcdst hard to teach thy race A Saviour's Ice, And point them to that better phice In heav'n above. ■ A murky light thou didst not give, But brilliant, clear! Thy deeds of piety shall live Full many a year. Not like a transient meteor, thou, But a bright star, Whose glorious light is seen e'en now, Both near and far. Loud sang the angels to God's praise In chorus high, [days When thou hadst crowned thy lengthen'd In victory! 48 IN 3IEMORIAM. Waiting around thy coucli tliiy stood To guide thee o'er The surging waves of death's cokl flood, To Canaan's shore. Then rest thee, father, till that day When saints shall rise, And burst the bands of mortal clay, To mount the skies. Thou shalt then rewarded be, and Thy robe so bright, Outshine the sun throudiout that land n Of love and light. Then in thy crown shall many stars To thee be given; xVnd all thy tears, and wounds, and scars, Be heal'd in heaven. 49 V. HYMN. LouT), coiiflesccnd to l)Iess us now, Wliilst at Thy feet we humbly bow ; And let Thy Spirit from above Descend juid fill our hearts with love. Make us to feel Thy presence near, And Hll this [dace with holy fear. ( )h ! let Tliy pard'ning love be found, And «rrace, and faith, and hope abound. May sinners wonder, feel, and fear, And tremble with a penitent tear. May mourners now embrace Thy love, And Christians praise Thee, Lord, above. Thus shall we serve Thee, gracious Lord! And walk obedient to Thy Word; And live, and love, and hope, and sing, Redemption to our God and King! 50 VT. HAMAN. A MOXARcil sat on Persia's tlirouo — Wliose sceptre swiiy'd the world alone — In royal state; None (lar'd his sovereign will dispute ; Around him stood his vassals mute, — For he was great. Throughout the whole of Persia's land One only dar'd approach the hand Of royalt}'. Haman! the chieftain of that king — Whose heart conceiv'd a wicked thing 'Gainst Mordecai. He issued, first, a firm decree, That all should worship when they 'd see His image rise. IIAMAN. .51 But Mordecai, the righteous Jew, RefusM, as ev'ry one should do, To his surprise! At length a gallows high he swung, Upon which all were to be hung, As he did vow. ' But as he rode, in royal state, Sat Mordecai at the gate, And would not bow. For this his wrath was kindled sore, And at the banquet loud he swore He 'd hang the Jews. But Esther said, — " Before the king I '11 go, and stop this wicked thing. If lie refuse.*' The king received Queen Esther's plea, Released the Jews immediately. And Haman hung! 52 LABOR. • Thus on the gallows, high and new, He \\ built for Mordecai, the Je\> , Himself was swung. How many thousands, since that day, Have huilt a gallows, so that they Some one could hang! But, to their horror and surprise. They 've found, with all their deep disguise, Themselves have swang. VII. LABOR. Occupy some worthy place. Care not if it soil; Honest labors no diso;race; Man was made to toil. LABOR. 53 Therefore, labor cer on — I Live an en. I in view, Thougli you may be look'd upon By an idle crew. Labor witli the head or hand. With the heart or pen; Labor, and von '11 understand How to do, and icJien! Lfdior, and make no complaint That the time is h)ng; Work in earnest, — never faint Till the weak be stronsc. Labor I zealous, calm, secure! Aim at something high. Hope and labor till you're sure Your reward is nigh. 54 WINDS. Labor while the day is long, Lest the night be near. Battle manfully with wrong, Till the right appear. VIII. WINDS. Winds echo through the trees, And are unseen, Though we may feel the breeze Ever so keen. So deeds, however kind. When they are past, Are driven from the mind. Like the rude blast. 55 IX. THE EMIGEANT. Adieu to the land of my birtli — Proud land of the sla\e and the fn e I What charms have thy bosom on earth For men of complexion like me? In this boasted land of the free I Ve suffered contumely and scorn ; And cannot relate what I see Is reserved for millions unborn. If places on earth can be found Untainted by slavery's breath, I '11 find them, or search the world round Till my sorrows are ended in death. 5(1 THE p:MIGliANT. Thy liberty is but a name — A byword — a jargon, in fine! Tl^^' freemen of colour — oh shame ! — Are glad to escape from tliy clime! Adieu to thy stripes and thy stars, Tliat vauntingly float o'er the main! Adieu to thy Lynch-laws and jars, Thy fetters, thy charter, and chain! T go to the Isles of the Sea, Where men are not iudojed hv their hue! Where all are protected and free — My native land, therefore, adieu ! 57 FRIENDSHIP. Friendship is seldom found on earth— At least we Ve heard it said — For, when enjoying pleasant mirth, We seldom need its aid. Is Friendship, then, an empty dream — A phantom in disguise — A vision only to be seen By those of double eyes? Or is it really felt or found By those in deep distress — Like rain upon the parched ground, Or barren wilderness? E 58 FRIENDSlIIf. Ye who have felt the bitter pang Of unrelenting gi'ief, Tell nie, when Friendship ^e^'er sprang To offer you relief? When, like the solitary clove In woodbine, all alone, Your pensive notes of absent love Have caus'd your heart to moan, — Has not the hand of some kind friend Assuaged your troubl'd breast? Has no one offered to defend, Or aid you when distress'd ? Is Friendship only felt at best Where plenty reigns supreme; And seldom to be found the guest Of poverty unseen? ON SEEING A SNOW-BIRD. 59 Oh, no! disint' rested frieiidshij) can, And lias been found, we know — A purer, sweeter friendship than This earth can e'er bestow. A friendship that is undefiled Flows down from heaven above; — Then seek it, as a little child First seeks its parents' love. XT. ON SEEING A SNOW-BIRD. The woodman sits snug at his hearth. The ground is all cover'd with snow, The foliage has gone from the earth. Then go, little snow-bird, now go ! 60 ON SEEING A 8NOW-BIUI). The woodpecker, raven, and all. Have hid them secure in their hohl ; And the snow yet continues to fall, — The weather is chilly and cold. Thou art a precursor of ill To the sad, unfortunate poor; For the snowflakes follow thee still, And lie cold at the poor man's door. The swallow hath gone to the barn, And the cuckoo, the robin, and wren ;- Then go, little bird, when 'tis warm, Nor pay us a visit again. 61 XII. AN ACROSTKt. C ONSISTENT friend of right, Hast thou been called hence? Armed with power and might, Receive thy recompense! L iberty's advocate, E ver noble and great ! S oon found a wat'ry grave F ar from thy native land. Oh! was there none to save? L ove for the human kind L ed thee to seek no rest ! E ngrav'd within the mind, Nations will call thee blest! 62 XIII. TO SPRING. Old Winter's past, With storm and blast, Let 's be no longer sad ! For Spring has come, With all its bloom. And earth again is glad! The smiling field Its harvests yield. The brooks with waters flow; Then let 's rejoice With cheerful voice, And on to duty go! TO SPRING. <)3 The joyful bird Can now be heard With niekxly to sing! All nature, too, Unites to view The pleasant days of Spring. Industriously The stirring bee Prepares to take his round Among the bow'rs And smiling flow'rs, Where'er they may be found. The sweetest green Can now be seen, — The worm begins to creep; Then why should we Act sluggishly. Or waste our time in sleep? 64 TIIK SLAVE-CATCH KTl. No time to rest — Life 's short at best — Let 's work while yet we may ; With cheerful heart We '11 do our part, Ere we be called away. XIV. THE SLAVE-CATCHER. Hark! the cry, "A slave ran by!" Quick, pursue the track; Don't delay — He'll get away Ere we get him back. THE 8LAVE-CATCHEU. ^5 I regard The larp^c reward By the master giv'n ; And I go Through rain and snow, As by it I 'm (hiv\i. I am, sir, The master s cur, As I 'm known to scout Tlirough the fen. The l)og, and glen. When a slave is out. Hark! the cry, "A slave 's gone by !" Quick, pursue the track; Don't delay — He '11 get away Ere we get him back ! 6Q XV. LINES Inscribed to Benjamin Lundy, Es(i. Luxdy! thv miffhtv zeal — Persecution ! — strife ! — CalFcl forth a host of friends Into active Hfe. If noble deeds could speak, The}' would tell of thee, Who to the world proclaim' d Man was created free. Thou labour' dst to secure Freedom in this great land, Not only to the white, But to the colom^'d band. LINES. <>7 But thou art called hence Before the battle's won; Still with thine armour on, All blaziniT in the sun. Although of stature small, Thou wert large in heart. And for thy fellow-men Didst act a brother's part. Thou didst not cease to call On all men to repent, And to their brother give Liberty and content. Onward! thy watchword was, To set the captive free. Until, throughout the earth. All men shall brothers be. 68 LINES. See! what a host has now Quick rallied to the call; And who, like thee, demands Full liberty for all ! Fearlessly they defend All those that are oppress'd, And nobly condescend To succour the distress'd. Onward ! their motto is ; Agitate ! their plan ; Emancipate! their cry; Make the slave a man. 69 XVI. THE SLAVE-HOLDER'S APOLOGY. These slaves I now possess are mine, Sanction'd by laws of earth and Heaven. We thank Thee, gracious power divine, That unto us this boon is given. In Scripture thou hast bidden us make Slaves of the heathen and the strangei*; And if we heathen people take. There is no harm, and much less danger. Slav'ry 's a system that 's ordain'd On earth to be, and to us given ; This can be read in language plain. And thus we thank Thee, Lord in heaven, 70 THE slave-holder's apology. I That, ill Tliy wisdom, Tliou mad'st us The instruments to show Thy power, And thus fulfil on them the curse Of ^^Cain," nay "Ham," until this hour! Wliat care we for the Northern fool, Who talks about the rights of niggers? We know that we w^ere made to rule. And they ordain'd to be the diggers. Besides, it can be seen at sight, Our slaves, if freed, would turn out lazy; And if the " fanatics " are right, The Scriptures' wrong, or we are crazy. It says, old ^Vbraham held slaves. And Paul sent back Onesimus : Those patr'archs would spring from their graves To hear the prate of Abolition' sts ! THE slave-holder's AI'OLOca. 71 They stiy, " Great Britain has set free Some few of her poor, lazy creatures!" But if they'd just reflect, they'd see They 've missed the mark hy many figures. For who will cultivate the soil, Or plant their sugar-cane and cotton'^ Their niggers now are freed from toil, And soon their ills will be forgotten. Then hold on, brethren of the South — They tell me Abolition's dying: This cry 's in almost ev'ry mouth, Uidess you think the rascal 's lying. Whether or not, this corner-stone Of our Kepublic shall not crumble; Our laws and '^niggers" are our own, So let the poor " fanatics '' grumble ! 72 XVII. WHAT IS TRUTH? What is Truth '^ said those of okl, Who, oft wiirned by Israel's God, Whose daring deeds, then all untold. Brought down on them the Avenger's rod. What is Truths was asked by one Whom Israel had been taught to fear. Whilst, with scorn, he looked upon The very truth that was so near. What is Truth? said Pilate, when The truth had reached his inmost heart Washing clean his hands again, In murder, said he 'd have no part. WHAT IS TRUTli^ 73 What k Truth? the slaiKFrer savs — Is it to blast mv neifijhboiirs' name : Them defaming all my days — Acting as though I had no shame ^ What is Truth ? the tyrant said, Whilst he enslav'd his fellow-man : Now my will shall be obey'd, For who my right will dare to scan ? What is Truth? the miser says, While countincTj o'er his ill-o-ot sain : What care I for her good ways, So I the "yellow dross" obtain. What is Truth? the sceptic says. While doubt and fears annoy his ])ath : Shall I heed her peaceful ways, Or meet at last indignant wrath i F 74 PRAYER. What is Trutli? the Christian cries, Publishing a Saviour's love, While from earth to heaven he hies — To the stariy realms above. What is Trutli? I may not tell— What is "the Truth" shall be made known; What is Truth, remember well, Is firm as God's eternal throne! XVIII. PRAYER. CtRANT us, O Lord, a heart to pray, A heart to walk in wisdom's way, A heart resign'd to Thee; And while we journey here below, May streams of peace and comfort flow As rivers — bold and free. PRAYEK. 75 4 I t (ji-ant us a heart — true and sincere, Endued with grace and holy fear, Eesolv'd to love Thee still; — To follow Thee in all thy ways, And spend the remnant of our days Obedient to Thy will. Grant, gracious Lord, whene'er we stray From Thee, thy Holy Spirit may Incline iis to repent. Oh! keep us from presumptuous sin, Let thy good Spirit dwell within, And give us peace — content. Oh! grant, that we may always act To others just and right, in fact As they to us should do ; That, when our time on earth shall end. With all the good we may ascend The heavenly land to view. 7 In all my life I never knew A creature to do well without it. What ! have no energy to do. And yet succeed? — I really doubt it. Then why sit down at ease and say — "This can't be done, that, or the other: In such a man I have no faith. No matter who may be his mother. What think ye of the farmer who Neglects to sow his grain in season, And yet expects to reap the fniit In time ; — think ye he acts with reason '? ir)2 NO ENERGY. The man of energ}^ will dare To do what suits liis will or pleasure; Though thousands ^11 around him fail, Yet he secures the honoured treasure. 'Tis energy that guides the plough, And makes the steamer roar and rattle, Directs the ship in every port, And makes the hero dare in battle. In all my life I never knew The energetic man to stumble. Or, if he fails in one attempt. To sit down and begin to grumble. " What man has done may yet," he cries, ^' Be done by man in any station ; So I will try, and try again, . And bid defiance to the nation." 153 LVIII. ACROSTIC, A. C. C. .V LTHOUGii possessed of youth and licaltli, Ij et not vain thoughts abound, M idst every flower, as by stealth, I nsects will oft be found. E. eniem]3er then — remember when A 11 things in time will fail, C oolly survey the future, then li egard this earth as fraiL A ges have proved this saying true, N or can it be denied, 1) espite of all that men can do, E vil will flow from pride ; L et meekness guide your course through life, Love, virtue, truth, and grace. 154 AN EPIT-\PH. C almly avoid all needless strife, L eading you to disgrace, A Imira — this I bid you do, Respect yourself, the right pursue; K eep this advice always in view. LIX. AN EPITAPH ON MY DOG TURK. The last remains of " Turk " lie here, Who ne'er was known to shrink, or fear The face of interloper ; Poor "Turk" w^as ever, soon or late, From puppy up to dog's estate, A foe to thief or loafer. So thus upon a certain day. As " Turk " stole out, some thought to play, Or to hide from his master. DO THEY MISS ME? 155 Oh, cruel fate ! lie was shot dead ; The ball pass'd through the poor dog's head — Such was his sad disaster. Now, all the canine race may take Warning by " Turk's " unhappy fate, And learn to stay at home ; Nor bark or bite, and snarl and scout, Or break their chains and run about. When call'd, refuse to come. LX. DO THEY MISS ME? A PARODY. "Do they miss me at home — do they miss me? 'Twould be an assurance to me. To know that I 'm really forgotten. My face they could never more see. >> 156 1)0 THEY MISS ME? "Do they miss mc at home — do they miss me?'* By light, as the horn echoes loud, And the slaves are marched off to tlie corn-field, I 'm miss'd from that half-naked crowd. "Do they miss me at home — do they miss me?" The hut, with its bare floor of dirt, Where the ash-cake is waiting to greet me. When done with my thankless day's work. "Do they miss me at home — do they miss me?'' The driver his lash used to ply. As the blood trickl'd down from my shoulders The flesh from my body would fly. ■ "Do they miss me at home — do they miss me?" The blood-hounds are scenting my track. And for long weary days they have hunted. In order to hurry me back. Gossir. IT) 7 ^^Do they miss mo at home — do tliey miss me?" The pockets are empty of cash, ^^"hile the auction-block 's waiting to meet me The trader stands by with his hish. "Do they miss me at home — do they miss me?" In the fields of rice, sugar, and grain ; If they do, I am glad, I assure you, They never shall see me again. LXI. GOSSIP! On ! Mrs. A , have you not heard The news around the town ? 'Tis said that Mr. B w^as seen To look at Mrs. Brown ! Then Mr. C , I really heard,— Don't tell it for your life, — Has just determin'd, only think. To make Miss D his wife ! 158 GOSSIP. And Mr. E is iroiiiij to — I promis'd not to tell — Be married to Miss F , down street ; 'Tis thought tliat she '11 do well. The news is now, that young Miss G- Is dead in love with H : But now, they say, he does not care, He 's courting Sally Baicli. call'd on me the other day, And ask'd me if I could Speak a good word for him to J- But do you think I would? Why, there is K , that prims so much. And dresses very gay; They tell me she 's engag'd to L , But I doubt all they say ! GOSSIP. 150 What do you think of M 's new coat ? N says it don't look well. Dear me ! what makes O flirt so much ? That P 's a perfect swell ! Q call'd on me the other day, And ask'd me what I thought Of the new dress that E had on, The other day she bought. The bonnet that Miss S had on, They said, came o'er the sea; But young Miss T said U told her, 'Twas bought up town of Y . W thinks so much of X , Y says Z 's lips are down ! And now I 've told you all the news There is around the town. 100 LXII. L V T^.. On ! gentle sir, calm and secure, Lone on your pillow wake, A lady, knocking at your door, Has brought her heart to break. That heart is offer 'd to you now; Will you accept the prize, Or disregard love's open aow. And hide it from your eves ? Ah, gentle sir ! love 's not a dream Of fancied vision bright ; But rather like a limpid stream That 's running day and night. 'Tis like a precious gem that lay Within the earth conceal'd, Until the mighty orb of day Its beauties hath reveal'd. 161 LXIII. ON THE TIMES. See the prancing steed is foaming. Eager to enjoy the strife ; As it is in exact keeping With the habits of his Hfe. With the blood up to the bridle, He is courshig o'er the plain ; And the fields are thickly lying With tlie bodies of the slahi. Men engaged in deadly conflict, Who did heretofore agree, Brother against brother striving, Desperate, yet ignobly. Why are men thus in confusion. Scarcely dreaming what they do, Arming to engage a foeman. Yet not really knowing who '? 162 ON THE TIMES. Are they making preparation For a future deadly blow — The great work of "Armageddon" To be fought on earth below ? Where the birds shall all be gather d, To enjoy a feast of God ; And the nations will be smitten By His dire avenging rod. These are surely times of trouble ; Men are fill'd with dread dismay. Looking for what shall transpire, At some future coming day, When this planet shall be purged Of its dross, its sin, and shame. And the " King " possess the kingdom, And "a thousand years shall reign." 163 LXIV. MEET IN HEAVEN. Ah! shall we meet at last in lieav'n, As here on earth we meet; And there, redeem' d, with sins forgiv'n, Each other kindly greet? What ! meet in heav'n, where Jesus reimis. In that resplendent sphere? It will repay for all the pains And cares we suffered here. We '11 meet in heav'n if faithful, when These troublous times are o'er; Oh ! yes, we '11 meet in heav'n again, As we 've met heretofore. 164 MEET IX HEAVEN. It stands engravVl in solid brass, And to His people giv'n, A promise, that if true at last They all shall meet in lieav'n. "Unto the swift Is not the race," Nor battle to the strong ; But he who treads the path of grace, The journey all along. To him the prize is freely giv'n. Who struggles to the end ; He shall enjoy a rest in heav'n, A rest with Christ his friend. 165 LXV. BE JOYFUL! Dedicated to the First Colored Regiment OF MiCHIGAX. Two years gone bj, then we were told, We do not want your aid : Our fighting-— all we mean to do^ And dying, too, 'twas said. Now truth maintains her ancient strife With slavery, loud and long; In deadly grasp they struggle on, Till right shall conquer wrong. Chorus — Oh ! it will be joyful, joyful, joyful ; Oh ! it will be joyful, when slavery is no more, When slavery is no more, when slavery is no more; Then we'll sing, and ofFering bring, when slavery is no more. 16G BE JOYFUL. The wolverenes of Miclilgan, The coloured first— though new, Will boldly to the contest march, And strike for freedom too. With Millican, Port Hudson, and Fort Waggoner in view. We '11 bleed and die for liberty. As freemen only do. Chorus — Oh ! that will be joyful, &c. To make our country wdiat it should, Axas always been of right ; A land of just and equal laws. And not of force and miffht : A place where not a fetter'd slave Shall ever clank his chain; But where, without regard to caste. Freedom and truth shall reign. Chorus — Oh ! it will be joyful, &c. BE JOYFUL. . 167 What then shall our status be, And victory shall be won, [A^gj When marked, and scarred, with tattered We from the battle come ? We care not what we then shall be, For if we 're true and brave. Be what we will, with arms in hand. We won't be made a slave. Chorus — Oh ! it will be joyful, &c. We fight for God and lil^erty, For justice, truth, and right, The freedom of the helpless slave Against the tyrant's might. We do not doubt which will succeed In such a cause as this; The bullets of a freeman's arm Were never known to miss. Chorus — Oil ! it will be joyful, &c. T|E.- 1()8 , . Bi; JOYFUL. We 've heard from Louisiana, The Bay State, and from Penn, .Vnd last — not least — here come the sons Of good old Michigan. -Viul now three cheers for , Who has the soldiers made. And three loud groans for copperheads Who will not lend their aid. Chorus — Oh ! it will be joyful, c^c.