THE LIBRARY 
 OF 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY 
 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 LOS ANGELES 
 
 
 
 

 
 m& 
 
 

 
 
 .
 
 A UNIQUE BOOK. 
 
 THE NEW SOUTH; 
 
 OB, 
 
 Southern Sentiment Since The War. 
 
 Jfrolit of Jjancj toitjj Jfact; 
 
 (Embracing SCENES among the CAUCASIANS, and among the 
 NEGROES; VERDICT of JUSTICE; TRIUMPH of TRUTH ; 
 ERA of BROTHERLY-LOVE; STRICTURES t 
 
 RELATION of THE "RACES;" &c., &c.). 
 
 BY 
 JAMES T. LASSELL, A. M. 
 
 PRINTED FOR THE AUTHOR. 
 
 JOHN MURPHY & Co., BALTIMORE. 
 1887.
 
 COPYRIGHTED, 1887, BY JAMES T. LASSELL, A. M.
 
 4 
 
 DEDICATION. 
 
 To Politicians, to whose honor, placed 
 
 By War, unnumbered marble brows, have graced, 
 
 As monuments, the " cities of our dead," 
 
 For years, o'er which as shrines, with bowed head 
 
 A mourning nation bends To those in "grey," 
 
 Or " blue," who voice of Duty did obey : 
 
 Who, left the dear ones and the joys of home 
 
 For country's sake as each viewed "country" come 
 
 What might To those who patriotism prove 
 
 By casting waters from the springs of love 
 
 On smould'ring embers of the section'l fire, 
 
 Still left, until those embers, found, expire 
 
 To votaries of Peace throughout the world 
 
 Who would rejoice to see War swiftly hurled 
 
 From earth to realm whence first he, raging, came 
 
 To lead the nations forth to deeds of shame 
 
 To you, kind reader, he who undertook 
 
 A task now finished, dedicates this book !
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 The following account of an eventful trip through 
 the South is the product of the imagination. The 
 writing of it was to the author, for the most part a pas 
 time ; and it is offered to the public simply as a source 
 of entertainment. The book is a " Quaker " on the 
 subject of War. The reader may, at times, be startled 
 by what he reads ; if so, let him read on, until his 
 nerves become steady again. Each Division should be 
 read entire, in order to perceive its true spirit and scope ; 
 the same may be said of the book itself. The MS. (in 
 an incomplete form) was submitted to a committee of 
 intelligent gentlemen, the chairman of which, is in a 
 prominent position and widely known in the State. The 
 decision of the committee was: " The production is 
 highly worthy of publication ; and deserves a wide circu 
 lation." A. private letter from a literary gentleman in 
 Washington, D. C.,is couched in such eulogistic language 
 that modesty (if an author can have true modesty,^) for 
 bids its insertion in a preface. 
 
 The above statements are made, that the public may 
 not prejudge the poem to be trashy or puerile. All 
 sorts of opinions of the little candidate for public peru 
 sal, is anticipated by 
 
 THE AUTHOR. 
 
 February 19, 1887. 
 
 1* 5
 
 ENTERING UPON THE TRIP.
 
 A TRIP THROUGH THE SOUTH, 
 
 ENTERING UPON THE TRIP. 
 
 Like sated Wolf from mangled flock, War had from 
 
 this, our torn 
 And bleeding, land retired: like Shepherdess, from 
 
 flight forlorn, 
 Peace had returned, and entered on her office with 
 
 success, 
 Leading the remnant of the flock afield with fond 
 
 caress : 
 
 Where crowded ranks of soldiers had been mar 
 shalled on the plains, 
 There stood great hosts line after line of shocks 
 
 of various grains : 
 Forgotten graves in which with haste the fallen 
 
 had been thrown 
 On hill-sides bare, were hid by groves of oak and 
 
 pine full-grown, 
 
 9
 
 10 FESTIVITIES. 
 
 When to the South * again I rode on self-same steed 
 
 which bore 
 Me swiftly o'er its hills and plains, in troubled days 
 
 of yore_ 
 The " Birth-Day of The Nation" with its gladness 
 
 had returned ; 
 And grandsires told to children young true stories 
 
 they had learned 
 From fathers, buried " years ago" of battles which 
 
 were won 
 
 By "bare-foot soldiers following the noble Wash 
 ington ; " 
 Of wondrous deeds of daring done, and sufferings 
 
 great endured, 
 By those whose blood and bravery had long ago 
 
 procured 
 
 For us the priceless blessings which our " Independ 
 ence " yields ; 
 As sowings bring the harvests that are garnered 
 
 from the fields. 
 The spirit of the " OLDEN TIME " was ev'ry- 
 
 where abroad ; 
 And, with that spirit, actions did, on ev'ry hand, 
 
 accord. 
 The old and young, both, gathered on that gala-day 
 
 in grove 
 
 *Keference is here made to a visit to the South during the 
 War described in " The Raid" (unpublished).
 
 FESTIVITIES. 11 
 
 Or shaded lawn to feast: and many a youth and 
 
 maid there wove 
 With tender words and actions as the mystic warp 
 
 and woof 
 A heart-bond strong of mutual love ; while others 
 
 gave a proof 
 (Agreed upon through glances) of a love confirmed 
 
 and pure 
 By slyly joining hands beneath the flag with field 
 
 azure 
 And galaxy of silver stars and stripes of white and 
 
 red 
 Fit emblem of strong union as it floated then 
 
 o'er head. 
 At homes, too, there was feasting where glad yeomen 
 
 and their wives 
 
 Well entertained companions of their early child 
 hood-lives. 
 The tear which came to matron's eye at thought of 
 
 dear one dead, 
 Was brushed away before was e'en its tiny shadow 
 
 shed 
 
 Upon the scene made bright with smiles by buoyant- 
 hearted fjoy, 
 Whilst panorama of the past, did Memory's skill 
 
 employ. 
 The country store and open space in front were 
 
 occupied 
 By men and well-grown boys, who with each other 
 
 warmly vied
 
 12 FESTIVITIES. 
 
 In word and deed of jest and sport ; while all who 
 
 passed that way 
 Received and gave back shouts of joy in honor of 
 
 the day. 
 Old cannon were dug up from where they stood as 
 
 hitching-poste 
 In towns, or borrowed at junk-shops, and dragged 
 
 along by hosts, 
 With ropes, to vacant lots and fired, full-charged, 
 
 while lying prone, 
 Amid loud shouts, the like of which, by some, had 
 
 ne'er been known. 
 
 At well-selected spots within the shade, men, elo 
 quent, 
 And learned in various lore, with wit and fact and 
 
 pathos blent, 
 Assembled multitudes engaged, amused, convinced, 
 
 and moved 
 In patriotic speech, which shouts and smiles and tears 
 
 approved. 
 The sound of gun in field and wood ; the tonguing 
 
 of the hound 
 Heard in the copse along the streams where fox and 
 
 deer abound ; 
 
 Full many anglers old and young, on bridges span 
 ning stream, 
 Or, in canoes staked at the spots where trout and 
 
 perch did gleam 
 In sunlight, as to surface calm they oft did gayly 
 
 rise
 
 THE "NEWS" RECEIVED. 13 
 
 To gather food or take fresh air, or view the gorgeous 
 
 skies 
 
 These scenes and sounds attested well that sports 
 men used the day, 
 As one of special privilege to take all kinds of 
 
 prey. 
 While thus on land and stream, at home, at public 
 
 place, in field, 
 In grove, in grass-grown woodland path, and where 
 
 the soil doth yield 
 To fawn's light tread, and harelets tremble at the 
 
 wild-cat's voice, 
 Moved PLEASURE, clothed in Freedom's robe, and 
 
 cried to all " Rejoice ! " 
 The whir of evil angels' wings by ev'ry ear was 
 
 heard ; 
 And on each heart, all bright with joy, their shadows 
 
 fell ; and word, 
 Borne thro' the air from North which told those 
 
 demons' mission dread, 
 Affrighted PLEASURE, who though robed in " Stars 
 
 .and Stripes," quick fled ! 
 Pale Consternation swiftly came, and with her magic 
 
 wand 
 Touched ev'ry brow and chilled the blood of- all 
 
 within that land. 
 As browsing doe and sportive fawn, far down within 
 
 the brake, 
 Bewildered at the locomotive's shriek do start and 
 
 quake ; 
 2
 
 14 THE "NEWS" RECEIVED. 
 
 As husbandmen receive the signs of coming summer- 
 storm ; 
 
 As woodman lone, in forest views a stranger's lifeless 
 form; 
 
 As sleeping townsmen look abroad when 'roused by 
 cry of "Fire!"; 
 
 As young man hears an insult offered to an aged sire ; 
 
 So variously the Southrons heard, upon that gala- 
 day, 
 
 The sudden news that Garfield, Head of this great 
 nation, lay 
 
 A-dying at the Capitol of deep and painful wound 
 
 Inflicted by a skulking foe who shot him to the 
 ground. 
 
 " The news " became absorbing theme of all, both 
 old and young ; 
 
 And wrathful words were freely spoke by many a 
 trenchant tongue. 
 
 But one, alone, of all I heard in careless manner 
 spoke, 
 
 And he was born on Northern soil whose lan 
 guage did provoke 
 
 Contempt in all, and 'roused to wrath a score or more 
 of those 
 
 Who erst had met on bloody fields, brave northern 
 men as foes. 
 
 Among the "score" a princely man whose counte 
 nance did glow 
 
 With righteous ire, replied in words which swift 
 and smooth did flow,
 
 THE "NEWS" RECEIVED. 15 
 
 And with inherent, sparkling, heat did brightly, 
 
 fiercely burn 
 Like stream of molten iron conies from moulder's 
 
 pouring-urn ; 
 He closed : " The man, whose heartless speech you 
 
 heard, has my disdain ! 
 Who feels no grief at this sad hour, could do the 
 
 deed of Cain ! " 
 
 All efforts at enjoyment now were formal failures; so, 
 The multitudes went homeward (but they moved in 
 
 large groups, slow,) 
 While yet the sun had gone beyond the zenith scarce 
 
 a pace, 
 
 As he majestically rushed ' like strong man in a race.'* 
 Whilst with a throng of strangers mixed 
 
 With friends, I rode and thought, 
 A spirit, which attends man oft, 
 
 Approached ; yet no one caught 
 The fanning of her well-trained wing 
 
 Except myself alone 
 To whom she spoke with greeting kind 
 
 And in most winning tone, 
 As with her hand she gently touched 
 
 My brow : " Canst thou not see 
 Throughout this land the wondrous scenes 
 
 Which plain appear to me ? " 
 " My vision is enlarged," I said, 
 In softly whispered word, 
 
 * Psalm xiv.
 
 16 A VISION. 
 
 And started, lest e'en that had been 
 
 By some one overheard. 
 " What dost thou see? " she said, " Look well, 
 
 For open to thy view 
 Are scenes such as no mortal eye 
 
 Unaided, ever knew ! " 
 " I see, I s-e-e," said I ; but slow 
 
 The words came from my tongue, 
 As all enrapt I gazed ! The ghosts 
 
 Of those, both old and young, 
 Who had within that land once lived 
 
 And died, for years agone, 
 Moving about and standing still 
 
 In groups as men had done 
 Upon that day of gladness marred 
 
 By sadness, plain I saw, 
 As mariner gees distant things 
 
 Which close his glass doth draw. 
 Into the distance, first, I looked, 
 
 *As one upon tall peak 
 Will first the outer border scan 
 
 Of landscape, ere he'll seek 
 The beauties and the wonders which 
 
 On ev'ry hand lie near, 
 Because the field of vision doth 
 
 So much enlarged appear. 
 My eye moved slowly, like the wave, 
 
 (Which, safe, the sea-shell, bore 
 Wherein the infant Venus lay,) 
 
 Moved t'ward Cythera's shore,
 
 A VISION. 17 
 
 When Zephyrus, with bated breath, 
 
 Whispered to anxious Deep : 
 " I'll gently waft the tiny bark, 
 
 So that your babe may sleep ! " * 
 Or, like the shadow of a cloud 
 
 On field of pasture moves, 
 When grazing flock, by walking, keeps 
 
 The shade it so much loves, 
 And well discerned, when I looked near, 
 
 Distinct in form and face, 
 The ghosts of many, I had known 
 
 In flesh ; and I could trace 
 The signs of sadness on each brow, 
 
 And that, too, even while 
 Each looked with recognizing glance, 
 
 And gave me friendly smile. 
 My cicerone bade me note 
 
 That each ghost in right hand 
 Bore what appeared to be a staff 
 
 Wrapped with a silken band. 
 " What do they bear in hand ? " I said : 
 
 " Those are their flags, close furled," 
 Said she, " for they, too, feel the grief 
 
 Which has on you been hurled. 
 Those ghosts, when first they heard (before 
 
 The coming of the dawn) 
 
 * Mythology tells us that Venus was born of the/oam of the sea; 
 and was placed in a sea-shell which was wafted by Zephyrus 
 to the island of Cythera. 
 
 2*
 
 18 A VISION. 
 
 The boom of joy-guns and the sound 
 
 Of huntsman's signal horn, 
 Although they had but late returned 
 
 From rambling in the air, 
 Came eager from their graves again 
 
 That they the joy might share 
 Of celebrating this great day 
 
 Which had not for long years 
 Been greeted as, in olden time, 
 
 It used to be, with cheers. 
 The flags they bear are photographs 
 
 Of nature's lights and shades, 
 Bedecked with sparkles from the gems 
 
 Which nightly crown the blades 
 Of grass that grow upon the graves 
 
 Of soldiers, who with might 
 Contended, and who gave their lives, 
 
 For liberty and right ! 
 The staff on which each flag is set 
 
 Was twig upon that tree 
 Which flourishes within this land 
 
 You, by my aid, can see 
 Its trunk and boughs which rise and spread 
 
 To lakes and gulf and sea 
 Shading and feeding ev'ry one 
 
 The Tree of Liberty ! " 
 " O, look ! " she cried, " there moves a group 
 
 Of soldiers, dressed in ( grey,' 
 Just as they fell ! They far have come 
 
 To be at home to-day.
 
 THE VISION VANISHES. 19 
 
 Each has a small Confederate flag 
 
 Full flying at his crest ; 
 For while that flag above them waved 
 
 They bravely sank to rest : 
 But, also, each bears in his hand 
 
 A Fed'ral flag, close furled 
 In grief, for that flag would be theirs 
 
 Were they now in ' the world.' 
 Look ! with them there is one in ' blue ! ' 
 
 Far off in yonder wood, 
 He lay and died, but when or why 
 
 Was never understood. 
 An angel-friend alone was near, 
 
 (One that attends the brave,) 
 Yet strangers, (Southrons,) made for him 
 
 Where he was found, a grave ! 
 He has not visited his home 
 
 Far in the northern-land 
 To-day ; but staid, at warm request 
 
 Of that Confed'rate band, 
 That he might be their honored guest 
 
 As friend, nay brother dear, 
 And o'er the group, ' The Stars and Stripes ' 
 
 FLAG OP THE FATHERS ! bear ! " 
 Just then I thought I felt hot breath 
 
 Upon my cheeks ; and turned 
 To see what friendly ghos.t had drawn 
 
 So near ; and well discerned 
 Imagination's shad'wy form 
 
 Departing quick as thought !
 
 20 THE CHANGE. 
 
 'Twas Reason's hand that touched my cheeks 
 
 And to them burning brought, 
 As he Imagination drove 
 
 Away, and placed again 
 Before my eyes the veil which hides 
 
 The world of ghosts, from men. 
 The friend who closest to me rode 
 
 Was quick to catch the sight 
 Of color spreading o'er my face 
 
 ( As doth the solar light 
 Flame at the East and spread o'er land 
 
 And sea in golden flood, 
 When bright-eyed Morn, with cloudless brow, 
 
 Greets Earth in cheerful mood ) 
 And asked me where my thoughts had been, 
 
 That I should blush like maid f 
 " I feel no guilt ; but I have seen 
 
 A vision strange ! " I said. 
 I felt cold tongues of paleness cross 
 
 My brow, but not to stay 
 ( As polar lights gleam high, then low, 
 
 Flash out, and die away ) 
 Whilst Memory the present changed 
 
 To past, and plainly showed 
 War-scenes afresh ! But I was 'roused 
 
 By sudden halt in road, 
 Made by the throng with which I moved 
 
 ( As wind-mill-keeper wakes 
 From slumber deep, when sail-arms stop 
 
 And mill no longer shakes.)
 
 SCENE IN THE COURT OF A MANSION. 21 
 
 Beneath a tree of fol'age dense which stood within 
 
 a court 
 Spacious, and ornamented with rich flowers of rarest 
 
 sort 
 
 And shrubs indigenous and foreign sat an aged man 
 Reclining partly in a large arm-chair ; whilst with 
 
 a fan 
 A maiden cooled his brow another fixed beneath 
 
 his head 
 A pillow and full oft was heard the question : " Is 
 
 he dead?" 
 
 Uttered by persons on the outskirts of the multitude 
 That had just halted in the road through deep solici 
 tude 
 For welfare of the aged one, who tenderly was 
 
 loved 
 By all, for, through a long, long life a grand man 
 
 he had proved. 
 Dismounting I with difficulty moved among the 
 
 crowd 
 Until I reached the court- gate, when I spoke my 
 
 wish aloud : 
 "May we not come within the court, and gather 
 
 close around 
 Our aged father in distress? We'll sit upon the 
 
 ground, 
 If nearness to him while we stand, would be against 
 
 his ease ! " 
 " Come ! " said the aged sire, " and sit or stand, just 
 
 as you please ! "
 
 22 SCENE IN THE COURT OF A MANSION. 
 
 We entered as do worshipers into a temple go, 
 
 Silent and solemn, moving, too, with lighten'd step 
 
 and slow 
 And took our places ev'rywhere within the spacious 
 
 yard, 
 Not only in the gravel-walks, but on the grassy 
 
 sward ; 
 On which we sat the shawl or duster having first 
 
 been spread. 
 Soon all were placed. The maid that fanned her 
 
 sire then promptly said : 
 "Our father is quite feeble, having felt the heat 
 
 to-day 
 
 To be exhausting; yet, he will attempt a word to say 
 To you who have such kindness shown and sympathy 
 
 expressed 
 For him, as though he were by deadly malady 
 
 oppressed." 
 The patriarch then raised his head ; and sat up 
 
 bust erect; 
 And spoke in voice quite audible, in which we could 
 
 detect 
 
 A tremor slight, yet musical, like tremolo in song 
 When wounded heart reviews and tells misfortune 
 
 or deep wrong. 
 
 SPEECH OF A PATRIARCH. 
 
 " Within a life of four-score years and eight, 
 Few days have dawned to me with joy so great
 
 SPEECH OF A PATRIARCH. 23 
 
 As this day dawned ; and yet no deeper gloom 
 
 E'er hung, like shadow of some coming doom, 
 
 About my soul, than fell on me and you 
 
 Whilst yet the meadow grass was wet with dew ! 
 
 But as in summer oftentimes a cloud 
 
 With vivid lightnings and with thunder loud, 
 
 Rises most darkling in the western sky 
 
 And with swift wings does o'er the heav'ns fly, 
 
 Pouring on earth huge urns of treasured rain, 
 
 Until the waters cover all the plain 
 
 And sending winds like giants fleet and strong, 
 
 Bent on destroying as they move along 
 
 Through field and forest, yet that cloud retires, 
 
 And leaves a clear sky ere the day expires ; 
 
 So, dark foreboding for our cherished land, 
 
 Caused by the wicked act of murd'rous hand 
 
 In slaying him who stood at head of State 
 
 Which darkened all my soul, and havoc great 
 
 Made of the prospects for the South most rare,. 
 
 And growing hopes which I had watched with care 
 
 Planted by him who now lies in his blood 
 
 Has passed away and let an ample flood 
 
 Of comfort flow in full and radiant tide 
 
 From that bright sun GOD'S PROMISE TO PROVIDE ! " 
 
 u We of the South to troubles are inured ; 
 
 What could be greater than we have endured? 
 
 And I have learned, come ill from etfry hand, 
 
 To trust to God the weal of this fair land ! " 
 
 " The weal of man, or State, does not depend, 
 
 Always, on means employed to reach an end.
 
 24 SPEECH OF A PATRIARCH. 
 
 The end designed and means employed by men 
 
 May both be wicked, but 'tis true e'en then 
 
 That God will soon or late, bring good from ill 
 
 For those who are submissive to His will. 
 
 Wrong may prevail, and right be trodden down, 
 
 And justice flee before oppression's frown ; 
 
 Yet in due time some great good will be seen 
 
 Which would not, but for ill endured, have been. 
 
 Joseph was sold ; but from his selling came 
 
 A train of blessings which I need not name. 
 
 The negroes in this country have attained 
 
 To good they ne'er had known, had sires remained 
 
 In that dark land where even to be free 
 
 Is worse than living here in slavery. 
 
 We, of the South, have suffered cruel wrongs 
 
 From those who stronger were than we ; yet songs, 
 
 New songs, the lips of old and young employ 
 
 Because we, since, have found new wells of joy ! 
 
 The unjust war against our liberty 
 
 Led to an act which made two races free 
 
 Ourselves, who are of the Caucasian race, 
 
 And those who were our slaves, of sable face 
 
 And now from lips of both rejoicings burst 
 
 At freedom from a slavery accursed 
 
 A bondage, theirs, to outward act confined ; 
 
 A thraldom, ours, involving heart and mind. 
 
 Had we obtained what rightfully we sought 
 
 A peaceful separation then might naught 
 
 Of what we hoped to gain, have been our lot ; 
 
 While, in the years to come, will be forgot
 
 SPEECH OF A PATRIARCH. 25 
 
 The many cruel wrongs we have endured, 
 Amid prosperity and peace secured 
 By sealing infirm union, once for all, 
 These States, as irons, upon which doth fall 
 The welder's stroke, in one do close unite, 
 Though line of union pass not out of sight ! " 
 " Nor did those noble men in battle slain 
 While fighting for our freedom, die in vain. 
 ( No ! no ! ye shades ! 'twas not in vain ye fell, 
 Although the cause was lost, ye loved so well ! 
 Ye and your country The Confederacy 
 Have passed away, yet live in memory ! ) 
 They will be on the page of hist'ry found 
 In future days recorded as renowned 
 For gallant deeds, in just, defensive war ! 
 The loss of cause, will not their glory mar ! 
 The old flag, now above us, was, by might 
 Replaced whence it had been removed by right ; 
 And yet we have experience to show 
 That to our peaceful homes more blessings flow 
 Than might have come 'neath that new flag we loved 
 When our dear sons on bloody fields well proved 
 Their courage, and devotion to that cause 
 Which all of us sincerely did espouse. 
 Hence, now, the old flag is, to us, more dear 
 Than e'er before the war it did appear ; 
 And shall be ever o'er our land unfurled, 
 Till Doomsday's conflagration wrap the world ! " 
 " Hence, thus I reason now : ' The murd'rer's arm 
 Has brought us ILL, but not a BLASTING HARM ; 
 3
 
 26 A FIRE-BRAND. (A Suniiimj "Rebel.") 
 
 If our Chief Magistrate may not survive, 
 
 His soul will safe at paradise arrive ; 
 
 And on his widow, and dear children, all, 
 
 God's choicest blessings will abundant fall ! ' 
 
 And oh ! our land ! dear land ! MY native land ! 
 
 Our once dissevered, blood-cemented land, 
 
 About whose borders, now, in many a band 
 
 The shades of thy departed statesmen stand 
 
 ( And heroes, and plain yeomen who have died ) 
 
 Anxiously watching thee as thou art tried 
 
 With this new fire, I trust thee to our LORD, 
 
 Who e'en from fire protection can afford ! " 
 
 " Now my dear children yes ! for thus I all 
 
 Who are much younger lhan myself, do call 
 
 Before you to your various homes repair, 
 
 Bring from yon staff that ' old flag,' floating there, 
 
 And wrap my aged form within its fold ! " 
 
 While youths were gone for flag, " I'm bold, 
 
 Perhaps you'll think to speak a word 
 
 Suggested by what we have heard 
 
 Our aged father say," (spoke one 
 
 Who wore a sabre-scar upon 
 
 His finely formed, time-fluted, brow ; 
 
 And who had lost sword-arm below 
 
 The elbow, from a bullet-wound 
 
 Received in war, where he was found, 
 
 At all times, at his post, and brave, ) 
 
 " There was a flag that once did wave 
 
 Above this land for which I feel 
 
 A love I wish not to conceal ;
 
 SPEECH OF THE VETERAN "REBEL." 27 
 
 And still it floats in mem'ry's sky, 
 
 The FAIREST flag that e'er did fly ! 
 
 Brave hands that flag defended well ; 
 
 But, (sad the hour !) at last it fell ! 
 
 Our hearts to give it up were loth, 
 
 For we lost flag and freedom both ! 
 
 Why should JULY'S FOURTH DAY, now, be 
 
 A joy to us? Our FATHERS, FREE, 
 
 Might well their ardent zeal employ, 
 
 In demonstration of their joy ; 
 
 But what THEY gained at heavy cost 
 
 STATE INDEPENDENCE WE have lost ! ! 
 
 Sad was the day when Gen'ral Lee 
 
 Surrendered ! We should now be free, 
 
 And not compelled to do the will 
 
 Of Northern States that flag would still 
 
 Be floating in this Southern air 
 
 As Freedom's emblem, true and fair 
 
 Had he allowed his men to fight, 
 
 Who would have won at last despite 
 
 The heavy odds of ten to one 
 
 As they before, full oft, had done ! 
 
 The cause that flag did represent 
 
 Was kindred to that which you've spent 
 
 This day in joyous words and deeds 
 
 To honor, notwithstanding bleeds 
 
 Your President, through deed late done 
 
 By ruthless hand at Washington. 
 
 Yes ! cause of South was Liberty 
 
 Of States, as Sovereigns, to be FREE !
 
 28 SPEECH OF THE VETERAN "REI1EL." 
 
 That cause was torn as babe from breast 
 
 Of mother 's torn by rav'nous beast : 
 
 That flag is buried like the form 
 
 Of mangled babe is hid from storm 
 
 And tempest and the cruel fangs 
 
 Of beasts and birds of prey, whilst hangs 
 
 Above it, from the bending sky, 
 
 God's just and ever watchful eye. 
 
 Well-watched by Him till ( Day of Doom,' 
 
 The infant then will come from tomb 
 
 And rise on wing high over beast 
 
 That tore it from its mother's breast : 
 
 That flag, too, the embodiment 
 
 Of cause which it did represent, 
 
 Though close entombed it sleeping lies 
 
 Will, yet, with life immortal, rise, 
 
 Changed in appearance and in name 
 
 But lifted from the earth by same 
 
 Pure spirit with which it was born, 
 
 And which it bore when it was torn 
 
 From fond embrace of her who gave 
 
 It birth who striving it to save 
 
 Lost her own life and found her grave." 
 
 "As resurrected babe will be 
 
 From special claim of motlier free 
 
 ( Though she will greet it in the sky 
 
 As babe of hers in time gone by ) 
 
 And by its presence bless the world 
 
 Of spirits pure, that flag unfurled, 
 
 Appropr'ate garb of deathless cause
 
 SPEECH OF THE VETERAN " REBEL." 29 
 
 Will, by all nations, with applause 
 Be hailed as angel sent to bless 
 This world; while, oft, in fond caress, 
 The risen South, with joy complete, 
 Her offspring glorified will greet, 
 Though now she sleepeth, side by side. 
 With 'eause' for which she lived and died!" 
 " Yes, South is, as a nation, dead ; 
 But States still live in close bond wed 
 To Union ; yet thai, too, will die 
 In fast approaching by-and-by ! 
 The States at North and East and West, 
 Will think it to their interest 
 (And, therefore, will not question ( right ' 
 For which they forced the South to fight 
 Which Massachusetts long did claim 
 And threatened to demand, in name 
 Of her own sovereignty, innate,) 
 From Union to separate ! 
 When that day comes, then men will see 
 The Flag of the Confederacy, 
 And spirit of that truth it bore, 
 Living again, TO DIE NO MORE ! 
 " Then let the babe and mother sleep 
 Till resurrection-day! We'll weep 
 The tears of those whom hope doth cheer, 
 That buried ones will yet appear 
 In recognized reality, 
 And clothed with immortality ! " 
 Thus he : and choral murmur came 
 3*
 
 30 SPEECH OF A SOUTHERN YOUTH. 
 
 From multitude; whose cries, "Oh! shame!", 
 " False-prophet I ", their disfavor told. 
 
 SPEECH OF A SOUTHEKN YOUTH. 
 
 "Old flag" was brought, A youth cried : " Hold ! 
 
 A moment, comrades, ere you place 
 
 The flag around our father ! Brace 
 
 Yourselves and stretch its corners, four, 
 
 As tho' it still were floating o'er 
 
 Our heads, unrolled by joyous breeze 
 
 Which now is sporting 'mid the trees ! 
 
 So ! Much of all that has been said, 
 
 Did sound like ancient language, dead, 
 
 (Which must be learned alone from books,} 
 
 To many here, as plainly, looks 
 
 Did show ! The troubles of ' The South', 
 
 We that are young, have heard at mouth 
 
 Of those who did ' the troubles ' bear, 
 
 As stories told at times most rare. 
 
 Our fathers, and our brothers, fell 
 
 In war : our mothers, tearful, tell 
 
 Their last adieu : ' W f ith life in hand 
 
 We go, before our foes to stand, 
 
 And drive them back ; but should we fall, 
 
 Let not our fate your hearts appal ! 
 
 'Tis well to die defending home 
 
 Against invaders, fierce, who come ! 
 
 Our love for home sends us away, 
 
 With hope that we'll return, some day.
 
 SPEECH OF A YOUTH. 31 
 
 Farewell ! Be cheerful ! Though we die 
 
 In battle, there is One on high 
 
 In whom we trust and you, as well 
 
 We'll meet in heav'n ! Loved ones, farewell ! ' 
 
 The 'blacks' did once obedience yield 
 
 To ' whites ' ; and served in house and field 
 
 As slaves. The ' South ' displayed a flag 
 
 As nation new, which ' North ' did drag 
 
 Down from its standard, after years 
 
 Of struggle, \v\uhtflowed blood and, tears. 
 
 These things we know as HISTORY ! 
 
 And, oft, they seem like mystery ! 
 
 We wonder how such things could be 
 
 "Within this land so blest and free 
 
 As we now find it. That War trode 
 
 All o'er our land, as episode 
 
 Most wonderful we view 
 
 In life of nation now so true 
 
 And kind, one to another. We 
 
 The ' Flag of The Confederacy 
 
 Have, not all, seen upon the air ; 
 
 Though all, perhaps, have been shown where 
 
 It did once float above the brave 
 
 Who fought and died the cause to save 
 
 Of which that flag was chosen sign : 
 
 ( About whose memories we twine 
 
 The chaplet due to honor's brow 
 
 And at whose graves we fain would, now, 
 
 Love's tender offerings renew 
 
 And sprinkle sorrow's pearly dew : )
 
 32 THE "FIRE-BRAND" QUENCHED. 
 
 And yet that cause to us is known 
 
 As cause of those now dead, ALONE." 
 
 "The flag you have, my comrades, there, 
 
 Has hearts of Southern youth : no share 
 
 Doth any other ensign hold 
 
 In our affections ! Take it ; fold 
 
 It 'round our father ! It is meet 
 
 Both old and young that flag should greet 
 
 With loving touch ! Yourselves enfold, 
 
 As well as him, with flag you hold : 
 
 And thus (with heart to heart, both youth 
 
 And age wrapped in that flag,) the TRUTH 
 
 Displayed in living grand tableau, 
 
 To our enraptured vision show !" 
 
 THE FIRE-BRAND QUENCHED. 
 
 'Twas grandly done as he did ask ; 
 And but my pen halts at the task 
 Of striving to describe the scene 
 Which then ensued ! The dancing sheen 
 Shed from the lightning's face doth come 
 Before no louder startling bomb, 
 Thau rushed upon the air, in noise 
 Of pealing joy spoke by the voice 
 Of that vast multitude as though 
 A vocal hurricane did throw 
 Its vehemence in human tongue 
 Upon the quiv'ring ear ! Among 
 The woods so long glad echo played
 
 THE "FIRE-BRAND" QUENCHED. 33 
 
 Her grand response on organ made 
 
 Of hill and dale with rock inlaid 
 
 Its pipes all masked that, quite dismayed, 
 
 Coy Silence fled across the land 
 
 Nor stayed her steps at ocean-strand ! 
 
 The multitude renewed the shout ; 
 
 When even those who bore about 
 
 Them war's rude marks in scar and maim, 
 
 Joined, joyously, in glad acclaim. 
 
 Tableau well showed that heart and hand 
 
 Of all within the Southern-land 
 
 Attach to Union, whose flag's fold 
 
 Held in embrace both young and old. 
 
 They grasped the flag ; and, each pressed heart 
 
 With its rich folds as if to part 
 
 With it would be, for them, like death 
 
 To joys more precious than their breath. 
 
 Short time elapsed : then youths did rest 
 
 The azure field with stars on breast 
 
 Of aged one ; and, stripes of red 
 
 And white about his form, save head, 
 
 ( That wish of his might nothing lack ) 
 
 They loosely wrapped ; and then stepped back. 
 
 He, THEN, stretched out upon his chair. 
 
 We watched him, calmly lying there, 
 
 While the breezes fingered his flowing white locks, 
 
 Which were soft as the fleece of nomadic flocks. 
 
 Arid, playing on his noble face, 
 
 A smile of pleasure we could trace. 
 
 But he grew quickly pallid; and one, aloud,
 
 34 THE SEQUEL. 
 
 Cried : " The Flag of the Land has become his 
 
 SHROUD ! " 
 
 Full many friends, with rapid stride 
 Approached the dying patriot's side ; 
 And his trembling daughters whilst lifting his head 
 Made the breezes SHUDDER, by wailing : " HE'S 
 
 DEAD ! ! " 
 
 As there he lay in death serene, 
 / recognized the " Horseman " * seen 
 At a mansion's gate when the famous " Black Raid" 
 Through that section in time of the war was made. 
 Some bore him away in ' the blue, white and red; ' 
 And office performed which was due to the dead. 
 While, slowly, t'ward 'home' all the rest did repair; 
 First casting for selves and for country all care 
 On Him, who so gently from earth ' sire ' had led, 
 That SMILING, 'sire' entered the land oftJie dead! 
 
 * " Horseman " was a character in " The Raid," an unpub 
 lished poem by same author.
 
 SCENES AMONG THE COLORED 
 PEOPLE. 
 
 35
 
 By private roads digressing, (or by paths, 
 Which, like huge serpents, stretched on stubble fields 
 Were seen ; else, winding through the standing maize, 
 Were hid from view,) the multitude, some here, 
 Some there, passed to their various homes ; and I 
 Was left to travel whither my design 
 Might lead. The sun had trode well nigh three- 
 fourths 
 
 His course from east to west, when I drew near 
 A grove of beech and oak, close to the road ; 
 Where hundreds of the negro race had met 
 To celebrate the day in manner such 
 As each might think the best. I rode into 
 The grove, and being recognized by some 
 Who knew me in the days before the war, 
 Was well received with words of weleome warm. 
 I saw at once they had not heard " the news ; " 
 For ev'ry face was lighted up with joy, 
 
 4 37
 
 38 SCENES AMONG THE COLORED PEOPLE. 
 
 And ev'ry voice danced with delight in song, 
 
 Or speech, or laugh, which made the welkin ring, 
 
 And " woke up " Echo in the swamp near by. 
 
 Such speech ! such song ! such frantic joy ! Did eye 
 
 And ear e'er witness such so strangely blent? 
 
 Religious exercises were, by some, 
 
 Held where rude Beatings had been improvised ; 
 
 There boiling exhortations were poured forth 
 
 From foaming lips ; and men and women knelt, 
 
 And shook their bodies, and tossed their heads, and 
 
 threw 
 
 Into the air wild words of joyous praise 
 And prayer, most vehement, which were to me, 
 Like errant birds of unknown land and wing. 
 Strange choruses concerning " Canaan's Shore " 
 And kindred themes, were sung, in rhythm unique, 
 By voices rich in melody, which rose 
 And fell and trembled in sweet harmony, 
 Expressing ev'ry chord in unison. 
 On outskirts of the grove, the rustic dance 
 Went on, to music wonderfully real, 
 Produced by skilful hand in playing harp 
 Of single string ; * in "patting Juba Ju ; " 
 Or thumbing wondrous coon-skin banjer's strings. 
 At one place stood a group entranced by song 
 " Away down on the Svvanee River, far 
 Away" played on 'accordin' by one blind, 
 And sung by aged pair, whose home, in youth, 
 
 * Jew's Harp.
 
 SCENES AMONG THE COLORED PEOPLE. 39 
 
 Had been upon the bank of that same stream, 
 
 And who, whilst slaves, in days long gone, had been 
 
 Brought northward (kindred being left behind.) 
 
 Their power of song was passing great ; and whilst 
 
 They sang, they wept. When song was o'er the twain 
 
 Arose ; and, in loud voice, the husband cried : 
 
 " bless de Lord ! doe we did leab our home 
 
 And ole folks dar, dese many days ago, 
 
 WE NOW is FREE ! Ps ready now to cross 
 
 To Can'an's sho' ; I say, 2'se READY NOW 
 
 Ou,' fokes, to Gross to Can'an's happy sho'. 
 
 bless de Lord, I's glad to see dis day ! 
 
 Hooray ! fur Mr. Linkin, and de Fofe 
 
 Day of July ! " The wife then gave a scream 
 
 Of ecstaey ; and straightway, she began 
 
 To sing a song whose sentiment did thrill 
 
 My being through a song whose words have ne'er 
 
 Been set in type, nor writ to which she joined 
 
 The chorus : " I am going home to die 
 
 No more ; " in singing which the group gave aid 
 
 With zest. The blind man was of that old pair 
 
 The son the only child ; and sat with face 
 
 Upturned, and gazed abroad upon the sky 
 
 With sightless eyes, as if in search of light. 
 
 At still another part of that large grove 
 The violin (whose many voices seemed 
 To utter weird words of joy to charm 
 The ear of spirits who might dwell within 
 That ancient wood,) put into frenzy great
 
 40 SCENES AMONG THE COLORED PEOPLE. 
 
 Of wild delight, which knew no bound or rule 
 Of meet expression, by or word or deed, 
 A crowd that numbered scores, both old and young, 
 Of sexes both. 
 
 And, yet again, at short 
 Remove from this last scene, an orator, 
 In phrase well suited to his audience, 
 Descanted on the glories of the land 
 We call our own ; informing all who well 
 Attended to his words, that Washington 
 Was born, and many other great events 
 Had happened on the day which, then and there, 
 They all had met to celebrate with joy. 
 And many facts, he there made known which have 
 Escaped the notice of historians. 
 The orator was young : yet, few among 
 His hearers, thought his hist'ry was at fault, 
 Besides a grey-haired barber from a town 
 Remote ; who promptly spoke, correcting one 
 Mistake as follows : " Friend, you's jamb-by right : 
 But teachers o' de people ought to KNOW 
 What dey is talkin' 'bout ! An' wherefoe, friend, 
 I takes dis chance in order to obstruct 
 Yoe mind on dis one pint, as you is young : 
 De great George Henry Washington, 'bout who 
 We hears so little now-a-days, but whom, 
 When I was young, was all the go, 'an den 
 Was called de father of dis land, dat is 
 Of all the people in dis land, bofe white 
 And cullud HE warn't BORND, but den he DIED
 
 SCENES AMONG THE COLORED PEOPLE. 41 
 
 De fofe day of July in seventy-six ; 
 
 Which fac' on' childurn, now in school books learns ; 
 
 And I has seen it, foe now, fur myself, 
 
 In Dicleration of Dependence, lent 
 
 Me by de jedge, who lives whar I live, 
 
 And likewise gits his shavin' done by me ! 
 
 My friend, amember dis formation, when 
 
 You speaks de next time on a 'cashun like 
 
 De present. Take my word ! On it prelie ! 
 
 Fur it is spoke by ole grey-headed Joe. 
 
 My marster knowed George Washington; and / 
 
 Knows ivhatlsay!" and then the old man laughed 
 
 In triumph ; adding, most complacently, 
 
 "Go on, my friend; I's done." The orator 
 
 Confessed himself corrected ; and, at once, 
 
 Threw eulogistic flowers on Lincoln's grave. 
 
 Whilst I was lost in musing's on the sad 
 
 O 
 
 Estate of those poor sons of Africa, 
 
 Whose heritage was mental feebleness, 
 
 And ignorance profound, commotion filled 
 
 The grove, like sudden rush of hurricane ; 
 
 And wild cries pierced the air ! Then groans, most 
 
 deep; 
 
 And plaintive pleadings ; shrieks of agony ; 
 Ejaculation most devout, yet wild ; 
 Such voicings as most likely would be heard 
 In crowded streets of city, all ablaze, 
 Without a "way of exit struck my ear 
 And came in quick succession, like the taps 
 Of rolling drum : while tott'ring, stagg'ring forms, 
 4*
 
 42 SCENES AMONG THE COLORED PEOPLE. 
 
 As if in drunken reel ; and shaking heads ; 
 
 And hands held high, and quiv'ring like the tongues 
 
 Of fire do move; and close clenched fists, slow moved 
 
 In circle o'er the head ; and men and boys, 
 
 As well as girls and women, running to 
 
 And fro, all met my gaze where'er I turned. 
 
 The multitude was crazed, like flock within 
 
 A fold attacked by wolves ; or, citizens 
 
 Unarmed and threatened with a massacre. 
 
 I knew "the news" had come, from words which 
 
 rang 
 
 Distinct above confusion's cascade-roar 
 Such words as these : " O Linkin's shot agin ! " 
 The President is killed ! Dar's war dey say 
 In Washington, an' Mister Garfiel's shot ! " 
 "Ou } time is come ! We'll all be slaves ! Farewell 
 To Liberty ! " ; " hush ! 'tis no sich thing ! 
 I'll die, afoe III be a slave ! " " Who says 
 He's shot? Who brought de news/ Where is de man ? " 
 Such words told plainly, that "the news" had been 
 Received, which I had closely kept from souls 
 So full of joy. The pain my own soul felt 
 At witnessing that scene of wild dismay, 
 Was such as pity, fear, deep grief, and hope, 
 Profound regret and ardent wish, and wrath, 
 Resolve, (both bold and strong,) curbed by despair 
 And almost ev'ry impulse known to man 
 Hard struggling for the mast'ry, could inflict. 
 
 But, suddenly, a lull in that fierce storm
 
 SCENES AMONG THE COLORED PEOPLE. 43 
 
 Of grief and frantic dread, which had so whirled 
 
 The multitude, occurred ; and then a calm 
 
 Oppressive, painful, death-like, perfect calm 
 
 Ensued, as at a spot of rising ground 
 
 Near centre of the grove, and standing straight 
 
 On bench of manufacture rude, but broad, 
 
 And firmly built, a tall, athletic man, 
 
 Of hoary locks, and furrowed face embrowned 
 
 With Afric's milder hues, stretch forth his hand 
 
 And waved to silence. " Who is he ? " I asked ; 
 
 And learned, he was the preacher most esteemed 
 
 For eloquence among the " Colored Folks " 
 
 Throughout that section of the Southern land, 
 
 And called by ev'ry body "Uncle Josh." 
 
 The waving hand dropped gracefully beside 
 
 The noble form ; and with a voice both strong 
 
 And great of compass like the bugle's voice 
 
 The preacher spoke : his mien was kingly, (grand!') 
 
 His spirit, love; his words were such as his 
 
 UNTUTORED mind had gathered, here and there, 
 
 Distorting many from their sound and sense, 
 
 As known to those who rightly speak our tongue : 
 
 " My brethren in de flesh, an' also in de faith, 
 
 I'm sensible o' pain, bofe deep an' sharp, 
 
 As I arise to 'spress my feelings here 
 
 On dis uccashun. Sad, indeed, in tone 
 
 And words, de woice which spoke to us jist now 
 
 From Washington ! It fell upon dese ears 
 
 Like news o' death, in my own family ! 
 
 I felt like saying, 'Absalom, my son,
 
 44 SCENES AMONG THE COLORED PEOPLE. 
 
 Would God that I had died instead of thee, 
 
 Son Absalom.' The President is shot ! 
 
 Dis makes de second time we's lost de head 
 
 O' dis apublic by his bein' shot ! 
 
 The fust was Lincoln sainted Lincoln frien' 
 
 Of all the cullnd race yes, he were shot ; 
 
 But when he died, his spirit tuck its flight 
 
 To that etker'al blue expanse of yon 
 
 Resounded wault of sublumary worls ! 
 
 And now, on Anniversionary-Day, 
 
 When Liberty was bornd triumphant, here 
 
 In dis great land, the dreadful " news " has come 
 
 Dat Mr. Garfiel has been shot dat friend 
 
 O' bofe de blacks an' whites and breathed his last 
 
 Upon this transubstantial mundame spere, 
 
 Where wicked men brings trouble, but de good 
 
 And wary dey finds rest ! It's sad to think 
 
 About! But shill we therefoe, now, subcum 
 
 To dis infliction o' de penulty 
 
 O' death upon our dear good Presedunt, 
 
 So universal common yes, to all 
 
 De human family, from anciunt days, 
 
 When 'Thewslem riz and reigned in Israel 
 
 And Jacob all his sheep and cattle watched 
 
 In fiels and woods, an' swamps of ole Judee ; 
 
 And run de risk o' going from dis worl 
 
 Afoe ou' time, thew mere egzitement ? NO ! 
 
 Beloved brothrnn, do restrain yer selves! 
 
 Keep cool ! Why jist awhile ago, you all 
 
 Aminded me most strikingly o' poor
 
 SCENES AMONG THE COLORED PEOPLE. 45 
 
 Pholipyan jailer, who was jist about 
 
 To kill hisself thew great egzitement, 'cause 
 
 De chains o' Paul and Cyrus were struck off 
 
 By Angel's hands ; an' he, poor fellow, thought 
 
 Hisself asponsible fur what dey done ! 
 
 But Paul cried : ' Stop ! don't hurt yerself ! De fault 
 
 Ain't yourn dat we has been sot free from chains ! ' 
 
 And so I would advise you all to-day : 
 
 Don't hurt yerselves because de mortal chains 
 
 Dat boun de Presidunt in dis dark worl 
 
 Dis prison worl has been ondone an' he 
 
 Has gone to dwell wid angels bright whar bofe 
 
 De bullit an' de pistol is onkuown, 
 
 An' pain an' death kin never, never, come ! 
 
 The jailer minded what de 'postle told 
 
 Him : so ought you to mind what I say noic ! 
 
 Be joyful, like you was befoe de ' news ' 
 
 Had come ! 'Tis not your fault de Presedunt 
 
 Were shot ! ' Rejoice ! ' de 'postle says, ' an pray.' 
 
 I'd ketch the echo of his woice, and say : 
 
 ' Yes ! let yoe joys aboun' thewout de day ; 
 
 Till yon bright sun goes home and 'fuses us 
 
 His company any longer in dis grove ! ' 
 
 Thar's some among ye, who has never learnt 
 
 To pray, perhaps ; but, thar is no one here 
 
 Who kinnot sing, or laugh, and play. O, no ! 
 
 For thar's a joy-spring in de black-man's heart 
 
 What always freely runs exceptin' pain 
 
 Or sickness do, like leaves or fallin limbs 
 
 0' trees, fill up de outlet ditch ! Clar dese
 
 46 SCENES AMONG THE COLORED PEOPLE. 
 
 Aivay, an' den de stream flows free again ! 
 
 Thar never were a time when, as a race, 
 
 We cullud folks could not rejoice. De Jews 
 
 When in de Babylonium land, refused 
 
 To sing de hymns dey learnt at home ; an' hung 
 
 Their harps upon de wilier-tree ; an' would 
 
 Not strike a string ! But all de cullud fokes 
 
 Who lived in this great Southern land, when slaves 
 
 An' bearin' troubles hard as any what 
 
 De Jews did ever have, would sing de songs 
 
 O' Zion with a will them what belonged 
 
 To chureh I mean ; an' others sot their notes 
 
 To cornfiel songs, an' sich as suit de fokes 
 
 What go a courtin'. No one ever seen 
 
 A banjer or a wiolin down here, 
 
 Upon a tree, unless it were forgot 
 
 Er hid, or else de owner had got tired 
 
 O' playin ! Cullud fokes! we's saw ou' share 
 
 0' trouble ; and we has a right to sing, 
 
 Er laugh ( I will not 'elude to dance ) 
 
 While we does sojourm in dis lower worl ! 
 
 De Red Sea have been crossed ! We crossed dry shod ! 
 
 We's left ou' Egypt to ou' back ! I know 
 
 We still is in de wilderness ; but, Oh ! 
 
 Clar water flows from rocks, an' manny falls 
 
 Bofe day and night ; de quails can't help therselves, 
 
 But must keep comin' to ou' moving camp, 
 
 As we goes march in' fur de stormy banks 
 
 O' Jordan, whar we stands and casts ou' eye 
 
 To Canaan's far an' happy land, whar ou'
 
 SCENES AMONG THE COLORED PEOPLE. 47 
 
 Perzeshuns lie ! O, brothrun, 'deed I feels 
 
 We has a right to gether in de grapes 
 
 De Lord has made to grow all 'round us here ! 
 
 Injoy yerselves, ye people free, on dis 
 
 De nation's holidays ! De great ones thar 
 
 At Washington, will do things as dey ought 
 
 To be. It won't do any good fur you 
 
 To scream an' cry, an' be afeer'd o' what 
 
 Ye DO NOT KNOW ! /grieves as much as you; 
 
 But den I's got my senses 'bout me too ! 
 
 What man were that who said, 'Dar's War agin $ ' 
 
 War wharf Twixt who? De North an' South? I tell 
 
 Ye, friens, thar never will be war agin 
 
 Between de two. Dey bofe, like brothers who 
 
 Has fought, would jine an' whip mos' any man 
 
 Who'd try to make dem fight agin. De graves 
 
 Of soldiers who was killed are mos' too fresh 
 
 To 'low de white fokes in dis Ian' to take 
 
 De field agin ! An' den de widders made 
 
 By war within de Ian', an' orphuns who 
 
 Still looks aroun' fur father ; an' de men 
 
 Whose arms, an' legs, an' eyes, lies sum'ers long 
 
 De track whar war walked thew dis Southern-land 
 
 Mos' ankle deep in white men's blood, an' flung 
 
 De darts o' death from bofe his hands at once, 
 
 Would, with a mighty power of 'suasion rise 
 
 And plead aginst de rasin' of a war ! 
 
 I fears no war ! So much fur dat one pint ! 
 
 But den, I heard a voice cry out ; 'Farewell 
 
 To Liberty ! We's now all slaves ! ' Dat cry
 
 48 SCENES AMONG THE COLORED PEOPLE. 
 
 Were raos' anough to make an ANGEL come 
 
 An' comfort dot poor soul ! But, ef he come 
 
 We did not see his shinin' robe, nor hear 
 
 De rus'lin' of his foldin' wings among' 
 
 De vast disorder an' confusion what 
 
 Provailed thewout de grove. Yit I am niyh 
 
 Anough an angel, fur de task of quick 
 
 Convicin' dot dearfrien' dot he is WRONG 
 
 In holdin' sich opinion on de great, 
 
 And sollum pint of liberty ! Now, come, 
 
 My friend, who were it tuck de tremblin' hand 
 
 Of our poor race, an' put it in de hand 
 
 O' Liberty, an' said : * I marry you 
 
 lii bons o' mutu'l everlastin' love? 
 
 Did Mr. Lincoln? No! He beckoned all 
 
 Us cullud fokes to come away from home, 
 
 An' he would try t' effect for us a match 
 
 (Like what we calls down here a run-way match 
 
 When them what has control o' young fokes do 
 
 Not give their free consent that they may go 
 
 Git married.) Mister Lincoln could not speak 
 
 Fur us an' also Liberty : besides, 
 
 We could not git away to go whar sweet 
 
 Faced Liberty, with smile an' outstretched hand 
 
 Were waitin' patiuntly fur us to come ! 
 
 Who made us free? agin I ask. Did War? 
 
 O no ! my friends ! Ef dat were so, den war 
 
 Mought make us slaves agin, some day ! I know 
 
 Dat when de war were done, we stood beneath 
 
 De ' stars and stripes ' upon dat glorious flag
 
 SCENES AMONG THE COLORED PEOPLE. 49 
 
 AVhat floats triumphant o'er dis Continent 
 (Like dat which have been hiested on yon pole 
 Out by de road,) the Flag o' Liberty ! 
 But den we stood dar 'foe de war, an' yit 
 Were staves ! But by-aiid-by dese wery States 
 On' guardeens give consent dat all us fokes 
 Might be united in a wedlock strong 
 To objict of on' love ; an' signed de bond 
 O' marriage contract thar in Washington ! 
 I say, we's wed by LAW to LIBERTY, 
 De beautiful an' 'posin' bride fur whose 
 Fair hand ou' hearts did ache thew many long 
 An' wary years ! De States mind all de States 
 O 1 dis Confedric Union give consent ! 
 Den who kin give a writin' of divorce 
 Betwixt us two ? NOBODY ! No ! No ! ! NO ! ! ! 
 Not even WAR with all his mighty strut I 
 But lastly, dat is, thirdly, I inquire 
 Who made us free ? which I will answer thus : 
 THE LORD ! 'Twos He, alone, that made us free! 
 When Moses heerd de Lord commandin' him 
 To bring his chosen people from de land 
 Of Egyp', did de leader 'spect to take 
 De credit to hissel/f An' when he give , 
 De inwitation to de people, were 
 It not de inwitation of de LORD ? 
 When Pharoah said de people dey mought go, 
 Who brung about dat change in Pharoah's mind? 
 'De miracles o' Moses ', you may say. 
 Who give de power to work de.plagues f DaCs it ! 
 5
 
 50 SCENES AMONG THE COLORED PEOPLE. 
 
 The Lord, of course ! So do we culliid fokes 
 
 Thewout de South now wear de shinin' Badge 
 
 0' Liberty, because the LORD has put 
 
 It on us, an' has tuck away de ' Yoke 
 
 O* Bondage ' / Bless de Lord, its pinned upon 
 
 Us wid de golden clasp o' Gospel Love, 
 
 What glitters wid de glorious light 
 
 Of revulation ! And upon de face 
 
 O' dat bright clasp, is seen de phomographs 
 
 O' Liberty and Man ( and DAT man's skin 
 
 Has all de colors in de alfubet ! ) 
 
 And at de bottom o' de clasp is writ : 
 
 ' Them whom the Lord has jined, let no man put 
 
 Asunder ! ' Yes, my friens, de Lord has jined 
 
 De heart o' Liberty and ourn in love ; 
 
 And jined ou' hands in wedlock, which shill last 
 
 As long as we bofe live I " 
 
 " I's studied much 
 
 Dis snbjict WERY much ! De white folks has, 
 As well as us, anough o' slavery ! 
 They would not have us back again as slaves ! 
 And notwithstanding they did not approve 
 At fust, de match 'twixt us and Liberty, 
 They 'wishes us much joy'! THEN LET YER 
 JOYS ABOUN' ! ! ! " 
 
 " I's spoke at instugation, strong, 
 Of some o' dese old brothrun here, who thought 
 There were great danger, when de neii's fust come, 
 Of mighty pamic! Now you's quiet, do 
 Go long and 'joy yerselves, jist as ye did
 
 A TRIUMPH. 51 
 
 Afoc ! I wants de congrugation, now, 
 
 To sing and ALL must sing dat good ole hymn 
 
 ' We's boun' fur de Ian', de happy Ian.' Raise 
 
 De hymn, somebody, please, whomever fills 
 
 De office of a Leader in de Choir ! " 
 
 No marshalled host did e'er obey command 
 
 Of general, more promptly, than did that 
 
 Vast congregation, yield to wish expressed 
 
 By him who was a JOSHUA, indeed, 
 
 To them ; and the effect was wonderful ! 
 
 THE EFFECT. 
 
 Grief, and Fear, and Consternation, 
 
 Grimly hov'ring o'er that throng, 
 Started in wild perturbation 
 
 As the joyous notes of song, 
 Led forth by a thousand voices, 
 
 Moved into the airy field, 
 Like an army that rejoices, 
 
 Confident the foe will yield. 
 How that airy field then trembled 
 
 'Neath the measured, rapid tread 
 Of the chords, as they assembled 
 
 'Round the TRIO, conquered, DEAD ! 
 ECHO sweetly joined the chorus, 
 
 Singing in the outer air ; 
 Or else ANGELS hovered o'er us, 
 
 Eager in the joy to share ! 
 Bearing garlands rich, won by her,
 
 52 A DISAPPOINTMENT. 
 
 SONG grew silent, waved her hand, 
 To the PLEASURES standing nigli her, 
 
 Bidding them the throng command. 
 Faithfully they did as bidden, 
 
 Wielding wands of magic pow'r, 
 Till the tardy SUN had hidden, 
 
 From NIGHT'S view in TWILIGHT'S bow'r, 
 Night saw Twilight's agitation, 
 
 (Caused by presence of THE SUN, 
 Who, with such precipitation, 
 
 Had into her bow'r run,) 
 And, the reason half discerning, 
 
 She, herself, rushed toward the bow'r 
 O, chagrined was she on learning 
 
 1 SUN had GONE full half an hour ! ' 
 Yet, she gazed with ardent pleasure 
 
 Ou the radiance Avhich did still 
 (Beaming from the gems and treasures 
 
 Left by SUN) the bow'r fill. 
 Of which radiance* many a nation 
 
 Has the cause to give essayed, 
 When, since then, through ostentation, 
 
 Twilight has those gems displayed. 
 Still NIGHT showed of grief signs certain, 
 
 At not gaining partial view 
 Of the DAY KING, when the curtain . 
 
 Of her bow'r proud TWILIGHT drew : 
 For beneath her " wraps for summer" 
 
 * Evening after glow.
 
 A PLEASANT REMINISCENCE. 53 
 
 Which she donned, NIGHT held her crown ; 
 And I plainly heard her murmur, 
 
 And as truly, felt her frown, 
 As along the road I speeded, 
 
 Looking for a transient home ; 
 While the moments passed unheeded, 
 
 Till to mansion I had come. 
 Murmur after murmur coming, 
 
 I caught, here and there, a word ; 
 Meanings of all which by summing, 
 
 I found gist of murmurs heard : 
 " KING OF DAY, in all his glory, 
 
 I once saw on Gibeon, 
 Where he ' stayed ' to see the gory 
 
 Work by ancient Isr'el done, 
 Till the MOON, my maid of honor, 
 
 Came to vale of Ajalon, 
 W'ho had edict laid upon her : 
 
 'JJalt that Isr'el may slay on!' } 
 " I remember well his beauty, 
 
 As he looked upon the plain, 
 Cheering Isr'el on to duty ! 
 
 Shall I see him ne'er again ? 
 Oh ! I'd give the brightest jewel 
 
 In my crown ( which is my pride ! ) 
 Could my eyes have brief renewal 
 
 Of that view ! Why DID he HIDE ! " 
 
 When NIGHT had these murmurs spoken, 
 Then her tears began to fall, 
 5*
 
 54 TEARS AND SMILES. 
 
 Just as if her heart were broken 
 
 GUSHING now ; NOW, none at all ! 
 And her sigh did sound like whisper 
 
 Coming from another sphere ! 
 LUNA, hearing, came and kissed her ; 
 
 Bade her be of better cheer : 
 And, at once, NIGHT ceased her weeping ; 
 
 Threw her " summer wraps " aside ; 
 Donned her crown, she had been keeping 
 
 'Neath her " wraps" its gems to hide ; 
 And assumed a look quite cheerful, 
 
 So that one would scarce have thought, 
 She, so lately, had been tearful, 
 
 Soon I found the ' home ' I sought.
 
 AT A MANSION. 
 
 55
 
 THE WELCOME. 
 
 The hospitality proverbial 
 
 Of Southern homes, was ne'er more cordial 
 
 Than when it welcomed us myself and steed 
 
 Supplying each with comforts each did need. 
 
 Repast most bountiful was spread for me, 
 
 Including many a summer luxury. 
 
 Refreshed, I went with host to drawing-room ; 
 
 Which was adorned with flowers in bud and bloom, 
 
 And paintings hung on snow-white polished wall 
 
 The masterpieces of great artists, all; 
 
 (No, ONE was wrought by hostess' unskilled brush, 
 
 While yet her cheek wore maiden's early blush : 
 
 That one my host did o'er the others prize, 
 
 Its faults appearing beauties in his eyes ) . 
 
 And furniture, both modern and antique, 
 
 Of which some pieces were of form unique, 
 
 Contrived alike for ornament and use 
 
 57
 
 58 AT A MANSION. 
 
 Some plain, some bearing carvings most profuse. 
 
 The tapestry did faithfully display 
 
 The grandest scenes in " Mammoth " and " Luray." 
 
 In carpet and in rugs were plainly wove 
 
 Fierce battle-scenes where Southrons bravely strove 
 
 Against great odds and brilliant vict'ries won 
 
 (The work of weaving which had all been done 
 
 By mother of mine host in private loom.) 
 
 It almost seemed that one could hear the boom 
 
 And see the smoke burst from the cannon's mouth 
 
 Could see the moving soldiers of both South 
 
 And North as promptly they obey command 
 
 See brave men falling pierced on ev'ry hand ; 
 
 And even note the oozing of the blood 
 
 From half-closed bullet-wound, as tho' one stood 
 
 Amid the stirring scenes of actual war : 
 
 The shuttle had outstripped the brush by far. 
 
 The ample fire-place was hid from view 
 
 By frame of walnut-wood inlaid with yew, 
 
 Containing canvas' well-o'erlaid in stitch 
 
 With cotton threads of various hues, brf which 
 
 Was faithfully, yet gorgeously, displayed 
 
 A scene to which my soul quite promptly paid 
 
 The tribute of appreciative tear, 
 
 When clear the meaning did to me appear 
 
 Of sentiment beneath, adroitly told 
 
 In characters attractive, wrought in gold : 
 
 'Twas just as lifelike as it well could be, 
 
 And showed the interview of Grant and Lee 
 
 Beneath it one could at a distance see :
 
 AT A MANSION. 59 
 
 " Within these golden-lettered lines, 
 A GEM of TRUTH, half-hidden, shines,' 
 ABOVE, in portrait rude, you see 
 Two gen'rals SHARING victory I " 
 From golden chandelier there shone a light 
 Like that of day so pleasant, yet so bright. 
 I found that I was not the only guest : 
 Many were there and ev'ry one expressed 
 By manner gracious some by ardent word 
 Pleasure at meeting me ; and when they heard 
 That I had come but recently from North 
 In sad ejaculations all burst forth 
 Almost in concert, speaking words of grief 
 Profound with ref'rence to the wounded chief, 
 The conversation ran from theme to theme, 
 All kindred in their nature, till the stream 
 Of national events had been surveyed 
 And all the rocks and shoals which had delayed 
 The ship of state in outward bound career 
 Had been identified by landmarks clear 
 (As laid down in the chart of history) 
 And located exactly by the free 
 Employment of "the lead" in trusty hand 
 Of just, unbiased judgment and the sand 
 In hour-glass used full quaintly by mine host 
 Instead of modern time-piece, had almost 
 Run out the fourth time since I came into 
 The room. The host reminded us that few 
 Would be the hours for rest unless we soon 
 Should to our couches go. " I ask the boon
 
 60 AT A MANSION. 
 
 Louise, of one song first," persuasively 
 
 Said one. The lady said evasively ; 
 
 " I have no fitting song. I'm prompt you know 
 
 If ready ; " " You compose impromptu, though," 
 
 Her husband said, for he it was that spoke ; 
 
 And soon piano felt her skilful stroke ; 
 
 And her rich voice its melody displayed, 
 
 As words and tune impromptu she essayed. 
 
 The husband was a Fed'ral officer 
 
 In civil war. Of sev'ral daughters dear 
 
 Who then graced that same home, Louise was bright 
 
 And beautiful as any, who despite 
 
 Her long continued efforts to maintain 
 
 Her rightful independence, strove in vain 
 
 Like Southland to successfully resist 
 
 The will which did on UNION insist : 
 
 The conflict o'er, a union of love 
 
 Was formed like that of North and South should 
 
 prove. 
 
 Grand was the song Louise, once rebel-girl, 
 (And youngest sister of mine host,) did whirl, 
 In voice as sweet as that of nightingale 
 Upon our ears ; and far out on the dale 
 It through the open windows gently flew 
 And head from wing of many a songster drew 
 And wakeful cottagers from couches, too! 
 
 WE FELT THE TH ROBBINGS OF THE NATION'S HEART 
 
 Whose grief or hope the song in ev'ry part 
 Expressed, in meter changed, from time to time, 
 The time becoming medley, thus, sublime.
 
 AT A MANSION.' 01 
 
 The grand achievements of both 'South 7 and 'North,' 
 In separate careers, were well set forth 
 And made the basis of a steadfast hope 
 That heart and heart united, both can cope 
 As one great brotherhood, with ev'ry foe, 
 Be it invader armed, or home born woe. 
 Her song the gifted songstress deftly closed 
 With an address to "Our Dear Land," composed 
 In words and rhyme which I cannot recall 
 Yet give the following as a hint that's all : 
 " Thou Freedom's great Temple art set on a hill ! 
 The sheen of thy splendors doth all the earth fill 
 When cloudless the sun of prosperity falls 
 On thy jewel-crowned spires and gold-covered walls 
 And when the dark night of adversity throws 
 Its deep shades about thee, thine altar then glows 
 With/re/rom heaven (SELF-SACRIFICE.) All 
 Thine inner component parts Gold carved WALL, 
 (Pure Wisdom with Practical Knowledge ivell graced;) 
 Thy MOSAIC FLOOR, (Truth with Justice inlaced;} 
 Thy CANOPY, (Hope, with a pure Faith inwrought ;) 
 VESSELS OF SERVICE, (Institutions, blood-bought;} 
 These all with inherent bright radiance shine, 
 Which joins with the light that doth beam from thy 
 
 shrine, 
 And streams through thy windows and quickly 
 
 illumes 
 
 The mount where thou standest the darkness con 
 sumes ! " 
 
 When song was finished after proper word 
 6
 
 62 AT A MANSION. 
 
 Of praise, (well-earned,) from most of us who beard 
 
 We, at request of host, in worship bowed, 
 
 While he as priest spoke praise and prayer aloud. 
 
 Some moments passed : Louise's husband rose 
 
 And said : " I thank you heartily, for those 
 
 Warm sentiments that you have just expressed 
 
 For ' Union of the States,' which in MY BRP:AST 
 
 Holds higher place than even my own life ! 
 
 That song has made you to me dearer, wife, 
 
 Thau ever : and I hope 'twill not amiss 
 
 Be reckoned that I now imprint a kiss 
 
 Upon the lips which uttered those sweet words." 
 
 She, blushing, said; "Your conduct well affords 
 
 Example of the slowness on the part 
 
 Of Northern mind to read the Southern heart ! 
 
 Full oft have I expressed such sentiment 
 
 As words of that new song did represent ! 
 
 So has the South, through many years, by deed 
 
 Expressed her love for Union ; yet the meed 
 
 Of just acknowledgment has been denied 
 
 Till now, by 'North,' who has the 'South' decried ! 
 
 The ' North's' complaints, most bitter, plainly prove 
 
 That ' North' thinks ' South' has reason .NOT to 
 
 love ! 
 
 O that the bond between the States might be 
 Like bond uniting hearts of you and me! ! 
 This last she spoke adroitly, as with smile 
 She rose and stood beside her husband ; while 
 The company applauded with a shout 
 In miniature, and rose, too, to pass out
 
 A STRANGE VISITOR. G3 
 
 At bidding of the HOST : "Let's seek repose 
 
 Be/ore old ' DIXIE ' for the day-dawn crows ! " 
 
 Just as we moved to go, through open door 
 
 An aged man came slowly in. Before 
 
 The company whose hearts were struck with fear 
 
 He stood awhile in silence. We could hear 
 
 The beating of our hearts while old man spoke 
 
 In accents which, on host's ear ONLY broke 
 
 The silence deep, to others marred alone 
 
 By frightened host's quick heart-throbs, and their 
 
 own : 
 
 " Be not alarmed for I have only come 
 In kindness. I have oft within this home 
 Of ardent patriotism in the days 
 Of years long gone in various ways 
 Been entertained with marked esteem by those 
 Who then the happy household did compose. 
 Where are they now? Gone into spirit-land ! 
 Here, they were pious there a sainted band ! 
 Direct descendant of such noble race 
 Could not refuse a stranger, e'en, a place 
 Within the circle fraught with friendship's charm ! 
 / smiled on thee, a BABE, John ! Fear no harm ! " 
 The host received surprise in heavy stroke 
 When thus he heard his name by old man spoke. 
 Speechless and pale he tottered to a chair 
 Speechless indeed were all, till /said ; " Where 
 You may elect shall be your seat, my friend : 
 And speech is free ! Speak till you choose to end ! " 
 I glanced t'ward hostess : pallid too she was,
 
 64 THE STRANGE VISITORS ADDRESS. 
 
 Yet bowed approval of my coup de grace. 
 While, by degrees, the company grew calm, 
 Seated, the old man stroked his beard with palm 
 And speech resumed, in voice which did not break 
 The outer silence and which, yet, did make 
 Impressions on our minds as strong and clear 
 As common voices do which sound in air. 
 The officer, who saw the old man, gazed 
 Alternately at him and us, amazed 
 That we should listen as tho' human word 
 Were spoke by stranger for no voice HE heard, 
 We listened, rapt : " Attracted by that song 
 Whose melody was greeted, all along 
 The highways and the by-paths, and within 
 The homes, by those who heard it, with a din 
 Of praise, I came to give your hearts relief 
 From deep suspense about the wounded chief; 
 And, also, timely comfort to extend 
 Concerning dangers which you fear impend 
 Above your much-loved, mourning land's career, 
 And which in future, both remote and near, 
 May fall, producing havoc with its peace 
 And welfare, till that havoc find surcease 
 In ruin." 
 
 "Just as one on mountain's side 
 Can see large objects floating on a tide 
 Whose waters broad and deep do sweep amain 
 By mountain's base and through the neighb'ring 
 
 plain, 
 So view I facts which did in past transpire :
 
 THE STRANGE VISITOR'S SPEECH. 65 
 
 And, as one standing on a point much higher 
 
 Say top can see the streamlets as they come 
 
 Away, each from its isolated home 
 
 Now hiding as it makes its pathway through 
 
 A forest thick ; now coming into view 
 
 Where verdant meadow and grain-growing land 
 
 Express their greeting as on either hand 
 
 They smile ; now lavishing on boggy fen 
 
 Its gifts ; delighting, now, the rocky glen 
 
 With music and with dancing, as along 
 
 It hastens joyously to join the throng 
 
 Of waters as they mingle in a grand 
 
 Procession to the gates at ocean's strand, 
 
 Through which have passed the waters gone before 
 
 To realm so wondrous, they came back no more, 
 
 So view I from the eminence I hold 
 
 In life's great mount, events yet to be told 
 
 As ' having come,' by promptly speaking Time, 
 
 The Usher." 
 
 u I can see result of crime 
 Committed by Guiteau to be the-death 
 Of Garfield, (notwithstanding ev'ry breath 
 The nation breathes the meanwhile be a prayer ; ) 
 But not those evils which would bring despair 
 To patriot-hearts which you have seemed to fear 
 Referred to in the song which still I hear 
 In plaintive echo ringing through the cells' 
 Where Mem'ry, like a prince close-cloistered, dwells." 
 " See ! Arthur rules ! and when he leaves the chair 
 The nation's righteous judgment ev'ry where 
 6*
 
 66 THE STRANGE VISITORS SPEECH. 
 
 QJ 
 
 Express warm approval of the course 
 
 Of his administration. None the worse 
 
 Career does that of his successor prove ; 
 
 For government whilst he holds helm doth move, 
 
 Like steamship on the deep, despite the wind 
 
 And currents which oppose its course confined 
 
 Successfully to line resolved upon 
 
 When preparations for the voyage begun. 
 
 His rule will universal joy afford, 
 
 For union will in spirit be restored 
 
 Ere that ' successor ' leave the chair of state." 
 
 "The parties of the land will alternate 
 
 In holding the control of government 
 
 For periods of irregular extent 
 
 The party-spirit which has done such harm 
 
 Will be subdued and cease to cause alarm. 
 
 Prosperity will be compelled to store 
 
 Much surplus fruit of labor, and explore 
 
 New fields wherein the growing family 
 
 Of Enterprise may, without trammel, be 
 
 Employed. The country's commerce will extend : 
 
 The nations north and south, with it will blend 
 
 And form ' THE CLOSE COMMERCIAL UNION 
 
 OF BOTH AMERICAS IN INT'RESTS ONE.' ' 
 
 " The various, vast, resources of the South 
 
 Will then developed be; and ev'ry mouth 
 
 Will wonder speak at the abundant yield 
 
 Of wealth by forest, mountain, stream and field, 
 
 In timber, gold and coal, in fish and grain : 
 
 And ' South ' will rise and occupy again
 
 THE STRANGERS SPEECH. 67 
 
 The place once held by her ' before the war ; ' 
 
 And win the name of 'Great,' both near and far. 
 
 Then honor will accorded be to those 
 
 Who did in days of civil-war compose 
 
 The ' People of The South;' who, being true 
 
 To their convictions, bravely, nobly threw 
 
 Their treasures, pleasures, comforts, lives their 
 
 all! 
 
 On altars of those States which they did call 
 Respectively their own ; and durst engage 
 To hold by war, their rights as priceless wage. 
 Then, too, will North and East and West be proud 
 Of record made ' in arms ' by what in loud 
 Reproachful tones they now delight to name 
 As ' REBEL ARMY ' -just as now LEE'S fame 
 Surpasses GRANT'S in all the foreign lands, 
 While STONEWALL JACKSON'S, to NONE second 
 
 stands ! 
 
 i 
 
 Then will Caucasians in the Southern-land 
 Regard the loss of ' Southern Cause,' as grand 
 Misfortune and Good-fortune intertwined. 
 Jf/sfortune, in that rights which all mankind 
 Hold dear, by pow'r were rudely trodden down : 
 Good- fortune, in that where those rights were thrown 
 In lifeless form, lo ! presently there grew 
 Luxuriant benefits in form of new 
 Prosperity, whose blooms and fruit gave joy 
 Throughout the land whose rights Pow'r did de 
 stroy ! " 
 " These things successive, like the ocean-waves,
 
 68 THE STRANGER'S SPEECH. 
 
 I see approaching ; and my spirit craves 
 
 Their presence, all at once; but we must wait 
 
 If some come early, others must come late ! 
 
 Yet, in their coming, now they seem to rush 
 
 With eager haste, that they may put to blush 
 
 Each of the ages which the world has known 
 
 E'en that which men have named the golden one." 
 
 " Some troubles, true, will meanwhile fall to lot 
 
 Of this great land, which I have mentioned not : 
 
 But they the gen'ral peacefulness will mar, 
 
 Like clouds, (as small as that one seen afar 
 
 By prophet seemed 'to be to his keen eye,) 
 
 Would, by their shadows, should they swiftly fly 
 
 Across the sun, a transient darkness throw 
 
 Upon a gorgeous landscape all aglow 
 
 As though 'twere overlaid with burnished gold 
 
 Like scenes which Fairies showed in days of old !" 
 
 " I hope these future facts, foretold by me, 
 
 Will, all your minds, from dark forebodings free. 
 
 The present gloom which hangs o'er ev'ry part 
 
 Of this great land, will, not long hence, depart. 
 
 When Garfield dies, as shroud the nation's gloom 
 
 Will, with his lifeless form, be laid in tomb : 
 
 Though sadness will on ev'ry heart be left, 
 
 For ev'ry heart will feel itself bereft." 
 
 He stood upon his feet, as if to go ; 
 
 Then settled back into his chair so slow 
 
 The motion, that we scarce perceived him move 
 
 Meanwhile he gazed intent as tho' he strove 
 
 To view some distant scene hard to discern ;
 
 THE STRANGERS SPEECH. 69 
 
 Pale, now ; and, NOW, his cheeks did fairly burn. 
 
 Then Satisfaction with her wand illumed 
 
 His countenance, and he his speech resumed : 
 
 "A scene, till late, by me quite unobserved, 
 
 Has just received attention it deserved 
 
 As it developed rapidly before 
 
 My view ; at which I wondered all the more 
 
 Because, though I had seen the like, quite strange 
 
 It seemed. First came a life, which soon did change 
 
 To death, the mute and down-east harbinger 
 
 Of new-born life, a bright-faced messenger 
 
 Whose cheerful look full plainly gift foretold 
 
 As coming soon ( which it in hand did hold ! ) 
 
 For one who, toiling, had, in other day, 
 
 To gain that life giv'n other life away I 
 
 A beauteous cotton-bloom arrayed in white, 
 
 At morn stepped forth to greet a stranger's sight : 
 
 At noon he looked, and lo ! its robe was new, 
 
 Or else had changed from white to pink in hue : 
 
 Expectant of new change, at eventide 
 
 He looked again for bloom. Lo ! it had died! 
 
 And on the ground it lay its robes a shroud, 
 
 In color pretty as a purple cloud 
 
 On which the setting sun has thrown, askance, 
 
 The radiance of benignant farewell glance ! 
 
 The stranger sighed ; and, might have shed a tear, 
 
 Had not the owner of the plant drawn near 
 
 And touched the POD, which stranger had not seen, 
 
 Arrayed in lustrous garb of royal green. 
 
 That touch had force of ' magic ', for the ' bowl '
 
 70 THE STRANGE VISITORS SPEECH. 
 
 Or pod, its outer wrappings did unroll, 
 
 And to the planter held, in open hand 
 
 A snow-white jewel prized in ev'ry land!" 
 
 " Should not the lesson taught, our thoughts command 
 
 Amid the rapid changes in our land f 
 
 Ah ! yes ! Tho' pretty blooms of prospect change 
 
 And pass away, too soon, beyond the range 
 
 Of our fond view, we may expect to find 
 
 Some much-prized good, which lay concealed behind 
 
 The prospect that engrossed admiring view 
 
 The real FRUIT from which the BLOSSOM GREW ! 
 
 A good, as unlike prospect, passed away, 
 
 As 'bowl' was unlike 'bloom,' which prostrate lay! " 
 
 His voice was silent ; and his chair 
 
 Was empty ! When he went or where 
 
 None knew. All were amazed. The host, 
 
 Almost in whisper, said : " The ghost 
 
 Of him who on my infant head 
 
 Baptismal waters poured, now dead 
 
 For many, many years, was he 
 
 Who came and went mysteriously. 
 
 Full oft when in the flesh he came 
 
 To visit us ; and met the same 
 
 Glad welcome that a kinsman would 
 
 Desire, from all. He was as good 
 
 As mortal man e'er gets to be 
 
 In this estate ; and all that he 
 
 Has shown us in prophetic view, 
 
 May be relied upon as true ! " 
 
 These words had scarce been spoke when lo ! again
 
 THE TRANSFORMATION. 71 
 
 The old man stood in view, distinct as when 
 He first came in ; and said in same strange kind 
 Of voice, which made impressions on the mind 
 Yet did not sound upon the ear : " I came, 
 And one, yea but one stranger saw ! My name 
 By all, except that one, should have been known : 
 My words should my identity have shown ! 
 I go a friend, (oft seen,) unknown by those 
 With whom I've been, for years, in joys and woes ! 
 I have lived long : yet, oh ! the cheering truth, 
 In, 'my old age, I have renewed my youth ! 
 My youthful vigor, too, shall grow apace 
 AVhile in the South dwells the Caucasian race !" 
 
 Whilst silently we gazed 
 
 On apparition strange, 
 Than ever more amazed 
 
 We grew at seeing change, 
 (As if by magic) wrought 
 
 In form and feature, too, 
 Of what we all had thought 
 
 An aged man. A new 
 And wond'rous vision stood 
 
 Before us. Age and youth, 
 In ev'ry way they could 
 
 Be blended, were, forsooth, 
 In countenance, which shone 
 
 With light that grew apace 
 .First star-like, then like moon 
 
 At full. The form changed place
 
 72 THE EXPLANATION. 
 
 And passed out open door. 
 
 We followed, then it rose 
 And spread in size, till o'er 
 
 The South, as maiden throws 
 Her wrappings loosely on, 
 
 Its drapery of light 
 It threw : while closely drawn 
 
 Near brow, though it was night, 
 A rain-bow crowned a smile 
 
 Which greeted us and all 
 Who upivard looked: for, while 
 
 We looked, words seemed to fall 
 Which we did understand : 
 
 Immortal HOPE IN GOD 
 Is PATRON of Southland ; 
 
 And greeting sends abroad." 
 
 THE EXPLANATION. 
 
 The " officer," a man 
 
 Of learning and of " wit," 
 When silence came, began 
 
 An explanation fit 
 Of what we saw and heard : 
 
 " The vixion which you view, 
 And sounds that seem like word 
 
 Addressed from air to you, 
 Are myt-teries profound, 
 
 Indeed. But wand'rouit things, 
 In nature's realm, abound:
 
 THE EXPLANATION. 73 
 
 Yet science oft-times brings 
 Relief to some extent 
 
 The mystery explains 
 Dispels bewilderment ; 
 
 Tho' wonder still remains. 
 " Imagination, pressed 
 
 To act by one in fear, 
 Will to that one distressed, 
 
 Make horrid things appear, 
 Another, nigh scans forms 
 
 He has strong wish to see : 
 For Fancy, sly, transforms 
 
 Anything bush or tree ! 
 Oft-times one hears his name 
 
 Spoken in place quite lone; 
 Yet cannot tell 'whence came 
 
 The sound and sees no one. 
 Mirage on desert seen 
 
 By travelers alert 
 For some oasis green, 
 
 Deceives, oft, those expert. 
 Mirage seen out at sea, 
 
 When ships appear in air, 
 From sailors old drives glee 
 
 In /ear makes young ones stare." 
 " Explained, each wonder proves . 
 
 Eifect of hidden cause 
 As pivot-magnet moves 
 
 By one of nature's laws." 
 " This scene (to say I dare)
 
 74 THE ECHOING SHELL. 
 
 Is but mirage The THOUGHT 
 And HOPE of SOUTH, on air 
 
 In wond'rous image wrought 
 The scene, indeed, is real 
 
 The focus at which meet 
 The burning hopes for weal, 
 
 \Vith which ' South ' seems replete. 
 But, voice was your hearts' fruit, 
 
 Imagination made 
 Articulate to suit 
 
 The scene above displayed." 
 
 Long gazed we at the scene, till spoke 1 
 
 Our host ; whose words thus gently broke 
 
 The thread of solemn thought : " 'Tis night 
 
 As yet ; let's seek the couch, lest light 
 
 Of day should, haply, us surprise 
 
 Ere waiting slumber close our eyes." 
 
 THE ECHOING SHELL. 
 
 When host had " lighted me to bed," and left 
 
 Me with : " Good-night ! " I was as one bereft 
 
 So very sad and lonely did I feel. 
 
 I sighed ; and wondered why a cloud should steal 
 
 So dark ! between me and my wonted cheer ; 
 
 And strove to fan it off by rudeness, sheer, 
 
 Of stroke with gleeful thought : but all in vain 
 
 The cloud would yield to stroke ; then come again
 
 27/7? ECHOING SHELL. 75 
 
 I forced attention to the things I found 
 
 Of interest to a stranger, all around 
 
 The room. I read : " Rare shells from distant sea, 
 
 Each labeled some from nearer waters free 
 
 For ev'ry stranger-guest to look upon, 
 
 And choose one as his own." I took up one ; 
 
 And, closing rosewood box in which they lay, 
 
 And sighing yet again, I turned away 
 
 And sought ray waiting couch delightful bed ! 
 
 And placed the " chosen shell " beneath my head. 
 
 Soon I was lost in sleep ; and pleasant dreams, 
 
 Clothed in gay colors like the sun's last beams, 
 
 Attended me : and, yet, occasional sigh 
 
 Did faintly whisper through the dreamland-sky. 
 
 My dreams conducted me throughout South-land : 
 
 The sigh, (I found,) was whir of sword in hand 
 
 Of Death, presaging grief to nation, deep ; 
 
 At which my eyes shed burning tears in sleep. 
 
 I woke and rose, while dawn had not yet come. 
 
 A strange yet sweet-voiced murmur filled the room. 
 
 Articulate it was not ; still, it seemed, 
 
 At times, like voices heard whilst yet I dreamed. 
 
 Again I sought my couch : the murmur thrilled 
 
 Me with amazement painful ; for it filled 
 
 My ear the one which next the pillow lay 
 
 With words consecutive! I brushed away 
 
 The cold sweat sprinkled on my brow by Fear ; 
 
 And wished my ears had not the pow'r to hear 
 
 Till day should dawn. But Memory broke the spell 
 
 Of Fear by pointing with her wand to shell,
 
 76 THE ECHOING SHELL. 
 
 'Which I had taken from the box it graced, 
 And, thoughtless underneath my pillow placed. 
 Fear fled; and smiling Wonder gently came, 
 And soothed my spirit into pleasant frame, 
 "When I the tiny shell placed to my ear, 
 In order well its whisperings to hear. 
 Its voice was but an echo, in which rang 
 The sentiments of thousands, who there sang 
 In chorus as the Nereids of the sea, 
 Blend all their songs in murmur on the lee. 
 Those sentiments I plainly did detect, 
 In murmurs of the shell, to be respect 
 And admiration true for some great chief, 
 Whose state was object of high pride, not grief, 
 To Southrons, all. At first I could not tell 
 Who that chief was ; but, listening long and well, 
 I heard his name, distinctly, oft-times spoke 
 Each voice, each time, a blessing did invoke 
 " On him who represents ' The Cause now Lost ' 
 The Cause whose justice is the Southron's boast." 
 
 I rose and looked abroad ; and saw that Night 
 Was driving swiftly down the eastern height ; 
 While, holding lamp at chariot-front, Moon lent 
 Her aid against the chance of accident ; 
 And thought I saw, faint gleaming, far away, 
 The radiant smile of eager, waiting, Day, 
 Who, while he rests, entrusts to Night's command 
 The steeds which Time gave both to hold in hand.
 
 THE ECHOING SHELL. 77 
 
 I made my toilet ; then the " label " viewed 
 Upon the " chosen shell ; " and then pursued 
 The plan prescribed, thus : " Stranger-guests who take 
 Shells from this rosewood box as theirs, must make 
 Full entry of their names and homes ; and well 
 Describe, on tablet HERE, each chosen shell." 
 All this I did I gave my name and home, 
 Described my shell and told whence it had come. 
 
 The " label" with most wondrous art, had been 
 
 Indited so that naught but dots were seen 
 
 When looked at as a whole; but as each word 
 
 Was closely viewed, it magnified, appeared ! 
 
 I read it till on memory it remained, 
 
 These are the words, in full, which it contained : 
 
 " This shell of wondrous echo, came 
 
 From near the home of one whom Fame 
 
 Enrolled, while young, among the great, 
 
 The brave and wise in field and state : 
 
 And when rude force, that flag destroyed 
 
 Whose honor all his pow'rs employed, 
 
 Fame, for his brow, (of friends' warm love 
 
 And foes' abuse close interwove,) 
 
 Prepared a. special, BRILLIANT croum, 
 
 Which marks a glory all his own ; 
 
 While Fortune gave him splendid home . 
 
 Where southern Gulf's bright waters foam 
 
 In gentle waves on its north shore ; 
 
 And mingling with their paean-roar, 
 
 The Southrons' whispered blessings greet
 
 IS DA Y-DA WN. 
 
 The Hero greatest in defeat I 
 
 Would you those whispered blessings hear, 
 
 In ECHO ? Place this shell to ear I 
 
 Taking this gift, say this no more : 
 
 ' Honor to Hero at Bcauvoir ! ' ' 
 
 Reflection, short, led me to think it best 
 
 To leave the shell for ev'ry "stranger-guest" 
 
 To sec and hear, at any future day 
 
 I marked it : " Chos'n but not yet tak'n away ! " 
 
 Perhaps you ask : " Did you condition meet 
 
 Of taking wondrous echo-shell, and greet 
 
 In word the "Hero at Beauvoir?'" Ah! Well; 
 
 This I will say : I did not take the shell! 
 
 DAY-DAWN. 
 
 Like healthful babe from pleasant dreaming, 
 
 The morning woke with face all beaming 
 
 And sent her smile o'er nature streaming 
 
 Which set the world and heav'ns a-gleaming; 
 
 While eftrth and air with joy were teeming. 
 
 On ev'ry hand the fowl were winging ; 
 
 On flexile boughs the squirrels were swinging ; 
 
 And to the teat glad young were clinging, 
 
 While voices manifold were ringing 
 
 In human song or conversation 
 
 And dumb brute's rude communication 
 
 Of neighborly congratulation 
 
 To others on participation
 
 A SOLILOQUY. 79 
 
 Of prospects thrown from hand of Day- Light 
 
 Whose coming brought those brutes glad respite 
 
 From loneliness they felt at midnight, 
 
 And restlessness at morning twilight. 
 
 It seemed that Morn with hand was waving 
 
 To all whose opened eyes were craving 
 
 Beauteous scenes of Nature's graving ; 
 
 Or whose desires, fierce grown, were raving 
 
 For food or draught or pleasant laving 
 
 To come forth from their place of resting 
 
 And gratify each wish thus testing 
 
 The skill of Nature in investing 
 
 Her works with pow'r to yield high pleasure 
 
 Without alloy and in full measure; 
 
 From whose abundant varied treasure 
 
 They all might take at will and leisure. 
 
 " How bright a day ! " 
 
 ( I could but say, 
 As in the lawn of host I stood 
 And gazed at glorious field and wood-'-) 
 
 " How glad should we 
 
 At all times be 
 That in a world so full of joy 
 We live where we find sweet employ 
 
 For taste and touch ; 
 
 And just as much 
 To gratify the eye and ear, 
 Through ev'ry season of the year ! " 
 
 Then Memory, 
 
 With step most free,
 
 80 A SOLILOQUY. 
 
 Rushed swiftly back to days of yore, 
 Conveying me midst scenes once more 
 
 In which I moved 
 
 With those I loved 
 When Youth and I companions were 
 And Joy also, for Woe's hot tear 
 
 Had, then, not yet 
 
 My young cheek wet. 
 And as those scenes passed in review, 
 "This world's the home of Joy, 'tis true;" 
 
 I said ; " but oh ! 
 
 Who does not know 
 That in this world dark Sorrow, too, 
 Makes her abode the whole year through : 
 
 And even while 
 
 Joy's thrilling smile 
 New life to human spirit lends, 
 The shadow of her form she sends, 
 
 Producing night 
 
 In midst of light, 
 
 And, all unseen, wounds with her dart 
 The unsuspecting gleeful heart ! " 
 
 While thus I stood 
 
 In thoughtful mood 
 I felt the gentle touch of hand ; 
 And saw a child beside me stand, 
 
 Who met my gaze 
 
 With bland amaze, 
 
 Yet said : " I've come to call you home 
 To breakfast, sir ; papa says, ' come ' ! "
 
 A PRODIGY. 81 
 
 And as we walked 
 
 Slowly, we talked, 
 I found him wise for one so young ; 
 Possessor, too, of gifted tongue ! 
 
 "I'm sad," he said, 
 
 " For Garfield's dead ! 
 His deeds as President were few, 
 And yet a brilliant hope they threw 
 
 On future days, 
 
 (Grandmother says,) 
 
 That blessings might come to Southland, 
 Conducted by his faithful hand ; 
 
 And well revealed 
 
 What wrongs concealed 
 The eagerness of SOUTHERN mind, 
 To honor NORTHERN actions kind : 
 
 Much as, at night, 
 
 The brilliant light 
 At locomotive's front doth send 
 The promise of a coming friend, 
 
 And plain reveals 
 
 What night conceals 
 The friends who at the station stand 
 With weloome in both eye and hatnd." 
 
 Less fast I stepped 
 
 Then stopped, and wept 
 As that dear boy in touching strain 
 Spoke of the " kindred of the slain " 
 
 How they must be 
 
 In agony
 
 82 A PRODIGY. 
 
 At death of one to them so dear ; 
 
 How that this world would sad appear 
 
 To them for aye 
 
 (Till their death -day) 
 Tho' everything should wear a smile 
 And strive their sorrow to beguile. 
 
 " But oh ! " said he, 
 
 " Bereft are we 
 
 Both old and young throughout Southland 
 By act of that vile nlurd'rer's hand ! " 
 
 His eye flashed fire! 
 
 His voice rose high'r ! 
 He seemed to be most strangely changed, 
 As in high eloquence he ranged 
 
 Beyond the reach 
 
 Of my poor speech 
 Here to relate what then he said 
 (While Mkreury's wings waved o'er his head,) 
 
 Portraying grief 
 
 Without relief 
 
 Which had like c/ar&-winged angel come 
 Afflicting ev'ry Southern home 
 
 As in the yore 
 
 An angel bore 
 
 Death on his wings, who skew first-born 
 And made Egyptian homes forlorn. 
 
 Attempt I made 
 
 Again essayed 
 To break his spell of grief profound, 
 By telling him that Garficld's wound
 
 A PRODIGY. 83 
 
 Might yet be healed 
 
 To skill might yield 
 That hope had not entirely fled ; 
 The President was not yet dead : 
 
 But thought well-meant 
 
 In vain was spent 
 
 My tongue cleaved to my roof each time, 
 While he continued speech sublime ! 
 
 Long tarried we 
 
 Beneath a tree 
 
 Whose leafful boughs protection gave 
 From morning-sun's broad shimmering wave. 
 
 When we reached "home," 
 
 Tears still would come ; 
 For o'er my soul emotion rolled, 
 Caused by his thought and language bold 
 
 ( I fee I it yet ! 
 
 My eye is wet ! ) 
 As, on the ocean, billows rise 
 And throw their spray in Neptune's eyes, 
 
 Long after blast 
 
 Has landward passed, 
 And gone to rest in mountain-cave 
 Its force still lingering on the wave. 
 
 When noon had come 
 
 The child from home 
 On errand went ; and I made bold 
 In faithful word to well unfold 
 
 To family 
 
 The cause why we
 
 84 A PRODIGY. 
 
 Had our return as long delayed, 
 And underneath the beech -tree staid. 
 
 They list'ned well ; 
 
 And I could tell 
 
 Their deep emotion by their look, 
 As though I read in printed book. 
 
 When I had done, 
 
 The sire begun : 
 
 " Our child * has pow'r of thought and word 
 But to repeat what he has heard, 
 
 Oft with a gush 
 
 His words will rush : 
 He seems to speak extempore, 
 While he recites from memory. 
 
 The gesture, too, 
 
 And accent, true 
 
 Or false, he sees or hears one use, 
 He faithfully will reproduce. 
 
 Mother and he 
 
 Sweetly agree : 
 
 Oft he repeats her words and ways 
 And sometimes adds. ' Grandmother says,' 
 
 Whate'er to-day 
 
 You've heard him say 
 About the suff'ring President 
 
 * The prototype of the "child" was Charlie Shannon, a prodigy 
 in memory, who could repeat long speeches after hearing them 
 read once (or twice at most.) He was on exhibition at the age 
 of seven years, in Baltimore and elsewhere in this country, and 
 went to Europe.
 
 SENTIMENTS OF AN EX-CONFEDERATE. 85 
 
 Was fruit of hours with mother spent, 
 
 Since we first heard 
 
 The stunning word 
 On yesterday, ere yet the sun 
 His upward course had half-way run." 
 
 Thus spoke the sire. 
 
 His eye flashed fire ! 
 And rising grandly to his feet 
 He eloquently did repeat 
 
 Like thought and word 
 
 With those which stirred 
 My soul, when dumb, in weeping mood, 
 Before the child, on lawn, I stood. 
 
 He then showed scar 
 
 Received in war 
 
 Upon his cheek ; and sev'ral more, 
 He said, he on his person wore 
 
 With honest pride 
 
 That he had vied 
 With soldiers brave in doing most 
 For Southern cause now long since lost : 
 
 " Because we fought 
 
 For what we thought, 
 And still think ' CAUSE OF LIBERTY ' 
 ' The Right of each State to be Free ' 
 
 And on the field 
 
 We strove to shield 
 Our land from desolation's tread, 
 Our homes from desecration, dread! 
 
 But war is o'er; "
 
 86 BROTHERL Y-LOVE VENGEANCE. 
 
 (Said he,) " ne'er more 
 May its fell spirit sioay the hand 
 Of those who dwell within our land ! " 
 
 "Much should we love 
 
 Who still do move 
 Along the path of earthly life, 
 Survivors of that deadly strife ! 
 
 In vain, indeed, 
 
 Did myriads bleed 
 And die on war's embattled plain, 
 Where brothers died by brothers slain, 
 
 If in this land 
 
 All do not stand, 
 As brethren, in that bond of love 
 To break which WAR too weak did prove!" 
 
 " The deed late done 
 
 At Washington 
 Must have been act of only two 
 A man, exposed to human view, 
 
 And fiend, unseen, 
 
 (Behind the screen) 
 These two alone, performed the deed 
 That makes the nation's heart now bleed. 
 
 And could this hand 
 
 My wish command, 
 Upon them both, unseen and seen, 
 Their pangs should be tenfold more keen 
 
 Than ever came 
 
 In eager flame 
 To torture writhing human flesh,
 
 SYMPATHY AND APPRECIATION. 87 
 
 Or woke in hades, shrieks afresh ! " 
 
 " Oh ! May God shield 
 
 Our Chief, Garfield, 
 From death, however deep may be 
 The wound that gives him agony ! 
 
 As soldier, true, 
 
 He wore the ' blue '; 
 
 But, tho' he fought against our rights, 
 He bravely bore him through those fights 
 
 Where his lot fell ; 
 
 For which he well 
 Deserves, in common with the brave 
 Of ev'ry land what soldiers crave 
 
 'JSest boon of fame 
 
 A brave man's name 
 The epithet of Hero ': and 
 Throughout our wide-extended land 
 
 Both North and South 
 
 Should ev'ry mouth 
 Speak kindly of the President 
 Of these great States in Union blent, 
 
 A union SURE 
 
 Now TO ENDURE, 
 
 Since 'Sovereign Right of State to Break 
 From Union', which was put at stake 
 
 In war, was lost, 
 
 ( At what great cost 
 In violence to justice, and 
 In human blood which drenched the land, 
 
 It matters not !
 
 88 rXIOX CHEIilSHED. 
 
 Be that forgot!} 
 
 THE UNION CHERISHED NOW BY ALL 
 WITHIN THE STATES CAN NEVER FALL ! " 
 
 Yet of the TRUE 
 
 And TRIED MEN,/W 
 
 Within the South, do now profess 
 Repentance, saying ' We confess 
 
 We were unwise 
 
 To sacrifice 
 The benefits of union 
 With ALL the States, for few or none 
 
 We should have gained 
 
 Had we maintained 
 Successfully, ' that STATE MUST be 
 An INDEPENDENT SOVEREIGNTY ' 
 
 A principle 
 
 Which never will 
 Be made untenable by force 
 Of truth : by force of arms, of course, 
 
 It may be crushed, 
 
 As has been hushed 
 The voice of many a living truth, 
 Too harsh for PowVs ear, forsooth ! " 
 
 " For tho' we see 
 
 These States should be, 
 
 In these days, joined in union strong, 
 (E'en if to each there should belong 
 
 The right as 'State' 
 
 To separate 
 As ' SOV'REIGNTY ' afone to stand ;
 
 UNION CHERISHED (through invest.) 89 
 
 Regarded such on ev'ry hand,) 
 
 Because the best, 
 
 True interest 
 
 Of all concerned depends upon 
 The maintenance of Union, 
 
 Still we maintain, 
 
 That all our slain, 
 And soldiers who survived the war, 
 Unhurt or wearing battle-scar, 
 
 Achieved a fame 
 
 Well worth the name ; 
 That cause was ne'er, on earth, more just 
 Than ours ; that what the North did thrust 
 
 On us, we took 
 
 Because forsook 
 
 Us at that hour both strength and hope 
 We could not with foe, longer cope ! 
 
 Strange would it be 
 
 If we should see 
 A good in ruin which befell 
 The South a ruin which might well 
 
 Be styled complete, 
 
 Bringing defeat 
 
 Of armies ; razing to the ground 
 Our social fabric ; building mound 
 
 Of the debris 
 
 Beneath which, we, 
 Caucasians of the South, were doomed 
 To lie, alive, and, yet, entombed, 
 
 From which we rose 
 8*
 
 90 NO SELF-REPROACH. 
 
 By mighty throes 
 Only to find we must rebuild 
 Our fabric as our late foes willed ; 
 
 Who, while they fought 
 
 Us, only sought, 
 They said, the Union to maintain, 
 Yet, having chance, could not refrain 
 
 (Deceitful foes !) 
 
 From aiming blow r s 
 At institution we did prize, 
 And which they viewed with envious eyes ! " 
 
 " We think it wise 
 
 To utilize 
 
 The opportunities which lie 
 Before us faithfully to try 
 
 T' obey as best 
 
 We can, behest 
 
 Of duty as she speaks each hour, 
 While we regret we had not pow'r 
 
 To win in war 
 
 What we strove for ! 
 As one into whose cherished home 
 A murderer has boldly come 
 
 Killed great and small, 
 
 Wife, children, all 
 His vacant home does cherish still, 
 Bowing to HeavVs permissive will, 
 
 While at same time 
 
 He does no crime 
 By wish that to his cherished home
 
 BECOMING RECONCILED. 91 
 
 The fiendish murd'rer had not come, 
 
 Or that his strength 
 
 Of arm, at length, 
 
 Had proved enough to break the arm 
 Of murd'rer ere it wrought such harm." 
 " We do not cast 
 
 Upon our past 
 
 The shadow of reproachful look 
 Because our rights we undertook 
 
 ( Rights dear as life 
 
 And worth the strife 
 
 We strove ) to gain ; tho' rights once gained 
 Might have cost much to be maintained. 
 
 But we do strive 
 
 From us to drive 
 All feelings of resentment, just 
 Howe'er they be, t'ward those who thrust 
 
 Upon us wrong, 
 
 And with a strong 
 And fiercely vengeful, war-clad arm, 
 Strove to lay on us ev'ry harm. 
 
 Being compelled 
 
 By war to yield 
 
 To will, and share the lot of those 
 Who did repulsive bond impose, 
 
 Like maids of yore 
 
 Whom Romans bore 
 Away as wives from Sabine homes, 
 We feel that union-bond becomes 
 
 Less bad each dav :
 
 92 RESPECT FOR CONFEDERATE LEADERS. 
 
 Tho' still, as they 
 Did, so do we sincerely deem 
 Relations past worth high esteem ! 
 
 Of our past proud, 
 
 We speak aloud 
 
 So that the world may hear our praise 
 Of those brave men whom God did raise 
 
 As leaders, great 
 
 In 'field ' and ' state ' 
 Who consecrated all their skill 
 To carry'ng out the people's will 
 
 To have a free 
 
 Confed'racy 
 
 Of Southern States, (in interest one,} 
 United by will-bond alone. 
 
 And the result 
 
 Of each insult 
 
 Shot t'ward them like a venomed dart 
 Is but to make each Southern heart 
 
 Hold in contempt 
 
 Those, whose attempt 
 Thus to malign the South's great men 
 Is mean and cowardly : [as when, 
 
 Coming round 
 
 A captive bound 
 
 A chief o'ercome by numbers great 
 Low dastard savages, elate 
 
 At chance to show 
 
 Their skill with bow 
 At human target without fear
 
 PRESENT RE LA TION8 A PPR VED. 93 
 
 Of hurt (yet fearing to go near) 
 
 Do shoot and wound, 
 
 Then look around 
 
 That they safe exit-way may choose, 
 Should chieftain's thongs by chance come loose :] 
 
 So, Sabine maid 
 
 Who homage paid 
 
 As wife to Roman would have burned 
 With anger would away have turned 
 
 Contempt u'sly 
 
 From him, if he 
 
 Had stigmatized her kindred dear, 
 Thus offering insult to her. 
 
 Yet just as she 
 
 Did, thus do we 
 
 Hold with firm grasp of ardent love 
 RELATIONS NEW, which we approve ! 
 
 True, now and then, 
 
 It may be, when 
 Before Injustice' blow we reel, 
 Our hearts back to far past will steal, 
 
 And seek relief 
 
 From present grief 
 By living o'er again, in thought, 
 Days which to us with joys were fraught : 
 
 But soon they come 
 
 Our hearts back home, 
 While thought, returning passes by 
 The ' day of struggle,' with clos'd eye." 
 
 " We, Southrons, feel
 
 94 LOVE FOE THE PRESIDENT. 
 
 That pointed steel 
 
 Could not have giv'n our hearts more pain 
 Than did the news : 'Garfield is slain!' ; 
 
 For he belongs 
 
 To us : his wrongs 
 
 Are ours: we love him; and, if need 
 There were, our hearts for him would bleed!" 
 " O sad the day 
 
 When we survey 
 The evils which have fall'n on 
 Our land of late and in years gone ! 
 
 Yet ancient Job, 
 
 ( Whom foes did rob) 
 When various agencies employed 
 By Satan, ruthlessly destroyed 
 
 His gathered wealth, 
 
 His cherished health, 
 His servants, children ; from him turned 
 His consort's heart, which should have burned 
 
 T'ward him with love, 
 
 Said : ' He above 
 
 The skies, did all those blessings give 
 And take away ; HE shall receive 
 
 My praise ! ' Thus we 
 
 Should strive to be 
 Content ; since we, too, recognize 
 A HEAVENLY RULER, good and wise, 
 
 Who oft allows 
 
 What reason shows 
 To be result by evil wrought ;
 
 HOPE IN MIDST OF SORROW. 95 
 
 And yet, the suff'rers oft are brought 
 
 To see glad days 
 
 When He displays 
 
 His pow'r and goodness with free hand ; 
 And joys, hearts lately sad, command ! " 
 " This land of ours, 
 
 Where evil pow'rs 
 
 Crossed brothers' arms in deadly strife 
 Made havoc of all joys of life 
 
 Through weary years, 
 
 Which wrote with tears 
 And blood their records, fadeless as 
 The color which the cypress has 
 
 This land whose brow 
 
 Does even now 
 
 Wear shadow of a heart-felt woe 
 Because its wounded chief lies low, 
 
 May from that Hand 
 
 Which doth command 
 The universe, such gifts receive 
 That, o'er the past 'twill cease to grieve ! " 
 
 Thus spoke a man 
 
 In whose veins ran 
 
 True Southern blood ; and in whose mind 
 " The Lost Cause" once had been enshrined. 
 I travelled thence from place to place 
 Through town and country. Ev'ry face 
 I met, wore sign of settled gloom 
 'Midst which no ray of joy did loom. 
 Men field-work left, and rapid strode
 
 96 THE ANXIO US IX Q UIR Y. 
 
 To intercept me on the road ; 
 Children in cottage-yard cried : " Wait I " 
 And came with mother to the gate ; 
 Mechanics stood in work-shop doors ; 
 Apprentices stopped doing chores ; 
 The doctor driving fleet-foot horse, 
 Abruptly checked his rapid course ; 
 Pupils of school, in solemn mood, 
 At school-house door and windows stood, 
 While teacher, hatless, book in hand, 
 At road-side, 'neath a tree, did stand ; 
 Sellers and buyers, at the stores, 
 Crowded the porches and the doors, 
 At my approach all full intent 
 To learn how was " The President."
 
 THE RETURN. 
 
 97
 
 THE RETURN. 
 
 SUN-SET SCENE. 
 
 Returning northward t'ward my home, 
 When many a mile alone I'd come 
 O'er level-land and hill and stream, 
 Thro' forest shade and warm sun-beam, 
 Where nature spread before my view 
 (Arrayed in dress of varied hue,) 
 Her works of skill, in kind and shape 
 Of leaf and flow'r and broad landscape 
 Most wonderful, I stopped, for rest 
 Of self and steed, upon the crest 
 Of hill, which rose high over plain ; 
 And Southward turned my eyes again. 
 From throne, in West, of mountain peaks, 
 O'erlaid with ash-hued pearl, with streaks 
 Of emerald, and richly lined 
 With snow-white satin cloud combined 
 With amber strip and azure fold 
 Looped up with sprays of purest gold, 
 
 99
 
 100 A VOICE AGAINST THE SOUTH. 
 
 Beneath ethereal canopy, 
 
 The SUN, in royal panoply, 
 
 Threw golden gems with sapphires fraught, 
 
 Which field and flood and forest caught 
 
 With eager hands, as do the poor 
 
 Take gifts, and smiled and asked for more. 
 
 O 7 
 
 " Stay long, O gen'rous Prince ", I cried, 
 "And pour thy gifts in constant tide 
 On Southland ! Let thy smile illume, 
 If possible, her people's gloom ! " 
 
 A VOICE AGAINST THE SOUTH. 
 
 When I said that, a faint voice came 
 And spoke to me, but gave no name : 
 " The Southern States compose a land 
 In which there dwells a teeming band 
 Of men, than whom you cannot find 
 More false and vile among mankind ! 
 Against their country they rebelled, 
 And loud and long for freedom yelled ; 
 While they themselves, in bondage held 
 Their fellow-men, (by rod compelled 
 To do hard toil as life-long slaves 
 To masters, who at heart were knaves, 
 Denied those gifts which nature craves 
 Good food and raiment, till their graves 
 Were entered gladly, as the waves 
 Glad rush to beach, to hide from storm 
 Which whips their dripping, trembling form,
 
 A VOICE AGAINST THE SOUTH. 101 
 
 Pursues them even to the shore, 
 And smites till they are seen no more :) 
 Then, having long and fiercely fought 
 Against their country's flag for naught, 
 Except for privilege full fraught 
 With ill to all e'en them who sought 
 That privilege and, having been 
 Compelled to cease their war of sin 
 By force of skilful arms, with grin, 
 (Discerned full well beneath the thin 
 Transparent veiling which they wore, 
 As mourners for the part they bore, 
 In drenching this fair land with gore,) 
 They asked to be received once more 
 Beneath the flappings of that flag 
 Which to the dust they strove to drag ; 
 And promised they would never lag 
 Behind the foremost who might brag 
 How swift he'd run at each behest 
 Of duty to the Union blest ! 
 They were received ; and, yet, they stood 
 Compacted close a brotherhood 
 Of traitors foul in wistful mood 
 Awaiting chance again to flood 
 This land with trouble's darksome tide 
 On which both they and sons might ride, 
 With sails before the blast spread wide, 
 As pirates civic, and provide 
 Themselves, by force, with what belongs 
 To others 'mid the noble throngs 
 9*
 
 102 A FEMALE APPEARS. 
 
 Of men who crushed rebellion's wrongs 
 
 And sang, at last, proud vict'ry's songs 
 
 Which still the trembling air prolongs ! 
 
 And just as eagle watches lamb, 
 
 Which once his talons held, till dam 
 
 And shepherd drove him from the field, 
 
 Which he reluctantly did yield, 
 
 So do those men watch Afric's race, 
 
 (Whom they once held in firm embrace, 
 
 With fondest love, but to devour 
 
 And feed upon, and, thus get pow'r 
 
 To rise to heights they had not gained,) 
 
 Now, that compelled, they have refrained 
 
 From using beaks and talons, too ; 
 
 While on their eyries, close in view, 
 
 They shake their feathers, and on high 
 
 Lift wings which they would gladly try 
 
 In flight t'ward prey so lately theirs ; 
 
 Which now, though wounded, safety shares 
 
 Beneath the watchful eye and hand 
 
 Of chiefest shepherd of the land." 
 
 Whence came the voice, I could not tell. 
 No form could I discern, tho' well 
 I all my pow'rs of vision tried, 
 And searched the air both far and wide. 
 But while I searched, a second voice 
 (Whose accents, sweet, made me rejoice,) 
 Addressed me ; and a form, most clear 
 Did just in front of me appear,
 
 THEMIS RECOGNIZED. 103 
 
 A female, fair, whose robe was girt 
 
 With zone of stars ; the flowing skirt 
 
 With rainbow hues, all intertwined, 
 
 Was rich adorned ; and close confined 
 
 Her golden tresses were with band 
 
 Of azure, like the angels stand 
 
 Upon to light, each one, a star, 
 
 When Night puts up Apollo's car. 
 
 She wore a crown of evergreen 
 
 In endless wreath, in which were seen 
 
 Young buds, and blooms, and full grown leaves, 
 
 Which ev'ry eye that sees, receives 
 
 As emblem of eternal youth. 
 
 In full maturity What truth 
 
 Has writ, in part-rolled scroll, she held ; 
 
 On which were thoughts so plainly spelled 
 
 That I could read. Scales, too, she bore, 
 
 And rod for measurement no more 
 
 I needed, then, to tell her name, 
 
 Which straightway to my mem'ry came. 
 
 " Themis ! " I cried, " of ancient days ; 
 
 Goddess of equal words and ways ; 
 
 ' Justice ! ', as called in this our time, 
 
 Opponent of all fraud and crime, 
 
 I thank thee that thou dost appear 
 
 Before me : speak, and I will hear ! 
 
 Just now, I heard words foul and dark : 
 
 Thou could'st not speak such List'n, hark ! 
 
 / hear a voice ; but, not the same 
 
 As that whose tones so lately came."
 
 104 A VOICE AGAINST THE NORTH. 
 
 That new voice said ; " The men who dwell 
 In Northern States, have spirits fell. 
 They worship Mammon, and would sell 
 The rights of their best friends, as well 
 As make their brethren work for naught 
 In teeming workshops, where they ought 
 To find in droppings of their brow 
 'Good food and raiment' anyhow 
 For wives and children. Slaves, indeed, 
 Those toilers are, whose hearts do bleed, 
 Though freemen they in word are called, 
 By plain misnomer falsehood bald ! 
 Professing love for Afric's race, 
 Those Northern men have brought disgrace 
 Upon their names, by bitter hate, 
 Not even found in Satan's State ; 
 A hate of one's own race and kin. 
 They have outstripped the lost in sin ; 
 For Dives, lost, did make appeal 
 For his five mortal brethren's weal ! 
 That hate was shown, before the war, 
 In efforts Southern peace to mar, 
 And Southern homes with fire to burn, 
 And implements of death to turn 
 Against the whites, and to renew 
 The scenes of ( Saint Bartholomew.' '' 
 
 "A fiendish joy, then, hades stirr'd, 
 When Northern Lincoln's voice was heard 
 Assembling men for murd'rous deed
 
 JUSTICE SPEAKS. 105 
 
 Upon the South, for which the meed 
 
 Of adulation he received 
 
 Throughout the North, whilst angels grieved ; 
 
 A war those men of unjust mind 
 
 Long waged in spirit which mankind 
 
 Condemned. Their famous ' March t'ward Sea ' 
 
 Filled Satan with unwonted glee ; 
 
 Who, welcoming the souls which fell 
 
 From out that vandal-horde to dwell 
 
 With him, said : ( You and chief have won 
 
 THE PALM/rom ME and MINE ! WELL DONE ! !' " 
 
 " The South surrendered ; then peace came 
 
 In outward form and spoken name, 
 
 But not in spirit ; for such peace 
 
 Did but oppressive wrongs increase. 
 
 With bitter hatred, still, at heart, 
 
 The North can't do an honest part 
 
 By Southern whites ; while those they loved 
 
 The poor black race have long since proved 
 
 What they, in other days, were told : 
 
 ( There's but one magnet, that is GOLD, 
 
 Which can attract, and hold, and sway 
 
 The Northern heart in ev'ry way' 
 
 There'll be a day of righteous doom, 
 
 When God will sweep with wrathful broom 
 
 Such souls, full-swayed by fraud and wrong, 
 
 Into the pit, where they belong ! " 
 
 I trembled, and to Themis said :
 
 106 A QUERY. 
 
 " Heardst thou that voice with words so dread ? 
 
 And didst thou hear the first which spoke 
 
 In words that fell like wrathful stroke ? " 
 
 " I did/' said she of heavenly birth, 
 
 " Hear both ; but they are little worth. 
 
 They are the mutt'rings of the past 
 
 Produced anew from faithful east 
 
 Of mem'ry's mystic phonograph, 
 
 At which one now could even laugh, 
 
 But for the fact that they contain 
 
 Some little truth to give one pain. 
 
 The phonographic wheel has been 
 
 Just now reversed by elf unseen, 
 
 To mar your pleasure in yon view * 
 
 Which Nature has displayed for you. 
 
 Those accusations were inspired 
 
 By Prejudice who has expired, 
 
 Or now is dying, in dust prone, 
 
 Where by my order he was thrown. 
 
 My voice, throughout this land, is heard ! 
 
 By almost all, I am revered ! 
 
 And, North and South, the nation's throng 
 
 Confess that THEY HAVE OFT JUDGED WRONG ! " 
 
 I seized my chance, by strong wish led, 
 
 And, risking charge of rudeness, said : 
 
 " To some, a subject is involved 
 
 In doubt which can by you be solved : 
 
 ' Of sections, which war did divide, 
 
 * Sunset-scene.
 
 JUSTICE ANSWERS QUERY. 107 
 
 Which one had HONOR on its side ? ' ' 
 
 She held the scales, well-poised, up high 
 
 A moment, and made this reply : 
 
 " Men, North and South, were all alike ; 
 
 In war as patriots all did strike. 
 
 The South loved South ; the North loved North ; 
 
 And each loved Union, so far forth 
 
 As each esteemed it benefit. 
 
 And, hence, as South regarded it 
 
 An injury, she sought to break 
 
 The Union-bond : hence, too, to make 
 
 The South adhere to compact, was 
 
 Resolved upon by North ; because 
 
 The Union, formed by ev'ry one 
 
 Of all the States, was priceless boon, 
 
 In her esteem, received from those 
 
 Who passed through Revolution's throes. 
 
 North sought her weal, and claimed the right 
 
 To hold in Union, South, by might. 
 
 The South claimed right, which North denied, 
 
 And for that right with vigor tried 
 
 The right of each as i Sov'reign State ' 
 
 From Union to separate 
 
 And in that claim, South thought she saw 
 
 Her weal, as well as right at law ; 
 
 Her weal, which was, of all things, most 
 
 By her desired, at any cost. 
 
 ' State ' was the patria revered 
 
 By South ; while ' Union ' appeared 
 
 To North, alone as worth the name
 
 108 JUSTICE WITHDRAWS. 
 
 Of 'Country' which could justly claim 
 
 Alleg'ance Thus in honest thought 
 
 Divided, both for country fought. 
 
 Hence patriotism was the pow'r 
 
 Which ruled them both in that sad hour, 
 
 When Peace was bound and rudely slain 
 
 As sacrifice to sectional gain ; 
 
 For section was the country loved 
 
 By each, as War's red record proved. 
 
 But now the Union doth appear 
 
 To ev'ry State as object dear ; 
 
 Self-love the motive principal, 
 
 United with good-will to all. 
 
 The multitude on either side 
 
 The line which did this land divide 
 
 Should readily give honor due 
 
 To all ' on either side', who threw 
 
 Themselves, their fortunes, lives their all !- 
 
 On altar of what each did call 
 
 His country; and FEW DO refuse 
 
 To honor; FEWER still, abuse: 
 
 And all rejoice that War's rude hand 
 
 No longer waves above this land. 
 
 O, foaming streams of human blood 
 
 Need not have run like mountain-flood ; 
 
 Not one man would in war have died 
 
 If ALL had chosen ME as guide!" 
 
 Into the air her form withdrew, 
 And quickly passed beyond my view.
 
 ANOTHER MAID. 109 
 
 But, while intent and sad I gazed 
 At her receding, 'round me blazed 
 A wondrous gleam of mellow light, 
 Like that oft seen on winter-night, 
 When thoughtless DAWN has lost his way, 
 And, in his consequent dismay, 
 Caused by the fear he may be late, 
 Has erring, rushed to Northern gate ; 
 And, finding there his sad mistake, 
 Stands troubled now what course to take, 
 Then resolute, he swift turns back, 
 And hast'ns to his wonted track ; 
 Thus, trembling, 'round me shone the sheen, 
 Despite the Sun's rays, plainly seen. 
 It staid ; and soon was steady grown ; 
 And 'mid it, lo ! a PKESENCE shone ! 
 A maid, with robe like snow, so white ; 
 And radiant, like the morning light, 
 And girt with golden cincture, set 
 With gems beyond all estimate ! 
 A toreh and gleaming blade she bore ; 
 While, on her brow, a crown she wore. 
 "Are you not Themis," quick I said, 
 " Returned, with raiment changed, bright maid ? 
 The countenance is surely hers, 
 As, too, the graceful form appears. 
 In naught you seem another, save 
 The raiment, torch and sword you have." 
 " I am not," gently she replied ; 
 " But we are kindred close allied. 
 10
 
 110 TR UTH SPEAKS. 
 
 My office is to plain reveal 
 
 The errors threat'ning man's best weal 
 
 In ev'ry avenue of life, 
 
 And, also, show the good, so rife 
 
 Throughout the sphere in which man moves; 
 
 Which good, past history well proves, 
 
 Would from man's view, all lie concealed, 
 
 Were it not by my light revealed. 
 
 Her name you know ; and mine, (forsooth, 
 
 You can by this time tell,) is TRUTH." 
 
 " Permit the question, why you wear 
 
 A victor's crown, since Errors share 
 
 Dominion o'er the minds of men 
 
 With you ? " said I ; and straightway, then 
 
 I felt that I had been quite rude 
 
 And culpable thus to obtrude 
 
 So bold a question on the maid ; 
 
 And word apologetic said, 
 
 To which she mildly gave reply : 
 
 " You've done no wrong in asking why 
 
 I wear this wreath while Errors, bold, 
 
 A partial rule o'er man's mind hold. 
 
 I'm crowned became where'er I go 
 
 I conquer, tho' my march be slow. 
 
 For proof, an adage will avail, 
 
 Well known to you : 'Truth must prevail.' 
 
 Especially within this land 
 
 Upon whose soil we both now stand, 
 
 1 have a right to wear this crown ;
 
 TRUTH SPEAKS. Ill 
 
 Which may in words, quite few, be shown : 
 
 This Continent would now be known 
 
 To aborigines alone, 
 
 Had not my torch's brilliant ray 
 
 Enabled one man,/r away, 
 
 To realize its presence here, 
 
 As though his eyes beheld it near ; 
 
 And cheered him 'mid discouragement 
 
 While trav'ling Europe's continent 
 
 For aid and, too, while coming o'er 
 
 Atlantic's main to hither shore. 
 
 When once 'twas found, how many came 
 
 To this 'New World'! And yet, my flame 
 
 Which led and cheered Columbus, shone 
 
 Upon the path of ev'ry one, 
 
 Across the ocean to the strand, 
 
 And on to new homes in strange land ; 
 
 As cloud, by day, and fire, by night, 
 
 To Canaan led the Israelite ! " 
 
 " And your Republic owes to me 
 The fact that it began to be ! 
 And that, to be it has not ceased, 
 But has in greatness much increased ; 
 Though many dangers have been cast 
 Athwart its path, from first to last ! 
 Again : 'Tis true, that to all lands 
 Inventions have been sent, which hands, 
 In this ' new world,' seized in the light 
 Which my torch sheds, both day and night,
 
 112 TR UTH SPEAKS. 
 
 And ' arts/ with untold blessings fraught, 
 
 To ply which men by me were taught ! 
 
 Go ask the millions of this land 
 
 On what foundation, firm, do stand 
 
 The blessings which they now possess, 
 
 And hopes of others they'll confess 
 
 Their present great prosperity, 
 
 And hope of what it yet shall be, 
 
 Are both dependent on the pow'r 
 
 Which I am wielding ev'ry hour. 
 
 The world is here, it can be said, 
 
 In representatives: and led 
 
 By me till useful knowledge reigns 
 
 In all their minds, and naught remains 
 
 Of ignorance to hinder sure 
 
 And rapid progress in the pure 
 
 Ennobling principles of life 
 
 Which foster peace and banish strife, 
 
 These representatives will go 
 
 Back whence they came, and light bestow 
 
 Upon their nations till the world 
 
 Becomes an empire grand, controll'd 
 
 And blessed by my benignant hand : 
 
 Then shall I reign in ev'ry land, 
 
 And Errors will me VICTOR own ! 
 
 Why should I not wear now, the crown ? " 
 
 " Inspired by knowledge I revealed, 
 Men, brave, with spirits well annealed 
 By trials of their faith and zeal,
 
 TRUTH SPEAKS. 113 
 
 Have gone forth at the risk of weal, 
 To search in lands but little known 
 For gems of fact where they were strewn 
 By art or nature long ago ; 
 And coming back those gems to show 
 And give as presents to the world, 
 Have gone forth yet again, and hurl'd 
 Into the sea huge mountains ; and 
 Deep rivers emptied ; made the sand 
 In quick-sands firm; fitted valleys up ; 
 Great lakes made small as baby's cup ; 
 Hewed down vast forests ( to use those 
 Material barriers which oppose 
 The moving footsteps of mankind, 
 For checks to conquests of the mind ) 
 And greater treasures, still, have gained : 
 Nor yet have they from search refrained." 
 
 u Beneath the light which I have lent, 
 The land known as 'Dark Continent ' 
 Attracts the world's attention now ; 
 And t'wards its shores full many a prow 
 Is turned by nations who do strive, 
 In noble contest, to derive 
 The profits from the largest share 
 Of wealth's great sources, which have there, 
 By Deity's creative hand, 
 Been placed in lake, and river, and 
 In mountain, and in fertile plain, 
 And harbors (close to rolling main 
 10*
 
 114 TRUTH SPEAKS. 
 
 Which washes south and western coasts,) 
 Like those of which this New World boasts." 
 
 " With pleasure I the future view, 
 
 And see the race of ebon hue 
 
 Now dwelling here in low estate 
 
 Of mental power and growth, so late 
 
 Set free from slav'ry's galling chain 
 
 Which ne'er again will give them pain 
 
 Returned to Afric's Continent, 
 
 Accomplished to the full extent 
 
 Of their capacity not great 
 
 And organized into a State 
 
 Which will illume the Dark Domain, 
 
 Tho', still a part will here remain, 
 
 To be, with men of ev'ry land, 
 
 Who shall upon this soil then stand, 
 
 Grouped as a world in min'ature, 
 
 With minds enlightened hearts made pure 
 
 Rich samples (fit for angels' sight ! ) 
 
 Of work accomplished by my light 
 
 As growing fruits of earth do show 
 
 The pow'r of yon great Sun's bright glow." 
 
 " Thus, what I've here already wrought, 
 (Dispensing rays, which, like seeds fraught 
 W T ith ample harvest yet to come, 
 Shall grow, until this wondrous home 
 Of exiles 'of the brave and FREE' 
 Refulgent with my light shall be ;
 
 THE " RACE" PROBLEM. 115 
 
 And shine upon earth's moral night, 
 As Luna shines, with borrowed light ) 
 Gives me a joy I'm proud to own 
 Entitles me to wear my crown ! " 
 
 " Alas ! " said I, " that Ham's dark race 
 So long in bondage here with grace 
 Now wearing Freedom's golden chain 
 About their necks should not remain 
 Forever here, with Japheth's sons, 
 And Shem's (for blood of Noah runs 
 In all their veins the same) and show 
 Themselves in qualities which go 
 To make man noble, equals true 
 Of other men in ev'ry view : 
 And mingling ever side by side 
 With proud Caucasians, (who deride 
 The claim, that races of dark skin 
 Can be their equals, though their kin,} 
 Attain to highest places State 
 Or Church can give ; and freely mate 
 In marriage, as their tastes incline, 
 With races fair, and thus combine 
 The highest qualities of all, 
 Evolving NEW race, WORLD will call 
 ' The noblest type of Adam's kind 
 That can be hue, physique and mind.' r ' 
 
 " The ideal race you speak of, would 
 Have been produced already, could
 
 1 1 6 THE " RA CE" PROBLEM. 
 
 It ever -be But you appear 
 
 Scarcely, in what you say, sincere ! " 
 
 Said TRUTH, intently gazing, while 
 
 Her dazed appearance made me smile. 
 
 Continuing, the fair maid said : 
 
 " If Ham was black, and Shem was red 
 
 And Japheth pure (Caucasian) white, 
 
 Their children intermar'ying might 
 
 Have, ( some do think ) produced the brown 
 
 And yellow races not yet shoum 
 
 Superior, in any way, 
 
 Nor equal to the white ; though they 
 
 Do evidently far excel 
 
 The black race; as you know full well. 
 
 Mixing of races has been tried 
 
 Quite often in this land, and wide 
 
 The mark a higher type (if set,) 
 
 Has ev'ry effort flown ! Forget 
 
 Not, friend, that mingled waters flow 
 
 Not higher, but, t'ward plane below 
 
 The highest source whence streamlet springs : 
 
 And so it is in other things. 
 
 The great Caucasian race now stands 
 
 The first on earth ; which fact commands 
 
 Assent : 'that greater could not grow 
 
 From it joined with a race below.' 
 
 Still, the position you assume 
 
 Is broad enough to leave you room 
 
 To plead for privilege you claim 
 
 For Negro race : that the true aim
 
 THE " RACE" PROBLEM. 117 
 
 Of intermixing races, (brought 
 
 To lowest point of object sought,) 
 
 Is to secure a race above 
 
 The grade in which ' Ham's children ' move ; 
 
 And finally to lose all trace 
 
 Of black-skin and Negro race. 
 
 But this my friend cannot be done ! 
 
 The white race and the black, in one 
 
 Distinct new race will not unite ; 
 
 For, offspring will show marks ( despite 
 
 Fond hope, ) distinct of this or that 
 
 Race, white or black in broad nose, flat ; 
 
 And short kinked hair; and skin quite dark ; 
 
 Or straight hair ; nose and skin of mark 
 
 Caucasian. Progeny, indeed, 
 
 Of offspring nearest white, with speed 
 
 At any time, may take black hue, 
 
 Which nature on ancestor threw." 
 
 " Of men the races known are five : 
 The name of 'races' they derive 
 From differentiating marks, 
 Quite manifold ; just as the larks, 
 And eagles, thrushes, red-birds, crows, 
 And other ' races ' which compose 
 The feathered kingdom, not alone 
 Differ, in hue as is well known. 
 These feathered classes never mate 
 Though each class thinks itself as great
 
 118 THE " RA CE" PROBLEM. 
 
 As other. And all, ev'rywhere, 
 Are free to range both earth and air." 
 
 She ceased ; and I, emboldened, spoke : 
 
 " Surprise I hope I'll not provoke ! 
 
 If Adam, who of earth was made 
 
 Was black ; and Eve, who, it is said, 
 
 Was made of bone, took color white ; 
 
 When they in marriage did unite, 
 
 Their offspring might have yellow been : 
 
 Hence it will readily be seen 
 
 The other races red and brown 
 
 Would, from cross-mixing these, have grown ; 
 
 Thus ; black and yellow, brown produce ; 
 
 And brown and yellow, red (mis-use 
 
 Of word I've made, it may be said, 
 
 In calling copper-color, red!) 
 
 The white, and black might thus have passed, 
 
 For aye, when 'first pair ' breathed their last, 
 
 But for the fact you just, so well, 
 
 Expressed : ' Experience doth tell 
 
 That offspring, colors may divide 
 
 Of parents, or, from either side 
 
 Take color full; and even back 
 
 From middle colors take pure black 
 
 Or white!' Does not this the'ry give 
 
 A cause for races which now live ; 
 
 And put all arguments to flight 
 
 'Gainst marriage of the black with ivhite? 
 
 For, no new race can be, you say ;
 
 THE "RACE" PROBLEM. 119 
 
 While races old would, in this way, 
 Forever be maintained, by sure 
 Process, in races five, and pure ! " 
 
 " How can this the'ry be not right ? 
 
 If first pair both were black, whence white ? 
 
 Or if both yellow, red, or brown, 
 
 Can advent of the rest be shown ? 
 
 If both were white, we find same lack 
 
 Of reason to account for black, 
 
 And consequently for the rest 
 
 ( All offspring of one pair, confessed ) 
 
 Unless an ape and human came 
 
 Into the marriage bond (for shame ! ) 
 
 The offspring taking human shape 
 
 Combined with color of the ape; 
 
 But can this supposition stand 
 
 The test in this enlightened land ? 
 
 Do you not think this the'ry right : 
 
 'Adam was black ! and Eve was white f ' ' 
 
 TRUTH made but short reply to this, 
 By which she race-theme did dismiss : 
 "Tli-at first mankind, female and male, 
 Were both white, nothing can avail 
 To controvert ! The ' chosen race/ 
 Their direct lineage can trace 
 By record, back to Eden's 'pair' 
 Jews are Caucasians, ev'ry where ! 
 It matters not how mankind came 
 To be in unlike races, SHAME,
 
 120 THE "RACE" PROBLEM. 
 
 Upon those who amalgamate, 
 
 Imprints her brand, at any rate ! 
 
 For/ Yellow/ 'White/ 'Black/ 'Brown/ and 'Red' 
 
 Hold in contempt their own who wed 
 
 Those of another race ! Which fact 
 
 Deals sure destruction, by impact, 
 
 To the assumption, that by right, 
 
 In marriage races may unite ! 
 
 As I have said, Caucasian race 
 
 Is greatest now upon the face 
 
 Of earth ; yet other races may 
 
 Become quite great, provided they, 
 
 Maintaining racial purity, 
 
 (Which only can give surety 
 
 Of high development of race 
 
 Peculiarities which grace 
 
 Those grand divisions of mankind,) 
 
 Use opportunities they find 
 
 For growth in greatness, as they move 
 
 Along the paths which God above, 
 
 Hath pointed out for them to tread 
 
 In light my torch and sword do shed ! 
 
 Diversity in unity 
 
 Is shown in the community 
 
 Of men at large. How beautiful 
 
 Variety appears ! How dull 
 
 Would e'en the beauteous rainbow seem 
 
 Were colors mixed in muddy stream ! 
 
 That each race hath its own career, 
 
 Of God appointed, is quite clear
 
 THE "RACE" PROBLEM. 121 
 
 To me. And, therefore, should each race 
 
 With jealousy maintain its place, 
 
 By guarding its distinctive hue 
 
 With watchfulness and vigor due. 
 
 Caucasian race is purest known 
 
 On earth, because it does disown 
 
 Offspring, of whom, it is not sure 
 
 Both parents were Caucasians pure ! 
 
 Let other races do the same ; 
 
 And trust the future for their fame! 
 
 Hgg^ The WORLD'S best weal, to well-insure, 
 
 The RACES, five, should be kept pure ! 
 Miscegenation cannot raise 
 The lower races ! And I praise 
 Caucasians, that they ne'er will yield 
 
 The racial vantage which they wield 
 
 Within your land, where races meet 
 
 As freemen, ALL, each other greet ! 
 
 For, should Ham's children always stay 
 
 Here, time will, never be when they 
 
 Will be the peers of Japheth's sons 
 
 E'en of the very humblest ones 
 
 Or occupy, in Church or State, 
 
 Positions you have styled as ' great ' ! 
 
 Should e'er Caucasians fall so low 
 
 As to be level with Negro, 
 
 Then Negro will give surest proof 
 
 Of his contempt ; and rise aloof! 
 
 The Freedmen, here, will one day see 
 
 That though all are, in this land, free, 
 11
 
 122 A DEMURRER. 
 
 Yet Japheth's sons will ' man,' and guide 
 The ' Ship of State,' whate'er betide 
 That Negro socially ne'er can 
 ' Move side by side with Caucasian ' 
 That, the new cry : 'Away with caste,' 
 Heard in the north will cease, at last ! 
 And, heeding Wisdom's plain command, 
 Those ' Sons of Ham ' to 'father-land ' 
 Will go ; and form, as I have said, 
 A State in Africa ; and shed 
 Light on the minds of tribes therein 
 With whom they are close-joined in kin ! " 
 
 I dropped the theme and silent stood : 
 Yet, TRUTH was in such pleasant mood, 
 "It seems to me that Errors crowd 
 Within this land," said I, " and loud 
 Assert high claim, on age and youth, 
 To homage, due to you, O TRUTH ! 
 And what they ask, each one receives 
 In part, at least ; for man believes 
 What Error teaches turns away 
 From what your presence does display : 
 And Wickedness goes hand in hand 
 With Error, through this wretched land ; 
 While Hopes of good men feel the pall 
 Of dark Despair upon them fall, 
 Whilst yet those Hopes are in their prime 
 And buoyant at the thought, that Time 
 Has brought almost within their grasp
 
 DEMURRER CONTINUED. (Discord.} 123 
 
 The objects which they reach to clasp, 
 
 This is the hist'ry of the past, 
 
 As well as present. Do but cast 
 
 A glance upon the record made 
 
 By CRIMES, of almost ev'ry grade, 
 
 In public walks, and private life ; 
 
 By ERRORS, (noxious, thrifty, rife, 
 
 Like poisonous weeds 'mid growing grain ; 
 
 Or, dark, unsightly, like the stain 
 
 Of soot on bosom of the snow, 
 
 Or like Night's shadow on Morn's brow,) 
 
 Seen in the practice and the creed 
 
 Of Church as well as State ; indeed 
 
 Of Science, Art, and what else can 
 
 Affect the rights or weal of man. 
 
 Methinks you'll, then wear Doubt's dark frown 
 
 Upon your brow, beneath that crown ! " 
 
 " While yet this nation's life and name 
 Were new, dark-visaged Discord came 
 To council-chamber, claimed and took 
 A seat whence she could overlook 
 The doings of the chosen few 
 Who met a fact well known to you 
 Who, with calm Wisdom also, sate 
 Within that room, to actuate 
 To legislation, true and wise, 
 The gifted men who did comprise 
 The body representative, 
 Possessing powers the States did give.
 
 124 DEMURRER CONTINUED. (Discord.) 
 
 Around that seat of Discord, drew 
 
 Malignant Errors, whom you knew ; 
 
 And Discord could not long restrain 
 
 Her eagerness, nor did refrain 
 
 From speaking when she once began, 
 
 Until she'd thwarted ev'ry plan 
 
 By Peace suggested, which to her 
 
 At all repulsive did appear. 
 
 Those Errors, too, meanwhile concealed 
 
 Facts which your torch should have revealed. 
 
 Peace left the seat she occupied, 
 
 Abashed, alarmed ; and just outside 
 
 The door forlorn for long time stood 
 
 Reflective, wishing that she could 
 
 To silence Discord, plan devise ; 
 
 She was approached by Compromise, 
 
 Adroit of thought and speech w r ho said 
 
 ' What troubles you, O noble maid ? ' 
 
 She promptly then her trouble told : 
 
 Into that chamber, ardent, bold, 
 
 He entered ; and by word and look, 
 
 Accomplished what he undertook 
 
 Drove Discord scowling from her seat 
 
 Into the outer world. 'Complete,' 
 
 The vict'ry was confessed by all : 
 
 Peace smiling, entered Council-Hall ; 
 
 And from the nation did arise 
 
 Loud shouts of praise to Compromise!" 
 
 "Resolved that ruin should be wrought,
 
 DEMURRER CONTINUED. (War's Career.) 125 
 
 DISCORD the fierce assistance sought 
 Of WAK among those demons chief 
 Who sow the seed of human grief. 
 He broke the council ; with rude hand 
 Drove Peace away, and ruled the land ; 
 He marshalled armies ; and with sword 
 A gift from Pluto stalked abroad. 
 A picture TRUE of his career 
 Will never anywliere appear; 
 Unless some fallen Raph-a-el 
 Shall paint one on the wall of hell, 
 Assisted by some Angela, 
 To be admired by fiends below ! 
 He fed on human flesh ; and quaffed 
 From hearts as cups, hot blood ; and laughed 
 To see the forms and limbs of slain 
 And lacerated men, like grain 
 Sown from the hand, fly o'er the field ; 
 The soldier's dying groan did yield 
 Him music ; as aroma sweet 
 Th' expiring breath of youth did meet 
 With smile and shout from him, like flow'r 
 Fresh-plucked from Flora's gorgeous bow'r, 
 And crushed in hand, would pleasure give 
 To one who is compelled to live 
 Amid Augean odors ; fail- 
 Transporting pictures by Despair, 
 For him, were drawn upon the face 
 Of wounded ; while, with mimic pace 
 Of fun'ral march, he mocked the wail 
 11*
 
 126 DEMURRER CONTINUED. 
 
 Of widows But 'twill naught avail 
 
 To make an effort more to tell 
 
 Of his vile deeds, which you know well." 
 
 " Since War retired, Mistrust and Hate 
 Have held high carnival in State, 
 And in the souls on either side 
 The line by which War did divide 
 The land, and forced each part in strife 
 Most deadly to contend for life. 
 And now a gloom as dark as night 
 Rests on our land because through spite 
 A wicked wretch, his spleen to vent, 
 Has slain our chosen President." 
 
 " So, too, not only here, but there 
 
 And THERE again and EVERYWHERE, 
 
 Injustice, rapine, fraud and war, 
 
 Records of men and nations, mar. 
 
 Is it not true, O Maid, despite 
 
 Thy claim, that men call each cause ' right ' 
 
 W'hich may by force of arms be won ? 
 
 That men can say ' Thy will be done ! ', 
 
 To God, and then go forth to slay 
 
 Their fellow- men try ev'ry way 
 
 To compass their destruction ; and 
 
 Above their lifeless victims stand, 
 
 And smiling say : ' Through GOD we've wrought 
 
 This deed : yes, to their death we've brought 
 
 These prostrate forms, by just decree
 
 DEMURRER CONTINUED. 127 
 
 Of HEAVEN, because they would not be 
 Submissive to our will ; though men, 
 They were our equal, FELLOW-MEN !'?" 
 
 " Oft-times the wrong has fall'n before 
 The right upon the field of gore : 
 Then, plainly it to men has seemed 
 That Justice held the sword which gleamed 
 In triumph. But sometimes has wrong 
 O'er conquered right sung vict'ry's song ; 
 And often, when right has prevailed, 
 Wrongs, greater than the one assailed, 
 Have been made allies by the ' right ' 
 Have won the vict'ry, by their might 
 Then, too, in JUSTICE' sacred name 
 Have victors waved their banners : FAME 
 Has placed fresh laurels on the brow 
 Of WAR ; and men have cried, ' See how 
 War, righteous judgment, does accord ! 
 When nations disagree, the Sword 
 Gives verdict just, as though the word 
 Decisive, from God's throne were heard ! ' ' 
 
 " The God to whom such praise is giv'n 
 For war's results, once came from heav'n, 
 And with men walked, and plainly taught 
 ' Man's conduct should with love be fraught ; 
 Such love as each for self doth feel 
 He should t'ward others show, with zeal.' ''
 
 128 TRUTH'S REJOINDER. 
 
 " If men possessed the same esteem 
 For others' rights as theirs, they'd deem 
 WAR, which is now styled 'Art sublime ' 
 And ' science noble,' HEINOUS CRIME ! 
 Then would the evil war has wrought 
 Be seen as great, the good as naught, 
 In all the hist'ry of the past, 
 From man's first /raticide to last!" 
 
 " In presence of such facts, fair Maid, 
 
 Review of which I have essayed 
 
 In part I cannot now forbear 
 
 To ask you if your right to wear 
 
 That VICTOR'S CROWN, is not in doubt 
 
 E'en to yourself? Be frank ! Speak out ! " 
 
 I quailed to think of what I'd said ; 
 
 But grew composed as spoke the maid : 
 
 " Be calm, short-sighted mortal friend, 
 
 And closely to my words attend ! 
 
 I'm well aware that sin exists ; 
 
 And that vain man full oft resists 
 
 The influ'nce sent upon his mind 
 
 And heart for good ; and that we find 
 
 Both ills and errors ev'rywhere 
 
 In other lands, as well as here. 
 
 Yet much of what appears to be 
 
 Error is man's perversity 
 
 In doing wrong, whilst what is right 
 
 Lies full in view beneath my light.
 
 TRUTH'S REJOINDER. 129 
 
 But, come ! review the good as well 
 As ill you've been so prompt to tell ! " 
 
 " In ' Declaration ' which was made 
 
 Just at the nation's birth 'twas said : 
 
 'All men are equal born, and free ; ' 
 
 To which the people did agree 
 
 As precious fact yet slavery 
 
 Existed in the land ! Now, though 
 
 Dark Discoi'd did confusion throw 
 
 Upon the counsels of the land ; 
 
 And War did broadcast with his hand 
 
 Prolific seeds of woe ; yet, still, 
 
 The harvest o'er, my light did fill 
 
 The minds of all, and slavery 
 
 Was driv'n away then 'BLACKS' were free 
 
 And ' WHITES ' confessed they ought to be ! 
 
 Was that not TROPHY won by me?" 
 
 " Beneath my light the people read 
 What one illumed by it had said : 
 'Self-preservation is the first 
 Great law of nature.' Some States burst 
 The bands of Union to preserve 
 Themselves, while others, to conserve 
 The Union, with restraining hand 
 Held those retiring then the land 
 Was deluged with terrific flood 
 Of gushing, foaming human blood, 
 Upon whose current there were toss'd, 
 By myriads, mangled forms, the cost
 
 130 TRUTH'S REJOINDER. 
 
 Of peace which might have been retained, 
 
 As well as after war, regained. 
 
 My light shone on the while : and men, 
 
 By aid of it, saw plainly, (when 
 
 The clouds of passion passed away,) 
 
 That to preserve is not to slay ; 
 
 That no good was by war procured 
 
 Beyond what peace might have secured ; 
 
 While ills which followed in war's train 
 
 Were terrible would long remain ; 
 
 That tho' an evil disappeared 
 
 At end of war (when angels cheered !) 
 
 A race from bondage was set free 
 
 Yet THAT was plain said not to be 
 
 The object of the North, by those 
 
 Who ruled, and offered war to close, 
 
 And promised never to displace 
 
 A shackle from the sable race, 
 
 Provided South would but observe 
 
 The compact Union Preserve 
 
 While South the prompt reply did send : 
 
 ' 'Tis not for slav'ry we contend, 
 
 But for the liberty we own 
 
 As sov'reign States Let us alone ! ' ; 
 
 That when war closed the States were then 
 
 Just as before the war they'd been, 
 
 (AT PEACE, IN UNION,) and agreed 
 
 To law by which the slaves were freed. 
 
 Ah ! then, by MOST 'twas plainly seen 
 
 ' Twere better far had war not been
 
 TRUTH'S REJOINDER. 131 
 
 Had slaves been granted liberty 
 
 By States which claimed full sov'reignty, 
 
 (Which States, as now, would then have found 
 
 Their weal to rest on Union bond, 
 
 And would have used their sovereign pow'r 
 
 To strengthen union more and more ;) 
 
 That, civil-war is suicide! 
 
 That, for the Union to divide 
 
 Might be but to destroy outright 
 
 Both State and Union ; to unite 
 
 The South as conquered States, not free 
 
 And equal with the North, would be 
 
 As truly to break Union 
 
 As ' State secession ' would have done ; 
 
 That ' STATES ALL EQUAL, MEN ALL FREE 
 
 Would make best Union that could be ! " 
 
 " War gave to thousands name and pay 
 
 As soldiers ; pointed out the way, 
 
 For some, to Fortune's treasures, (free 
 
 To all who find them ;) led with glee 
 
 The nation in a joyous whirl 
 
 Of patriotism like the girl 
 
 Of yore, (who for her father danced, 
 
 As he, from war, t'ward home advanced,) 
 
 Indulged in. Yet not names and pay 
 
 And Fortune's treasures, could outweigh 
 
 The tribute laid by War upon 
 
 The nation -part on ev'ry one ; 
 
 While Jeptha's heart was not more sad
 
 132 TRUTH'S REJOINDER. 
 
 When Silence hushed the voice of maid, 
 
 That daughter, young, to him so dear ! 
 
 ( When she withdrew ne'er to appear 
 
 Again within his loving view, 
 
 Jephtha no deeper sorrow knew ) 
 
 Than thousands felt throughout this land 
 
 Who realized war's stern demand ! 
 
 The wickedness of war impressed 
 
 The nation. Some their fears expressed : 
 
 ( How can a Union gained by blood 
 
 Receive approving smile of God ? ' 
 
 Blood, shed in fratricidal war 
 
 Does now, indeed, with dark stain mar 
 
 This land's escutcheon marred before 
 
 By slavery. But, as NOW o'er 
 
 Ills which attended slavery 
 
 The nation grieves, the time will be 
 
 When full confession will be made : 
 
 ( The nation sinned when it arrayed 
 
 Itself against itself; and strove 
 
 In deadly conflict,' which did move, 
 
 In heaven and earth, the good and true 
 
 To wonder, and to pity, too ! " 
 
 " See ! All enlightened nations are 
 
 Becoming loth to enter war, 
 
 Whene'er agreement can be made 
 
 Between those who dispute. The ' blade ' 
 
 Is dernier resort e'en now ; 
 
 And some day will ' be turned to plough '
 
 TR UTH'S REJOINDER. 1 33 
 
 And ' spear will change to pruning-hook ' 
 As was foretold in prophet's book ! " 
 
 " Good men and angels will rejoice 
 
 Ere long to hear each nation's voice 
 
 IN CONCERT, ALL ' We do agree 
 
 To settle questions peaceably 
 
 By means of INTERNATIONAL COURTS, 
 
 As man with man to law resorts' 
 
 THEN, War the officer will be, 
 
 IF NEEDED, to enforce decree : 
 
 As 'posse comitatus', ALL 
 
 THE NATIONS will obey his call, 
 
 Whose arm will be so fierce and strong, 
 
 When once outstretched, that 'twill be long 
 
 Ere nation, afterwards, by act, 
 
 Attempt the peace-bond to infract." 
 
 " Those heroes who are worshiped now, 
 (Whose heads beneath the sod lie low 
 Or, conscious of renown, with grace 
 Wear chaplets which the people place 
 Upon them, almost daily wove 
 Of praises fresh new buds of love) y 
 By future generations will 
 Be honored as brave men whose skill 
 Was manifested in THE ART 
 OF MURDER. (The conspicuous part 
 Performed by each, which brought him fame, 
 Would then be viewed as cause for shame, 
 12
 
 134 TRUTH'S REJOINDER. 
 
 But for the fact that, chanty 
 
 Will credit the barbarity 
 
 To darkness of the soul and mind 
 
 Sin's shadow resting on mankind ; 
 
 Just as the DUELLIST, in past 
 
 ESTEEMED, is now with murd'rers classed.) 
 
 War is the work of demon-mind, 
 
 Wrought through the passions of mankind 
 
 Peace is approved of God above, 
 
 And is maintained through human love ! 
 
 War brought this land unrest and toil, 
 
 Like stormful ocean has, but oil, 
 
 Which was on waters poured by Peace 
 
 Whom my light led, made unrest cease. 
 
 Now, just as yon bright setting Sun 
 
 Sends gifts alike to ev'ry one, 
 
 So do this country's blessings flow 
 
 To rich and poor, to high and low : 
 
 And as the trees and flow'rs and grass 
 
 And other growths of ev'ry class, 
 
 And stream, and rock, and barren slope, 
 
 Yea, all within his strong eye's scope, 
 
 In mutual love and peace receive 
 
 Whate'er that generous Sun (Joes give; 
 
 And as the smiling of the sands, 
 
 And clapping of the glad trees' hands, 
 
 And laughing of the waters' voice, 
 
 Go back to make the Sun rejoice, 
 
 So do most people in this land 
 
 In bond of mutual love now stand,
 
 TRUTH'S REJOINDER. 135 
 
 And for the blessings which are sent 
 Reflect their joys on Government" 
 
 " Mistrust and hate do not exist 
 
 Throughout this land, as you insist. 
 
 A few bad men their hatred keep : 
 
 And some speak hate that they may reap 
 
 A profit by their speech of ill ; 
 
 But confidence and love do fill 
 
 Most hearts of all the millions here ; 
 
 Which doth by many proofs appear. 
 
 Yes, as they all in this sad hour 
 
 Feel, each like each, grief's crushing pow'r, 
 
 Because a devil using hand 
 
 (The only one he could command 
 
 For deed so vile) of man here found, 
 
 Has deeply pierced with painful wound 
 
 The nation's ruling Magistrate, 
 
 Beloved, as such, in ev'ry State, 
 
 So are most hearts now closely tied 
 
 By kindliness, throughout this wide 
 
 And long extending, free domain 
 
 From Lakes to Gulf, from Main to Main. 
 
 None love with purer love than they 
 
 Who once were foes in ' BLUE ' and ' GREY ' ; 
 
 While o'er the graves of those who fell, 
 
 Their duty doing, bravely, well 
 
 To NORTH or SOUTH, the Nation stands 
 
 In grief: and, yearly with her hands 
 
 She crowns her pallid SONS in ' BLUE '
 
 1 36 TR UTH'S REJOINDER. 
 
 And SONS in ' GREY/ with CHAPLETS new 
 Thus I have told some triumphs won 
 By me : and still my light shines on !" 
 
 " Great social battles will be fought 
 
 Within your land, when glitt'ring thought 
 
 Like polished, keen-edged, blade will be 
 
 Brandished by leaders of the free, 
 
 Pointing to where runs high the strife 
 
 Upon whose issue hangs the life 
 
 Of your Republic, or welfare 
 
 Of large communities, whose share 
 
 In Legacy of Freedom must 
 
 Defended be by ballot-thrust. 
 
 The minions of the demon 'Drink ' 
 
 Will press the nation's youths to brink 
 
 Of ruin, ere Sobriety 
 
 Win to her standard moiety 
 
 Of those who ballot-franchise wield. 
 
 Those minions may not ' quit the field,' 
 
 Yet they, throughout the land, will meet 
 
 With stunning check or full defeat. 
 
 Monopolists ( those plutocrats ! ) ; 
 
 And social-theory-acrobats 
 
 ( The Anarchists and Nihilists ) ; 
 
 And every clan which now insists 
 
 On legislation for ' a class,' 
 
 Tho' that be fondly styled ' the mass ' ; 
 
 Capitalists and Labor-Leagues ; 
 
 And Syndicates that work intrigues
 
 TR UTH'S PER OR A TION. 137 
 
 All these will be controlled by right 
 Perceived by freemen through my light ! " 
 
 " All things on earth e'en those most dark, 
 Possess of light the latent spark, 
 (Absorbed, or placed there by the Lord,) 
 Which friction will make blaze abroad. 
 E'en doth the sea drink in the rays 
 Which beam from sun's face through the days : 
 These rays afford the fishes light 
 In darkest hour of darkest night; 
 And may be seen in lustrous glow 
 Where vessels through the waters plow. 
 So, through my agency, hath Heav'n 
 To mankind inward radiance giv'n. 
 Tho' mind, in ignorance may seem, 
 Opaque, it holds a living beam : 
 If clothed in error's night of gloom, 
 Friction will make the radiance loom. 
 The light I shed from torch and sword 
 Doth to each human soul afford 
 Full knowledge of the honor due 
 To man and to the only true 
 And living God. And ev'rywhere, 
 Fruits of that knowledge now appear : 
 Men break their idols, give their lives 
 In loving, living, sacrifice 
 To welfare of their fellow-men, 
 (Thus showing love to God unseen). 
 Lo ! fast and faster, idols fall : 
 12*
 
 1 38 TR UTH'S PERORA TION. 
 
 And, more and more, on God men call. 
 
 My light is reaching far and wide: 
 
 And knowledge spreads like deluge tide." 
 
 " If winter-winds chant strains of woe, 
 And sky, sad-faced, wrap earth in snow, 
 And bird and beast retire, downcast, 
 As though earth's life were overpassed, 
 Yet, by-and-by, will zephyrs come, 
 And, folding up, bear to their home 
 As treasure rich, the winding-sheet 
 Of snow-flakes (laid in wondrous plait 
 By hasty hands upon Earth's form, 
 Cold as if dead ;) and, Earth, made warm 
 By that same burial dress, the while, 
 Will ope her eyes, arise, and smile ; 
 Her variegated robe resume, 
 All redolent of sweet perfume ; 
 Feast on repast which bounteous sun 
 Will spread, as he has often done, 
 And, strengthened thus, her work renew, 
 ( Present to bird's, beast's, man's glad view 
 Rich fruits and flowers wrought by her skill) 
 And say : ' Behold ! I'm living still ! ' ' 
 
 " Tho' clouds may veil the face of morn ; 
 And Day may wear a look forlorn, 
 And hide her face in lap of Nigfit 
 And weep because the wonted light 
 Is absent from the scenes she views,
 
 TR UTH'S PEE ORA TION. 1 39 
 
 Whilst she her chosen path pursues, 
 Yet, Time will take Morn's veil away ; 
 And Night will lead the weeping Day 
 Into the presence of the Sun, 
 Whose beaming smile w^ll swiftly run 
 With healing pow'r throughout the whole 
 Of his dejected daughter's soul ; 
 And she will visit earth again, 
 And smile on mountain and on plain, 
 Rejoicing, that her tear-drops shed 
 Have grass and fruit and flow'r fed, 
 And made the hungry earth look glad, 
 And streams go laughing as if ' mad.' 
 Like manna which in darkness fell 
 Fed Israel, as your Scriptures tell." 
 
 " So TOO, tho' Errors do surround 
 
 My path ; tho' Evils do abound ; 
 
 Tho' Devils strive to quench my light, 
 
 While Satan, watching with keen sight 
 
 From porch in front of open door 
 
 Of lurid palace, casts all o'er 
 
 The moral world his shadow dark, 
 
 Yet, in due time, my torch's spark 
 
 And two-edged blade will hold full sway : 
 
 Those Errors, all, will flee away, 
 
 And ev'ry Evil drop its head 
 
 Before my sword discomfited ; 
 
 While Satan, calling Devils home 
 
 From ev'ry place where they may roam,
 
 140 TRUTH'S PERORATION. 
 
 Will shut himself and them within 
 His palace, lit with burning sin, 
 As owls and bats do all retire 
 When angels build their morning fire 
 Upon the beauteous pearly hearth 
 Which rests on Eastern bound of earth ! " 
 
 She waved her sword ; and lo ! a light 
 Rushed from it THAN HER TORCH MORE BRIGHT ! 
 " My torch," she said, " is REASON'S FLAME ; 
 My sword, THE WORD OF GOD ! " 
 
 " Your claim," 
 Cried I, " to wear that Victor's Crown 
 
 O radiant Maid" 
 
 LO! SHE HAD FLOWN!
 
 CLOSING SCENES. 
 
 141
 
 CLOSING SCENES, 
 
 SCENE ON AN OLD BATTLE-FIELD. 
 
 i 
 I westward looked, and as I, rapt, admired 
 
 The scene, the Sun, with princely mien, retired 
 
 Adown the jasper steps at base of which 
 
 His palace stands, in gem adornments rich. 
 
 And when into his chamber he had passed, 
 
 Then Twilight came to palace-dome, and cast 
 
 A monitory glance, and with her hands 
 
 Waved * into silence all these eastern lands. 
 
 Lo ! Those same potent wavings brought the dead 
 
 Forth from their graves: and by the faint light shed 
 
 From beacon, which the beauteous Venus, "f holds 
 
 In turn with Mercury,^ to light the wolds 
 
 Within the Sun's most ample palace-court, 
 
 (Where nightly many spirits pure resort,) 
 
 As priests 'in turn' at altar close attend 
 
 * Reference is here made to the oscillations noticeable at twi 
 light. 
 
 f Evening-stars. 
 
 143
 
 144 SCENE ON AN OLD BATTLE-FIELD. 
 
 That they the fading sacred fires may mend, 
 
 I plainly saw forms moving to and fro, 
 
 Late risen from their graves in plain below. 
 
 I knew the plain must have been battle field 
 
 Where hundreds did their lives untimely yield. 
 
 Alarmed, I quickly moved t'ward glim'ring light 
 
 Of farm-house, seeking shelter for the night. 
 
 But as I moved those airy forms moved too, 
 
 As albatrosses near a ship will do. 
 
 On either side, behind me, and before, 
 
 With equal step they moved, as in the yore 
 
 They learned in measured, martial, pace to tread, 
 
 E'er yet their names were numbered with the dead. 
 
 Soft music, like ^Eolian notes most clear, 
 
 Came stealing on the quiet ev'ning air. 
 
 -^Those spirits sang in spirit-voice more sweet 
 
 Than earthly tones which human ears do greet. 
 
 They sang the " sadness wrought in late passed hour, 
 
 When greatness fell be/ore a madman's pow'r;" 
 
 They sang a welcome to the murdered Chief 
 
 Executive^-v?\iicl\ filled my heart with grief, 
 
 As they anticipated his demise 
 
 Despite the prayers ascending to the skies. 
 
 They startled me with loud triumphant shout, 
 
 As joining hands, they compassed me about 
 
 In circles all concentric, and around 
 
 Me moved, while at the centre I was found, 
 
 Though I went forward constantly. Ere long, 
 
 They sang a grand apostrophizing song
 
 ON THE WAY TO A FARM-HOUSE. 145 
 
 To " UNION SEALED WITH LOVE." My soul was 
 
 thrilled ! 
 
 While with the melody the air was filled ; 
 ( It seemed the nation DEAD and LIVING sang /) 
 And heaven's arch with wondrous echo rang. 
 From joining chorus /could not refrain ; 
 A ml shouted, " UNION SEALED WITH LOVE," amain! 
 Those spirit-forms departed from my sight 
 As quickly as the lightning sheds its light ! 
 The echo of that song died on my ears, 
 As gently as the rainbow disappears ! 
 
 SEEKING SHELTER. 
 
 The distant farm-house light 
 
 Did now no nearer seem 
 Than when my eager sight 
 
 First caught its welcome gleam. 
 Yet on I rode with speed, 
 
 By pleasing prospect cheered, 
 Till, just before my steed, 
 
 A lustrous mist appeared. 
 Trembled the steed for fear ! 
 
 Speechless the rider stared 
 At forms TWO CHIEFTAINS near, 
 
 With sword-points crossed, prepared 
 For deadly conflict on 
 
 A grassy plat beside 
 
 13
 
 146 ON THE WAY TO A FARM-HOUSE. 
 
 The road, where mildly shone 
 
 The mist, now spreading wide. 
 A pause ! then sword-points dropped : 
 
 Promptly both warriors spoke 
 Spoke but ONE word and stopped ! 
 
 Then each his own sword broke ; 
 Repeated spoken word ; 
 
 And throwing to the ground 
 With force his broken sword, 
 
 Each clasped the other 'round 
 In fond embrace of love, 
 
 And "BROTHER!", said again. 
 Then from the air above 
 
 Came sudden shout : " In twain 
 The sivords are broke! FOR AYE 
 
 THE NORTH AND SOUTH UNITE 
 LOVE'S GOLDEN CHAIN, which they 
 
 Once broke with ill-spent might ! " 
 Like spacious theatre 
 
 Lighted up brilliantly, 
 The air did then appear 
 
 Filled with gay soldiery, 
 Who gave applause amain, 
 
 As both the chieftains, bound 
 About with glit'ring chain, 
 
 ( Their swords still on the ground 
 First, arm in arm, went forth ; 
 
 Then, turning face to face, 
 Moved slow apart one North
 
 ON THE WAY TO A FARM-HOUSE. 147 
 
 One South with equal pace, 
 Until remote in air 
 
 They stood; while stretched between, 
 That golden cable ( fair 
 
 True emblem ) could be seen 
 In gentle motion, swayed 
 
 By the transparent sea, 
 Quivering AS IT CONVEYED 
 
 LOVE'S MESSAGE CONSTANTLY. 
 
 The scene was grand ! My brute 
 
 Looked up in calm amaze. 
 Forgetting to be mute, 
 
 I spoke aloud in praise : 
 The curtain fell! the play 
 
 Was stopped ! and ev'ry light 
 Went out ! th' assembly gay 
 
 Retired in haste ! and Night 
 The empty play-house closed, 
 
 And walked forth in her crown, 
 Whose gems I ne'er supposed 
 
 Were bright as then they shone ! 
 
 Their soft sheen illumined our path, 
 
 And lit up the fields all around. 
 We reaped well the rich after-math 
 
 Of beauty we constantly found, 
 As onward we moved through the field 
 
 Of vision with scenes ever new ; 
 Where ev'ry thing promptly did yield
 
 148 ON THE WAY TO A FARM-HOUSE. 
 
 Us tribute. The small gems of dew, 
 Like birds' eyes, from bush and from tree 
 
 Peeped shyly ; and on stubbles lay 
 Like boat-lights which one may oft see 
 
 Close crowded at night in a bay. 
 Like fairies appareled in gold 
 
 And silver quite tastefully mixed ; 
 Like lone shepherd watching his fold ; 
 
 Like huge giant, sadly transfixed 
 With spear of his still huger foe ; 
 
 Like other scenes yet, did the fog, 
 From lowlands to hills rising slow, 
 
 Make shrubbery seem. O'er the bog, 
 The coy ignus fatuus shone 
 
 Out brightly, and went out by turn. 
 " Thou wicked elf, hate you us? None 
 
 But FOE, Jack o' Lantern would burn 
 A treacherous liglit," plain I heard 
 
 A fairy not far from me cry : 
 I looked for her nothing appeared 
 
 Excepting a \Q\\Q fire-fly ! 
 I smiled at the rude fairy's ire, 
 
 Evoked by sly FANCY'S prompt skill ; 
 
 And turned me to see if the fire 
 
 Was held by " Jack " o'er the bog still. 
 ' Twos NEAR me, and dazzled my sight ! 
 
 My steed stopped ! The wonder was great ! 
 Jack's Lantern was naught but " The Light 
 
 In the Farm-House ! " My steed stood at gate !
 
 AT THE FARM-HOUSE. At Home. 149 
 
 Just as fair Luna to the zenith rose, 
 
 Beneath the farmer's roof, I found repose. 
 Morn gently woke me. Lo ! I was AT HOME ! 
 Whilst I revolved scenes through which I had 
 
 come, 
 Gay Fancy, presently, to me appeared, 
 
 And said: "You owe to me what you have heard 
 And seen ; tho' Truth did furnish many a thought 
 Which I into my pictures gladly wrought." 
 
 FINIS. 
 
 H
 
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