•*> m". %. ^ Z^ia-. * ^ .<>^% .•<§^lrv. BURLESQUE STATESMANSHIP ; |The Gubernatorial-^ enatorial-Editorial Couclavorial-FL :zle atorial Coup D' Ei... % Bicia CDramatir, C£omia*-Q ' Mxxiczqtiz BY H. CLAY WRIcVlT- " 0, but man—proud loan ! Drest in a little brief authority, Cuts such fantastic trick i 'on; high heaven As make the angels wee] peare. " Rust, sword 1 cool hUish--.-; and Delgrado live. Safest in shatne ! "—Ibid LEAVENWORTH KANSAS PRINTED AT THE CONSERVATIVE JOB OFFICE 1864* 3URLESQUE STATESMANSHIP ; OR, The Gubernatorial-Senatorial-Editorial Conclavorial-Pizzleatorial Coup D' Etat. di iHclo- dramatic, €omico-(Jragko- Burlesque IN FIVE ACTS. BY H. CLAY WRIGHT. — " O, but man— proud nian ! 3>rest in a little brief authority, Cuts such fantastic tricks before high heaven As make the angels yveei)."—Shak#peare. " Rust, sword 1 cool blushes and Dekjrado liv*. Safest in .shame ! "—&id. LEA VENWOETH, KANSAS . PKINTEP AT THE CONSERVATIVE JOB OFFICE^ To D. W. Wilder, Esq. As a slight token of my esteem for him as a gentle- man, a scholar, an able and earnest writer, and a fear- less advocate of the true principles of self-government and the rights of human nature, this Hudibrastic effusion is* respectfully inscribed by his unworthy but earnest co- laborer and ever faithful friend, H CLAY WRIGHT. A A f ? PROLOGUE. From ancient to the latest hour of time. Since man first learned to clothe his thoughts in rhyme Each subtle plot by daring author hurl d, To run the gantlet of the critic world, ( Where every note — by keen-edged poinard met. By literary wolves and bears beset. — Must pay a tribute to the hungry brood, Whose stock of knowledge and whose mental food Are garnered up in wiser people's dom< To be dealt out in less or longer tomes, Just as the doctor doles his cure-all pills, That curing one create a thousand ills,) In reasons corselet must be trebly steeled To run successful 'round the epic field; For lacking this, 'tis labor misemployed, Of every worth and usefulness devoid : A paper wad fired off with thundering sound, Which, wanting weight, falls harmless to the ground Should any ask what reason here is shown, Or where the purpose that these pages own, To such we say, Go scan each sentence well, On every line with mark'd attention dwell. And judge the whole not by its lack of wit, Which, while it pleases, is but counterfeit. For lo ! no phantom beings figure here With voice and mien to please the eye and ear, But these are men well known to public fame, Whose acts shall speak their honor or their shame , For men by acts and not by words are weighed — No words can cure what actions have betrayed : Even as the deadly fruit upon the tree May feed the eye with boundless eostacy : [4] And, while untouched upon the stem it hangs. Its velvet rind may hide its serpent fangs ; But plucked and wounded, lo! the pulp beneath Leaps like a deadly poinard from its sheath, And scatters woe where we had looked for blis>.- That hidden 'neath the velvet cloak of this, — So Virtue's mantle often covers Vice, So eloquence oft hides a base device. The golden scabbard, set with diamonds bright. That dazzle with their variegated light, Tells not the temper of the blade it hides, The deadly tenant that within abides ; But we, enraptured with the scabbard's blaze, Forget the weapon as on this we gaze ; So words well chosen fascinate the ear, Dispel each doubt and neutralize each fear, Till we, like Eve in Eden's ancient bowers, Submissive bow, and own their serpent power. No falsehoods in these pages congregate, Nor have we written with the pen of hate, Beyond that hatred fierce of vice and crime, Th at tires the poet to indignant rhyme, That blazes on the patriot's 'venging blade. Who mourns the while he dons war's direful trade, And call'd by duty to the gory field, Throws by his hatred when his foemari yield. So we, a stranger to the poet's fire, Hurl not the poet's but the patriot's ire: Invoking not the irttiae of idle dreams But only seeking to unmask th< • schemes Of a detested, politican race Who are to manhood's name a foul disgrace ; Whose lives evince them but a living lie, Unfit to live and twice unfit to die ! Behold our country, bleeding rent and torn : Our institutions of their glory shorn ; Behold our land by treason's host o'er run; Go on our battlefields and witness there The foul and damning deeds his hand hath done ; The shriek, the groan, the ravings of despair. The curse, the wail, the supplicating prayer, Of bleeding hosts cut down forever, and undone.— Proud Freedom's banner trampled in the dust ! [5] Ask you the cause ? Power's damn'd and hateful lust- That dagger hidden 'neath a patriot mien — Which stabs more surely as it stabs unseen ! That curse Ambition, Freedom's deadly foe, Which natters while it seeks to overthrow ; Armed with sweet words, in righteous robes arrayed — An angel's garb dorn'd for a devil's trade. If, for the sake of unity of plot, Some scenes are here in truth enacted not, Yet shall the living characters confess We have not clothed them in a borrowed dress ; For he who hides deceit 'neath Virtue's pall, Damn'd in great crimes, is surely damn'd in small. And we, who know his major crimes full well, May guess that heaven no consort makes with hell. Can love and hatred round one heart entwine ? Can crime and virtue in one breast combine ? Then is the devil worthy double paint — A blacker devil and a whiter saint ! * * #• * -* if Monsieur Croaker is dissatisfied, And thinks we have some pregnant facts denied ; If Petti-brain is sorry we have not A female woman in our little plot ; If Pedigree is anxious 'bout our sire, - Or Steeple that we worship 'neath his spire ; I If Ballotbox would like to make a note For whom and how we last " put in " our vote. If Policy — dear tender-hearted sleek — Grieves that we're not a favorite with his clique ; If Mutual Admiration — flush with smiles — Would tickle us, but fears our depth of wiles, And hides his cat's tail in its golden urn, For fear we would not tickle in return ; We here return our compliments to all, But promise none, not willing to forestall Our unrestricted right, with hand and mind, To labor for the good of all mankind ; And as we others judge by their own deeds, We rest on ours — contented with their meeds, And answer those who many points inquire — Wo are a man — so was our great-grandsire ; And, if we are not sadly misinformed, Our mother was a woman — woman formed. [6] Ye critics, born of Jove's almighty brain, Who shake your lightnings o'er the epic plain, Reserve your deadly shafts for wiser men, We are unworthy of your scathing pen ; We claim no place with literary gods. Nor shall we tremble when a critic nods : Nor dread of censure, nor the hope of praise, Hath spur'd or lured the spirit of our lays ; We seek no favor, fear no foeman's hate, Shall strive — what ere may be our future fate — To act our part, without an " if we can," To do our duty as becomes a man, Well knowing that, in this, our sordid clod Becomes the grandest poetry of God. # * *• # * Rouse, sons heroic of heroic sires, And " light anew" your fathers' beacon fires! Ye men whose hands are scarred with honest toil, Ye are the guardians of our sacred soil ; On ye our country's destiny is placed, Her honor stain' d, your mem'ry is disgraced. Her laws kept pure, with fervent glow sublime, Your names shall beam adown the path of time. And Freedom, in countless ages hence. Shall bless the men who stood in her defence. Then rise and shield her in this trying hour, When fraud and bribery would destroy her power, When low-brow' d vice, with money at command, Plays with a skilful, parricidal hand ; When honesty his sceptre hath resigned, And polished rogues are gentlemen refined ; When asses asses buy for yellow gold, And men are by official asses sold ; Rise in your might, and show these dastard slaves How swift they've dug their own dishonor' d graves. Rise, prove ye're men " who know, and dare maintain' Your sacred rights — on land or ocean main. Rise, hurl corruption from the halls of State — And earn the title of the truly great. Burlesque Statesmanship. ACT I. Scene 1. — Leavenworth — St. Thomas Discovered Sipping his Wine. » St. Thomas ( soliloquizing. ) Could I go up but just another grade, Is still the cry when the last round's been made. Up, up — still up ! and none will be content With what he is — he who is President Would be a King ; the King would wage a war, Could he but gain one step — excelsior. That word lends hope to man's expiring breath, And lights him o'er the gloomy vale of death ; Sits where he sleeps, in earth's sepulchral clod; Points mortal to immortal, earth to God! The school-boy, pondering o'er his irksome task. Fires, as he hopes in college halls to bask ; The student now — another wish is there — He longs to sit in the Professor s chair. And thus, still up — ambition knows no pause ; Excelsior still gleams, still lures, still draws, Still on ahead, nor casts one look behind — The bane, the curse, the ruin of mankind ! No matter now, the thing I am is naught — To be much more shall lend its wings to thought, And thought to deed, till / be what I ought I I would be Senator — aye, would and must — Will be ! — tho' I usurp the sacred trust ! [8] But how ? — that cursed Lane ! — had it a turn. The place for which I sigh, for which I burn. Were mine, indeed. 'Tis quite too much for mc — 1 fear to rouse the people's jealousy. Enter Fitzpoodle-Hlndoo, Faithful Tray. Times and Jo- HANNESV0NFREEIJNGHUYSENS0URCROUTSENELVDITKX>'lKArT- ZENBERGER ZeITUNO. Good morrow, sirs — how is it with you, friends ? Is aught conceived that to our purpose tends ? Say, shall I realize my august dreams ? '-'ome, drink some wine — and then divulge your schema Jofumnes-von-Zeitiing. Mem noble lort unt master, great unt vise, Ve visaed to make you leetle bit surprise ; V'e've got von grandest plan, und ver' moch more — Ich never vas so petter as goot pefore — Tis monish — dat ish all ve vant to vin : Yust push te rhino, und ve'll catch dem in. You bay us each von tousand dollar piece — Ye'll do your vork, und must have pread und cheese. Und den de members must be bought, you know. f T nd dat ish all — und higher up you go. I'itz-Hindoo. Yes, sir • that is our plan : if you will bleed. We pledge our honor that you shall succeed. The road to honor is a thorny way. But if you have the wherewithal to pay, [f you will grasp at once the fleeting hour. Smooth is the road, and broad and short to {tower. Faith. Times. ['his is your only chance: if you would win, You must come down with plenty of the tin ; To each of us a thousand dollars give, , For we must have the wherewithal to live ; ) And when you have the place and all is sure, bions good for us you must. 3ecure. Saint Thomas. Your plan is good : 1 like it passing well, Ind words would tail my gratitude to tell. And should dame Fortune lift mo to the skioa, You shall be sharers in her gifts likewise. Ait should we fail the Press to subsidise — ['■'] Jo/ian/tes von Zeitiing. Fear not. mem lort: yust find theperquisii - We'll see you haf enough of parasites, Ich can puy up de Yarmans mit your dimes, De Copperheads vill nibble at de Dtinesi, Und Brudder Hindoo, mit his trembling lvre, ( liar Will make your victory all you can desire. Saint Thomas. Still, still 1 fear to disobey tire laws. And link my name with a detected cans ■: f would be great, but would thro' virtue win — i dread the power that comes through moral sin Faith. Timet. Since yice is virtue by the laws of hell. There is no spot where virtue may not dwell : V5 'hat is a crime when first the thing's begun. May prove a virtue when the act is done. Since Proudhon lore makes every good a crime. And Satan. God — a rogue is always prime. F'dz- 111) !<(•.<. Successful treason's honored in the lows . A ciime at birth — its end a holy cause ; Had Arnold but succeeded in his scheme — Of many a lay his name had been the theme — And Washington had been a traitor, knave. Unwept, unsung, in foul dishonor's grave-. Had Satan been successful in the strife That aimed a blow at his Creator's life. The universe had trembled at his nod. And own'd him sovereign — universal God. Johira. Von Zeitung. What tho' the serpent marr'd Eve's Eden-life. And stained the honor of a loving wife: What tho' he 'complished Adam's foul disgrace. And entailed horrors on the human race. May not his wisdom fire the poet's lays. Inspire the lute to warble in his praise? And you. raein lort, shall lack no parasite Your virtues rare in sterling verse to write. Saint T'hoino-i. Enough : We'll go to yonder -ecret rot .in. And there our incantations will resume. [10] In Ki chard' s words, " lets on pell mell— If not to heaven, why, hand-in-hand to hell ! " [ Exeunt omnes Scene II. — Ante chamber — Dark — Cauldron in carter. Enter St. Thomas, Fitz Hindoo, Faith. Times and Johan Von Zeitung. Saint Thomas. Sprites that rule the vasty deep, And o'er hell your vigils keep, Break the bands of Lethean thrall, Cleave the dun and sulphurous pall, Spread your wings and hie to earth. Aid us in a monstrous birth ; We've conceived it — child of hell — And invoke your magic spell, Or it may ne'er greet our sight- Haste and woo it to the light ! Here are charms of human gore. Shed on Dixie s crimson shore. Sighs that I have heaved for years Vial of politician's tears : [ Thrifts them in CauMlron. In the seething cauldron bubble, And relieve me of my trouble. [ /Stirs Cauldron Fitz Hindoo. Charms are here of rarest worth ; Virtue strangled at its birth, Ere I came to man's estate : Hair from Jim Buchanan's pate, ; Horned toad from Jim Lane's farm ; Blood from Cleveland red and warm, These the ingredients rich and rare, — [ Throws them in. Leave us not in dire dispair I [ Stirs Cauldron. Faith. Times. Venom of a Copperhead ; Tears by Burrel Taylor shed ; Type that stamp* d that fatal page, Mover of the people's rage ; Pot-house songs and ribald jests ; Virtue from a harlot pressed. [ Throws than in. Johan, Von Zeitung. Ich hab no mooch to gib at all, !ch gib mein character unt all ; [11] lis sphotted, sthriped ; not mooch white, Unt ver' much blacker dan de night. [ Throws it • [All stir, and sing. Stir the cauldron — while it boils We may scent the coming spoils ; Lo, it has a brimstone smell, See, he comes — the child of hell. [Spirit rist Spirit. Thomas, Thomas, Thomas ; beware Jim Lane — " Great God," beware — he is a wicked Thane: Put him away and thou may'st laugh to scorn The blows of any politician born. [ j8pirit~descends Saint Thomas. Thou'st harp'd my fears aright ! And now well go And send him kiting to the shades below. Come tortures thick and fast as pattering rain. The earth shall know I have not lived in vain. [ Exeunt ... Scene III. — Topeka — St. Thomas Discovered. Saint Thomas. Thus far thro' foam cap'd billows have we steered Before the gale ; nor wind has lull'd nor veered . My friends have worked with an unwavering will. My subsidies full many a coffer fill ; And now I rise majestic — glorious — great ! Chief genius 'mong the genii of State. What subterfuges, tricks I have suborned, In pregnant plea to have my rival scorned. And am I worse than he — the lank, grim chief'' And is a liar worse than is a thief ? I lie to get the place he would retain ; He steals in hopes to get it back again ; I slander him with lies by others made : He steals the bolts for which my money paid, Repolishes and hurls them back on me, And makes me squirm 'neath stolen repartee, Had I a bolt of hot consuming fire, Or could I buy up some renowned liar. Some literary god, some bel esprit Who'd wound him sore with many jm d' esprit ; Yes, that's the thing — these papers that I've bought Too often in their own vile traps are caught ; Their lies are shallow, flimsv. si"V, bare — [12] Some one I'll have who's cute at splitting hair. I li get tile place — of that I am apprised — But how to keep it I have not devised : fhe people must have reasons, thus and so. Unless you give them — overboard you go. Who are the people, that they should inspire fear to rouse their virtue's latent ire ? They're apish dolts with overweening pride — The asses that the knaves of fortune ride. [ Enter Jbhan. Von /• Johan. Von Zeiiung. Mein Cottin heimel! here's von tarn lampoon Vieh say de lion's skin infolds a coon, Dat you be's von genus mit hyorid paw, [Jnt ( leh nix feestay.) Boh chat a ban rat. [ch ax vat vas de meaning of dat vord : A uian he say. -: vat. have you never heard? " [Jnt den lie laugh unt say it means a 1 mule, (Jnt say it meant,?/'"/ vas von piggest fooL Scbihi Thomox. — ( Majestl-. A trick — a scheme to thwart me, that is plain ! A siels.lv iiower cull'd from a sickly brain. We'll rise above the tor's low flung abuse. And show him that his sharpest wit's obtuse. [.Enter F>tz-Hhi in kast% Fife Hindoo. Should I report what T have seen and heard, Your veins would swell to bursting at a word ; Your heart would snap its tendons with surprise - ; Forth from their sockets leap your glaring eyes, And every muscle tremble in your frame, To know that man is so devoid of shame. Saint ThtMuax. — ( In towering grandeur.) Think'st thou /care? am J not mailed and steol'd ; Think'st thou I tear the ghosts of Bosworth field ? Think'st thou /dread to meet the hosts of Lrme I I'll force them back unto their lair again ! Why art thou pale ? Why tremblest in thy shoes ? Art thou white livered ? Speak, and tell thy news. [ Exit Johan. '/. FU> Hindoo. Great sir, as I was passing from my room My work important that I might resume, [18] And meditating as I shut the door, This {Japer tell before me on the floor ; From whence it came, or how, I do not know. But tear it is a summons from below ; At least it says you must prepare to go ! [ Beads.'] — It says: "Fir/.-Hindoo. you should be mm <• w !-■•. Nor trust the sight of thy delusive eyes ; For crabbed age may [kiss for genial youth, A lif well garnished pass for sterling truth: — Prepare a coffin free from stain or paint, Your master soon will be a defunct saint." [ Enter Faith. Tray Times, much agitated. Faith. Tray Times. woe is me i that 1 should see the day 2 iSatnt Thomas. Out, craven-hearted — take thy face away ! L am prepared to brave the frowns of fate, And bid defiance to black-hearted hate ! [ Exit Eitz-Hl,< i ii sink in splendor, if I sink at all, And the whole earth shall tremble when I fall ; And. when I yield to hate's infernal stroke, My funeral pyre shall send up amber smoke ! -Speak out ! If evil lurks athwart our path, Well boldly meet and smite it in our wrath ! Faith. Tray Times. Last night as I retired unto my bed, A whirling lightness capered through my head ; The excitement I have endured so long, Played on my nerves a little bit too strong. I could not sleep — my mind was in deep gloom, And spirits seemed to hover in the room ; The clock struck twelve — I started in affright, Qinck threw the covers off, and — sat upright ! Saint Thomas. What did'st thou see ? some goblin damn'd and grim '.' The counter-type of lean and haggard Jim ! Faith. Tray Tun,:,;. Close by my bed a fierce, wild demon stands With blood red eyes, and white and bony hands | I could not stir ; my flesh was dead and chill ; My hair stood up. my heart and pulse were still. [14] Saint Thomas. Oh ! this is very ecstacy of woe ! Had he no kindly message to bestow ? Methinks I see him now — did he not speak ? What was he like ? A sunken, palid cheek ? A god-like brow ? A towering stately mien ? A mellow voice ? A dignity serene ? Faith. Tray Times. With solemn intonations full and round, His voice a hollow and sepulchral sound, His cold and clammy hand was raised on high. And fiery flames kept darting from his eye : ' Be not deceived," he said, "by outward looks;— If only facts were printed in the books, The world would be a changed world indeed, And man would seem a vastly different breed. The wily statesman may deceive the mass, May seem a god, yet be an arrant ass ; ' Statesman " is linked to many a sorry knave, Who stabs the country he pretends to save. The politician, too, with studied grace, With candied tongue and smooth angelic face, With rounded periods sounding very nice, Oft holds his honor at a paltry price ; He's but a rascal, when the truth is told, Who'd barter country for a sum of gold : Hut man and master soon will be found out. And saint and sinner shall be put to rout." Stunt Thomas. Tis not at me the weak satire is aimed, — What man has bought right justly may be claimed,, 'Hie place I've bought — and paid for mighty well ; Nor have I bought with an intent to selL 'to send him back to languish and repine, Where he belongs, — what I have bought is mine \ I am no fool Faith. Troy Times. But. yet, alas ! too fond : You do mistake the tenor of the bond — " A pound of flesh — of blood no single drop : " Or, " token, the people bid proceedings stop" — Saint Thomas. I understand : their voice must be obeyed — You're merely pledged to lend me all your aid [15] Faith. Tray Times. That is the tenor of the bond, your grace ; And I am bound that you shall have the place ; When you have got it, make it firm and sure. Saint Thomas. 0, never fear, I'll hold it quite secure; All pleas I'll mock, all threats I'll laugh to scorn, ' Brandished by man that's of a woman born ! " [ Enter Johan Von Zeitung, hastily Johan. Von Zeitung. Vat. ho ! mein lort, Sid. Clarke is on de seas : Saint Thomas. Then be the seas on him ! Down on thy knees, Thou lily-livered boy ! Stop, while I think, We'll go to Blake's and take another drink. And in the words of Iago, " hell and night Must bring this monstrous birth to the world's light. [ Exeunt cmnes. ACT II. Scene I. — Topeka — Bar Room, Lobby Members, Blowers and Strikers, smoking, drinking, et cetera. Enter Saint Thomas, Faithful Tray Times and Johan. Von Zeitung. Saint Thomas. t~- Hindoo, ( aside to Saint Ton.) The Legislative Mill has 'gan to run — Each wants his toll before your grist's begun. Saint Thomas, {awing Hindoo bank check.) Here is the toll — bid them put me through ; I'll be. as faithful to fchelr interests, tor.. f Krit Fitz-Hindox, [17] Faith. Tray Times. Live while you may ; nor grief nor trouble borrow ; Spend what you have, and pray for more to-morrow. [ They drink. lie-enter Hirul o. Fitz-Hindc'O, Whipped are your foes ; our victory is complete, And you shall sit in the Grim Chieftain's seat. [ All si*, t Song by Fai'h. Tray Times, Jim Lane's carcass is laid upon the shelf, And we'll have a chance to steal a little pelf; I'll have a foreign mission to go upon, myself, And bask in monarch's smiles Song by Fitz. Hindoo. And I'll have a chance to run with the " rnasheen : " I'll get a major's commission and sell it well, I ween. For five hundred dollars! now you mustn't think Ira green ; Ah ha-! I am well matured Syng by Jo/ian. Von Zeiiung. Ich am von leetle tog, and I vtars my master's collar; lie give me von pig office und von leetle tousand dollar Vere'ri a Yarman up a gum-stump — don't you hear him holler — 'Zwei glass lager peer ! - [ They execute a witches dance, and scene closes. fJe^JTB II. — Private office of Saint Therms— Dark — Lucifer dimly seen on one side of desk. tinier Saint Thomas ( loho has bz-yi ou.t holdbig a jubilet with, his confreres,) and takes seat on the other s;J.€. Sahii Thomas (musiyig.) ' Tis an awful night ; what a dreadful storm ; My blood Is freezing. I/ucifer ( aside. ) — -I could make it warm. I'm here, my boy, just in the nick of time ; I wonder how he'd like a warmer clime '( Saint Thuymas. I'm shivering, yet on fire ! That cursed club, \>j k. >ep rac out so late. [18] Lucifer ( aside.) \ye, there's the rub — HT« would be great, and so, perforce, must be $uavtier m moda, fortiter in re ! Saint Thomas. ikii then, if I their Senator would be, A r hy s I must court their favor for the time — Till I am firmly seated. Lucifer ( aside. ) Well, that's prime. He'd be a dangerous fellow down below, His cunning schemes might play the deuce, you know. Saint Thomas, Our ship's cut loose and drifting in the storm f Lucifer ( aside.) Be careful, boy ; it might become too warm ftor pleasant sailing Saint Thomas. I must mount the deck — Lucifer ( aside. ) And should your scow become a total wreck ? Saint Thomas. Once mounted, where I'll stop, 'tis hard to \aAX \ Lucifer ( aside. ) Just on the confines of the lowest— well I Saint Thomas. 'l\s well we do not knc w what is to be. Lucifer ( aside ) Accursed is he that hangeth on a tree. Saint Thomas, that a laurel wreath my head may deck, ind Honor's chain be girdled round my neok ! Lucifer ( aside ) Yes ; when you get a little lower down, Your brows shall glitter with a brimstone crown — A bright tiara seal your princely hope, And you shall be of my domains the Pope. Saint Thomas. But, then, I shrink from what I've done. What drond Comes o'er met— in the abodes of the dead— [19] The silent, gloomy chambers of the earth — Is all repose ? Or does grim death give birth To other life ? Shall hope and life become Alike extinct ? Is death the total sum Of all existence ? Oh I is there not some spot— A period whence all things are forgot ? A time when sorrow's anxious, aching breast Sliall be in p^ace? Lucifer ( aside. ) Where rascals are at rest He means. Yes, Thomas ; thou shalt find that pk: