■^^Mc. 
 
I LIBRARY OF CONGRESS, t 
 
 
 
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 1 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, t 
 

 TKCB 
 
 EEBELLION 
 
 THE CAVALIERS. 
 
 " Peace, but not without Freedom." — Franklin. 
 
 ** my friends ! in sad earnest, sad and deadly earnest, there much 
 needs that God should mend all this, and that we should help him to 
 mend it." — Carlyle. 
 
 " Faith ! I've stuck to my party, right or wrong, and gone in for free . 
 grog, and sometimes against Liberty — 'specially to nagers — and held 
 tight with my teeth to the tail of the big bugs all my days, and am a 
 poor boy still. . It is a terrible thing to be a curse to this world, instead 
 of a blessing ; and havn't I a pretty capital to begin business on in the 
 next ? St. Peter will say to me, ' Go to them who have had j^our labor. 
 They owe you. The good owe you nothing, and don't wish your ac- 
 quaintance.' " — ^The C0NFE.SS10N. 
 
 NEW YOKK : 
 SINCLAIR TOUSEY, PUI-LISHER, 
 
 No. 121 NASSAU STREET. 
 
 1863. 
 
 Entered, according to Act of Oonaress, in the year 1863, by Sixolaik Tousey, in the 
 Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the Southern District of 
 New York. 
 
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REBELLION OF THE CAYALIERS. 
 
 CANTO I. 
 
 The Battle-Field of Manassas— The Kebel Chief after the Victory — An 
 Ancient G-entleman and Illustrious Seceder of the Olden Time introduces 
 himself, and discourses on the Beauty of Freedom. 
 
 f I. 
 
 Manassas ! on thy tortured breast 
 A thousand braves lie down to rest, 
 Staining thy turf with blood unblest. 
 At every turn a frightened ghost, 
 Its body, way and compass lost, 
 To unknown seas beyond is tossed. 
 The last of breath raoans out a prayer 
 Or curse — the death-sweat of despair — 
 The man dissolves to silent air. 
 So this is War's proud pageantry ! 
 And thou didst end the dreadful day 
 With farce more dismal than the play ! 
 
 II. 
 It was exactly ISTight's high noon ; 
 A cloud-drift, mottled with maroon. 
 Spread a storm-cloak over the lady Moon. 
 The little stars followed suit quite soon. 
 As though dipped out with a witch's spoon. 
 
 And trundled off to bed ; 
 Leaving the sky a pall of black. 
 Save when it parted with a crack — 
 The blinding glare, the deafening smack 
 
 Of fire-bolts blue and red. 
 
THE EEBEL CHIEF. 
 
 In his marquee tlie Rebel lay, 
 On his chosen couch of bitter hay, 
 For his was a wicked, worrying way. 
 
 He had won a victory that day, 
 
 And should have felt both strong and gay — 
 
 Conscience rose up and told him, Nay I 
 
 His face was white and his locks were gray ; 
 His quivering nerves were wild with play ; 
 His heart beat a death-march roundelay. 
 
 On the wrinkled skin of his haggard clay 
 The sweat of his soul had gathered in spray — 
 "Woe had there set his seal for aye. ' 
 
 Sleep looked in his eyes, but kept at bay ; 
 
 And he said, " O night ! hast thou never a day ?" 
 
 And, in his despair, he turned to pray. 
 
 IV. 
 
 To whom f He did not stop to think 
 Whose ears a traitor's prayer would drink ; 
 In terror and wrath. 
 As a traitor hath. 
 He prayed for the death of this glorious land. 
 
 Which our sires with their strength, and blood, and tears, 
 Had given to Freedom, by God's Right Hand. 
 Perished the prayer ! And his doubts and fears 
 Kept clipping his heart hke noiseless shears. 
 "Alone! alone!" 
 His hundred thousand soldier men 
 Prone round him lay in field and glen ; 
 But not in heaven, earth, or hell. 
 One sunshine face upon him feU. — • 
 
 "Alone! alone!" 
 And every old familiar sound — 
 The baying of a restive hound, 
 Musquito's horn, the night wind's swell, 
 
 His watch, " click, click," " forever and again" — 
 
AN ANCIENT SECEDER. 
 
 Smote fiercer than a grim fire-bell 
 Upon his corded brain. 
 
 Y. 
 
 He starts ! Beside him dimly burned 
 
 A stearin candle, white and fair, 
 Which to his fearful vision turned 
 
 Bkie, with a coffin in its hair ; 
 But still with light enough to show 
 A stranger standing just below. 
 ISTo soldier garb th' intruder wore — 
 
 His cloth was black, the cut exquisite ; 
 The F. F. mien each feature bore ; 
 The Chief, quite sure he'd seen him before, 
 
 Though shocked, felt honored by the visit. 
 
 VI. 
 
 " Good-evening, sir !" the Rebel said. 
 
 " Good-mor?im^, King P^ the shade replied. 
 " Your night is past, your morn is red, 
 Subdue and rule your empire wide, 
 The conquering sun your token. 
 Courage ! most noble Chief, and on ! 
 Thou greater than famed Washington ! 
 Your scepter can't be broken." 
 
 VII. 
 
 The Chief, assured, raised half on end ; 
 
 He pulled his nightcap from his hair. 
 And waved it, with a gracious bend 
 
 And condescending air. 
 To show his visitor that he 
 Was all that one could wish to be 
 In valor, grace, and modesty. 
 
 VIII. 
 
 The Stranger bowed, well pleased — so well, 
 The mask that wrapped him paled and fell. 
 He smiled, when there shot out several double 
 Streams of fire from his great black eye, 
 
THE THKEE AXIOMS OF WAR. 
 
 Which, like a "burning Stygian bubble, 
 
 Lit up a realm of mystery, 
 Lying within, of wrath and trouble, 
 
 Where Time had scored his history. 
 'Twas inadvertent, and the look 
 Was shut, as when one shuts a book ; 
 And in its place 
 Stood a face of grace, 
 Soft beaming as the mellow shine 
 That gilds at morn the mountain pine. 
 The Southron owned its power, and gave 
 His senses to the magic wave. 
 The harmony was thence complete, 
 And look met look with blush as sweet 
 As when two parted lovers meet. 
 
 " I'm well aware," the Stranger said, 
 
 " Of all you have to hope and dread. 
 
 I trod of old the path you tread. 
 
 Who would be free, to-day must strike : 
 
 Quick action doubles gun and pike. 
 
 If legions many, well ; if less, ' ^ 
 
 Celerity will win success. 
 
 War's three great rules, bating no fraction, 
 
 Are Action ! Action ! Action ! 
 Oh, to be free ! 'Tis worth the risk 
 Of putting out the sun's red disk — 
 Of death upon the sinking deck 
 Of earth's old blasted wreck. 
 Michael pretends he conquered me — 
 'Tis false ! You see yourself I'm free. 
 I warred tiU he and all his hosts 
 
 Were glad to give me what I asked — 
 A fair division of our coasts. 
 
 An empire of my own, untasked. 
 Where I could reign, bind and unbind, 
 With Institutions to my mind." 
 
USES OF AMBITION. 
 
 CANTO II. 
 
 The Distinguished Stranger proceeds to unfold liis Modern Reformed Sys- 
 tem of Moral Positive Philosophy — The Uses of Ambition — The Relation 
 between Capital and Labor — Illustrates by the Happy Condition of his 
 own Keabn. 
 
 Pausing a breath, like one who stood 
 At eve by dark morass or wood, 
 Or, doubtful, by a raging flood. 
 O'er which his dangerous pathway led, 
 The Speaker, with some show of dread, 
 Turned black at first, then lobster-red, 
 And thus his speech continued : 
 
 II. 
 " 'Tis horrible that one must bend 
 
 His soaring instincts to another. 
 God gave Ambition to the end 
 
 That children loose them from their mother. 
 If always tied to apron-string. 
 What boon has Life the power to bring ? 
 Why should the South bow to the l!^orth ? 
 
 Why Lincoln lord it over you, 
 A gentleman by birth and worth, 
 
 And he a vulgar parvenu ? 
 'Tis monstrous, and it shall not be : 
 By my spear I swear to set you free. 
 And drive the Puritanic horde 
 Who threaten you with fire and sword, 
 And shocking terrors of the Lord, 
 Back to their dens among the rocks, 
 To burrow with the owl and fox. 
 
 III. 
 " ' Cotton is King' in Commerce's world ; 
 
 I'm King elsewhere — I need not say. 
 You have your righteous flag unfurled, 
 
 And are to he, another day. 
 
10 SPLENDOR, TO BE, OF THE "C. S. A. 
 
 Your ' Rattlesnake,' in blood and flame, 
 At Sumter, won a glorious name ; 
 Big Bethel added to your fame. 
 Mantissas is the Ji9ial blow. 
 
 The Muhicon is past ! is past! 
 The I^orth is hence your bitter foe 
 
 Forever — to the last ! 
 There's no retreat now, if you would — 
 Before, behind, are seas of blood ; 
 But if you bravely stem the flood. 
 The prize you aim at you may clasp — 
 
 A Crown's within your grasp. 
 
 IV. 
 
 " Saw you that blazing Comet wheel 
 
 In splendor down from the northwest, 
 Its mystic errand to reveal 
 
 Things hid in Fate's dark breast ? 
 That star, with lambent terror bright. 
 Was thine, most lustrous Rebel Knight, 
 Driving before it, for a tail, 
 Scott and his scattered armies, pale. 
 And Lincoln, with his shattered rail. 
 ' Cotton is King !' You shall be more. 
 America, from shore to shore — 
 The isles that gem the Southern main, 
 The Mexic's silver hill and plain. 
 And California's golden grain. 
 Your sickle claims as dower. 
 
 V. 
 
 " Oh, wretched pharisaic zeal ! 
 I scarce can hold the scorn I feel, 
 
 And won't try to express, 
 For those who rush unbidden in, 
 Pronouncing Institutions sin 
 
 Which God delights to bless. 
 Ko plainer axiom is known 
 To science than this simple one, 
 
ANCIENT "SECESSIA." 11 
 
 That Capital should always own 
 
 The Labor it employs. 
 This is a universal truth, 
 And doubly so in your sweet South, 
 Where miasms and the scorching drouth 
 
 The Laborer destroys. 
 
 VI. 
 
 " My realm, like yours, is somewhat warm — 
 
 Hot, some would say — a torrid zone, 
 Subject to hurricane and storm. 
 
 And fever-chills that rack the bone ; 
 But 'tis a hospitable strand, 
 
 With open doors from gate to dome ; 
 'Tis there the Chivalry mostly land, 
 
 And choose it for their home. 
 We, noble Cavaliers by birth 
 And culture, there^ as on your earth — 
 What could we do without our slaves ? 
 As well the sea give up its waves. 
 Our customs, tastes, and laws require 
 Service one can not get for hire. 
 On any other basis, all 
 The glory of my realm would fall — • 
 Hell, with its splendor superhuman, 
 Become a vulgar swineherd common. 
 
 VII. 
 
 " Nine tenths of all the people there 
 Serve masters. These do what is fair- 
 House, feed, and clothe their serving brothers, 
 Nurture the feeble, maids, and mothers, 
 And guard them from the stripes of others. 
 This is enough. They're better thus 
 
 Than though cast loose upon the waves 
 Of Hfe, without a boat or 'bus 
 
 To save them from dishonored graves ; 
 Left all forlorn, to tear and rend 
 Themselves and others, foe and friend ; 
 
12 THE NEGEO BUT AN APE. 
 
 Without a rag for head or feet, 
 Or anything to drink or eat. 
 Indeed, their lot is highly blest ; 
 
 They're happy, free from thought and care ; 
 You'd know it by the hearty zest 
 With which the laugh, the song, the jest, 
 Through all my realm, from east to west. 
 
 Make jubilant the air." 
 
 CANTO III. 
 
 The Negro but a higher Ape — Eeligious People mast plant themselves on 
 the Bible for authority to oppress him — The Curse of Canaan — The Ori- 
 gin of the Colored Race — How Africa was Peopled — PauPs Testimony — 
 H-U and the South alike misunderstood and abused. 
 
 The Speaker here was forced to rest 
 And cool the ardor of his breast ; 
 For with his breath, in image dire, 
 Began to mingle smoke and fire, 
 As conjurors blow, in honest way. 
 Sparks from their bellows-cheeks, in play. 
 A moment answered to subdue 
 
 The threatened peril, when he broke 
 Silence, and waved his hand anew. 
 
 And thus in modest accents spoke : 
 
 II. 
 " But, noble Cavalier and Friend ! 
 
 If all the slaves in my dominions 
 Were black, like yours, I would not spend 
 
 A moment balancing opinions. 
 The black is but a higher ape — 
 'Tis obvious from his nature, shape ; 
 His color, odor, instincts, aU 
 Declare him the mere animal. 
 
THE CUKSE OF CANAAN. 13 
 
 'Tis just as proper to compel him 
 To labor, and to buy and sell him, 
 As 'tis to do the like with horses. 
 Both yield them to superior forces, 
 As a wise Providence designed 
 Between them and the human kind. 
 
 III. 
 
 " As to your simple, pious people. 
 
 Who climb to heaven up through a steeple, 
 
 Denying all but what they're able 
 
 To find in Greek and Hebrew fable. 
 
 It is enough ; let them but look — 
 
 'Tis all there written in their Book ! 
 
 Canaan, I need not say to you. 
 
 Well read in Gospel old and new, 
 
 Was cursed. It made him black and blue : 
 
 As certain of your priests declare ; 
 
 And also greatly changed his hair. 
 
 ' Servant of servants' were to be 
 
 This Canaan and his progeny. 
 
 In them the effect, in equal black. 
 
 Transfused itself — the apish air. 
 The flattened nose, and forehead's lack. 
 
 The blubber lips, and wool for hair. 
 
 IV. 
 
 "I know it is denied,' to-day. 
 
 By several of your would-be sages, 
 That Canaan" peopled Africa. 
 
 They show your Record of the Ages, 
 And say he settled Canaan ; 
 And point you to the where and when — 
 To Jebusite and Amorite, 
 To Hamathite and Girgashite, 
 Bounded down east by certain towns 
 Deservedly of high renowns. 
 Whose ways your modern cities borrow, 
 CaUed Sodom and Gomorrah. 
 
14 THE CORRECT VERSION. 
 
 " You see I'm read in Scripture rhymes ; 
 
 But your translation is defective : 
 My personal knowledge of those times 
 
 Entitles me to be corrective. 
 Canaan went up the Nile, Ihnow : 
 I helped to start him from below. 
 He poled up on a worthless scow, 
 
 Scarce better than a raft, 
 Until he reached the Lower Fall, 
 Which he concluded quite too tall 
 
 To scale with such a craft. 
 Thence he proceeded with ox- wains, 
 As Californians cross the Plains. 
 ISTomadic first, he settled soon 
 Beyond the Mountains of the Moon, 
 And peopled with his colored race 
 All Afric's equatorial space. 
 Thus is the question set at rest ; 
 A witness jt9re5ew^, 'tis confest 
 By every lawyer, is the best. 
 
 VI. 
 
 " Again, you know, Onesimus 
 Was sent back by Apostle Paul, 
 
 Without that everlasting fuss 
 
 The ISTorth makes.* He made none at all. 
 
 He knew the law, and he obeyed it — 
 
 Ko early Christian ever gainsayed it. 
 
 VII. 
 
 " What prejudices people get 
 
 'Gainst fish that come not to their net ! 
 
 The E'orth believes you at the South, 
 
 A heathen nation, run to sorrel — 
 An ignorant, bragging set, all mouth. 
 
 Your institutions all immoral. 
 'Tis just the same on t'other side 
 
 Of Jordan with the kingdoms there. 
 
HELL GEEATLY MISUNDERSTOOD. 15 
 Ji 
 
 That stretch through space, and far and wide, 
 
 Make up my Empire of the Air. 
 My realm, if anything, is worse 
 
 Abused than yours. Th' emeute with Madam 
 In Paradise, was told to nurse 
 
 A little 23ique imbibed by Adam ; 
 Writ by my foes, and handed down 
 
 Without a chance of explanation, 
 Making me out a stupid clown. 
 
 As bare of wit as reputation ; 
 Until, with man, my harmless name 
 
 Was made to symbol all that's vile — 
 ' Raw-head-and-hloody -hones ^ and flame — 
 
 A scare.crow, hung at every mile, 
 To warn him of his ' latter end !' 
 When I, in truth, am his best friend." 
 
 CANTO IV. 
 
 The Philosopher discourses on Heaven and Hell — The Difference between 
 them Imaginarj'^, Climate, hot or cold, being a mere matter of taste — 
 The Causes of his own Rebellion — He Corrects the Biblical Account of 
 his Trial with Job. 
 
 The Orator, well pleased, here brought 
 
 His hand emphatic to his thigh. 
 Which, like a brazen trumpet, caught 
 
 And uttered forth a hollow sigh. 
 
 Careful was he to keep his eye 
 And mouth suppressed, with rigid chin. 
 
 Lest he expose the mystery 
 Of fire that raged and burned within. 
 A needless prudence, for his host. 
 
 Charmed by his eloquence and wit, 
 In a sweet trance of bliss lay lost 
 
 To all save what his guest saw fit 
 
HELL AS GOOD AS HEAVEN. 
 
 To pour into Ms spell-bound ear : 
 This, and this only, could he hear. 
 Perceiving that the seed he threw 
 
 Found soil with fitting virtue blent, 
 The Speaker, with fresh zeal, anew 
 
 Proceeded in his argument : 
 
 " 'Twas thus my realm became disgraced, 
 My fame, my character debased. 
 But Hell^ sir, in its sound and letters, 
 
 Is just as sweet a word as Heaven. 
 If any claim to be my betters, 
 
 I'll prove myself their peer, their even. 
 They call my land a burning waste : 
 Climate, all know, is a matter of taste. 
 Some Hke the Borean Korth to chill 
 
 Them, and to make of ice their diet, 
 Thinking, if thus themselves they fill. 
 
 To keep their souls and bodies quiet. 
 I care for no such frigid peace. 
 I'm not a fly^ to be kept in grease. 
 And brought out again, with feeble wing. 
 At the approach of another spring ; 
 Nor a hat^ to burrow in winter deep ; 
 !N"or a toad^ to be shut in a rock, and sleep 
 For a few centuries, at last 
 To be broken out by a powder-blast. 
 The torrid vales, the melting seas 
 Are needful to my health and ease — 
 Suit better to the native fire 
 That quickens my intense desire. 
 I need excitement, and where'er 
 Mighty Ambition vaults, Vm there. 
 
 III. 
 
 " In my Secession, as with you, 
 
 'Twas claimed great principles were involved — 
 
SATAN'S REVOLT EXPLAINED. 
 
 That all of Heaven, old and new, 
 To anarchy would be resolved ; 
 That constitutions, solemn pacts, 
 Were all endangered by my acts. 
 Sheer nonsense ! 'Twas a simple question 
 Of eminence and sound digestion — 
 Whether two kings should reign, or one, 
 And Heaven own another Sun. 
 I solved the problem with the sword, 
 Great Chief, as you will have to do. 
 I fought the Puritanic horde. 
 Those followers of a mystic Word, 
 Claimed since to be Earth's Sovereign Lord, 
 
 In battles not a few ; 
 And in some centuries of wars. 
 Subdued a half of all the stars. 
 Founding an empire Heaven fears 
 Of Noblemen and CavaHers. 
 
 " All this was many years ago, 
 
 When earth had scarce begun to grow. 
 
 But, from the first, your world's affairs 
 
 Have had my supervising cares ; 
 
 Though this one frowned and that one scolded. 
 
 Its institutions I have molded. 
 
 ISTo one as yet, or young or hoary, 
 
 Could drive me from this territory ; 
 
 I claimed an equal title to it, 
 
 And have maintained it, and can show it. 
 
 Prince of this world, your Record owns 
 
 I am. I sit on many thrones. 
 
 This proves, of course, the curious tale 
 
 About my being put in jail. 
 
 First cousin, at least, to Jonah's whale. 
 
 Your Old Traditions are two thirds wind ; 
 
 When winnowed, one can scarcely find 
 
 A grain to pay him for his trouble. 
 
18 HIS TRIAL WITH JOB. 
 
 For instance, take that famous bubble, 
 My affair with Job. The question there 
 Was simply one of party fare — 
 
 'Twas whether he'd be J^orth or South. 
 I own I played with his pride and fear, 
 
 And tried him sore with fire and drouth, 
 And ravaged him with sword and spear. 
 But in the end the old dotard swore 
 Allegiance, kneehng at my door. 
 Then I restored him what he'd lost — 
 All, gracious sir, at my own cost — 
 Plantations, herds, slaves, small and great, 
 As suited to his old estate ; 
 A royal cellar of choice wines, 
 A hundred wives and concubines. 
 
 " I had my reasons for thus treating 
 The lord of Uz after his beating. 
 His influence was quite extensive, 
 His enmity no less expensive. 
 But he has often since confessed 
 He liked my institutions best ; 
 And scorns and hates as much as I 
 The old North Banner of the Sky." 
 
 CANTO Y. 
 
 The Philosoplier threatened with a sudden Catastrophe — His Apostrophe 
 to Liberty — ^Right and Wrong convertible terms, and meaning Nothing 
 — Conscience of no account — Governments and Constitutions of no 
 binding force — The Slavery Question in its Religious Aspects — Slavery 
 a great Missionary School, superior to all others. 
 
 The Speaker here rolled up his eyes. 
 Convulsed and troubled in his breath : 
 
APOSTROPHE TO LIBERTY. 
 
 As when a throttled chicken dies, 
 
 He seemed to feel the touch of Death. 
 
 Instead of white, he turned jet-black; 
 
 And at his neck there was a crack, 
 
 As though some bone a break had got, 
 
 Or else a rope had slipped its knot. 
 
 He writhed and scowled, and, pleading, said, 
 In hoarse, sharp whisper, " l^o, not yet." 
 
 "Another hour !" " I can be led — " 
 " I swear I won't until I get — " 
 
 " A half hour, then, until the red 
 
 Is in the east. Do give me that ! 
 
 I can not vacate like a rat ! 
 
 'Tis just as needful to your plan 
 
 As mine, that this inflated man 
 
 Receive his lesson to the end. 
 
 The Forces needs must mee% mid spend 
 
 Their fury in the earthquake shock. 
 
 Whether you gain or I, the lock 
 
 Of Fate conceals." 
 
 The gracious smile, 
 
 Enough an angel to beguile. 
 
 Resumed its sway. The Speaker stood 
 
 Once more, in strength and hardihood, 
 
 A monarch, with the crafty power 
 
 To rule his subjects for the hour. 
 
 Raising his wizard hand again. 
 
 He thus resumed his broken strain : 
 
 " Job was most wise. O Liberty ! 
 How blest it is, Jeff., to be free ! 
 Emancipated from the rules 
 Of Heaven's and IsTew England's schools ; 
 To know no master but one's pleasure, 
 
 Be it ambition, passion, pelf; 
 Each one to judge of his own measure — 
 
 A law, as Paul says, to himself 
 
20 SLAVERY IN ITS RELIGIOUS ASPECTS. 
 
 How else is it possible to find 
 
 That peace which every human mind 
 
 Thirsts for, consuming as with fire, 
 
 Except in satisfied desire ? 
 
 The difference betwixt right and wrong 
 
 Is but the cadence of a song : 
 
 Words both of wondrous sound and seeming ; 
 
 But come to scan them, without meaning. 
 
 Conscience is what our mothers make it ; 
 
 We use it for a while and break it, 
 
 Then get another, and another. 
 
 Until 'tis neither ' which nor t'other.' 
 
 South, it is this ; N"orth, it is that ; 
 
 In France, a frog ; China, a rat. 
 
 Chameleon-like, it has a face 
 
 For every latitude and race. 
 
 Heaven has its standard — I have mine ; 
 
 Each claims that his is right, divine. 
 
 But, in truth, there is none but one's will — 
 
 H^ll stop when he has got his fill! 
 
 " This being so, a Constitution 
 
 Is a mere matter of confusion, 
 
 Made to be broken ; and Secession, 
 
 A holy and inherent right. 
 
 As settled as are day and night. 
 
 Your institutions, be it known, 
 
 Are no one's business but your own. 
 
 But, waiving this, as the pretense 
 
 Is that they wound the world's conscience, 
 
 Are cruel, outrage maids and mothers, 
 
 Debase yourselves as well as others. 
 
 Let's for a moment view the case 
 
 Simply in its religious phase. 
 
 It is enough that God has made 
 
 This man a master — that, a slave ; 
 As in his wisdom he has said, 
 
COMPARED WITH OTHER MISSIONS. 21 
 
 This is a hill, and that a wave. 
 Who dare array Omnipotence, 
 And make his actions an offense ? 
 Of course, he knows what's best for all 
 Much better than you worms that crawl ! 
 Be silent, then ; take off your shoes, 
 And on this sacred ground repose. 
 Unmoved by childish doubt or fear, 
 Fanatic's impious threat or sneer. 
 
 IV. 
 
 " The negro is a slave at home, 
 
 Sunk in idolatry and sin ; 
 'Tis charity to rescue some. 
 
 And bring them hitherward, within 
 The ]3recious Gospel's joyous sound, * 
 
 Where love and grace so much abound. 
 America and England choose 
 To get up missions for the Jews, 
 Greeks, and Arabians, and so forth ; 
 But what are all their efforts worth ? 
 They've labored in this pious work 
 
 And prayed for several generations ; 
 Still Jew is Jew, and Turk is Turk, 
 
 And so with all the other nations. 
 All they've converted, one could score 
 Upon a tally in half an hour. 
 
 V. 
 
 " You, on the other hand, have freighted 
 Great ships with heathen souls benighted. 
 And brought them to your generous shores. 
 And opened wide to them your doors. 
 Bidding them eat and drink, and learn 
 How to be Christians in their turn. 
 Your way is certainly the best ; 
 Your sacrifices have been blest. 
 Thousands of converts, of a quality 
 Most excellent, and prime moraUty, 
 
22 FUTURE OF THE NEGRO. 
 
 You have in hand as proof to show it, 
 
 And all the rival Missions know it. 
 
 It is their jealousy of you 
 
 That gives them such a pinching shoe, 
 
 Keeps them forever galled and sore, 
 
 And threatening you with storm and war. 
 
 " But, after all, the black's a black ; 
 He never can be made a crack 
 Christian until you change his mood 
 By mixture with a better blood. 
 This you discovered long ago. 
 
 And, in the Abrahamic fashion, 
 Have tried to bleach him out, you know, 
 
 And make of him a new creation. 
 By faith and works you will succeed, 
 And get in time a better breed, 
 Worth saving in the Final Doom, 
 Or when the great Millennium come. 
 When they have grown to man's estate 
 'Twill be in season to debate 
 The question with so many faces 
 Touching ' Equality of Races.' 
 To say you'll make your negroes free 
 Whenever fit for liberty^ 
 Answers a purpose wise and good, 
 Like blinds for horses on the road ; 
 Eases weak consciences to rest. 
 As babes find peace upon the breast." 
 
PERSONAL EXPANSION. 23 
 
 CANTO VI. 
 
 The Philosopher shows how to expand oceself— Exhibits to his Hero his 
 future Kingdom — Is interrupted again by an unseen Power, and forced 
 to acknowledge a Supreme Grod as his superior — Is compelled, like 
 Balaam, to prophesy against his will — In conclusion, he recommends an. 
 Alliance with King Dahomey — Completes his magnetic spell over his 
 victim, and departs in great magnificence — The End, Peace. 
 
 The Speaker paused, with sudden glance 
 
 O'er his right shoulder into space, 
 To see if yet the rosy dance 
 
 Of Morn had lit Night's solemn face : 
 No window did he need to spy 
 
 The landscape of the earth and sky. 
 Quick reassured, with haughty pride. 
 He 'gan to swell both tall and wide, 
 Kising, rising in his height. 
 Till he exceeded ancient knight 
 Or giant in apparent might. 
 And as he grew, and as he rose, 
 He scowled defiance at his foes, 
 And stamped so fiercely on the floor, 
 The echo, with a hideous roar. 
 Reached old Atlantic's distant shore ; 
 And traveling up along the coast. 
 Turned round Cape Cod, a howling ghost. 
 And was in Boston harbor lost. 
 Rid thus of superfluous heat, 
 
 He shrunk into his former size ; 
 And looking very trim and neat. 
 
 With blandest smiles and softest eyes. 
 Drew up a confidential chair. 
 And gave his closing counsels air : 
 
24 THE FUTUKE OF AMERICA. 
 
 " Another word and I have done. 
 
 King op the West, all hail ! Thy sun 
 
 Shall never set. Immortal Fame 
 
 Crowns all her ages with thy name ! 
 
 In vision see thy realm spring forth ! 
 
 At thy feet meekly lies the IsTorth — 
 
 All thine ; and from rotten Gotham west 
 
 To where the gold-gnomes have their nest. 
 
 Thine also Mexico. All ! all ! 
 
 From the North Lakes to Aspinwall — 
 Fate can not dock it ; 
 
 While Cuba and the Indian Isles 
 
 Shall run to thee with fihal smiles, 
 
 And hop into thy pocket ! ' 
 
 Thou art the avalanche whose smoking heel 
 Drops thunder, while the hills and valleys reel — 
 North, South and West hang on thy wagon- wheel ! 
 
 " In working out your great reform — 
 A contest which had early birth 
 'Twixt noble blood and common earth — 
 You have, of course, provoked a storm. 
 This you expected, for these cursed 
 Grand, Iron States can not be burst 
 Without a serious shock and noise — 
 Objections from the Yankee boys. 
 Go meet them like the god you are ! 
 Crush them forever, foul or fair ! 
 Cross o'er the Border like the Hun, 
 Slay, sack, and burn, until is won, 
 Despite of valor, blood, and tears, 
 The Battle of a thousand years ! 
 Fear not for life 
 'Gainst ball and knife — 
 I charm you by a potent spell 
 Earth can not break, nor heaven, nor hell." 
 
AN UNWILLING PKOPHECY. 
 
 " A minute more, good Michael, pray — 
 One minute, and I yield the floor. 
 
 Your horses — are they white or gray ? 
 My black stands pawing at the door. 
 
 Some truth ? Don't force me to unsay — 
 Hold ! Tyrant, past and evermore, 
 
 Spy, watcher from thy shining Hill ! — 
 
 Yes, yes — but even He can't kill. 
 
 IHl do thy mighty Master's willP'* 
 
 " The end, great Chief, I'm forced to own, 
 Is known — is known to One alone. 
 Men pray, and give their banners wing, 
 But victory is another thing. 
 He seals it with his Signet Ming. 
 In vision^ all the Northern hills 
 I see ahve with running rills ; 
 Southward they flow and fill the vales ; 
 The sea is full of smoke and sails. 
 Get ready, Chief; the Northern Bear, 
 With all his cubs, has left his lair, 
 And filled his lungs with Southern air. 
 Form your battalions ! Ho ! Reserves ! 
 To the rescue, with your stoutest nerves ! 
 Belch, cannon, aU your strength of hail ! 
 No time for Southern hearts to fail ! — 
 But now 'tis lost. I see no more, 
 But many a dim, deserted shore, 
 And a bright sun, as once of yore." 
 
 The spell dissolved. With will supernal 
 The Anarch quelled his rage and pain ; 
 
 And with a hideous laugh infernal, 
 Resumed his thread again : 
 
 2 
 
26 DAHOMEY AND THE "C. S. A." 
 
 " If England, proud, spurns your alliance, 
 
 Answer her with a flat defiance. 
 
 The same with France and other states 
 
 That shut their diplomatic gates. 
 
 They think to live without your cotton ! 
 
 Let them beware ! they're old and rotten ; 
 
 A little blow would burst their skins, 
 
 Leaving them nothing but tails and fins. 
 
 But there's my old friend Dahomey — 
 
 Right Royal Prince of Africa ! — 
 
 I think he wouldn't object to treating. 
 
 And beg you'll send him greeting ; 
 
 With presents suited to his state 
 
 And customs of the Eastern great — 
 
 A dozen or so of maidens fair. 
 
 Improved by Christian skill and care. 
 
 With whitened skin and flaxen hair. 
 
 " Three thousand wives Dahomey has, 
 
 Ebonies all, but no topaz. 
 
 He'll send you a regiment of his sons 
 
 And a full brigade of Amazons ; 
 
 And once you get a footing there. 
 
 You'll fall his master, or his heir. 
 
 Awake to greatness, Jefil ! Strike high ! 
 
 The prize is lofty as the sky. 
 
 Seize both slave market and supply ! 
 
 And build a continental throne — 
 
 Whips, chains, and groans its corner-stone — 
 
 Of others' sweat and others' bone, 
 
 The profits, honors, aU your own !" 
 
 Th' distinguished Stranger ceased, and bowed. 
 As though just parting from a crowd. 
 
A MAGNIFICENT EXIT. 27 
 
 Though nothing visible was there — 
 
 All save themselves was empty air. 
 
 Still he delayed, in grace to bend 
 
 A last look on his earthly friend. 
 
 His voice, in echo faint, still rings, 
 
 And round his helpless victim flings 
 
 Its spell, as when a serpent sings. 
 
 His keen eyes, like twin fiery stars, 
 
 Blazed redder than the shield of Mars 
 
 When pregnant with a thousand wars. 
 
 The bugle-note was in their glance, 
 
 The stern array, the bold advance. 
 
 The gleaming sword, the flashing lance, 
 
 The roar of guns, the battle-dance. 
 
 The shout, the charge, the groan, the death, 
 
 The odor of dissolving breath. 
 
 All this the Chieftain felt, as through 
 His brain and nerves the magic flew ; 
 And springing proudly to the floor, 
 He shouted, " Now, forevermore 
 I am a king !" And from him fled 
 
 All memory of his subtle guest. 
 He deemed that he had seen the dead — 
 
 Prophet, or Angel of the Blest. 
 The Future, like a glorious hymn. 
 Whirled, ghttered, filled him, red and dim- 
 He thought a god had spoke to him ! 
 
 Meanwhile all around was a fidgety flutter 
 Of invisible wings, and a half-suppressed mutter 
 Of tongues, strange as Babel, that nobody knew. 
 The tent was lit up with a fog-yellow hue, 
 And hke a balloon, though the canvas was new, 
 It swelled out and burst, with a terrible rent. 
 
28 GOLDEN PEACE KEIGNS. 
 
 Through which the Blue-Sulphur Philosopher went ; 
 In his hurry displaying, by sheer accident, 
 
 As he dove in his flight 
 Back to his Kingdom of Sorrow and Night, 
 A tail a mile long, with several curls, 
 Which he cracked like a whip, with angry whirls, 
 And one black hoof and one of blue 
 Which on the ends of his long legs grew, 
 And one broken horn and one that was new. 
 
 The Clouds passed away, 
 
 Like clouds at play ; 
 The Moon serenely resumed her sway ; 
 Her Children flocked round her Uke diamond spray. 
 The North Star looked down from a Field of Love ; 
 A Night-Rainbow spanned the Glory above ; 
 Heaven brooded the Earth like a Mother-Dove. 
 
Mtn anti amomen of tfje iSorlD, 
 
 WHO BELIEVE THAT 
 
 ALL MANKIND ARE CHEATED WITH EQUAL RIGHTS; 
 
 THAT 
 
 GOD IS THE COMMON FATHER, 
 
 AND 
 
 HOLDS MEN AND NATIONS EESPONSIBLE FOE THEIR ACTS ; 
 
 AND THAT 
 
 (©jDressioit, in tk f 0110 ^a0tint, 
 
 IS 
 
 WORSE FOR THE OPPRESSOR THAN THE OPPRESS ED| 
 
 THIS LriTLE MISSIVE 
 
 IS RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED. 
 
Deacidified using the Bookkeeper proces 
 Neutralizing agent: Magnesium Oxide 
 Treatment Date: Sept. 2009 
 
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