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 COMPRISING 
 
 Powerful speeches; 
 
 showing how the race-problem must be solved. 
 
 Poems on Roosevelt, The World-M^ar, Johnson, and Roberts, 
 
 Haywood's Black Regiment; The Mutability Of Nations, 
 
 The Gods In Council On The Negro's Future, Books, 
 
 Alpha School, Strong University, Higher Education, 
 
 Women's Righs, Why The Colored Race Is Down, 
 
 The Champions Of Freedom, The Civil War. 
 
 Poetry On Our Famous Colored Men, And Women; 
 
 Sweet, And Pleasing Sentimental Poetry On Our Pretty Girls; 
 
 Business, Professional, And Political Poetry For The Young 
 
AUTO-BIOGRAPHY 
 
 I taught school seven years. Graduated in Optometry, 
 and became an eye-sight specialist in 1906. Finished 
 law, and passed North Carolina bar examination, and 
 received license to practice law in 1912; since which 
 time I have been engaged in successful practice, and 
 have won many important cases. Have received many 
 compliments for skill, and ability in trying cases, in 
 the several courts. Was commissioned a Notary Public 
 by Governor Bickett in 1919. 
 
 I have long seen, that the South has two race-prob- 
 lems, instead of one; which are, the white man's Neg- 
 ro problem, of keeping the colored people in virtual 
 slavery, by denying them political privileges; and 
 giving them very little learning; and the Negro's 
 white man problem; which is to come out from under 
 class despotism ,and enjoy their constitutional rights 
 in defianc of their efforts to prevent it. But, since they 
 have the control of the government, and the educatio- 
 nal funds, you can never prevent them from keeping 
 the masses in servitude, and dominating over the 
 race, so long as we remain here; so the only solution 
 of our problem, is emigration. 
 
 I will have to ask my readers to kindly judge the 
 value of this book, by the intrinsic worth of the mat- 
 ter its-self, and to overlook technical errors, and mis- 
 takes, of which they will find not a few, caused both 
 from the fact that I am only an amateur in the arts 
 of writing, and printing: and the only time I have 
 had to devote to it was of nights, and such spare mo- 
 ments that I have been able to snatch from my work 
 during the day. 
 
 The task has been a most tedious, and tiresome one 
 but I have been encourage -1, and sustained in my effort 
 to finish it, by the assurance of many friends, that 
 it would surpass all other books yet written for the 
 benefit of the race, and solve the race-problem. 
 
 It consists of a series of new, and original master 
 pieces of eloquence, and poetry on the race: that make 
 splendid recitations for schools, and lyceums. 
 Very Truly Yours N.D.White 
 
HERE is nothing, which Afro- Americans 
 moredesire,than civil, and political liberty. 
 There is nothing for which we have a more 
 lis^s^^^^ ieep» and sincere yerning, than to enjoy 
 equal riglits, and privileges with all others, in this 
 land of the free, and home of the brave, under our 
 just,and liberal constitution,which is so framed asto 
 promote the generel wellfair, and happiness of all 
 and to afford to every individual under its jurisdic- 
 tion the privilege of attaining to the highest perfe- 
 ction of character, culture.and usefulness of which 
 human-nature is capable;and the aspiration to ach- 
 ieve them is most honorable; the ambition to enjoy 
 them,most laudable;and well directed efforts to ach- 
 ieve them are most commendaWe. But, unless we 
 take the light of history for our guide, we will wan- 
 der indefinately, in a complex labyrenth of doubt, 
 and confusion, and spend time, money, and energy 
 to no avail ;and the solid South will continue to mob, 
 murder,and disfranchise us with impunity. 
 
 Hundreds of news papers.and magaziens are being 
 published to assist in achieving equal rights for the 
 race. Hundreds of books are in circulation, offering 
 as many theories for the solution of the Negro prob- 
 lem. Hundreds ofsocieties have been formed,having 
 for their object the wining of equal rights,politically 
 <;ivilly,and industrially; but they go no futher than 
 to assert right8,deplore abuses.and present petitions 
 to presidents, governors, and legislatures,for redress 
 of grievances, which always have, and always will 
 end in failure,and disappointment. 
 
 If there is one thing, which, more than any other, 
 the histories of all civilized nations.since the dawn 
 of cronology,proves beyond a shadow of doubt,it is, 
 that, no people, living under class despotism, ever 
 achieved eqael political rights.and privileges unless 
 by war, or by emigration They, either as pioneers, 
 braved the hardships of the wilderness,or as patriots, 
 they braved the horrors of war. 
 
WE MUST EMIGRATE 
 
 Now, in view of the fact, that the white people of 
 
 this couBtrj greatly out number the colored, and 
 
 iurpass them in culture, and equipment,almost as 
 
 much as in numbers; since they have the control of 
 
 the military, and naval forces, and all the forts, the 
 
 arsenals, and the armories: it is clearly seen, and 
 
 acknowledged by all, that we cannot hope to win 
 
 equal political privileges here, by force fo arms,and 
 
 that a general war between the races would result 
 
 in the annihilation of our people. There can be no 
 
 doubt that the only alternative left to us here in the 
 
 South, is to emigrate to Mexico, South America, or to 
 
 Liberia, where color hatred does not exist and where 
 
 all have equal opportunities to vote;help make laws 
 
 and administer the government;or continue to groan 
 
 and howl here in slavery, under the gawling yoke of 
 
 democratic despotism;having to pay taxes to support 
 
 a government in which we have no voice,and which 
 
 is being used to our injury: having to pay for the 
 
 maintenanee of white military companies in all the 
 
 Southern states, provide them with arms,and other 
 
 equipment8,for no other purpose than to slaughter us 
 
 and to keep us in subjection;while we are not allowed 
 
 to organize such companies: to spend our money to 
 
 provide state universities for white children, prepare 
 
 them to be statesmen, and rulers, while they give to 
 
 colored children, only enough education to make 
 
 them good slaves. We have to give up our money as 
 
 taxes to pave the streets, build side walks, construct 
 
 water works,and electric lights,in that part of all the 
 
 Southern town3,and cities monopolised by the whites 
 
 and from which colored people are segregated, and 
 
 literally robbed of their means, while their streets, and 
 
 side walke remain un improved. Yon are not free ! 
 
 You are not free ! You are not free ! Yon all are like 
 
 dogs chained to stakes. It makes no difference who 
 
 you are; solongas other men stand ahead of you, and 
 
 mark out your destiny, and the destiny of your wives 
 
 and children, you are slaves. You are like birds shut 
 
 ii 
 
WE MUST EMIGRATE 
 
 wp in gilded cages. It makes no diference how fine 
 your house may be, so long as you are denyed here 
 the rights, and privileges enjoyed by other men, you 
 are slaves. You colored men, and women, dressed in 
 your fine suits of clothes, and dresses, and with your 
 gold watches,chains, and bracelets,are like the white 
 man's horses, draped in harnesses adorned with gold 
 and silver ornaments. It makes no difference how fine 
 you dress.so long as you hav no voice in the Iaw,and 
 and are compeled to submit to whatever the white 
 man choses to put upon you;you are nothing but his 
 fllaves- his beasts of burden, and you are puUi ng him 
 :and his people along. 
 
 Any one,who contends that the race problem can be 
 solved in any other way except by emigration, that 
 person is either too ignorant to understand all the 
 the various phases of the problem, or is too selfish, and 
 coward to admit the truth when known. Both the 
 Booker Washington theory, of solving the problem 
 by elevating our economic status through industrial 
 education; and ths Dubois theory of solving it by 
 publishing, and denouncing wrongs; and petitioning 
 governraantal authorities for redress of grievances, 
 are refuted by the testimony of universal history, and 
 by the opinions of statesmen, and phillossophers of 
 all ages. They have been on trial in this country for 
 more than thirty years, and the race is futher to day 
 from achieving its political privileges in the South 
 tjian ever before. Both of these theories are based on 
 the rather childish, and groundless hope, that soon 
 the solid South will, by such means,be induced to 
 abandon her tradition that colored people are their 
 inferiors; abolish her custom ofdominating over them 
 and lay aside her policy of keeping them in slavery 
 by denying them political privileges, voluntarily give 
 up her absolute political power over them, power they 
 were forced to yield after four years of civil war,and 
 which they have gained back by election frauds,and 
 lortified themselves to retain, by disfranchising, jim- 
 
 iii 
 
WE MUST EMIGRATE 
 
 crowing,and segregating colored people;and concede 
 to them all constitutional privileges. To do so would 
 be to scuttle the ship in which they are sailing. No 
 one who is familiar with the history of nations, and 
 knows human nature,will entertain such a belief for 
 a moment. You had as well tell tigers to tamely turn 
 from their prey, as to intreat tyrants to relinquish 
 political power. You had as well try to coax the sun 
 to reverse his course in the heavens, as to try to move 
 the solid south to sacrifice the smallest portion of her 
 political control, by petitions. As sure as hell is hell 
 always,and unchangable,the solid south is fixed, and 
 unalterable in her determination to keep the colored 
 people in servitude as long as they remain within 
 her borders. No, my good friends,there is nothing 
 which men persue more relentlessly, and persistently 
 when once tasted, than pecuniary, and political adv- 
 antages over their fellow men. There is nothing to 
 which men adhere more tenaciously, and relinquish 
 more reluctantly, when once acquired than absolute 
 political power, and dominion over other men. They 
 shut their eyes to the needs, and sufferings of those 
 they oppress: they stop their ears to their complaints, 
 and intreaties: they spurn, and reject their petitions 
 for the redress of grievances, with contempt, Fcorn, 
 and insult. The more eagerly you press your claim 
 to equal rights,and privileges, the more inso-lent.and 
 arrogant they become; and the more eagerly they 
 resort to schemes to increase their power over you. 
 King John persistently, and obstanately refused to 
 sign, and ratify Magna Charter, and so to set free hif* 
 English subjects, until thirty barons rushed upon 
 him with drawn swords, and forced him, at the peril 
 of his life to sign the imtuortal document. George, I II, 
 dismissed with haughty disdain, disgust, and contem- 
 pt, every application, and petition made by his loyal 
 subjects in America to obtain from him the privileg- 
 es due them as Englishmsn, until the Continental 
 Congress declared war. The French revolution gave 
 
 iv 
 
WE MUST EMIGRATE 
 
 political equality to all people in that nation, and 
 created a burning zeal for freedom, and self governme- 
 nt among the comon people of all Europe; but this 
 growing ambition for self-government was sought to 
 have been extinguished by the delupion of the Holy 
 •empire, that was formed at Vienna, between Francis 
 of Austria, Alexander of Rusia, Frederick William 
 of Germany, and King Ferdinan of Spain, who,while 
 promising to govern their people by the rules of justice 
 and righteousness, laid down in the holy scriptures, 
 were proceeding to retard the progress of freedom by 
 muxzling the printing press, gagging the universities 
 and prohibiting freedom of speech. But the people 
 •detected the fraud: precipitated war in every state, 
 forced them to repeal the drastic measures, and won 
 €qual rights by the sword. Tarquin of Rome disfran- 
 chised the coraon people, and abolished the national 
 assembly in which they took part in the government. 
 It was then that the people, led on by Brutus, over 
 threw the kingdom; established the republic, and 
 ■drove the insolent Tarquins out of Rome. 
 
 Those who hold to the belief that equal political 
 privileges can be wrested from the dominant race by 
 mild, and gradual means, are laboring under a most 
 vain, and empty delusion. Governers of the Southern 
 states say they are powerless to protect their colored 
 population from being murdered, and burned by 
 mobs: yet they say that the white people of the South 
 are unalterably determined to keep the rains of the 
 government in their own hands. In other words, to 
 keep you in the most cruel, and shameful slavery. 
 But they will not dominate over you much longer. 
 You are too intelligent, too progressive, and too brave 
 to continue to live in this slaughter house of mob 
 despotism. We are a bold, active, and liberty loving 
 people: and we had rather die the death of heroes 
 battling to retain what rights we have, and to regain 
 hose that have been taken from us, than to groan 
 ut a most shameful, and miserable existence here 
 
WE MUST EMIGRATE 
 
 in the South, with no protection for life, liberty, and 
 property, and with no hope of achieving anything 
 noble, anything great, anything grand; and go down 
 to the vile dust, from whence we sprung; unwept, un 
 honored, and unsung. Coming events cast long shad- 
 ows before them. Though no race man has yet taken 
 the initiative, and made himself a hero, by solving the 
 race problem, it can be clearly seen that the colored 
 people are slowly, and surely solving the problem for 
 themselves: not by bloody revolutions, that w^ould 
 result in disaster, and ruin, but by emigration. 
 Some have gon to the republics of Mexico, Central, and 
 South America: countries in which the colored races 
 far outnumber the white; wher color is no crime, and 
 where merit is the passport to honor, and preferment 
 in th« national, state, and municipal governments and 
 where there are hundreds of thousands of wealthy 
 col©red farmers, business and, professional men, and 
 many colored men holding high offices in the various 
 departments of the government. Some have gon to 
 San Domingo, and some to Liberia; where they don't 
 allow white men to vote, and hold public offices, and 
 where all gov9rnment officials are colored, and all 
 are contented, and happy, in these lands of peace, and 
 plenty, whose fertile soil produces spontaneously, every 
 known variety of flower, fruit, and vegitable that is 
 pleasing to the eye, and pleasant to the taste Some 
 have organized, and built up towns, and cities of their 
 own in this country, among which are Mounbayou 
 Mississippi, Boley Oklahoma, and Buxton Iowa; in 
 which they live under their own government. They 
 have all the modern city improvements, and are very 
 progressive. Several hundred thousands, from all the 
 Southern states, where their rights are not respected; 
 their lives, and property not protected, have migrated 
 to Northern cities, and are getting high WJ^ees, ?rd 
 enjoying all the rights ofcitizenship,among the people 
 who fought for their freedom. 
 
 The race can never amount to anything under the 
 
 vi 
 
WE MUST emigratp: 
 
 heel of the white man. A plant that grows from under 
 a stone is weak, deformed, and good for nothing. 
 
 It is degrading to character, and inconsistent with 
 the devellopment of that manly integrity, worth, and 
 chivaliy, th»t lead men to challenge the wrong, and 
 uphold the right, at all times; qualities essential to true 
 greatness, and nobility; to live here among the whites, 
 all of whom, both high, and low, habitually assume 
 an air of haughtiness, and superiority over even the 
 most refined, and accomplished colored people, and 
 exact from them that deference, and homage due to 
 superiors: and, like a man, carrying a torch light in 
 a powder house, who must be timid, and cautious to 
 not drop a spark, that would ignite th« powder, and 
 blow him into eternity; so these colored men of mark, 
 though it is a most humiliating thing, do cowardly, 
 and shamefully condescend to adapt themselves to the 
 custom of being treated as inferiors, inorder to prevent 
 riots, and bloodshed from non complyance. 
 
 We need that freedom, and equality, which we can 
 only obtain by emigration. The sky only, should mark 
 the height of our earthly achievements; and human 
 nature should be the amplitude of our improvement. 
 
 It has been demonstrated that, several small tad- 
 poles: all the same size, placed in jars of water,a-ll 
 of different sizes, and allowed to live, and grow in them 
 a few days, will be found to have grown, some large, 
 some small, in proportion to the sizes of the jars of 
 water that contain them; the one in the smallest jar, 
 being smallest, and the one in the largest jar, being 
 the largest. The same principle holds good with races 
 of men: in places where their chances are small, their 
 achievements are few, and unimportant: but where 
 they have great opportunities, they accomplish great 
 things. 
 
 Since it is now evident, that the race problem must be 
 
 solved by emigration, itshonld be done unanimously, 
 
 it should be done discretely, it should be done wisely. 
 
 We must form an emigration society; have clubs 
 
 vii 
 
organized all over the country; have these clubbs send 
 delegates to a national covention, which will appoint 
 committees to find sutible territory where we can all 
 emigrate, and found a Negro state: and into it, carry 
 ©ur wealth, our skill, and our enterprise; and where 
 laws will be made, and administered by colored men; 
 and ©very worthy, and accomplished colored man will 
 have an equal chance to win the highest offices, and 
 and all the honors, and rewards of government. In 
 union there is strength. In co-operation there is success 
 progress; and prosperity. In association, there is mutual 
 encouragement, mutual helpfulness, and happiness. 
 
 What VWIII Wmm mm 
 
 TO ACHIEVE EQUAL RIGHTS? 
 
 J HE subject of this discourse suggests the horrors, 
 and brutalities the colored race is suffering, under 
 the bloody reign of mob-despotism, here in the solid 
 white supremacy South; where, to keep colored people 
 down, is deemed an indispensible duty: to insult, and 
 humiliate coloed people, is esteemed polite manners: 
 to murder colored people, is admired, and praised as an 
 honorable accomplishment: to burn colored people to 
 stakes, is enjoyed as a popular banquet:-conditions 
 which plainly show that, in all the Southern states, the 
 , lives, liberty, and property of colored citizens in the 
 Southern states, are as much subject to the arbitrary 
 will of Southern pro-slavery democrats, as they were 
 before the first gun of the civil war was fired, in the 
 battle of Sumter: before Lincoln read the immortal 
 emancipation proclamation: and before Lee, and his 
 Confederate soldiers, surrendered to general Grant at 
 Apomatox. In reply to the question, what will you do 
 to achieve equal riuhts? you may answer, what can I 
 do? This question, hundreds of would-be race leadeis 
 have attempted to answer for you, by advocating many, 
 absurd theories for the solution of the race problem. 
 These so-called race leaders, are divided into two great 
 factions;viz, the deciples of Booker Washington, who 
 are short sighted, and narrow minded anough to tell 
 the people to abandon their constitutional ngbts, and 
 viii 
 
WHAT WILL YOU DO? 
 
 privileges; let white people inake, and enforce any kind 
 of laws over thera they chose to make, and enforce, be 
 those laws just, or unjust; good laws, or bad: not pro- 
 test against being disfranchised, segregated, and killed 
 but to get industrial education, and accumulate wealth, 
 which advice is as inconsistent, foolish, and absurd as 
 to tell a man whose house is on fire, not to move out 
 nor to extinguish the flames but to build another story 
 on the burning mass: which would only feed the hung- 
 ry flames, and produce a greater conflagration: and 
 the Dubois adherents; who seem to think that equal 
 rights can be achieved by petitioning the solid South 
 to mitigate its rigor, and relinquish a portion of its 
 political power. The solid South is as deaf, and indife- 
 rent to these petitions, and intreaties, as the angry fire 
 that preys upon the burning building. Those of the 
 dominant element, will not concede to you equal rights 
 with themselves; simply from being told that it is just; 
 that it is right; that it is best for all concerned; though 
 you should support your contention with every princip- 
 le of law, philosophy, and ethics, within the circle of 
 knowledge. Men will not divide political power with 
 you for the asking; though you address to them most 
 learned, and eloquent'petitions. The iron, made liquid, 
 and fusible, by the melting heat of the cupolo, amounts 
 to nothing, until it is cast into moulds ,and there given 
 some useful, and usable form; so, it is useless to keep 
 the race remidned,in newspapers, of its miserable, and 
 deplorable condition; and ripe for action, to throw off 
 all unjust restraints; if no one has the courage, the 
 skill, and the initiative, to utilize this burning zeal for 
 equal rights, and self determination: by moulding onr 
 people into a grand, and glorious state. This is not only 
 a supreme duty; it is a most glorious privilege. Those 
 who shall lead the race to honor, and safety, will win 
 for themselves splendid chapters in the history of the 
 race , and in the history of the world: their niches in 
 the halls of fame, their lofty monuments of stone, and 
 their statues of marble, and of bronze. They will imm- 
 
 ix 
 
WHAT WILL YOU DO? 
 
 ortalize themselves in art, in story, and in song. 
 
 The test of your worth to the race; the measure of 
 your importance to humanity, and civilization, is the 
 esteem in which you should be held by posterity. Ask 
 yourgeWes the question; will the future generations 
 of the race have anything to remember me for? will 
 they have anything to honor me for? will they have 
 anything to praise me for? When the children of other 
 races are erecting stately monuments; carving grace- 
 ful statues; painting elegant pictures; aad speaking 
 eloquent eulogies of praise to the memory of their 
 brave fore- fathers, who, by emigration or by war, won 
 for them the priceless blessings of political, civil ,and 
 religious freedom, securety, and happiness; if you all 
 donot emigrate with your wives, and children to a 
 land of freedom, peace, and prosperity; but leave them 
 here to be disfranchisd,segregated,and kept down;wilI 
 they build you any monuments? will they carve you 
 any statues? will they give you a place in history? 
 No indeed they will not. You will die like beasts and 
 your memory will pass away like a cloud. 
 If you had rather die than wear the disgraceful stigma 
 of being the only people in the world who are coward^ 
 enough to live under class despotism, and to have 
 masters over you; when all other people have gained 
 their freedom, and self determination, either by war 
 or by emigration; you had better wake up; you had 
 better get up; you had better hurry up; and move out 
 from among the white people of the South. 
 
 Fred Douglass said that when he was a slave in 
 Virginia, he prayed day, aad night for his freedom 
 but that it did no good; that he began to pray with 
 his legs, and waked up one morning, and was a free 
 man:they had placed him in Massachusetts, a free sta- 
 te, founded by the Pilgrim fathers. Yon may write a 
 stack of books, on the way colored people are treated 
 in the South, so high as to reach the stars, you may 
 publish it in enough news-papers to wrap up well 
 the entire globe a million times; and there are only 
 
 X 
 
WHAT WILL YOU DO? 
 
 two things for the outside world to learn from them; 
 and those are, that the Southern whites are mean 
 •enough to disfranchise, segregate, and murder you, 
 and that you are coward enough to stay among them, 
 and submit to it. But you will soon be living in your 
 own state: under your own government. 
 
 These are times that try men's souls: that put their 
 wisdom, their courage, and their initiative to the test. 
 Men are like boats: some ara sea-worthy, and some 
 are not. Some men are like canoes that may not ven- 
 ture on the perilous ocean: some are like dread nouts 
 thhtcan convoy other vessels through a dangerous sea 
 to a port of safety, and honor. Perhaps you think that 
 you belong in the dread nout class: if so, prove it by 
 ■convoying your race to a land of freedom, and equal- 
 rights. 
 
 Before the Civil war, thousands of the slaves had 
 •enough bravery, and enterprise in them to take the 
 initiative, and throw off the restraints of slavery, elude 
 the vigilance of slave masters, and to migrate to the 
 free states; and become free men, and women: while 
 others were so stupid, and coward, they were afraid to 
 make the attempt, and continued to live under the 
 lash, and doom their children to slavery,and disgrace. 
 
 The same two classes of people are here today: some 
 who are so stupid, indolent, and coward; they had 
 rather whine, and howl here, stripped of all political 
 privileges; than to step across the line, and enjoy all 
 the rights, and privileges of citizenship: and others, 
 who are intelligent, energetic, and bold enough to get 
 up, and go to where their rights will be respected, and 
 property protected; and where they and their children 
 may aspire to, and achieve all the honors, and rewards 
 of the government. Hear me you able men; you strong 
 men, yon brave men; lead the race to freedom, and 
 safety. But, if you resort to war, you will jump from 
 the frying pan, into the fire. If you emigrate, you'll 
 leep from slavery into freedom. 
 
 xi 
 
B propose to prove, bistorically, that the American 
 Negro, is not inferior to the white Anglo-Saxons, 
 black Afro-Americans, have an honorable ancient 
 history, which shows that their ancestors were among 
 the originators, and builders of the first civilization,, 
 that attained to a high degree of splendor, grandeur.^ 
 and magnificence, in Egypt, and Ethiopia, in Africa, 
 while all other nations were barbarous savages, grop- 
 ing in indolence,and ignorance. Does not this ancient, 
 African history vindicate their claim to an ancestrial 
 greatness of the loftiest honor, and nobility, and alsa 
 account for their wondrous affinity for knowledge.and 
 adaptability to the arts, both useful, and ornamental?' 
 Is it not equally true that the lily white Anglo-Saxons 
 have no ancient history? Is it not true, that when 
 Caesar, after having completed the subjugation of 
 Gaul, and written out his immortal commentaries on 
 the Galic wars; standing one day on the sea-shore, 
 looking westward on the broad expanse of sea, and 
 sky, saw the white chalk cliffs along the shores of 
 England; it was a land of which he, the scholarly 
 Caesar, that famous Roman general, law-giver states- 
 man, and historian, had never before seen, nor heard 
 of. When in the year 55^bf^fore Christ, with a cohort 
 of Roman soldiers, he landed on the coast of England ; 
 did he not find the lily white Englishmen wild, and 
 barbarous savages, e^oing almost naked; eating their 
 food raw, and sleeping in caves, and bark shelters? 
 How long had these white skin, straight haired, blue- 
 eyed Britains, been living in this degraded, and savage- 
 state? Is it not probable that they had been such wild 
 rude, and ignorant savages for five thousand years'?' 
 Had not the Africans five thousand years before that 
 time, developed a most pow^erful civilization? Did! 
 they not hpve their science, their art, their commerce, 
 their armies, their navies, and their cities.filled with 
 temples, palaces, mansions, monuments, and statues 
 built of polished stone? Did not the celebrated Greek, 
 historian, Herodotus, travel through Africa, in the 
 
 xii 
 
WE ARE INFERIOR TO NONE 
 
 fifth century before Christ; study, and record the 
 manners, customs, and achievements of her people? 
 Does not he say in his histories that the Egyptions 
 were black? Does he not father say that the Ethiopians 
 universally known to have been black, were equal to 
 the Egyptions in culture, and refinement, and their 
 superiors in military skill? Is not this a most weighty 
 authority in support of the Negroe's claim that his 
 i;r6at affinity for learning; and his unrivaled military 
 efficiency, are qualities which he has inherited from 
 these, his noble ancestors? Was not the torch of civil- 
 ization carried by turns from Africa into Greece, Rome 
 and England? What were the whitepeople of England 
 doing throughout the many centuries the Greeks were 
 engaged in carrying the arts of architecture, music, 
 painting, sculpture, poetryjOrator}', and statesmanship 
 to ideal perfection? What were they doing, while their 
 Homer was giving to the worlii his I Had, and Odyssey; 
 while ^schylus,Sophocles, and Euripides, were comp- 
 osing, and performing their thrilling tragedies; while 
 Xenophon, Herodotus, aad Thucidides were recording 
 in their enspiring histories the illustrious achievemen- 
 ts of their champions, their heroes, and their martyrs; 
 when Socrates, Pythagoras, PibrtQ, and Aristotles were 
 teaching,and refining the world with their philosophy 
 when Carneades, Pericles, and Demosthenese were 
 elevating the character of the peopte, .and moulding 
 them into a more glorious nation by their masterly 
 and matchless oratory; and wh&n Phidius was ador- 
 ning their public buildings with statuary of exquisit 
 grace, and beauty? Is it not true that these straight 
 haired, blue eyed, lily white people were still a wild, 
 and savage race; having no books, no schools, no chur- 
 ches; going almost naked, eating their food raw, and 
 sleeping in crevices between the rocks, holes in the 
 ground, and bark shelters? What were they doing 
 throughout the entire duration of the Roman world; 
 under the kingdom, from the founding of Rome by 
 R omulus; 'til the overthrow of the Tarquin dinasty 
 
 xiii 
 
WE ARE INFERIOR TO NONE 
 
 dinasty by Brutus; under the great republic from its 
 establishment by Brutus, until its destruction by 
 Caesar; and under the empire, from its formation by 
 Caesar until the downfall of Rome in 1453? What were 
 they doing when Horace, Virgil, and Lucretius were 
 cultivating, and refining the Roman people by their 
 enobling, and elevating verses; when Cicero, Quintilian 
 and Crassus, were thundering their sublime oratory 
 in the assembly, the senate, and the forum of Rome: 
 When Roman schoUars were producing that classical 
 literature that marks the height of purity, propriety 
 precision, and elegance of literary composition; and 
 is read in every cellege on the globe; and when her 
 philosophers, her statesmen, and her jurists were perf- 
 ecting their laws,and goyernment to the integrety of 
 a science; which system of law, and equity forms the 
 basic principles of jurisprudence, the world over? 
 
 Is it not true that, durilig this great devellopment^ 
 and expansion of learning, and civilization; the white 
 people of England were still ignorant, wild, and rude 
 savages; worshiping the snake, the mietleto, and the 
 fire; and burning their children as sacrifices to idol 
 gods? Did not the Roman emperor Constantine, send 
 the Negro monk, St.Augustine, with a staff of forty 
 bishops, to carry the light of Christianity to the white 
 people of England? Did they not learn for the first 
 time from that Negro monk, that God made them, and 
 that Christ died for the saving of their souls? They 
 were subdued by the Romans, and were under Roman 
 rule for five hundred years. They built cities, schools, 
 and churches throughout England; but they jim-crow- 
 ed these white people in their schools, and churches, 
 and segregated them in their cities; and they were all 
 menial slaves under Roman lords, and matrons. The 
 Romans abandoned England in the year 408; when 
 Honorius was on the throne; then they willingly gave 
 away their lands, and surrendered themselves, their 
 wives, and their children to be slaves for the Saxons 
 to have their armies protect them from the savage 
 xiv 
 
WE ARE INFERIOR TO NONE 
 
 Danes, Picts, and Scotts, they being iooignorant,anc! 
 coward to protect themselves. Were they not slaves 
 under the saxons for more than five hundred years, or 
 until the death of Edward, the confessor, when war 
 between Harold, and William, duke of Normandy, to 
 settle their rival claims to the British crown; resulted 
 in the death of Harold on the crimson fields of Has- 
 tings, and the accession of William to the throne, 
 when they became miserable slaves under the Norm- 
 ans for centuries? 
 
 The stately, and imposing temple of civilization was 
 thought out, built up.and furnished, by the Africans 
 the Greeks, and the Romans. The Africans laid, deep 
 and broad its foundation; erected its massive walls; 
 its lofty columns, and its ponderous roof; and filled 
 its spacious halls with many useful, and ornamental 
 arts. The Greeks embellished it with dainty mural 
 decorations; elegant Ionian, and Corinthian capitals; 
 exquisite statuary, painting, music, and literature. The 
 Romans added stately porticos, and supplied it with 
 the light of law, and equity. The Anglo-Saxons, after 
 having lived as wild and naked savages through all 
 these many centuries; opened their eyes; stepped across 
 the threshold; and became guests in this magnificent 
 temple;and have become so proud, and presumptuous 
 over the little improvement they've made, as to want 
 to claim the entire building as their own, and to try 
 to rudely evict ibs more rightful proprietors, and shut 
 them out in the cold, and in the dark. If the African, 
 the Greek, and the Roman civilizations, were over- 
 thrown, and swept away by vanity, pride, cruelty, and 
 oppression; does it not admonish all nations to build 
 on the immutable basis of justice, and equal privileges? 
 
 These indisputable facts of history, are sufficient to 
 prove that Afro-Americans are by nature, equal if 
 not superior to the white Anglo-American, and to 
 prove that these colored people, settled in a country 
 to themselves, and with good commercial, and educa- 
 tional facilities, would soon rival the greatest nations. 
 
 XV 
 
D 
 
 A RACE 
 
 HE man without a country, 
 
 Living on earth anywhere; 
 
 Has his race, and kinred, 
 For to feel his every care. 
 He can cherish their ideals: 
 Have the lofty aspiration, 
 That his race will som day get, 
 To be an independent nation. 
 He can organize his people: 
 Equal rights here to demand: 
 QT have them emigrate away, 
 To a free, and prosperous land- 
 He has established nations, 
 Throughout all the ages: 
 His glorious achievements. 
 Adorn history's pages. 
 The man without a race. 
 Is most miserable indeed; 
 He has no one to follow; 
 And he has no one to lead. 
 To men of other races, 
 He is nothing but a slave; 
 Scorned as a menial, 
 From his cradle to his grave. 
 Condemned for a traitor' 
 By those from whom he sprung: 
 Always scorned, and hated; 
 By both the old, and young. 
 Though some people help him. 
 Who w'ould use him for a tool; 
 When his back is turned they say^ 
 There goes a worthless fool. 
 The man without a countr}''. 
 May the highest fame embrace; 
 Though all men hold contempt^ 
 For the man without a race, 
 xvi 
 
(^^dpp5) 
 
 ' "^^-^ 
 
 W^ 
 
 msiiiSii R;##s#w#li 
 
 Q-uick to defend the banner of thy nation, 
 U-nto the fields of France thou didst proceed; 
 E-ducated in army aviation; 
 N-oble aviators thou didst lead. ' 
 T-ook thou many a dangerous tiip 
 I-n thy strong and rapid air plane; 
 N-aughty German fliers Ihou didst outstrip; 
 
 R-apidly thou didsL bumb shells on them rain. 
 Onward, quite heedkes of harm or danger, 
 0-ver the German lines thou didst keep flying 
 S-oldier to whom fe^r was a stranger; 
 E-xcoUent one wiio did not mind dying. ' 
 V-irtuous lieutenant in thy grave, 
 E-xeculed by the cruel Bun; 
 L-ong wilt thou be numbered amojig the brave 
 T-he fadeless crown of honor hast thou won. 
 

 T-hegovernment,iu which all have a hand 
 H-as in thee a brave champion great. 
 E-qual rights to all ,in every la i^l; 
 0-n this planet thou doth advocate. 
 D-enounceth thou class rule,and domination; 
 0-pposeth thou all murder with impunity; 
 R-ace-prejudice,jim-crowing,segregation; 
 E-ternal shame on this christian community. 
 
 R-enouned alike in forum and in field, 
 O-'er the globe thou art known and admired. 
 0-u wrong thou doth truth's thunderbolt swield 
 S-tatesman's championship thou hast acquired. 
 E-very nation has in thee a friend — 
 V-igilant guardian of the people's rights; 
 E-qual privileges helping them win; 
 L-eader of the people in their fights. 
 T-orch-bearer of thy fair christian nation, 
 thou art destined to perfect civilization. 
 
 7^ 
 
 <5v2& 
 
Theodore Roosevelt 
 
 i 
 
 
 Champion Of Equal Eights [^^^^ 
 
Tli#@'*i#iF# 
 
 m 
 
 Eavenly godesses around me throng; 
 
 [nspire me with thy lute ,thy lire thy song 
 Minerva,fill my soul with sapient juice; 
 Pour into my mind thy thoughts 0! muse; 
 Jove let down thy brilliant golden chain 
 Electrify my hand, my heart,my brain; 
 While of the worth of Roosevalt I write, 
 His matchless farae,shining intensely bright 
 The greatest statesman born since creation, 
 Destined to lead to greatness our nation. 
 He is a soldier,seer,saint,and s^ge; 
 The finest ornament of any age. 
 Noble from birth, his culture,genius,drill 
 Have given Roosevelt keen foresight and skill 
 The brightest lights of every land and age 
 Are concentrated in this honored sage. 
 United States,put Roosevelt at thy head; 
 Surely then thou wilt be wisely lead. 
 This champion of the fair field; 
 Defender of the square and honest deal. 
 Long has held the ]ove,and admiration 
 Of all the men and women of our nation. 
 The weeds of war he will eradicate; 
 Prosperity he will accelerate; 
 Uphold our prestige with all foreign nations; 
 Strengthen our foreign relations. 
 This nation oft has enemies and scolders 
 Oft has too small a head above it's shoulders 
 Heads much too small for such gigantic frame 
 Disgracing our prestige, nnd our name. 
 Great orators right expert with the lip 
 But very poor pilots for our ship. 
 
 3 
 
THEODORE ROOSEVELT 
 
 In softer times we might be safely lead 
 By one with timid heart and tangled head 
 But when convulsions shake the spacious main 
 Give us the stalwart heart and ponderous brain 
 Give us the man to public service reared, 
 The man for all emergencies prepared; 
 The man who wears the statesman's champion. 
 
 belt 
 The wise,the brave Theodore Rooseveli. 
 With demagogues a liead of our nation, 
 These states are doomed to annihilation. 
 This nation famed for freedom and fair play 
 Is fated soon to fall and pass away. 
 Washington to us this nation gave; 
 From ruin Lincoln did this nation save;. 
 We now need leaders,wise,brave,and pure 
 So for all time this nation will endure. 
 Look at Greece.and Rome's crumbling stoiaes, 
 The skeleton's white decaying bones 
 Of nations once as fair and grand as ours, 
 Where arts and letters bloomed out like flowers; 
 Poor leadership,unjust administrations, 
 Did vanquish quite these powerful nations. 
 Now while for private gain and selfish greed, 
 Many Americans do pay no heed 
 To what is best for our country all, 
 And care not if this government should fall; 
 While most all count lies ii: the world ttxhiy 
 
THEODORE ROOSEVELT 
 
 Are showing signs of great moral decay; 
 
 While by wrong they seeK to become great, 
 
 And soon must share Greece, and Rome's fate; 
 
 Let's put the government in Roosevelt's hands 
 
 How to rule the colonel understands. 
 
 With Theodore Roosevelt at our holm of state 
 
 Again this nation will be strong and great; 
 
 Great in valor, wealth, learning,love; 
 
 Like the spacious,happy relms above. 
 
 His spirit will this nation animate. 
 
 It to perfection he will elevate. 
 
 Perfect in christian civilization' 
 
 We'll be the beacon light for every nation. 
 
 B.erhaps from us these nations all will learn 
 
 From the rocks of peril'and death to turn. 
 
 Thus we will aid in the perpetuation, 
 
 Of a perfect christian civilization. 
 
 When th9 haughty Huns we all do hate 
 
 Had murdei-ed Belgium a sister state; 
 
 When in France the outlawed German nation 
 
 Was spreading great havoc,and devastation; 
 
 When it had threatened every state of note 
 
 To butcher to it's heart and cut it's throat; 
 
 Sank their ships,and men upon the sea; 
 
 Although to sail the oceans all are free; 
 
 When these Prussian people, (grown too bold), 
 
 Did our star spangled banner scold; 
 
 Sank our ships without investigation, 
 
 A grave injury to our nation; 
 
 Americans were so drnnk with greed 
 
 To these great dangers they payed no heed. 
 
 Thus while cestruction did upon them steal 
 
 They watched the money safe, and mill wheel 
 
 5 
 
THEODOIIIC ROOSi:V]:LT 
 
 While those who did direct our helm of state 
 Resigned this nation to an awful fate. 
 When told, with arms to defend our right, 
 They said that the}^ were too proud to fight. 
 Roosevelt did then the people's cause espouse; 
 Them to protect themselves he did arouFe. 
 Valor bursted forth from his tongue, and ])en, 
 And woke from slumbering these stupid mjn. 
 Like Prometheus spreading the fire, 
 With valor he did these states inspire. 
 Soon he induced them to make preparation 
 To vanquish the obstinate German nation. 
 Billions of gold, and millions of good men 
 Raised we to help the world war to win. 
 When white mobs killed black people north, 
 
 and south y. 
 And no statesman would dare open h s moulh 
 And condemn this foulest crime of alii 
 Which if not stopped this nation soon will fall, 
 Roosevelt with wrath this brutal crime behled 
 And against all mob violence rebelled. 
 Condemns he all the disfranchising laws. 
 Of murder.and oppression the chief cause; 
 Since those who have in government no hand 
 Can never any legal rights command. 
 Theyj^may loudly against the wrong protest 
 But thus those wrongs will never be redressed. 
 Disfranchisement,murder,segregation, 
 Will erlong subvert our nation. 
 War's hardships black men have bravely shared 
 To make this nation honored abroad, and feared 
 This nation now for much it's greatness owes 
 To the way wc liaV3 fought her many foes' 
 
 6 
 
THEODORE ROOSEVELT 
 
 To our vigorus,.nnd peaceful toil, 
 
 In her mills,ai:id mines,and on her soil. 
 
 To the great worth in offices of trust 
 
 Of our loyal people true and just. 
 
 Though protected by their bravery, 
 
 The south would still keep them in slavery. 
 
 So prone is she to selfishness,and greed, 
 
 To truth,justice,and right she pays no heed; 
 
 But to work the black man as a beast. 
 
 And on the produce from his labor feast; 
 
 Does disfranchise, and kill in every place, 
 
 To dominate ovar the colored race. 
 
 Encouraged by Roosevelt black men do go, 
 
 To help the ceatral powers overthrow; 
 
 Trusting that when Germany shall fall, 
 
 Black citizens will be protected all; 
 
 That class-rule 'will not be tolerated; 
 
 To equal plane all will be elevated. 
 
 The greatest curses from which the people bleed 
 
 And which do freedom's worthy cause impede 
 
 Are Prussian military ism, 
 
 And the solid south's despotism. 
 
 All the cruel German foes subdue. 
 
 Still these states will not with war be through 
 
 Until they shall give us representation 
 
 In law-making or a reservation. 
 
 Since the North gave them emancipation, 
 
 Black men have won lofty civilization; 
 
 In character,and wealth have become great; 
 
 In culture achieved a higher state. 
 
 But still the south has made no reformati( r, 
 
THEODORE ROOSEVELT 
 
 Still labors for bluek |)eople's degradation; 
 
 To make them slaves, ignorant,aiid weak; 
 
 To deny them every right they seek; 
 
 Disfranchise,and burn them to the stake; 
 
 Jim-crow them all, and servants of them make. 
 
 But 0! thou priest of justice and fair pJay, 
 
 liravest champion of the right to day; 
 
 In whom John Brown, Lincoln, Sumner live; 
 
 And all brave men who did their lives give 
 
 To break asunder slavery's chain, 
 
 The colored people equal rights to gain; 
 
 The greatest work of all thy useful life 
 
 ]s to break up all these race-wars, and strife; 
 
 Help us achieve complete emancipation, 
 
 That justice may reign throughout the nation. 
 
 Think of how they fight against the Buns; 
 
 How bravely they do stand before their gnns! 
 
 i low manfully they drive the Germans back; 
 
 'I'heir soldiers kill their towns and cities sack; 
 
 To free the world from militaryism, 
 
 And from cruel German despotism. 
 
 Think how they did fight the Spanish nation, 
 
 For oppressed Cuba's liberation; 
 
 How in Cuba they fought for thy protection; 
 
 How thou wert saved by men of dark 
 
 complection. 
 Fight on great cheif with thy tongue and pen; 
 Equal rights for all Americans win. 
 Abolish disfranchisement in this nation; 
 Or settle us upon a reservation; 
 Where we can live under our own laws; 
 And of complaint the race will have no cause. 
 
Th® W> 
 
 W-oe unto men, and nations that do wrong, 
 0-ver the earth in this enlightened age; 
 R-eason, reformation is so strong, 
 L-ight against all darkness war does wage. 
 D-oomed is despotism soon to fall, 
 
 W-hether in Europe or this South-land: 
 A-gainst class-rule do fight the nations all; 
 R-esolved tehy shall no longer for it stand 
 
Th#W#rlcl-War 
 
 THK fciOLII) bOUTH 
 A^D THE NEGUO 
 
 |Rl|Upernal gO(1esses,and muses bright; 
 |Rj| UpoQ thy thrones of gold in realms of light; 
 li rora thy shining courts beyond tha skies, 
 Over this spacious planet cast thine eyes. 
 See all the world in direful war's embrace, 
 Envolving every land, and every race. 
 The cause of this world war O! muse proclaim; 
 
 Declare who is in fault,who is to blame. 
 Millions of armed soldiers from every shore 
 Upon the coast of France do thickly pour: 
 Join the French against each central nation; 
 
 Most bravely fight for their annihilation. 
 
 Shot, and shell in ceaseless deadly shower?, 
 
 Pour they like rain upon the central powers. 
 
 Teuton, Turkish, and Bulgarian men; 
 
 Their forces quickly to subdue, and win. 
 
 But with heavy guns they do reply. 
 
 And at each charge thousands of men do die. 
 
 The wealth, the skill, and men of every nation; 
 
 The wisdom of all ages since creation. 
 
 These powerful belligerents employ, 
 
 One another's people to destroy. 
 
 Armies and fleets do fill the land, and sea, 
 
 The world from cruel monarchy to tree; 
 
 While in the sky thousands of air ships float; 
 
 Beneath the waves many a diving boat; 
 
 These with shells do towns to pieces batter; 
 
 Those with great torpedoes vessels shatter; 
 
 While thousands of brave soldiers do expire, 
 
 From deadly poison gas, and liquid fire. 
 
 O! (Tod the devastation, sorrow, care; 
 
 That follow in the wake of war most drear; 
 
 The billions of the brave heroic dead, 
 On whom the grim monster of war has fed; 
 
 Billions of brave people of every nation. 
 That have died in war since creation. 
 The weeds of war we must eradicate. 
 Thv' seeds of war we must annihilate. 
 
 10 
 
THK WOIiLD-WAli 
 
 Oil earth sball leign liaiinuii} ,aini lo\e, 
 
 Like the peaceful'happy relms above. 
 
 The cause of this M'orld war 0! muse proclaim 
 
 Declare who is in fault whoi s to blame. 
 
 Declare the cause of all wars small, and great, 
 
 For armed conflicts we nmst eradicate. 
 
 All the cruel central powers fig ht 
 
 To perpetuate imperial might: 
 
 Foreign lands to con(|Uor,and to hold, 
 
 To extract their riches,and their gohl; 
 
 The eastern trade to monopolize, 
 
 The central powers to aggrandize; 
 
 The people's lives,and fortunes to eouirol, 
 
 And to dominate over every soul. 
 
 The French, Americans,aud others fight, 
 
 To defend at sea their shipper's right; 
 
 To make the central powers treat them fair; 
 
 So of the world's tomraerce they'll get their 
 
 share 
 To drive the Germans, and their allies back, 
 So they can preserve their lands intact; 
 To overthrow all grim autocracy; 
 Establish univarsal cemocracy. • 
 To put an end to war,and devastation, 
 Throughout the world in every nation. 
 You must to stop all war abolish wrong, 
 Train all man-kind to be morally strong; 
 So that all men will be just,and holy. 
 And lordly enes will elevate the lowly. 
 Men by the golden rule must live,and die, 
 A thing that will delight when it you try, 
 All the world mnst honor Christ as king 
 Be governed by his law in every thing. 
 The most despotic rales with iron rod. 
 That do defy the will of men, and God, 
 Are the central power's monarchy; 
 And the South's aristocracy, 
 Where colored men are denied the right 
 To vote, and help make laws by tha white. 
 
 11 
 
THE WORLD_WAR 
 
 Colored men their equals every way 
 
 As worthy to help rule the state as, they, 
 
 Because of the color of their skin: 
 
 Are organized against by these white men; 
 
 Who hold despotic reign in this community^ 
 
 And murder colored men with impunity. 
 
 The solid south the world's honor will blight, 
 
 Until she treats black citizens right. 
 
 There'll be no world-wide democracy fair, 
 
 Until we have in government a share. 
 
 Democracy we love,and honor thee, 
 
 Thou didst take up arms,and set us free; 
 
 We'll fight for thee til Germany shall fall^ 
 
 Then against the south we will thee call.^ 
 
 Give free,and equal rights to all earth's men, 
 
 There'll be peace without,and peace within. 
 
 Long as the government is held by few, 
 
 Bloody wars,and massacres will brew; 
 
 Christianity will be a dream; 
 
 And the world with vice, and crime will teem. 
 
 Let love for God and men in every nation, 
 
 Be the people's highest aspiration; 
 
 Then thirst for empire, and greed for gain. 
 
 Will cease to agitate the people's brain. 
 
 All will achieve equal education, 
 
 And be of equal worth to civilization. 
 
 Children of light,they all will love all others, 
 
 As their intelligent,and worthy brothers. 
 
 Is it for this we do to Europe go. 
 
 The central powers there to overthrow; 
 
 Then hoist old glory high into the air, 
 
 Gladly will we hurry with it there; 
 
 As she proudly floats neath Europe's sky, 
 
 We'll fight beneath her 'til we win or die. 
 
 When we return to America's shore, 
 
 If we don't find for us an open door, 
 
 To rulership in our state,and nation; 
 
 Abolished jim-crow laws,and segregation; 
 
 We'll show them other wars will then be fought 
 
 Until we gain the equal rights we ought 
 
 Or emigrate to nnother place; 
 
 And govern ourselves, and our race. 
 
 12 
 

 R-esoluie, in vincible hero, 
 0-n monuments will be cliiselecl thy story; 
 B-ecause thou didst vanquish the German foe, 
 E xterrainating them with slaughter gory, 
 v-ight manfully didst thou hold thy post; 
 T-hy sleeping army shielding frv)ni slaughter; 
 S-aved you the Frencli.and American host; 
 from being massacred ]ii that (piarter. 
 
 ^^' 
 
 ^^tJ 
 
J-ustice looks to brave men for defense; 
 0-n fearless souls she must ever rely; 
 H-eronly hope is derived from thence; 
 N-oble spirits that are not afraid to die. 
 S-words,and guns brave men ever employ 
 0-n tyrants to obtain from them thair right 
 N-ations they oft vanquish and destroy; 
 to establish freedom's shining light. 
 
statue 111 Hour Of World-War .Soldiers 
 On Tlie Courthouse Square h\ Goldshoro, N (■ 
 
jE'estial muse in relms of fadeless g^oM; 
 
 [Xne spacious book of history unfold; 
 Write on it's ample pearly pages grand; 
 Johnson's and Robert's brave,heroic stand. 
 Two most invincible,ai)d bold black men, 
 Who were the first Americans to win, 
 In the world-war the hero's medals bright; 
 By vanquishing twenty (Jern ansone night. 
 Two black American sentinels bold; 
 Who did in France their posts with honor ho Id: 
 When they did these twenty Germans meet; 
 And send them back in ignoble defeat. 
 Many brave Americans, and French, 
 Lay sleeping side by side alorg the 1)(n(h; 
 These two brave sentinels on guard did stand, 
 Against the German army near at hand. 
 While Night upon his sable throne did dose; 
 These twenty Germans,creeping on their toes, 
 Stole quickly through the dark,and gloomy 
 
 wood. 
 
 To where Ihesrt sentinels on duty stood; 
 Armed with many a deadly grenade, 
 A fierce asault, upon the two they made; 
 Advancing on them from the side and rear; 
 Before they knew that twenty fo€S were near 
 Lilce Horatuis Codes m )st bald 
 Who did from Rome a mighty army hold; 
 These two fearless Negro soldiers black, 
 Fought like lions,and drove the Germans back 
 They shot them til they got within arm reach 
 
 Thtn foioght with ba}or,et.ard rife breech; 
 
 Felling tlie German soldiers left,and right. 
 Who were shooting them with all their might; 
 Though Germans thinly on the two did rush 
 
 Tiiough th^irl 1 )od from great wounds did gush 
 
 Though .Johnson had broken his gun on them; 
 
 Though they had Roberts dcwn a choking him; 
 
 15 
 
JOHNSON,AND ROBERTS 
 
 They new that should they to the foes yield, 
 Or cowardly retire from the fields 
 All ouo soldiers sleeping in that (.|aarler, 
 Would be doomed to cruel German slaughter. 
 They thought of our war record most grand; 
 And,scorniug death they both resolved to stand 
 And fight til every foe fell at their feet; 
 Or vanquished by their arms did. back retreat. 
 With bolo knife Johnson to Roberts dashed; 
 With it the herOjGerman helmets crashed. 
 Their blood, and brains upon the earth did fall 
 The other Germans soon retreated all. 
 As these escaping Huns away did go, 
 Roberts a hand grenade did at them throw; 
 Which did another cruel llun destroy. 
 Hurrah! for the brave American boy. 
 Thus these dauntless.skilful soUlieis brave; 
 Did our army from slaughter save; 
 And won the heroe's never dying name; 
 Their niches in the stately hall of fame. 
 All loyal hearts retain cozy peaces; 
 For these two sentinels with swailhy faces. 
 My colored friends this feat before your eyes, 
 Should be enough to make you l)rave,and,wise. 
 When only two black soldiers in the fight, 
 Did twenty Germans kill or put to flight; 
 Whether we fight for justice here or there; 
 Of sustaining defeat we need not fear. 
 If bravely we all fight, against the wrong, 
 We will achieve every right erelong. 
 It is God that holds up justice's scale; 
 Numbers against the right cannot prevail. 
 Have faith in God then take up arms, and fight; 
 He will help you establish every right. 
 Three cheers for the red, white, and blue; 
 Three cheers for Johnson, and Roberts too. 
 Uncover now, and stand in graceful manner; 
 Sing you for them star ?pnn:;le(l banner. 
 
 &m 
 
 61 
 
G#l#^®l Mm 
 
 C-ommanding colored soldiers brave, 
 Over to France didst tbou go; 
 L-iberty's great cause to save; 
 Old Germany to overtbrow. 
 N-ever had tbe world surveyed, 
 E-ven since tbe eartli's creation; 
 L-ike valor as ye all displayed, 
 
 H-elping to beat the German nation. 
 A-m erica thy home survey; 
 Y-onder in the Southern land; 
 W-here most thy colored peojilestay, 
 0-ppressed,and killed on every band. 
 0-vertbrow those wrongs or go, 
 D-well where it will not be so. 
 
 h\3k 
 
 {10:1 
 
 
 ra,"jj 
 
 \^^J^^^^^^\ 
 
Llsntenani Slia 
 
 L-ook back upon thine unjust nation, 
 I-n whose right ye soldiers battle; 
 E-very known humiliation, 
 U-pon you heaped like you were cattle. 
 T-he democrats incite the mob, 
 E-ver to harass colored men. 
 N-egroes of their votes the}' rob; 
 A-11 offices these whites thus win. 
 N-egroes drive they from the election, 
 T-hey drive poor whites into their fold. 
 
 S-uch crimes to us of dark complexion 
 H-elp democrats all rule to hold. 
 A-nother home find ye or fight, 
 W-ould ye enjoy every right. 
 
m 
 
 tai@kR#aiM#M 
 
 Olonel Haywood's regiment, 
 
 Composed of colored soldiers bold 
 'I'o vanquishGerman foes went; 
 And won medals of purest gold. 
 
 Off toFrance they proudly sailed; 
 With Colonel Haywood commanding; 
 As brave comrads they were hailed, 
 By French soldiers on their landing. 
 
 Colonel Haywood,gallant knight; 
 Bold defender of his nation; 
 Lead his brave men on to fight 
 For Germany's subjugation. 
 
 Near Marne on the battle line; 
 This colored regiment was placed 
 Where by their martial service fine, 
 Their heads they with honors graced. 
 
 Both the officers,and men 
 In that colored regiment, 
 Determined high honors to win; 
 For that they to the battle went. 
 
 Lieutenant Shaw brave as a bear, 
 Commander of machine gan men, 
 The hero's golden badge to wear, 
 Determined at the front to win. 
 
 Private Howard Gailard brave, 
 Resolved to win his badge of fame, 
 Or above his honored grave, 
 A lofty shaft of marble claim. 
 
 Privates Woods,and Jones did sware, 
 They would the German troops destroy 
 Honor's medals achieve,and wear, 
 The rest of life with pride, and jov. 
 A 11, in this New York regiment; 
 Of whom there was great expectation, 
 To achieve high honors went; 
 For themselves,and their nation. 
 
 19 
 
A lU.A^^K RK(Ji\ll':N V 
 
 As this fine army did advance, 
 "Willi measured tread gallant, and brave 
 0.1 thcji^h thi f dds aid t)'AMi of 
 
 France; 
 The French did cheer,and bannerswave 
 
 Until tha German guns they saw 
 Frowning on them with deadly liate; 
 And in the tragedy of war 
 Began they to participate. 
 
 When the Germans saw the faces 
 Of Haywood's soldiers black as night; 
 Their liearts,and minds changed ])laccti 
 They were relactant them to fight. 
 
 A month they spent in })re})aration, 
 To make on them a deadly drive; 
 For theii complete anr.ihilation; 
 And not to leave a man alive. 
 
 Reinforcements they collected; 
 More big guns they did em])loy; 
 All at these colored troops directed; 
 By whioli they sought them to destroy. 
 
 The German infantry stood by, 
 With rifles knives, and sabers bright: 
 Ready at the v.-ord to fly; 
 And Haywood's brave black arniy fighl 
 
 One morning half past two o'clock; 
 While night upon his throne did iiod: 
 And slee]) did soldiei's cyc-lids Incl^;; 
 While they lay dieaniing on the >vcl; 
 
 Before A u r ora d id a w ;i k e 
 
 To usher in the golden day: 
 
 And b_y ?earcli lights soldiers dif) tfiiikn- 
 
 Observalions i'ai' a way. 
 
 The Germans thiid<i 111! Mi;i! tii-'v miijif. 
 Catch tliese soldiers olY their gniwd; 
 Began this most icrrilil!' i'ii'Jn 
 By bunibarding them n-dst hiird. 
 A hundred canr.on si.;);-; iVjey firo 
 Like ttliunderbolts among ihj tree!>:. 
 
A BLiOK REaiMESir 
 
 Tlien the artilcry men retire 
 
 When rifle balls came thick as bees. 
 
 Supported by machine gan fire, 
 Squads of infantry came forward: 
 Til they reached Haywood's picket wire; 
 But found no colored soldiers coward. 
 
 Lieutenant Shaw's machine gun meii 
 Resolved to drive the Germans back; 
 And the awful day to win; 
 Or every one die in his track. 
 
 So awful was the iron storm 
 Of grenades, shrapnel, shot, and t^helh 
 Mong the machine guns did swarm: 
 Shot by German foes so well: 
 
 Upon his feet Shaw could not stand, 
 And watch the gorey battle through; 
 He rolled upon the bloody sand' 
 And told the gunners what to do: 
 
 Rolled first to this gun then another; 
 Cheering his men in every (luartcr; 
 Directing every soldier brother 
 How th9 German troops to slaughter. 
 
 While they were thus bravely repelling 
 This most deadly German assault; 
 And while their valor was a t^-Uing 
 In making Germans reel, and halt; 
 
 Lieutenant Shaw's machine guns 
 Jammed and refused to fire a shot; 
 When the fierce,and wicked Huns 
 Thought they had thejn in death's pot. 
 
 Then privates Woods,and Jones brdve 
 Ran through the hail of shot,and shell 
 Resolved the awful day to save; 
 Repaired these machine gans well. 
 
 Cleaned, and mounted them for actio 1, 
 While rifle balls did comb their hair, 
 The most heroic transaction, 
 That ever man was known lo da''e 
 21 
 
A BLACK REGIMENT 
 
 Private Gailard who was good^ 
 With small rapid firing guns; 
 Could n't well see from where he stood 
 The rapidly approaching Huns. 
 
 Went out upon the parapet, 
 Where shot, and shell the air filled; 
 That he a view of them could get; 
 And many German soldiers killed. 
 
 Thus Haywood's dauntless regiment, 
 By sheer hra very, and skill; 
 The Huns away defeated sent; 
 So many did they wound and kill'. 
 
 The French a badge of honor gave 
 Awarded gladly by that nation: 
 To every one of these men brave; 
 To show their appreciation. 
 
 Strive all others to excel 
 Whether in peace or war you Jabor; 
 You will discharge your duty well; 
 And be honored by your neighbor. 
 
 Those who with pens, and swords fight, 
 To overthrow the thing that's wrong; 
 Never shrinking from the sight; 
 Of enemies equipped, and strong; 
 
 The foe they conquer most always. 
 Free themselves from domination; 
 Win eternal fame and praise; 
 And complete emancipation. 
 When bold champions of right,. 
 Are sought out to be destroyed; 
 The pistol ball in such a fight; 
 Does usually the brave avoid. 
 
 The cold, and lifeless lead, and steely 
 Aimed at a brave reformer's heart; 
 Seem to reason, think, and feel; 
 And from the fatal mark depart. 
 
 God the author of truth and lights 
 Is also' the master of fate; 
 
 2a 
 
A I LACK HKGIMENT 
 
 He will not let the cause that's right 
 Be ruined by the wrong, and hate. 
 Let no black person in the South, 
 Defrauded of his lawful rights; 
 Be iiiraid to open his moulh, 
 And scold injustice in the whites. 
 Since black soldiers are not dismayed 
 To fight,and die to save this land; 
 We should never be afraid; 
 Every right here to demand. 
 
 If vou want black men to live 
 In\he south, and help you labor; 
 A share in government you give, 
 To your worthy colored neighbor. 
 You must concede to colored nien, 
 'I'he rigiit to help the laws create; 
 And the privilege to win 
 Honored positions in the state. 
 
 Or another war we'll fight 
 
 Against you here in this south land; 
 
 Until you yield us every right 
 
 For which this government does stand; 
 
 Or from yen we will separate; 
 Move on a colored reservation: 
 (Govern our towns, and state; 
 Jn congress have representation. 
 
 Hurrah for Haywood's regiment, 
 That did sbnghterso many Huns 
 Thut they away defeated went; 
 Vanquished by the black men's guns, 
 
 Hui-rali ft>r tlipse black soldiers brave 
 For whopp battling most splendid; 
 France thf^ liero's medals gave; 
 And for pev-rless worth couKiiended. 
 
 Emulale tliose soldiers black; 
 
 You disfranchised colored men; 
 
 J.et not the white South hold you back, 
 
 Everv right demnnd. and win. 
 
How bravely thou didst Germans fight 
 0-ver in France a cross the sea; 
 W-orking there with all thy might; 
 A-merica from fear to free. 
 R-aces will admire thy glory; 
 D-own through all the future ages. 
 
 G-rateful hearts will read thy story 
 A-ll over earth on history's pages. 
 1-n war thy task is not complete, 
 L-ong as they disfranchise my race; 
 A ssist you all our foes to beat; 
 R-ight here or find a better place. 
 D-uty calls on you today, 
 
 to fight or lead them all away. 
 
 24 
 

 B-nch bravery as thine own, 
 iVI-ong the vvofM'H heroic sons; 
 I-n })eace or war v^^as never' known; 
 T-hy bravery in killino- [Tens. 
 H-elp now thy disfraiichiscd raw, 
 F-ight,and f(|ual ri<ilits acliievt'; 
 I-i.i law making to have a pL.ce, 
 J'j-(|ual honors to recieve. 
 Ij-it'tthem to a higher pinne; 
 D-enounce class rule,and domination 
 
 J-nstice for thy psople gaiii; 
 0-r resort to emigration; 
 N-o longer live in the South land 
 Eternally by mobs annoyed; 
 S-eek ye a safe and ])eaceful land; 
 where ye can the mobs avoid; 
 
 25 
 
G allant soldier,bold,and strong; 
 E-pouse thine injured people's cause; 
 0-ppose thou all who do them wrong. 
 R-epeal those disfranchising laws. 
 G-ain them justice, and protection; 
 Equal chance to education. 
 
 W-in for those of dark complexion^ 
 0-ffices in state,and nation. 
 0-pen doors to lofty fame, 
 D-emand thee for all of thy race; 
 S-ee that they recieve the same; 
 or find for them another place. 
 
 r ^^^ i ^^^ 
 
 26 
 
, G#d R^lss All Rae#s 
 
 G-overnments,and iiulions rise,and fall; 
 0-n this stupendous,revolvii)g earth; 
 D-ynasties,and kingdoms great,and small, 
 
 R-ush to ruin when they lose their worth. 
 U-nless a nation's people do the right: 
 L-ive in harmony, and love with all, 
 E-vil fortune will their greatness blight, 
 8-oon destruction will upon them fall. 
 
 A-lraighty God with sword in one hand; 
 L-ifting the scales of justice with the other; 
 L-eteth the bad a brief season stand; 
 
 Rob,and kill their illfated brother. 
 A-fter a while he lifts his sword high; 
 O-utsilown the wicked people with one stroke; 
 E-very one in gloom, and darkness lie; 
 S-hattered all their pride, their greatness broke. 
 
m 
 
 iiiHiabilatf 
 
 OF NATIONS 
 
 jOld up thy heads nxy colored friends 
 Ye once exceled all men on earth; 
 Surpassed them all in skill,and learning 
 Sterling industry,and worth. 
 
 Though thy sun went down from heavea 
 Succeeded by a long dark night, 
 That fair orb again is rising 
 With a flood of brilliant light. 
 
 We are coming over mountains; 
 Assisted by God's helping hand; 
 After many years of progress, 
 Mong the foremost ranks we'll st^nd- 
 
 Don't thou ever be discouraged, 
 Because thy race is far behind; 
 We can ascend to life's fair summit 
 By training han(ls,heart,and mind. 
 
 Look upon the stately rose bush, 
 Many green rose buds are there, 
 That have never yet unfolded, 
 Their pretty petals to the air. 
 
 Other bnds ore just unwinding 
 Their lovely blo.ssoms to the light;. 
 Adorning tlnU queenly rose arbor, 
 With tlieir flowers red, and Avhite. 
 
 Other roses on those branches, 
 That did bloom out first of all • 
 Have begun to droop and witlier; 
 Mong tb.e dead leaves they do fall. 
 
 The spiicions •:ja]axy of nations, 
 Is like the royal rose bush blooming; 
 While some are grovelling in daikness„ 
 Others are into grandeur looming. 
 
 Africa, Greece, Babylon, Rome; 
 By turns achieved civilization, 
 When ignorance, and superstition, 
 Blinded every other nation. 
 
 Then those proud, and splendid nations.. 
 Lost their virture, worth and po-wers, 
 Became masses of breken ruins, 
 Like fallen, and decaying flowers- 
 
 2S 
 
MUTABILITY OF NATIONS 
 
 When those weak, and savage nations; 
 That did cover most the' globe, 
 Rose to power, fame and might, 
 put on honor's royal robe. 
 
 When the sun descends from view, 
 The evening star displa3'^s it's light, 
 While all other stars,ancl planets 
 Lay concealed from mortal sight. 
 
 But as the evening shades grow older, 
 In every quarter of the skies. 
 Other stars,and planets gether, 
 Flashing their blue, and golden eyes; 
 
 Til like a massive jewel casket; 
 Filled with rubies,diamonds, pearls; 
 The spacious vault of heaven's studed. 
 With it's brilliant starry worlds. 
 
 Then that splendid evening planet, 
 With it's blaze of silvery light 
 Has fallen beneath the horizon; 
 No longer to be seen that night. 
 
 Rut it ever returns next morning ; 
 Heralding another day, 
 Shining brightly in the heavens, 
 When all others have fled away. 
 
 So it is with men, and nations, 
 Though each one may do his best, 
 *Some to fame and iudepend nee, 
 Will grow.and bloom before the rest. 
 
 But each will take it's turn forever. 
 In standing in the forenjost place, 
 The Africans again will be. 
 The peerless, champion race. 
 
 We must have higher education, 
 Demand liere every legal right. 
 Or move upon a reservation, 
 Out from among the people white. 
 
 Then colored gentlemen, and ladies, 
 Can to high offices aspire , 
 Thehonors,and rewards of ruling, 
 They can seek for,and acquire. 
 
 ^^"^ 29 ^'^~^ 
 
D-areiu)t while on earlli you stay, 
 0-ppose Lhe cause tliat-s ji.bL,aii(] ngl 
 N-ever impede men on their way 
 T-o the realms of trath,and light^ 
 
 0-pen the college to all men, 
 P-ersuade them to be scholars great, 
 P-rivilege give them to win, 
 0-ffices in town, and state. 
 S-ome will by their counsel wise: 
 ]2-nlighten the entire nation, 
 
 G-reatly they will assist to rise, 
 0-thers to higher civilization. 
 D-vVail wit!i all in p3AC3,arid love, 
 like the happy saints above. 
 
 SI 
 

 aOme flowers on one brilliant day, 
 [n the lovely month of may, 
 Were growing in a meadow by a brook 
 They heard it's merry little song; 
 As it gaily leaped along; 
 And over the mossy bank did look. 
 
 But in the smooth, and glossy stream, 
 
 Romantic as a lovely dream; 
 
 With it's bright and mirror like reflection; 
 
 Only roses,lilies, daisies. 
 
 Met their eager, wistful gazes. 
 
 With their lovely, bright,complexion. 
 
 As th3 music sweet, and mellow, 
 Filled the flowers blue, and yellow; 
 They appeared very happy, and glad: 
 Uatil thd stream's ruffled face, 
 Made them like a diferent race, 
 When they all became envious,and mad. 
 
 Then the flowers on the bank, 
 
 Proud of their race, and rank; 
 
 Mutually did all give their consent; 
 
 To leap into the tiny rill^ 
 
 And their clever rivals kill: 
 
 But all into the stormy ocean went. 
 
 But the streamlet keeps on singing. 
 
 Lovely messages a bringing, 
 
 And sing delightfully it ever will, 
 
 S ) long as snow,hail,and rain. 
 
 Kails upon the hills,and plane, 
 
 And water goes a tripping down tlie rill. 
 
 Men with all their pride, and power, 
 
 Are no stronger than the flower. 
 
 That by the shining streamlet lingers; 
 
 Their talents, and their worth, 
 
 Are God's music on this earth; 
 
 As he plays the soul's harp with his 
 
 fingers 
 31 
 
THE COLOR LINE 
 
 Kill llirougb prejudice thy brother; 
 
 God will promote many another^ 
 
 They will prosper here before thine eyes, 
 
 So the one that is conceited; 
 
 Will always be defeated, 
 
 When to oppose his creator he tries. 
 
 Then be not selfish or unkind, 
 
 To people of great heart, and mind, 
 
 Though they be of dark complexion, 
 
 For talent,genius,culture,skill, 
 
 Bravery, and iron will; 
 
 Are the great Creator's own reflection. 
 
©a si Y#iiir V#i# 
 
 C-ount that man dead who has no wish for nil in; 
 A-government that claims him for hor son; 
 S ucb person never had the propr schooling. 
 T-urn thy face away from such a one. 
 
 Y-oungmen should all to government aspire. 
 0-pportunities will come their way; 
 U-seful learning- much they ghould acquire, 
 R-ival they should thfe brightei:t oftheir day. 
 
 V-iewthon the conduct of those v.liolicld, 
 0-ver thy head the governmental rod. 
 T-ake bonds of them for the public's gold. 
 E-ver serve thy country, and thy God. 
 
ip|lliff#r'di Tir#iii 
 
 D 
 
 He August sun was sinking low^ 
 Behind the Southern trees tall 
 
 The shadows long, and gloomy fell, 
 
 Over Canary village small. 
 
 Delicious fruits,and flowers rich, 
 Smiled'round the mansions every 
 
 where. 
 Their delightful odors filled 
 With dainty sweetness all the uir. 
 
 The sun shot shafts of golden ]i<;ht, 
 Through the thin cloud's vapor wall, 
 Which o'er this Alabama town, 
 A golden mantle seemed t© fall 
 
 The town for hours had been filled, 
 With throngs of noisy people- 
 Some sat upon tha walls, and roofs, 
 Others clung to the church steei)le 
 
 It was then election year 
 
 For the Alabama state, 
 
 The people had been listening to, 
 
 The candidates make speeches great. 
 
 They had heard, and often cheered 
 The last white canipaign speeker. 
 Then came forward Guilford Troup, 
 A Southern, colored office seeker. 
 
 Saying,gentlemen,one,and all. 
 
 My good friends,and neighbors white 
 
 To be elected magistrate. 
 
 Old Guilford Troup is in Uie fight 
 
 Long was I justice of the peace, 
 By republicans elected. 
 But my administration was 
 By all of you good men rfspccied. 
 
 Many of you democrats, 
 White gentlemen of worth, and nole. 
 When I ran for magistrate, 
 Favored Guilford witli your vote. 
 
 34 
 
GUILFORD TROUP 
 
 Since the new election laws 
 Disfranchised most all my race, 
 I ask to be elected by 
 My white friends living in this [)Uice 
 
 That I'm an honest,upright man, 
 You all must surely be aware 
 For all my life have I lived, 
 Among you good white })eople liore. 
 
 If you will make me magistrate, 
 My whole duty I will discharg •, 
 In all cases that I shall try, 
 Whether they be small or large. 
 
 The rule of true deniocvacy 
 Taught several hundred years ago, 
 Is to obey and rule by turns, 
 And that you gentlemen well know. 
 
 I have helped to elect you, 
 Now you vote,and elect mo, 
 That is the only way we Crin, 
 Be independent,brav(!,and free. 
 
 We nuist embrace MS comon cause 
 The highest wellfairof the state 
 Or neither white nor colored can 
 Be safe,honorable,and great. 
 
 When you on election day. 
 No colored law makers chose, 
 Much in the way of wealth, and power 
 This old state is bound to lose. 
 
 Few Negroes will accumulate 
 Wealth to help state burdens bear, 
 So long as they are not alowed, 
 It's honors,and rewards to share. 
 
 Do you believe in justice,men: 
 Do 3'^ou believe in fair play: 
 Then vote, and make me magistrate, 
 On the next election day. 
 
 as 
 
GUILFORD TROUP 
 
 Be then retired from the stage 
 Mid the shouts of that great throng . 
 Crying hurrah for Guilford Troup, 
 And they cheered him loud, and long. 
 
 Then mayor Douglass stood up, 
 Said fellow citizens one,and all, 
 Every word from Guilfard Troup, 
 Into my very hea'rt did fall. 
 
 The elements of statesmaiishi}), 
 Well did this colored man expound,. 
 To respect,and honor him, 
 We white people here are bound. 
 
 I can vouch for Guilford Troup, 
 Have known him ever since his birth,. 
 He's got as good a character, 
 As any one can claim on earth. 
 
 When he was magistrate before, 
 An able justice he did make. 
 Never have I known him to, 
 
 Commit a blunder or mistake. 
 
 I commend him to you voters, 
 And you news paper peporters. 
 No need now for long debate; 
 We'll make Guilford magistrate. 
 
 In the electio-n that succeeded 
 Troup got all the votes he needed. 
 It is the general report 
 That judge Troup holds still hiscourt 
 
 Issuing warrants,and subpoenas. 
 Trying crimes, and misdemeanors. 
 Wining respect,and admiration, 
 For his wise administration. 
 
s-> 
 
 ON THE NEGKO'S FUTURE 
 
 Ehind the western hills,the king of da}', 
 Had traveled draped in evening garments 
 
 gray; 
 Night's silvery queen o'er high Olympus nods 
 Her beams adorns the palace of the gods. 
 In heaven's parks the gods are on a stroll: 
 The spacious parks above the northern poll; 
 All but great Jove heaven's immaculate king; 
 Who on his throne watches every thing. 
 Mercury comes from lofty mountain peaks; 
 Enters the court,and thus,to Jove he speaks: 
 "Immortal Jove, Mercury comes from play; 
 Hast thou for me a message to convey?,, 
 Said Jove to him in language bold, and loud, 
 "Go thou through the parks above the cloud; 
 Tell all the gpds,this night ere it gets late, 
 That they must the Negro's cause debate, 
 Say awful Jove has given this command, 
 King of the sky,theoceans,and the.land. 
 Delay thou not, out strip th^ winds in flight; 
 The Gods in council must convene to night,,. 
 Quick as thought the winged Mercury flies. 
 To search the cool recesses of the skies. 
 Jove on his throne in royal splendor nods, • 
 Awaiting the arrival of the gods.. 
 Soon all the gods returned from regions cold; 
 With stately pride assumed their thrones of gold; 
 As the}'' with helmets their heads invest; 
 Jove looks around;and thus the gods addressed; 
 "Hear all ye gods with immortal brain; . 
 Whose piercing eyes search oceans,and the main; 
 AVhose matchless wisdom Jove himself admires; 
 Whose opinions he frequently in(|uires; 
 When perplexing problems of every kind, 
 Press upon and agitate my mind. 
 The senate I convoked in this grand place. 
 To discuss the future of tha Negro race: 
 That famous race,the greatest one on earth; 
 'Mong whom all skill, and learning had it's birth 
 
 37 
 
THE GODS IN COUNCIL 
 
 When all men else were barbarous, and wild^ 
 
 In Africa their towns,and cities smiled. 
 
 Built they the first palaces of stone; 
 
 First monument&,and statues ever known 
 
 Th9 chief arts of the world's civilization 
 
 Are of the African's own creation. 
 
 To all nations they did the light impart; 
 
 Their knowledge of science, and of art. 
 
 Often I used to go '"mong them,and dwell; 
 
 Until they did against my laws rebel. 
 
 Their luxuries filled thera with foolish pride;. 
 
 They wjrsliiped idols, mv just mandates defied. 
 
 In my great wrath I put these people down; 
 
 For ages the}'' did grovel on the ground. 
 
 Their arrogance did me so provoke, 
 
 I placed them under slavery's galling yoke; 
 
 Until these haughty people did repent; 
 
 Then,being Jove I could not but relent. 
 
 To their former worth they are returning; 
 
 Much fame,and honor many of them are earning. 
 
 Champions have they in every field; 
 
 Tremendous power for good they wield. 
 
 Their industry in j>eace,in war their worth, 
 
 Have won America fame throughout earth. 
 
 But the white race,though savage,ignorant,low; 
 
 In England ten centuries ago; 
 
 Have.after years of hardship,and disgrace; \ 
 
 Become a vain, haughty, and arrogant race. 
 
 They withhold from citizens with black skin^ 
 
 Those rights,and privileges due all men. 
 
 Disgracing them in white community; 
 
 Lynching,and mobing them with impunity. 
 
 Right,and justice must be done on earth, 
 
 To this race of such superior worth. 
 
 Before these wrongs shonld go without redress 
 
 I'd save Negroes, destroy all the rest. 
 
 Heaven has the wisdom. and the power; 
 
 So grapple with this problem for ar lu;i;r; 
 
 38 
 
THE GODS IN COUNCIL 
 
 Involve yourselves in deep, and grave debate 
 For on this night we fix the Negro's fate. 
 Colored scholars have not their course defined; 
 They groap in darkness,to the future blind. 
 They grasp at wealth, that dream, or fond delusion 
 All else to them is chaos,and confusion. 
 We must that race with statesmanship inspire; 
 So that they will their equal rights acquire. 
 A share in government at once demand; 
 No longer for such gross injustice stand. 
 We must suggest the things for them to do; 
 They must stand up like men, and put them 
 
 through. 
 They must either remain there,and fight, 
 Until they gain for themselves every right; 
 Or move upon a colored reservation. 
 In some convenient part of their nation; 
 Where they can have their own state government 
 And in their nation's congress represent. 
 Apply you to these methods reason's test; 
 Weigh you them well, and see which is the best. 
 In justice's scales I shall your counsels weigh: 
 In this debate your gravest thoughts display". 
 Saying these things,he laid his sceptre by; 
 And waited for the gods to make reply. 
 
 jhen Pluto the grim monarch of the dead; 
 
 Unbound the golden helmet from his head. 
 
 Effulgence flashing from his helmet bright. 
 Filled the senate with a weird light. 
 Said ho "hear you Pluto the soverign of the dead; 
 These people greatly puzzle Pluto's head. 
 Their ghosts departed. black, stont,nnd strong; 
 Before my palnce portals ever throng. 
 Awful are the tales of lynching that they tell; 
 How from cold blooded butchery they fell. 
 Their solemn groans so pitiful to hear, 
 Have made me shed many a bitter tear. 
 
 39 
 
THE GODS IN COUNCIL 
 
 Why advocate a colored reservation 
 In that great professing christian nation? 
 There all are free,and equal'fore the laws: 
 There all men have one,and the same cause. 
 There is advancement in co-oqe ration; 
 Ignorance,and crime in isolation. 
 Bid Vulcan mould some canon, and some balls; 
 Let all the gods within these shining walls; 
 Make war on those who disfranchise that race; 
 Destroy all of them in every place. 
 When their enemies are all destroyed, 
 Heaven,and earth will cease to be annoyed; 
 The Negro race will have an equal share; 
 In ruling their country every where. 
 There'll be no more lynching,and segregation; 
 When Negroes help to rule thestate.and nation". 
 Then to his brow Pluto his helmet binds; 
 And upon his shining throne reclines. 
 
 Heres held up her horn of burnished gold : 
 That did flowers,fruits,and melons hold: 
 Gracefully turning it around the while; 
 Every god,and godess then did smile. 
 Said she "hear you the agriculturel queen; 
 The worth of Negroes Ceres long has seen. 
 They excel in arts of peace,and war; 
 They should have a voice in the law. 
 In every way they serve their country well; 
 Enables it all others to excel. 
 My golden horn from which all men are fed, 
 Would oft'contain neither meat nor bread; 
 Was it not for their useful toil; 
 In the mills,and mines,and on the soil. 
 The pioneers had died of starvation; 
 Conld nst have built the American nation, 
 H»d not Negroes frontier hardships braved. 
 The white people from starvation saved. 
 H'»n r Columbus who found the Western world. 
 Praise Washington who from it England hurleii, 
 Praise Negroes more than any other men, 
 Without their toil that nation had not been. 
 
 40 
 
THE GODS IN COUNOLL 
 
 Through four long years of civil war we fought; 
 
 With blood, and treasure their freedom bought; 
 
 Firerf we the north with philanthropic zeal. 
 
 To send her missionaries in the field; 
 
 In all the Southern states of their nation; 
 
 To labor for that race's elevation: 
 
 Build schools,&nd colleges,(a gracious gift); 
 
 Negroes from ignorance,and vice to lift. 
 
 There are among them many shining ligltts, 
 
 As wise,and worthy as the best of wliites. 
 
 But the southern white men do organize, 
 
 The state governments to monopolize. 
 
 They di8franchise,aod kill in every place; 
 
 To dominate,and rule the colored race. 
 So far out numbered are they by the whites; 
 That they by force deprive them of their rights. 
 The South defies the North, the West,and God; 
 
 That broke in pieces slavery's galling rod. 
 They have again established slavery there; 
 
 And defy the gods,and men to interfere. 
 H«s there arrived thesad,illfated hour; 
 When gods like men before thewrong do cower? 
 Before we gods should wear this slavish blight; 
 We should against the whole creation fight. 
 All the planets from their orbits dsh; 
 All the great worlds into atoms crash. 
 Then all we gods enthroned in empty space, 
 Would no more suffer for the human ra«e. 
 When those brave Northern heroes,and Me; 
 Conquered the South, and set these people free; 
 We did a very great achievement gain; 
 We must stand up,and that freedom sustain. 
 Move them to fight their rights to defenil; 
 We gods will cheerfully assistance lend; 
 When their foes are all annihilated; 
 To equal plane all will be elevated: 
 Take in law, and government their places; 
 Beside the other strong progressive races. 
 
 41 
 
IHi. (j.Oi>c i^ CuONClL 
 
 Give N'egro people college edncation; 
 
 Train them for government ni their nation. 
 
 Have them excel in sciences,and arts: 
 
 Give them noble minds^and pure hearts. 
 
 The reservation plan whidh you suggest, 
 
 Is 01 Jove I think by far the best. 
 
 As long as Negroes live among" the whites, 
 
 They will deprive them of their rights. 
 
 No doubt we could with arms the raced* fnul; 
 
 But bloody jvarson earth would never end. 
 
 Long before the civil war began, 
 
 Southern white men formed a mighty clan; 
 
 The solid South was that organization; 
 
 That fought against the slaveys emancipation. 
 
 But when the war set free the Negro race, 
 
 And they were left living in the same place 
 
 Then the solid democratic South, 
 
 Resolved to shut in law the Negroes mouth. 
 
 Allow them in the government no hand, 
 
 So thay would still be slaves upon thfeir land. 
 
 The Negro people since emancipation, 
 
 Have much advanced in wealth,and education. 
 
 The North, and West with much delight do see, 
 
 The progress of the people they set free. 
 
 But Southern whites wilfully shuftheir eyes; 
 
 Refuse to see the colored people rise. 
 
 The same contempt,and disrespect they sh6w: 
 
 For worthy ,and accomplishd as the low. 
 
 Black people's skill, and learning they do hate; 
 
 Have no respect for the wise,aiid great. 
 
 Give them only very liitfe schooling; 
 
 So they nevr would be fit for ruling 
 
 To work, and rule black people they do swear; 
 
 And give them in the government no share, 
 
 To christian character these whites are bliiul; 
 
 They are over three hundred years behind.' 
 
 Their foolish, insolent.and haughty pride; 
 
 42 
 
THEG0D3 mOOU-^JEL 
 
 Does these great truths from their vision hide 
 Their future now is gloomy, and obscure; 
 To rush to ruin soon the South is sure. 
 The greed for gain, and thirst for domination; 
 Will soon subvert Southern civilization. 
 But long as negroes live in that South land; 
 They will be killed, and burned on every hand. 
 Why have them under such oppression stay; 
 When to a safe place they can move away. 
 Congress will give them a reservation; 
 Embracing several states of their nation. 
 Where they can have their own government; 
 Their, own schools;be happy, and content. 
 The government by black people controled; 
 Where black men can the highest office hold. 
 Where black scholars will rulers be elected; 
 And Negro's lives,and fortunes be protected. 
 Have black men from the South to separate; 
 And live in peace in their own towns,and state. 
 Laid she then the horn of plenty down; 
 And latched the clasp to her golden crown. 
 
 lesta brandished her scepter over her hea ' 
 
 JThen to the gods,and godesses she said, 
 
 Hear vou the soverign of all homes, 
 
 1 rule in huts,and 'neath the palace domes. 
 
 To high honors the young I elevate; 
 
 Success of all I do facilitate. 
 
 My grand temples in classic Greece,and Rome, 
 
 Were perfect raodles of the ideal home. 
 
 On the hearth stone did burn a fire bright; 
 
 Minerva's statue stood within the light. 
 
 'The stature pictures wisdom, fire love; 
 
 Where these exist there's peace like that above. 
 
 In Egypt's lofty palaces sublime; 
 
 Ruled I over that race in ancient time. 
 
 Own they grand mansions with gilded demes 
 
 Adorn with statues,pictures,books their homos. 
 
THE GODS IN COUNUIL 
 
 They are adepts in ornamental art, 
 
 By which they quickly captivate the heart. 
 
 Their homes are filled with music,and flowers: 
 
 They play, and sing through long happy hours. 
 
 Throughout the home is thorough sanitation. 
 
 Good heat,and light and perfect ventilation. 
 
 My advice is let all gods,and men; 
 
 Uplift the slothful ones from vice, and sin, 
 
 Give the ignorant Negroes education, 
 
 They'll be more help, and honor to the nation. 
 
 Of safety no one is ever sure, 
 
 No people's rights have ever been secure, 
 
 Unless they are ever ready to fight 
 
 To defend their every right 
 
 Those who would always continue free; 
 
 Must ever brave,and vigilant be. 
 
 The same valor must freedom sustain; 
 
 That it requires that freedom first to gain. 
 
 The weak must always war against the strong: 
 
 But right will ever triumph over wrong. 
 
 Negroes must bravely their rights assert: 
 
 In their defense,all their powers exert. 
 
 Heaven, and earth will strong assistance lend; 
 
 Help them every lawful right defend. 
 
 Never encourage them to move away; 
 
 But battle bravely for their rights,and stay. 
 
 She then reclined upon her shining throne; 
 
 Waiting same god to make his counseW knuwifc, 
 air Diana raised lier silver b()V\": 
 It's effulgence did in the senate glow. 
 
 Sayng "bear you the vernal forest (pieen, 
 
 I live in groves among the ever-green. 
 
 Put I enchantment into the sylvan bowern. 
 
 Fill the forest with lovely birds, and flowers, 
 
 Rule over fountains, lakes, and silvery streams,. 
 
 Make them romantic like the land of dreams, 
 I often shield the wild game in the clia?e, 
 T am a friend to the Negro race, 
 When the bleeding slaves of dark oompleivioit 
 Came in my woods I gave them all protcctio n • 
 
 44 
 
THE GODS IN COUNCIL 
 
 Black people all should have the manly pride, 
 Not to want to live the whites beside, 
 Since to colored neighbors they object, 
 And do not treat black people with respect. 
 When any white person can at his will; 
 Colored men, and women wound, and kill. 
 Long as Black men are governed by the whites, 
 They will trample under foot their rights. 
 Would you give them complete emancipation. 
 Have them move on a colored reservation. 
 There black men can to government aspire, 
 And lofty honors in the state acquire". 
 Said this,and hung her bow upon the wall, 
 It's bright effulgence quivered through the hall. 
 
 letting his hammer on his anvil fall; 
 Vulcan a woke his nodding comrades all. 
 
 8aying,hear you the architect divine; 
 Both rare and useful metals I refine. 
 In machine shops throughout all creation; 
 Vulcanian arts teach I to every nation. 
 My votaries do the gods imitate; 
 They manufacture things both small, and great 
 In England in Elizabeth's age; 
 A silver smith became an honored sage; 
 When he did make a chain with lock, and key; 
 which lecked he around the neck of a flea. 
 With them the flea could hop, they were so small 
 As if he had round him nothing atall. 
 Forge they the microscopic spring,and wheel; 
 Huge locomotives,ships,and beams of steel. 
 Industrious,Negroes have always been; 
 In days of old they did my friendship win. 
 Those robust men with brawny muscles strong, 
 Wield the ponderous hammer all day long. 
 They can all machines manipulate; 
 Useful inventions many they create. 
 Helping to make all human burdens light, 
 Rivaling the inventors 'mong the white. 
 The multiplex railway telegraph. 
 Was produced by Granvill T.Wood's craft. 
 45 
 
THE uOD3 IN COUNCIL 
 
 With it one train can signal to another, 
 And avoid colisions with eachother. 
 Far may they be a part, and fast a runing. 
 This can be done by this contrivance cunning.. 
 A breathing helmet made Morgan a Negro, 
 With which one can through smoke with 
 
 comfort gOi. 
 Burkins contrived a rapid firing gun, 
 Fighting war with which is only fun. 
 The first machine for sewing soles on shoes, 
 A colored man contrived, so reads the news. 
 You potent gods,and goddes es reflect. 
 They've advanced more than we did expect. 
 Though they make their mistakes,a id blunders- 
 In fifty years they have achieved wonders. 
 They need protection from the lawless mob; 
 The frauds who do them of their earnings rob, 
 Help that race obtain afir field; 
 See that they get a sci[uare,and honest deal. 
 Sure as this hammer on this anvil falls, 
 The black people will enter honor's hall. 
 After a half century's duration. 
 And black people's wonderous elevation; 
 Those whites would still inslavethe negro raee 
 And heap on them every known disgrace; 
 There is no hope of reconciliation: 
 Give black people their reservation. 
 A few farming states to them assign. 
 They will soon be highly improved, and finer 
 There many a farm, factory, mill, 
 Will show their industry, and skill. 
 Their towns,and cities everywhere. 
 Will blossom out with stately mansions fair- 
 Colored legislators would laws create; 
 Colored rulers woul govern every state. 
 Courts would be conducted in all places; 
 By judges,and jurors with blackfaces 
 There'd be m jiracrow laws, and segregatio 3S;. 
 1 3a. tbecolored people's rasarvatioii. 
 46 
 
THE GODS IN COUNCIL 
 
 There all citizens of dark complexion, 
 Would live in peace under the law's protection. 
 The young in colleges would graduate; 
 To serve their God, their race, and their state" 
 Said thi?,and threw his hammer to the floor, 
 Recliaed upon his throne,and said no more. 
 
 polio plays upon h is lyre of gold, 
 The mellow music pleases every soul. 
 
 Said "listen to the emperor ©f fate. 
 Future events I do prognosticate. 
 Black people so^m will have a reservation. 
 Upon some teritory of that nation, 
 With Pluto's counsels I cannot agree: 
 The wisdom of his stand I fail to see. 
 How can it help the cause of black or white 
 To be eternally envolved in fight? 
 But sure as the sun lights up the day, 
 They'll fight as long as they together stay. 
 The whites keep down their colored neighbor 
 So they can have cheap,and ignorant labor. 
 Colored citizens they disfranchise; 
 S) they can govern meat monopolize. 
 Divert they printing press,and lecture stage, 
 i^iin^t black men eternal war to wage. 
 To load them with infamy,and disgrace, 
 So they will be hated by the white race. 
 White histories, drama, literature, 
 Are thus contaminated, and impure. 
 No aid to christian civilization; 
 Bat ccail instrn nients of domination. 
 The chief aim in the southern white's mind, 
 Is to keep the colored people behind. 
 They advooite in all race books they wi'ite, 
 The world'^ d'^nin vti -tn hv the white. 
 They would all whit3's with color hatred fill, 
 So they will let them disfranchise, and kill, 
 Negroes in the southern community; 
 And that with absolute impunity. 
 47 
 
THE GODS IN COUNCIL. 
 
 When color iiaiied thus fs propigated,. 
 
 Colored, and white sheuld be separated. 
 
 This will result in the elftv;\ti(Hi, 
 
 Of both races to higher civilization. 
 
 If they don't Cfuickiy separate these races: 
 
 Have them live apart in separate places, 
 
 Anarchy will shortly ruin all; 
 
 Southern civilization soon must full". 
 
 Said thiSjand played again upon his lyre; 
 
 Then behind his throne he did retire. 
 
 lashes Mars his stern, and glittering eye© 
 Which like lightning quiver through 
 
 the skieSo. 
 
 Saying "bear the god of war immortal Mars: 
 
 I wreck vast empires,and blot out stars» 
 
 Dethrone injustice, tyrants disarm; 
 
 Deprive rulers of power to do harm. 
 
 Negroes I have known since days of old: 
 
 On battle fields they are skilful^nd bold. 
 
 Charging over the fort's thundering walls, 
 
 In the face of deadly canon balls. 
 
 '^Though they have complexion black as night,^ 
 
 These dauntless warriors like the gods do fight. 
 
 With elephants scaled Hanibal the Alps: 
 
 Made war upon the Romans. took their scalps. 
 
 When in Haiti Negroes were held in slavery ;, 
 
 They were set free by Toussaint's bravery. 
 
 Badly defeating England,Frai < e and Spain; 
 
 Founded that republic with his own brain. 
 
 In all wars of America'^s history, 
 
 The way black men have fought is a mvpterj 
 
 Their valor,and military skill, 
 
 Won them eternal fame on Panjuan hill. 
 
 Black people will soon their wroi gs resent; 
 
 Then their foes will those wrongs repent. 
 
 Gods,and men should gainst injustice fight; 
 
 Give to all men protection in the right. 
 
 I disapprove of the reservation: 
 
 There is na need of a separation. 
 
 The colored race can live among the white;; 
 
 And be accorded there every right. 
 
 48 
 
THE GODS IN COUNCIL 
 
 This is an age of rapid reformation, 
 Many grave evals old as creation; 
 Are fro ra this planet being eradicated: 
 Soon all wrongs will be annihilated. 
 Slavery was put out of commission: 
 Intemperaence did yield to prohibition. 
 Now old grim war the greatest scourge of all; 
 To the reformer's efforts soon must fall. 
 Soon disfranchisement,lynching segregation; 
 Will be abolished throughout that nation. 
 Race trouble there is caused by politics: 
 By office seeker's cunning schemes,and tricks. 
 The whites with color prejudice they fill; 
 whic h causes them to disfranchise,and kill: 
 And that with absolute impunity; 
 Black me n in Southern white comunity. 
 But it is driving laborers away: 
 They see that disfranchisement does not pay. 
 Soon they'll come to treat black people fair; 
 And give them in the government a share. 
 Have them take up arms, and bravely fight: 
 Until white men concede them every right". 
 Then dropped Mars his sword on the floor: 
 Reclined upon his throne,and said no more. 
 |LilJlith lance Minerva gave her shield a stroke 
 wAl The silver tone the sleeping gods awoke. 
 Her helmet lifting from her curls of gold; 
 Her counsels she proceeded to unfold. % 
 Saying "Pallas has listened with delight, ^ 
 To you who said separate b]*ck,and white. 
 Dwell I with scholars,and heroic men: 
 Through me they do lofty achievements win. 
 I assist inventors, and authors all: 
 My thoughts prevail \n conrt,find council hall. 
 Negro3s have ever been my chief delight: 
 That race has equal powers with the white. 
 Champions brave have they in all professions 
 Who on the age have made good impressions. 
 
 49 
 
THE GODS IN COUNCIL 
 
 In art they have a matchless fame achieved: 
 Much praise. and honor many have recieved. 
 Their terse pictures,busts-,and statues all, 
 Grace many a niche,adorn many a hall 
 Colleges,and schools of every kind, 
 Are rapidly improving the Negro's mind. 
 Their scholars are going in long processions, 
 To the foremost ranks in all professions. 
 Black men in a half century did win, 
 More than the whites achieved in ten. 
 Then why should they the colored people hate 
 Why should we gods their wrongs tolerate? 
 Wisdom's goddess counsels you to night, 
 To give the colored people more light. 
 Black barbers, ]X)rters,and waiters in hotel; 
 Their dignity for meager presents sell. 
 Some work as hard as oxens every day: 
 For pleasure throw their money all away. 
 For a quarter they'll kiss a drummer's feet; 
 Stand by,and fan him while he sits to eat: 
 Then if they are not treated like great men; 
 They say it is because they have black skin 
 True Americans hate not his race: 
 But scorn all men who are servile ,and base.;: 
 Like children most Negroes eat,sleep,and play 
 With no forecast for the future day 
 White men most factories,and mills possess: 
 Black people most their money spend for dress. 
 Revel some in debauchery, and shame: 
 Those who donH respect them are'tto blame. 
 Let black people produce more money kings: 
 Build stores,mills,and that kind of things. 
 Establish then commercial relations 
 With the, people of all foreign nations. 
 When they shall hire white,and colored mem 
 The honor due to masters they will win. 
 This race problem is not a mystery: 
 The key to such is the world's history. 
 You will find chronicled upon it's pages; 
 Men fighting for freedom in all ages. 
 Some people fight,and gain their liberty: 
 Some emigrate to where they will be free. 
 50 • 
 
IBEGODSIN COUNCIL 
 
 They win their freedom in either case: 
 By war or moving to another place. 
 The Jews from Egyption slavery fled, 
 To the promised land, by Moses led. 
 The surfs of France did the nobles fight: 
 And achieved every human right. 
 Swarms of men from the old world do flee. 
 To the new world that there they might be free 
 Circumstances ever will suggest; 
 Whether to fight or migrate is the best. 
 Where the oppressed are in minority 
 Wronged by foes in large majority; 
 There is a plain, positive indication; 
 That the oppressed should seek a reservation. 
 Let gods, and men their powers employ, 
 To elevate every black girl, and boy. 
 Before another centur^'^ rolls around, 
 A higher plane black people shall have found. 
 The colored, and the white must separatee, 
 Or neither race will ever become great. 
 Colored people must have a reservation, 
 In some convenient part of their nation. 
 Before you gods do this statement dispute, 
 Leave you the surface, delve down to the root. 
 The cause of race conflicts is pride, and greed. 
 Among the white,and black who are in lead. 
 The whites to hold all rule, and domination, 
 Give to the blacks manual education: 
 So that with trades, and but a little learning; 
 For ruling they''ll h^^ve no skill nor yearning. 
 Thus shrewdly they have won back slavery. 
 Which once they lost by Northern bravery. 
 Through indolence, fraud, and coiusion; 
 Black teachers add to this race confusion. 
 And do tlieir race in slavish ignorance hold. 
 Because for poor teaching get they golcd. 
 Would that I had them within the?e WixVs. 
 And all that money iHould into balls; 
 
 51 
 
THE GODS IN COUNCIL 
 
 Loaded in a canon or a mortar; 
 
 I would those coward black teachers slaughter;. 
 
 It is a fact,and not mere suspicion; 
 
 That the Souihern white race commission; 
 
 Of white college* presidents composed; 
 
 Says to the colored race the college close 
 
 They say traia colored people for to labo.r; 
 
 But not to think with their white neighbor. 
 
 White churches,and their Y.M.C.A; 
 
 Endorse what these college professors say. 
 
 Thus the strongest white men hold the chain 
 
 That keep black people slaves on that plane. 
 
 They made pledges to Northern people white;; 
 
 To respect black people's every right. 
 
 Said they would of their interest take care, 
 
 If northern people would not interfere. 
 
 You see these statements now were only lies: 
 
 They ment only to kill, and disfranchise. 
 
 What have they done for the people black; 
 
 Nothing atall but bring sin vers hack. 
 
 Of other wars on them there is no need: 
 
 War after war would rapidly succeed; 
 
 'Til there woul-' iu)i be inuoh of either ir.co: 
 
 Livingin the South in sny plitre. 
 
 Move co1'^''<<i ppoi^jp on p-;^* ">';'^ion: 
 
 Proteet b»t}) laoes froui aiiinliilation". 
 
 Then she laid a side her gulden shield: 
 
 Into it's sheath her shining sword concealed, 
 randishing his trident Neptune speaks: 
 His words echo among the mountain 
 
 peaks. 
 
 Said "hear Neptune,kingof the briny deep: 
 
 From my chrystal palace go I and peep: 
 
 Among the people living on the shore; 
 
 See their progress,their handi-works explore. 
 
 And to you potent gods I do declare; 
 
 That most blacK men are servants evervwhere. 
 52 
 
THE GODS IN COIjNCIL 
 
 I recomend as best for both the races, 
 
 Living a part in different places. 
 
 Then leave you them alone to live or die: 
 
 They can be independent if they try". 
 
 Said this,and dashed his trident to the floor; 
 
 Sat upon his throne,and said no more. 
 
 luno took off her splendid jeweled crown 
 Upon her golden altar laid it down. 
 
 Oh Jove"said she"this royal council end. 
 Back to their sport these wise immortals send. 
 Withdraw thy mind from gvave meditation: 
 Retire to rest,aud take recreation. 
 Let the Negroes no longer Jove annoy: 
 On lovelier scenes thine eyes employ. 
 My white steeds,and my golden car is near; 
 Ride with Juno through the heavens fair, 
 we'll drive around the spacious milky way; 
 The lovely scenes will thy cares allay. 
 Dashing around that grand gallaxy bright; 
 We will behold many a splendid sight. 
 The solar systems ih that ring sublime, 
 Will charm our eyes for centuries of time. 
 As queen of gods,and thy cf>QSort divine, 
 Respect the timely promptings of my mind. 
 I've tried to appease as thy loyal wife, 
 Thy deep,withering troubles all my life. 
 Some of ye gods have ably expressed, 
 The grave oppiniuns in Juno's breast. 
 That after centuries of war, and strife; 
 After enormus sacrifice of life; 
 White,and black might live in the same state, 
 And become peaceful, prosperous, and great; 
 Both attain to higher elevation, 
 And much improve the world's civilization: 
 I admit that these changes might take place: 
 After the near destruction of each rae. 
 We were given for determination, 
 The best method, war or roservat.ou. 
 
 53 
 
THE GODS IN COUNCIL 
 
 Jor the jM'oteotion of Mack pecple's riglitSy. 
 
 From the disfrauchiseineul ol' ihe whites. 
 
 Also from mnrckr witli impuiiity; 
 
 In every Southern community. 
 
 What ye would gain by braking up tbe nation, 
 
 I would achieve that by a reservation. 
 
 How easily could the colored race, 
 
 Emigrate away to some other place^ 
 
 Set apoirt for their reservation; 
 
 In some teritory of their nation"^. 
 
 She then placed on her head her golden crown; 
 
 And upon her golden throne sat down. 
 
 Waiting some god her counsels to dispute; 
 
 Advance reasons her teaching to refute. 
 
 I^rcury shook the wings upon his cap, 
 jflvery god and goddess heard tbem flap- 
 Saying "bear you the god's messenger boy; 
 To see black people triumph is my joy. 
 Let every one of the celestial train, 
 Go down, and improve each heart.and brain, 
 lilt-) their souls celestial light convey; 
 Thay will in worth thy services repay. 
 Give colored people higher education; 
 Give thera some states f)r a reservation. 
 'Gainst black men is the entire weight. 
 Of the Southern white college,church,and state. 
 They recomend unequal education, 
 For black, and white people in that nation. 
 They train the whites within college walls; 
 For services in legislative halls. 
 They train black people's hands and aims, 
 To labor in their mines. mills, and farras. 
 Unfitted for to lead or help make Isvs 
 Or to defend their own, and race's caiife. 
 Be ign >rant slaves on white man's plantaticji 
 Just like they were before emancipation. 
 It is a deep disgrace,and eating fh.' me; 
 Eternal blight upon the Soutliern r?n e; 
 That it's leading white men tire f(m) ii (d; 
 To keep black people poor weak, and blind. 
 Give colored people equal education; 
 Give them a hand in ruling their nation. 
 54 
 
THE GODS IN COUNCIL 
 
 Cultivate the brain, and train the hand; 
 
 So they can for themselves,and nation stand. 
 
 The chief use of industrial education, 
 
 Is to protect people against starvation. 
 
 All articles of commerce to produce; 
 
 To make all things for ornament,and use. 
 
 But those who have a college education, 
 
 Can help govern their states,and nation 
 
 They ean many helpful plans suggest, 
 
 By which their race,and nation will be blessed. 
 
 Against all wrong a fierce war they can wage; 
 
 And solve the problems of their race, and age. 
 
 Can produce books,lecture,and help make laws 
 
 And ably defend their people's cause. 
 
 College education is a great ship, 
 
 In which one can in honor make life's trip. 
 
 Industrial training is a life boat, 
 
 In which when ship sinks one still may float. 
 
 As all huge ships do you more safely ride; 
 Because they with life-boats them provide; 
 
 So with your complete college education, 
 
 You will more surely reach a higher station; 
 
 If you are master of some usfeul trade; 
 
 To follow if yuor star of hope should fade. 
 
 It is a most dangerous affair' 
 
 Upon the stormy sea of life to dare, 
 
 In nothing but a small canoe to ride; 
 
 Exposed to stormy winds,and swelling tide. 
 
 Assign to them a special reservation: 
 
 Where they can all get college education". 
 
 He then resumed his massive golden chair; 
 
 Waited for Jove his judgment to declare. 
 
 The gods, and goddesses all held their breath; 
 
 Within the hall was silence still as death. 
 'len Jove stroked the hair upon his head; 
 
 In deep,and measured sentences hesaid; 
 
 Thy counsels all are very rich, and splendid; 
 
 x\nd are to the highest to be commended. 
 
 Heaven on the right does soon decide; 
 
 Averting danger is celestial pride. 
 
 While some support one view.sorae the other; 
 
 All ye are friendly to the colored brother. 
 55 
 
THE GTODS US' COUNCIL 
 
 Have all the gods their potent powers employ- 
 To improve every black girl, and boy. 
 Minorva,give them higher education; 
 Have them, make good after graduation. 
 See that black scholars stiind up for the right;: 
 Have them for truth, and justice ever fight. 
 Teach them to love those who for them fought 
 With hkKxl,and valor their freedom bought. 
 Make those heroes so dear to their hearts, 
 That they will reproduce them in the arts. 
 Mars teach them proficiency in arms: 
 Ceres help them, to make prodtictive forms; 
 Help them Vulcan in steel work to excel; 
 Pallas help them in statesmanship do well. 
 If their skill',efficiency,and worth; 
 Be not honored throughout the spacious eartb 
 Upon my word'twill give me boundless joy; 
 To fight their foes,and all of them destroy, 
 Finish this task ye gods without delay; 
 Then ye may all resume your sport,and play. 
 The reservation' advocates prevail; 
 By a greatly jM'eponderating scale. 
 It also has my fullest approbation; 
 Black ciii/.ens must have a reservation. 
 From the white south black people emigrate;: 
 And settle in their own cities,and state, 
 Liberia on the African coast; 
 Contains a mdghty thriving colored host. 
 A black republic with self government; 
 With loyal citizens,proud,and content. 
 Haiti, and Sandomingo comes in line; 
 Other colored republics rich, and fine. 
 Mound Bayou Mississippi is a city; 
 Owned, and controled by colored people wittj-^ 
 Boley Oklahoma is another; 
 Owned, and g-overned by the colored brother.. 
 These instances do plainly demonstrate, 
 That black people can govern their state.. 
 Separate the colored from the white: 
 J now disolve the council for to night'^ 
 56 
 
G-rand are those souls who use their education 
 0-n this planet for the good of all. 
 
 T-orch bearers are they of civilization: 
 0-rnaments,shining in honor's hall. 
 
 S-acrifices make they for truth, and right: 
 C-ooly they battle against evils strong: 
 H-old they up ever reason's shining light: 
 0-ppose they manfully every vi^rong. 
 O-nward black friends,get higher education: 
 L-earn you to lead the race,state,and nation. 
 
 57 
 
Ipha colored school-house; 
 
 Spacious, tall,and grand; 
 Among the stately elms, 
 Imposingly did stand. 
 
 The campus filled with shade trees^ 
 And beds of flowers bright; 
 That lovely April morning, 
 Was a splendid sight. 
 
 The sexton tolled the school bell: 
 It wrang out loud, and clear: 
 Reminding all the students, 
 That opening time was near. 
 
 S-^on crowds of jolly students; 
 Yellows,brown»,and blacks; 
 Came rushing to the school-house 
 With books in their sacks. 
 
 A white man through his window 
 Saw them run,skip,and hop: 
 Said if I had my way, 
 That Negro school should stop. 
 
 I can't get one of them, 
 To drive,to plow, or hoe: 
 You can'^t get a black girl 
 To nurse,and cook you know. 
 
 BesideSjthey areunmanerly; 
 With them the jails are filled: 
 If I could have my way, 
 I'd have all Negroes killed". 
 
 "Don't be so cruel John": 
 Said his good little wife: 
 "You know you have no right 
 To take any one's life. 
 
 Will, and Sally would work, 
 If they codld get their pay: 
 Instead of that you cursed them;,. 
 And drove them both away» 
 58 
 
ALPHA SCHOOL 
 
 These school-children black 
 Are Negroes it is true; 
 But they have right to leam, 
 As well as me, and you. 
 
 So don't sit,and complain, 
 Because to school they go: 
 For that's the only way, 
 They can be great you know'"'. 
 
 Going on the children 
 Met the banker John Dove; 
 Whose cheerful face, and smiles, 
 All the children love. 
 
 "Good morning mister Dove: 
 How is your health to day".: 
 All of the children spoke 
 In a respectful way. 
 
 The banker then responded. 
 With a graceful bow; 
 Saying "thank you children; 
 My health is splendid now''. 
 
 Going home the banker. 
 Sat down beside his wife,; 
 To discuss some phases 
 Of their city's life. 
 
 Said he"the black school children 
 Are brilliant,and polite. 
 They have better deportment, 
 Than any of the white. 
 
 I tell the colored teachers, 
 Taeir work is really splendid: 
 And to the very highest, 
 Is to be commended,. 
 
 There's little Henry Morgan; 
 Hall's delivery man; 
 Can read, and write much better, 
 Tlian vou,and I can. 
 59 
 
ALPHA SCHOOL 
 
 Hall says he does more work 
 Than any other boy; 
 Since he went in business, 
 He's had in his employ. 
 
 This suit of mine was made 
 Last spring by "William Brown: 
 A colored merchant taylor; 
 The best we have in town. 
 
 Frank Smith, a colored lawyer, 
 My Herman estate won, 
 After the white lawyers 
 Said it could not be done. 
 
 But for doctor Malcom, 
 My mother would have died: 
 The black doctor cured her: 
 When whites had vainly tried. 
 
 We pay for our folly, 
 When we don't honor worth: 
 There are black men as able, 
 As any men on earth. 
 
 We, the graded school board, 
 Are making preparation. 
 To give colored children, 
 Better education. 
 
 To their present school house, 
 We'll build another story: 
 Insall them a library. 
 And a laboratory. 
 
 In proportion as we 
 Do both races educate; 
 We do from our city, 
 All crime eliminate. 
 
 Lawyer Smith that morning 
 Heard the colored school bell: 
 Called on the scliool to see, 
 If all were doing well. 
 GO 
 
ALPHA SCHOOL 
 
 Me satin their midst: 
 It gave him much delight, 
 To see boys,and girls, 
 Stand up, and recite. 
 
 At noon he addressed them.7 
 ■Said "children one,and all; 
 I began my school life, 
 within this very hall. 
 
 Now I practice law, 
 In the court houses grand; 
 'Mong able counselors' 
 I ever make my stand. 
 
 Let me advise you to 
 Complete your education: 
 Then take up,and follow, 
 Some useful occupation. 
 
 Would you be able lawyers; 
 Doctors,and statesmen great, 
 You must be wise, and virtuous 
 Citizens of your state. 
 
 All duties owed your nation; 
 To do should be your care: 
 It's burdens,and it's blessings, 
 You should ever share. 
 
 Don't think you can't succeed., 
 Because your face is black: 
 All those who think that w^ay^ 
 Are allways standing back. 
 
 The world is ruled these days 
 By skilful brain, and hand: 
 Those who come with these, 
 Are always in demand. 
 
 Many of our nation's 
 Most distinguished men, 
 Have been colored people, 
 With the blackest skin". 
 61 
 
Si) m iU ; fl '^ ybi^' ^y?' '^' Lif^_ ^^ 
 S-tay not down among the simple, 
 ^(^^T-o your life adding no fame: 
 °° U-pon the wall of honor's temple, 
 
 J' D-on't fail to go.and write your name. 
 ^^ Y-our chances are as fair as others: 
 
 ' B-ravely to statesmanship aspire: 
 0-ut strip you all the whiter brothers 
 0-ffices great you will acquire. 
 
 ' K-nowledge is the light,and power: 
 S-truggle for it every hour. 
 
 a3> 
 
eavenly Goddesses,and Muses; 
 In the shining realms of light: 
 
 To inform the colored race: 
 I do the worth of books recite. 
 
 Books are important guide posts: 
 In this wilderness of doubt; 
 Look to them my colored friends: 
 Surely they will help you out. 
 
 Books are stepping stones to fortunes 
 They pave the way to honor's hall: 
 The wings by which we fly to fame; 
 In professions one,and all. 
 
 Books will elevate all races, 
 To the same lofty plane: 
 By training,and cultivating, 
 Every hand,heart,and brain. 
 
 By reading books dilligently, 
 The blackest ones can if they will; 
 Achieve great honors. and distinction; 
 Reach the summit of life's fair hill. 
 
 Books are real golden chariots; 
 Drawn by steeds of truth, and light: 
 In which the colored race can ride, 
 And quickly overtake the white. 
 
 You must master many books. 
 To have a thorough education; 
 Then your minds will be so trained, 
 That you can advance civilization. 
 
 Finish up a college course: 
 Their curriculums contain. 
 All the studies that you need, 
 For to cultivate your brain. 
 
 Master you arithmetic: 
 Algebra then you must go through; 
 Finish up geometry; 
 Aiid trigonometry too. 
 63 
 
STUDY BOOKS 
 
 Study you the sciences: 
 Logics,and psychology; 
 Botany, and chemistry; 
 Physics,and geology. 
 
 Learn you well the chronicles, 
 Of your nation, state,and home: 
 Be masters of the histories, 
 Of France,England,Greece,and Rome 
 
 Don't stop until you shall have read 
 The politics of every nation: 
 Master the law,and statesmanship; 
 The key -stone of civilization. 
 
 You must learn the languages: 
 English, Latin, and the Greek; 
 Peruse you their best authors: 
 And to glean their wisdom seek. 
 
 Then all of you should specialize. 
 Master some profession,or trade: 
 In which you always can get work; 
 And for your service be well paid. 
 
 In schools,and universities, 
 You'll find all the books you need: 
 And teachers to explain to you, 
 The meaning of the things you read. 
 
 Don't stop until you finish up, 
 The general, and special course; 
 And on this planet you will be, 
 An irresistable force. 
 
 That is the only way you can. 
 Stand your ground among great men; 
 And in the world of wrong, and strife, 
 Battles for truth, and justice win. 
 
 Read the bible,it is the light: 
 Live up to the golden rule: 
 On the Lord's day never fail. 
 To go to church, and Sunday-school. 
 64 
 
STUDY BOOKS 
 
 In the spacious word of thought, 
 Within the library's sacred walls; 
 Where the light through china globules 
 On the pages softly lalls. 
 
 You can see the soul's immortal 
 How like heaven is that place. 
 Where all famous men of history, 
 Meet you with a shining face. 
 
 Each in turn will entertain you: 
 They will never tire nor sleep: 
 Will fill your soul with information; 
 And console you when you weep. 
 
 You can call back all past ages; 
 Live in clasic Greece,and Rome; 
 'Mong their orators,and poets, 
 You can feel yourselves at home. 
 
 'Mong the flowers of Arcadia; 
 On Parnassus among the muse; 
 You can fill your soul with culture, 
 And turn it all to some good use. 
 
 He who owns a little library, 
 Is a wealthy man indeed: 
 Pooring over it's precious contents, 
 Is all the pleasure one does need. 
 
 Facts for which the wisest sages, 
 Long did burn the midnight oil; 
 Facts for which the world's heroes, 
 Many centuries did toil; 
 
 Facts that have uplifted nations, 
 And of men have been the making. 
 Fill the pages of your volums, 
 Which you can have for the taking. 
 
 Look through words to their ideas: 
 While engaged in reading books; 
 As one who through the open door, 
 Of a furnished mansion looks. 
 65 
 
r 
 
 STUDY BOOKS 
 
 See all the author tries to show you: 
 Photograph it on your mind: 
 Associate those mental pictures, 
 With others similar in kind. 
 
 Then the more books you master, 
 The more broad your minds will grow 
 You can solve the hardest problems: 
 And injustice overthrow. 
 
 Book perusal sets in motion, 
 The machinery of your mind 
 Starts you ont in search of honors: 
 Enables you greatness to find. 
 
 Though you are a poor black servant; 
 Books to yon will be a boat, 
 In which to sail away from bondage. 
 To the shores of farae,and note. 
 
 Why in the gloom of ignorance. 
 Do you colored people lye, 
 When on the mighty wings of bookSy. 
 You can to fame, and honor fly. 
 
 66 
 
.^#ali#ii 
 
 G-race thy heads with lofty honors grand 
 E-ternal .praises for thy service great. 
 T-o the people of thine age,and land; 
 
 E-ndeavor thy rac to emancipate. 
 D-efend the honor of thy self, and race; 
 U-phold the truth,justice,peace,and right 
 C-ount all other living dire disgrace: 
 A'gainst thy race's many foes fight. 
 T-ake up,and master higher education; 
 I-ndependent thinking we require: 
 0-f those who lead our race. and nation 
 N-ow to able leader-ship aspire 
 
 67 
 
iflh#r Bin^eiisro 
 
 Bike the vessels in the harbor, 
 To the mighty piers chained; 
 Are all the sehools,and colleges, 
 Where men for life's work are trained. 
 
 Those who quit in primary branches; 
 Are like canoes of deer hide: 
 They can venture on small streamlets: 
 But dare not brave the ocean wide. 
 
 Those who only finish normal; 
 As in litfle sail boats brave, 
 They can cross a peaceful ocean; 
 Gliding over the glossy wave. 
 
 But when the sea with storms are angry^ 
 And the billows growl, and roar; 
 Then must all the proud little sailboats,. 
 Fold their wings,and keep near shore. 
 
 Those who ^ake the college courses, 
 As in the strong iron clad ships; 
 When other boats m^ist-sttiV in haib r, 
 They can make their regular trips. 
 
 When the sea is lashed to fur}^, 
 By the dreadful ocean storm; 
 They can keep right on their voyage. 
 Without much danger,or alarm. 
 
 Life's voyage lies through stormy oceans: 
 And would you it with honors make; 
 Fit your selves with ample learning; 
 Before that voyage you undertake. 
 
 Get high school or college training: 
 Have a powerful intellect: 
 Then lauuch out upon life's billows: 
 You need never fear ship wreck. 
 
 My dear colored friends,and comrads, 
 Would you in congress gain a place: 
 Help to rule your state,and nation; 
 And your heads with honors grace, 
 
 68 
 
GET HIGHER EDUCATION 
 
 Would yau lynching eradicate; 
 Procure justice, and protection; 
 And a voice in government; 
 For citizens of dark complexion; 
 
 Study statesmanship,and clasicg: 
 
 Get you powerful education: 
 
 Then you can grapple with all problems; 
 
 Be masters of the situation. 
 
 G9 
 
Strong Univ.ersity had finished, 
 A successful scholastic year: 
 To her commencement exercises, 
 People had come from far,and near. 
 
 Singing,essays,and orations; 
 
 Had been heard with much delight; 
 
 Many medals'and diplomas, 
 
 Had been awarded scholars bright. 
 
 Doctor manly in his lecture, 
 Said**you have my congratulation: 
 For your excellent deportment; 
 And your thorough graduation. 
 
 These are really golden moments: 
 To which j^ou'll ever point with pride: 
 When to your character,and culture; 
 The seal of this school was applied. 
 
 Let the golden crown of honor. 
 That we placf upon each head; 
 On your deai' aliiiMtviater, 
 Some biiobt ra\s c>'' !iistresl)ed 
 
 'vViiiiiing ba.tles for your jurople, 
 Achieve eternal fame,and glory: 
 Immortalize your never dying. 
 Names in art,song,and story. 
 
 The greatest good to any people, 
 Of a college education; 
 Is that it equipps scholars, 
 For accurate investigation: 
 
 Into all of the profound problems, 
 That we encounter on this ball: 
 To grapple with great difficulties: 
 And to overcome them all. 
 
 Makes men philosophers,and sages: 
 Able the truth to search, and find: 
 Among the world's conflicting theories 
 And errors of every kind. 
 70 
 
SllvOKG UNIVERSITY 
 
 Makes you as statesmen wise,and able, 
 To work all needed reformation; 
 Of evils in the government, 
 Of 3'our county, state,and nation. 
 
 Brave champions of truth, and right: 
 With hearts stout, and minds strong; 
 Who had rather die for justice, 
 Than to live, and suffer wrong. 
 
 Who aspire to fame, and honor, 
 Rather than to ease,and gold; 
 Lead nations on to liberty; 
 Become heroes most wise,and bold. 
 
 In the arts,and sciences, 
 
 You must discover,and improve: 
 
 Invent better machiner}^: 
 
 Not follow in the beaten groove. 
 
 'Tis yours to make history. 
 For your race, state, and nation; 
 And to extend the boundaries, 
 Of the v/orld's civilization. 
 
 By wining for yourselves.and race, 
 The right to vote,and help make laws: 
 And by manfull}^ defending. 
 Your oppres ed people's cause. 
 
 Yon must achieve self government, 
 Fi>i your dis.rai.chised race; 
 Or cowardise will blight your record, 
 To your great shame and disgrace. 
 
 It will always be said of you; 
 That you are void of braveiy: 
 In this world of dauntless heroes. 
 Only fit for slavery. 
 
 Take for your highest earthly aim; 
 All disfranchisement to destroy: 
 Have a hand in government: 
 It's privileges all enjoy. 
 71 
 
STRONG UNIVERSITY 
 
 Where else beneath the heavens, 
 Can you find twelve million men, 
 Living under government, 
 That they have no part in? 
 
 This disfranchisement is the cause, 
 Of lynching,burning,segregation: 
 And disgracing our people, 
 In southern states of our nation. 
 
 It is far more honorable, 
 Battling for the right to fall, 
 Than to be ruled over by others; 
 As the most worthless m«n of all. 
 
 Then go forward,and free thy people: 
 Or lead them to another land: 
 For only fools.and worthless cowards; 
 Do such slavish treatment stand. 
 
 What were Greece without her heroes; 
 Themistocle-i'aiid > ther ]»raves; 
 Only a weak.Hiul conqtiered nation: 
 A host of t^roHtiin^ Pei''>.p slaves. 
 
 What were Uoiue without her valor: 
 Her Caesar,Pompey,Scipio? 
 Aslavish,and obscure people. 
 That the world would hardly know. 
 
 Without Washington, Gates,and Henry; 
 And other heroes of our nation; 
 We would be colonists this day; 
 Under English subjugation. 
 
 But for Sherman, Grant,and Thomas; 
 And other union soldiers brave; 
 You graduates with your diplomas. 
 Would every one now be a slave. 
 
 If you let the crave for riches, 
 To these great lessons blind your eyes; 
 To honor,fame,and independence, 
 You can never hope to rise. 
 72 
 
STRONG UNIVERSITY 
 
 You must know that wealth is useful; 
 Chiefly for making preparation; 
 To perform the greatest servise; 
 To your people,God,and nation. 
 
 Those who take the quest of riches, 
 For their highest earthly aim; 
 End their lives in disappointment, 
 Misery,disgrace,and shame. 
 
 Emulate our doctor Tupper: 
 Founder of this famous school: 
 Whose dear remains are now reposing; 
 'Neath this shady campus cool. 
 
 Who battled through the civil war, 
 For our emancipation; 
 Built this school,and labored in it, 
 For black people's elevation. 
 
 Long as a man is left on earth, 
 To read his pliilanthropic story; 
 People will adraire,and praise, 
 His eternal fame,and glory. 
 
 We must have an equal share; 
 In governing our state: 
 Or from the dominating whites; 
 The black people must separate. 
 
 We must have congress set apart, 
 For us a spacious reservation, 
 Where we can have self government: 
 And national representation. 
 
 The exercises now were over: 
 Students leaving on every train: 
 But in the university, 
 A few young men did still remain. 
 
 The moon above the stately buildings, 
 Most splendidly, and grandly lingers: 
 Like a shining sliver medal. 
 Held out for some hero's fingers. 
 73 
 
STRONG UNIVERSITY 
 
 The stars shown like brilliant trophies, 
 Hanging around on heaven's wall; 
 Achieved by noble champions, 
 The most famous heroes of all. 
 
 The light shown brightly through a 
 
 window; 
 In the lofty dormitory: 
 'Twas in lawyer battle's chamber: 
 Away up in the third story. 
 
 Three graduates were there assembled: 
 Discussing the doctor's oration: 
 Resolving to obtain their share, 
 Of rulership in state,and nation. 
 
 Lawyer Battle,doctor Bracey, 
 And scholarly professor Strong; 
 Swore to break up disfranchisement: 
 To our race the greatest wrong. 
 
 Swore to gain an equal share; 
 Of offices in state,and nation: 
 Or have congress assign to us, 
 A special colored reservation. 
 
 Where brilliant colored scholars, 
 Can to office be elected; 
 And under colored government; 
 Our people be protected. 
 
 Where to masterly statesmanship. 
 Colored students can aspire: 
 The highest honors in their country; 
 They can seek for;and acquire. 
 
 Where these noble sentiments, 
 Will colored people actuate. 
 To achieve independence: 
 Become most honorable,and great. 
 
 The doctor rolled up his diploma. 
 And hung it on the door key: 
 Saying "what good is this parchment, 
 In this slavish country to me? 
 
 74 
 
STRONG UNIVERSITY 
 
 We have to work, and pay taxes, 
 This government to help mantain; 
 But no state government position, 
 Here can colored people gain. 
 
 I can practice medicine, 
 In this southern community; 
 But what is that when my people. 
 They murder with impunity. 
 
 I quite agree with doctor Manly; 
 We must have representation. 
 In state,and county governments, 
 Or a colored reservation. 
 
 We can never peacefully, 
 Gain here our legal rights; 
 So greatly are we out numbered, 
 In this country by the whites. 
 
 They have banded themselves together. 
 Our people to disfranchise: 
 So to honor,and independence 
 Here we can never hope to rise. 
 
 Another bloody civil war. 
 Must be fought out in this land; 
 Before in southern governments, 
 We can hope to have a hand. 
 
 Reading over his diploma 
 The scholarly professor said. 
 Than to live here as a slave, 
 I had by far rather be dead. 
 
 Whatever may be necessary, 
 To protect our every right, 
 Whether to have a reservation; 
 Or stand up like men, and fight; 
 
 I am willing now, and ready 
 To make the decisive move; 
 And carry ont most fearlessly, 
 Whatever course we here approve. 
 
 f-r r^ 
 
 ID 
 
STRONG UNIVERSITY 
 
 The lawyer unrolled his diploma! 
 And the document he read: 
 Then placing it upon the mantle.. 
 To his learned comrads lie said; 
 
 "I am a bachelor of arts: 
 Also bachelor of laws; 
 I am a fearless defender, 
 Of my injured people's cause. 
 
 I'll make any sacrifice; 
 To gain fair play, and protection; 
 And a share in governranet, 
 For the race af dark complexion. 
 
 If our school's heroic founder. 
 Doctor Tupper wise,and brave; 
 Could get up,and come among us, 
 Back from yonder honored grave; 
 
 See twelve million colored people, 
 For whose freedom he bravely fought' 
 And for whose ciilture.and uplifting: 
 He did great achievements wrought, 
 
 See them disfranchised, and murdered;. 
 Having, in government no hand; 
 It would be more than the heroe's 
 Noble heai*t,and mind could stand. 
 
 In a war for equal rights, 
 
 He would we colored men employ; 
 
 If we refused to go,and fight. 
 
 He would this famous school destroy. 
 
 We'll have congress to set a part. 
 Some states for our reservation; 
 In some part of America, 
 With large colored population. 
 
 Then fast as they'll agree to sell, 
 Buy all land there owned by whitemen;, 
 Sell it in turn to colored people; 
 From other sections moving in.. 
 
 7C> 
 

 o 
 
 a. 
 
 o 
 W 
 
 SB 
 
STRONG UNIVERSITY 
 
 Buy then all land owned by Negroes, 
 In other states throughout the nation; 
 •Sell it to white people moving, 
 From the colored reservation. 
 
 And in the colored people's district, 
 Sell to the white people no lands, 
 Except for businiss enterprises; 
 Employing only colored hands. 
 
 Sell no land to colored people, 
 To live upon in the white states, 
 Except for mills,and factories; 
 Which white labor operates. 
 
 Then in less than a decade, 
 We'd all live in the reservation: 
 Enjoying self government; 
 In congress have representation. 
 
 His brilliant comrads then arose' 
 And shook lawyer Battle's hand: 
 Told him his reservation method, 
 Was splendid, unique,and grand. 
 
w#iii#ii% Wflhls 
 
 D 
 
 e shining heavenly Goddesses, 
 
 Sing, and shout with joy,and glee: 
 
 Because ihy daughters on this planet, 
 Are becoming to be free. 
 
 Rejoice ye that after ages, 
 Men now recognize the worth, 
 Of we potent Goddesses; 
 Living with them on this earth. 
 
 Sing,that after centuries, 
 Of bondage to the stronger sex, 
 Men now regard us as their equals: 
 And our talents they respect. 
 
 The human race 'til recently, 
 To the important truth was blind; 
 That the greatest thing in nature. 
 Is the comprehending mind. 
 
 That woman,just the same as man. 
 Owns a responsible soul, 
 Which none buther.and her creator, 
 Has any right to control. 
 
 Laws should protect the man, and wife 
 Each one against the other's wrong, 
 Whether brought about by cunning. 
 Or imposed by muscles strong- 
 It is as easy for we ladies, 
 To help ourstate,and nation rule; 
 As to preside over a mansion: 
 Or to teach in any school. 
 
 So my advice to all you ladies; 
 You who have a cultured brain; 
 Is to run for offices: 
 Speak on every campaign. 
 
 If you worthy married women, 
 Would promote your sacred cause; 
 You must hold public offices: 
 Voet,and help to make the laws. 
 
 78 
 
Women's Rights 
 
 Men should not enslave their wives, 
 To menial employment: 
 Such as scrubbing, washing,cooking; 
 And give them no enjoyment. 
 
 It is but fair that the husband, 
 Should often scrub, wash, and cook, 
 While wife is writing for the papers; 
 Or reading through a worthy- book. 
 
 As to managing the children: 
 Man ,and wife by turns should stay; 
 At home with them until they can, 
 A house keeper employ,and pay. 
 
 We colored women most of all, 
 Do the law's protection need: 
 You colored men are such cowards; 
 To our rights you pay no heed. 
 
 If we wait for you to stop, 
 Disfranchising our race, 
 And put an end to Ij^nching us, 
 We'll die in slavery, and disgrace. 
 
 In sorrow, and humiliation. 
 We'll live in bondage'til we die; 
 Since to defend yourselves,and wives, 
 You have decided not to try. 
 
 Seek you to vote.and hold offices; 
 Bravely defend your every right: 
 And let us have protection if 
 We liave to take up arms, and fight. 
 
 When enlightened laws concede, 
 To women equal rights with men; 
 We will accomplish untold good, 
 And lofty honors we will win. 
 
 In the struggle for high honors, 
 Those must always stay behind; 
 When outclassed in skill, and learning 
 By those superior in mind. 
 79 
 
Women^s Rights 
 
 In the sweet garden of Eden, 
 Adam was not shrewd as Eve: 
 Or she could never have induced him, 
 Her cunning story to believe. 
 
 Adam was a simple fellow, 
 
 With intellect of little note; 
 
 Or he would not have let the woman 
 
 Put the apple down his throat. 
 
 Is D#wp] 
 
 colored comrades let me tell you^ 
 
 Why to reason you are blind: 
 
 Why you are under foot of all; 
 Why you are so far behind. 
 
 Let me tell you,one,and all. 
 Why you are so scorned, and hated: 
 Why disfranchised, and is suited 
 Why jim-orowed,and f-egregatfd. 
 
 It is because you allow pleasure. 
 To stop your ears,ai)d blind your eyes: 
 ('ause you to sleep out your existence:. 
 Making no effort to rise. 
 
 You work hard, but squander money: 
 Like little reckless girls.and boys: 
 Who would spend enormus fortunes; 
 For luxuries,and worthless toys. 
 
 Expensive suits of clothes,anQ dresses^ 
 Purchase you, and keep on hand: 
 When you have no bank account: 
 And do not own a foot of land. 
 
 To build fine lodge-halls,and churches; 
 You do most all your money give: 
 When you have no education: 
 Have no home in which to live. 
 
 80 
 
-WHY COLORED RAGE IS DOWN 
 
 In ownership you'll never get, 
 A half an inch beyond your nose: 
 So long as you shall sciuander money, 
 In dressing,carnivals,and shows. 
 
 You spend enough preparing for, 
 The fair,or association; 
 To purchase all the books you need, 
 To give your children education. 
 
 Those who to wealth's promised land; 
 •On the train of honor goes; 
 Must put up with frugal diets: 
 Wear the plainest kind of cloth-es. 
 
 If you dress,and eat as dainty. 
 As the rich-est man in town; 
 Among the menial servants^ 
 You will ever remain down. 
 
 There are three things that combine; 
 Yea I think I do see four; 
 To keep the colored people down: 
 Helpless,ignorant,and poor. 
 
 Dressing in expensive clothing; 
 When you do for nothing stand: 
 Thinking that your spkndid garments. 
 Make you honorable,and grand. 
 
 Buying organs,and pianos, 
 That you, in rented houses play: 
 Dead fools to the cemetery, 
 In costly hcrses sent a way. 
 
 Putting those poor fools,and sluggards* 
 Who all their living days were down, 
 Into hundred dollar caskets, 
 And burying them in the ground. 
 
 You progressive colored People, 
 That do not forsu<;h folly stand; 
 I commend you for prudence: 
 And I gladly shake your hand. 
 81 
 
IJ-isiiiigui^lied jourrialist,and sage; 
 Uiif'inclung fighter with the pen; 
 B-attles for your race you wage: 
 O penings great for us you win. 
 I.njustice has in yon a foe: 
 S-iich as will it overthrow. 
 
 D-onot people of ever}^ land, 
 U-nto equal rights aspire: 
 B-oldly every right demand; 
 Opportunities acquire? 
 I-n government a share they win: 
 S-o can we if we are brave men. 
 
 D-o great deeds to help thy race, 
 U-pon a grand,and lofty plane: 
 B-y such means.an honored place; 
 0-n history's pages you'll gain: 
 1-ni mortal pictures on fame's wall 
 S-t> tues rare in honor's hall. 
 
 82 
 
|elestial Muse,oii thy thrones of gold^ 
 The tablets of my memory unfold: 
 Willie I th^ worth of Dubois recite; 
 That brave,and fearless champion of right. 
 Doctor Dubois, hero of the pen; 
 • Who for his race does rcognition win. 
 Born* a colored child with yelloWface; / ^-*" -'^^i? 
 When there were no leaders of oUr race: . •' 
 
 When no one did such race-loyalty feel; ' 
 As to direct our drifting vessel's keel: 
 Whenourbravest,brightest men did stroll, • '■, 
 
 In search of present ease,or paltry gold: .s 
 
 While deadly storms of crime upon us bore 
 And in our vessel dangerous fissures tore: 
 When it was threatening to soon go down ■''"' 
 
 And every one of us shortly to drown. 
 Dubois leaped.and grasped our drifting helm: -l 
 Looked out upon that stormy twilight dim: 
 Saw through the night,shining from a far; 
 The brilliant gleaming of a blazing star; 
 Whose rays did bring a distant land in sight; 
 A land where every one is treated right: 
 A land where all are honored for their worth; 
 And not for color,riches,race nor birth: 
 Where lives.and fortunes are by law protected.; 
 And every worthy person is respected: 
 Where all do vote,and help to make the laws; 
 Where all men work for oneanother's cause. ■:l 
 Toward that land Dubois set our keel: ^ 
 
 And ever since has held fast to the wheel. 
 Boldly with his tongue,and pen he fights; 
 To protect all of our legal rights; ., 
 
 But those who with the glare of gold are blind; ' 
 'Say that we thus that land shall never find: 
 Leap out into that dismal twilight dim; 
 And for the rock of gold begin t© swim, ' 
 
 But see.that gold does not protect their lives; 
 Nor defend their childTen,and their wives: 
 The storms of crime do at their riches scoff: » 
 Beat against that rock,and drive thtm off. 
 8S 
 
Douroa DUBOIS 
 
 Go ou Dubois you are iu the right: 
 You have achieved the hero's garland bright. 
 Your Crisis books are little soldiers strong: 
 That,rapidly are overthrowing wrong. 
 Write on William, your bold,and fearless pen, 
 Will all your race's legal rights win. 
 
 rrEOis 
 
 D-on't let the whites rule you, and race 
 U-nless in rule yon have a hand. 
 B-ecanse it i« a vile disgrace; 
 0-thers would not for it stand. 
 I-f you are worthy the name of men: 
 S-hare in this government you'll win. 
 
 D-onH groan like do?s.mule8,and cattle 
 U-nder the han^htv white man's heel. 
 B-« >>ftv«»,and for your rights do battle: 
 O-nward.demand a^quare deal. 
 T-f rights yon can't other wige win; 
 ^-tand np.and fight for them like men. 
 
 D-aring champion of truth, and right; 
 
 (.holder oi'the torch as bright as day; 
 K-rav^ly thy race's battles thou doth fight; 
 O-n earth to win thy people fair play. 
 1-ij this latid thy burning reasons strong, 
 ft-urely soon will overthrow the wrong. 
 
 84 
 
DUBOIS 
 
 D-oubt notjbecause tby face is black, 
 U-nto high honors thou canst soar. 
 B-ebold,go on,and don't looK back: 
 0-pen for thy race the door. 
 I-f thou hast valor,and education, 
 S-tand up, and help to rule thy nation. 
 
 D-on't eat,sleep,rest or play' 
 U-ntil you do make up your mind, 
 B-y all means to sweep away, 
 0-ppressive laws of every kind. 
 I-ndependence belongs to worth: 
 S-ought by all brave men on earth. 
 
 D-off thy hats to colored girls: 
 U-ncover to the ladies all. 
 B-ecause they are dearer than pearls: 
 0-ffend neither the great,nor small. 
 I-n every way thy race respect:: 
 S-hield them, and their rights protect. 
 
 85 
 
PERSEVERE 
 
 P-ush forward to the foremost rank 
 E-ndeavor others to excel: 
 R-emain bonest,truthful, frank; 
 S-trive to do thy duty well. 
 E-ducation thou doth need: 
 V-igorous,and thoughtful mind; 
 E-asily the trained succeed: 
 R-iches and honors soon they find. 
 E-ndeavor to reach a higher place; 
 ye people of the colored race. 
 
 86 
 
m 
 
 wmwmvwmwm 
 
 re your lessons hard to learn? 
 
 Persevere! 
 
 Late at night your oil burn: 
 
 Don't you hear? 
 
 You can learn your lessons well; 
 
 And your rivals all excel; 
 
 Don't forget what you I tell: 
 
 Persevere! 
 
 Do you want to graduate? 
 
 Persevere! 
 
 Study books both soon,and late: 
 
 Dou't you hear? 
 
 You can finish your education: 
 
 Follow then a high vocation: 
 
 Be an honor to your nation: 
 
 Persevere! 
 
 Honor your dark complexion: 
 
 Persevere ! 
 
 To you it is no reflection: 
 
 Don't you hear? 
 
 Study hard both day, and night; 
 
 Be an able schollar bright; 
 
 Excel, and out class every white: 
 
 [Persevere! 
 
 You will win the world's esteem; 
 Persevere! 
 
 Smiling faces on you will beam; 
 
 Don't you hear? 
 
 Able ones are in demand; 
 
 -Sought by all men in the land; 
 
 Before kings they bravely stand: 
 
 Persevere! 
 
 Would you to office be elected, 
 Persevere! 
 
 Live so that you will be respected 
 Don't you hear? 
 ■Get the highest education; 
 'Be the brightest in your nation: 
 'Work for all men's elevation; 
 87 
 
PERSEVERE 
 
 Persevere! 
 
 You must help the laws enactr 
 
 Persevere r 
 
 If you don't you'll be kept back: 
 
 Don't you hear? 
 
 Vote for the best men of your race; 
 
 In congress give your men a place 
 
 Lift your people from disgrace: 
 
 Persevere r 
 
 Millions of Negroes in this land; 
 
 Persevere: 
 
 Have in the government no hand;; 
 
 Don't you hear? 
 
 Black men go,and hide for shame 
 Among brave men don't tell your 
 
 name:: 
 You let the whites all office claim;. 
 Persevere! 
 
 Be gla(i these states belong to you 
 
 Persevere! 
 
 Love the red,white,and blue; 
 
 Don't you hear? 
 
 Heed not what the white men say;: 
 
 You have as much right here as 
 
 theyr 
 To the front ranks forge yourway 
 
 Persevere! 
 
 Bravely demand your every right-" 
 
 Persevere! 
 
 Get them if you have to fight; 
 
 Dont you hear? 
 
 Some of you may have to dye; 
 
 But sure as Grod reigns in the sky,. 
 
 You will get them if yoH trye: 
 
 Persevere! 
 
 88 
 
jupernal Goddess in realma of light; 
 
 The fame of Booker Washington I write* 
 
 -Hero of industrial education; 
 It s greatest advocate in any nation. 
 Admired sage of the Tuskeegy school; 
 Which he did build,and with honors rule. 
 An advocate of ownership was he: 
 Who did my race from poverty set free. 
 Taught them to get thousands of homcs,and 
 
 farms: 
 "Sent out Negro mechanics by the swarms. 
 Born in the gloom of slavery's dark night; 
 He reached the galaxy of heroes bright. 
 Mad he lived in clasical Greece,or Rome, 
 His statues would have adorned ev-ery home. 
 Temples would grace his never dying name: 
 Speakers would have eulogised his fame. 
 Astronora©rs,to honor Booker high, 
 Would have portrayed his image in the sky; 
 They'd have shown for him their admiration 
 iBy giving him a starry consielation. 
 To Washington, this must be conceded; 
 He led the race to that which it much needed. 
 Taught it from wealth's vast fountain to sip; 
 Led i^ to home,and business ownership, 
 in great achievements in every land; 
 Wealth. and learning must go hand in hand. 
 Inventors form in their imraagination, 
 Machines to help inirove civilization. 
 ?vIoney brings these machines in to sight: 
 Built of iron,steel,and copper bright. 
 Architects have stately mansions planed, 
 By wealth they do in brick, and marble stand 
 Authors write books,but must have the gold 
 Before those books can he printed, and sold. 
 'Wealth as well as culture is required. 
 To make a people honored, and admired. 
 Any one can see v,ho rightly thinks; 
 That honor's chain is made of many links: 
 The chain of the achierments of a racx, 
 By which it rises to a higher place. 
 89 
 
BOOKER T^WASHINGTONr 
 
 Wealth supplies thie means for education: 
 The weapons for defending every nation. 
 Lincoln gave my race cniancipatioii; 
 Washiiigton^raateridl elevation: 
 These two important links in honoris chain; 
 We must be brave, and all the others gain. 
 
 P-ut not thy trust in wealth,and skil alone: 
 H-.old intercourse with God upon his tlirot^ie. 
 I-ndustrious be^toil,ajid achieve. 
 L-iveyou soyou'U not be loath to leave; 
 A-ny minute,either nij^bt or day, 
 D-eath's angel cliose to carry you away. 
 E-very earthly thing, time will destroy: 
 L-eav© no trace of things you now enjoy. 
 P-urity,culture,and perfect love; 
 H-ave these, you will enter the courts above:. 
 I-nto the happy, saint's eternal rest;^ 
 A-corapanion &i the pure^and Messed. 
 
D-istinguished son of Caliope the Muse; 
 U-pon this globe all do thee admire. 
 N-atare :njide thee for the world's use: 
 B-y writing to teach others to aspire. 
 A-11 the world's reading women,and men 
 R-oused thee by thy Muse inspired pen. 
 
 91 
 
^awl Liiwr#ii## 
 Dunbar 
 
 I'eavenly Muses,sing thou in mine ear; 
 Our immortal poet Dunbar's praise: 
 ill with delight thy music hear: 
 Rehearse to our globe thy thrilling lays. 
 
 Hark!in my soul thy sweet voices wring: 
 Thy praise of Muse Caliope's dear boy: 
 Who with the lovely measures he did sing 
 Long kept the world runing o'er with joy. 
 
 Deep mysteries of life he did unfold: 
 Writing with his Muse inspired pen; 
 Many medals of the purest gold; 
 His excellent poetry did win. 
 
 Bom a Nego, black, despised, and poor; 
 Honor for self,and race he did obtain: 
 For the rising race opened the door, 
 Of hope that it may reach a higher plane 
 
 As on the black surface of a pool; 
 Unfolds the water lilies pure,and white; 
 Or in the sable sky in evening cool, 
 Bursts the golden blaze of stars bright: 
 
 So on the world, from his swarthy race, 
 For centuries ridiculed, and scorned; 
 This fomous poet, with his iron face, 
 To teach,and entertain the world was 
 
 born 
 
 His poems caused the world to understand 
 Black men belong to human brother-hoo<i 
 That all are linked together in one band: 
 For oneanother's injury or good. 
 
 The untold wealth awaiting cultivation, 
 Stored in the hated Negro's mind; 
 Now rapidly yielding to education, 
 Wining achievements of every kind* 
 
 Wake up,ye people of the colored race: 
 From Dunbar take ye fresh inspiration: 
 Win ye honors for thy dusky face: 
 And a higher plane of civilization. 
 92 
 
D ealt thou the South a mighty blow 
 0-n iheday that thou didst go; 
 U-pon the northern lecture stage: 
 G-ainst slavery a war to wage. 
 L-oudly didst thou there declaim: 
 A-gainst that crime nd awful shame, 
 •^-oon thou didst of - rs arois< . 
 S-trongly the slave's cau-^e to (spouse. 
 
Wwm'§ OmmmMmm 
 
 nmmortal Goddesses my mind inspire 
 While I the fame of Douglass relate: 
 The orator whose eloquential fire; 
 Did the southern slaves emancipate. 
 
 As the golden sun on coudy days, 
 Ascends to the zenith out of sight; 
 Then dashes through the clouds its 
 
 brilliant rays; 
 And fills the earth below with golden light 
 
 So Douglass, borned a poor slave; 
 On a great plantation in Virginia: 
 Studied at night,becoming wise,and brave 
 And thus his education did continue; 
 Until he was nearly graduated; 
 Then this orator, and scholar great; 
 From the slave-holding south migrated; 
 To the free Massachusetts state. 
 
 Slavery did this hero so provoke. 
 While under it's oppression in the South; 
 'Gainst it now he eloquently spoke: 
 Awful thunder-bolts burst from his mouth. 
 
 So galling were the burning truths he 
 
 hurled ; 
 Against that shocking crime, and awful sin 
 That he aroused the hatred of the world. 
 Against the slave holding southern men. 
 Fired he Sumner,Garrison,and Brown: 
 And hosts of other men, and their wives; 
 Who swore they would slavery put down: 
 Though they had to sacrifice their lives. 
 
 So Douglass, by his oratory. 
 Raised armies to fight for emancipation: 
 Which after four years of conflict gorey, 
 Abolished slavery in our nation. 
 
 May his deeds be read with much delight; 
 And admired by all nations,and races: 
 Be carved on lofty shafts of marble white: 
 Statues, be his with bronze,and marble faces 
 94 
 
##1*® ii#iii©iiti 
 
 1 
 
 rom the egg is hatched the eagle 
 With his strong,and mighty wings 
 ^lender strands do make the cable: 
 The veiy strongest kind of strings. 
 
 Little wisdom gleaned from books; 
 Every spare minute, and hour; 
 Will improve your intellect: 
 Make you men of worth,and power. 
 
 Why do you S(|uander golden moments? 
 You members of the colored race: 
 When you might geather information; 
 And your heads with honors grace. 
 
 Those who stay away from books; 
 Adorn, and dress themselves for show; 
 Never any progress make: 
 And they nothing great can know. 
 
 You had as well to be wax figures, 
 Dressed in pants,coat,and hat; 
 If in carving out your fortune, 
 You intend to stop at that. 
 
 You had as well to be a bird, 
 Dressed in gay feathers,and plume; 
 If your highest aspiration, 
 Is in stylish clothes to bloom. 
 
 Y'ou had as w^eli to be a dog, 
 With soft,slick,and glossy hair; 
 If your highest aim in life 
 Is to have fine clothes to wear. 
 
 Though you have the form of human; 
 You are not much more than brute; 
 When you tiy to cover ignorance, 
 With a new dress,or a suit. 
 
@ar N® Mam's Pa 
 
 r^lack friends be brave,manly,and polite: 
 ^iJStudy the best of authors day, and night. 
 The more knowledge that you come to know; 
 The more powerful your minds will grow. 
 1 hough you may have an iron colored face; 
 You all belong to a noble race: 
 The race that gave the world civilization; 
 The light of truth sent they in every nation. 
 Of your race be joyful,and proud: 
 Shout you, and sing her praises long,and loud. 
 Dread no man's face,neither black nor white; 
 Be bold, and fearless, when your cause is right. 
 If they don't let you vote in your state; 
 To another you should at once migrate.. 
 Go where you'll have in government a hand: 
 Where you can every legal right demand. 
 When lawless mei) attempt Negroes to slay; 
 Take up your guns,aiid drive them all away. 
 You have to pay your taxes every year; 
 In state offices you are due a share. 
 No men but the most stupid, coward,base; 
 Will be ruled over by another race. 
 Fight 'til you win, or die for your rights: 
 Don't be ruled, and controlled by the whites. 
 Let the white man hate you if he will; 
 Hate is a fierce disease,a deadly ill: 
 That cramps his little soul, and makes it small 
 While yours is growing strong,stout,and tall. 
 While you are going ever up the hill, 
 He's either falling back, or standing still: 
 That has always been the shameful fate; 
 Of those who harbor prejudice,and hate. 
 
■iim#iita L®wls 
 
 AND THE STATUE 
 
 'er the stately roofs,and steeples 
 The lofty granit shafts above; 
 
 iSU 
 
 The Boston sky was soft,aiid quiet, 
 Like abodes of peace,and love. 
 The sun looked down upon the city, 
 Flooding her with golden light: 
 The gold dome upon the state-house. 
 Reflected rays intensely bright. 
 The wind about the grand old city, 
 In perfect stillness then did lay, 
 ■Sleeping on the flower petals, 
 This delightful summer day, 
 -As if to please Edmonia, 
 The flowers wore their gaudy blooms 
 And filled the lovely air of Boston 
 With their delicate perfumes. 
 In the park all was silent, 
 Save the sparkling fountain's hiss; 
 Edmonia Lewis in her strolling, 
 Had paused a while to look at this. 
 She was a brilliant colored girl; 
 Only sixteen years old; 
 No one immagined that for her, 
 The future did such greatness hold. 
 She had lovely dark complexion, 
 A face that beamed intrinsic worth: 
 Though poor,and uneducated; 
 She was a genius from birtli. 
 She yearned to become accomplished 
 In some profession, trade,or art: 
 That ambition ever burned. 
 On the altar of her heart. 
 She eagerly embraced all chances. 
 To improve her heart,and mind: 
 In all new scenes of art,and nature, 
 She did much inspiration find. 
 97 
 
EDMONIA,AND THE STATUE 
 
 On this delightful July morning, 
 She could not resist the spell; 
 To stroll among the Boston scenery: 
 Upon its nobleness to dwell. 
 Such a day was fine for tourists, 
 Roaming for health, and recreation: 
 As well as those who go a broad, 
 Just to gather information. 
 Edmonia had gone to Boston, 
 To explore its art,and look: 
 And to read another chapter, 
 In nature's illustrated book. 
 She had seen the grand cathedral: 
 Many a stately mansion old: 
 She had viewed the lofty state-house^ 
 With its dome of pure gold; 
 Had admired many statues; 
 Read inscriptions round their bases; 
 She had analyzed the character, 
 Chiseled in their marble faces. 
 When she came to Franklin's statue> 
 She was more wondrously impressed, 
 With its features,and expression; 
 Than those of any of the rest. 
 There upon a huge pedestal, 
 Franklin posed with an air of grace: 
 All of his admired virtues. 
 Written in his form, and face. 
 Philanthropy was depicted, 
 By his mild, and generous eyes: 
 His lofty forehead told the story, 
 That he was both great,and wise. 
 Those marble lips seemed to whispe^ 
 This pleasing message in her ear; 
 In the language of a statue; 
 That which only souls can hear: 
 98 
 
EDMONIA AND THE STATUE 
 
 '"You can be a great heroine, 
 If you'll only make a start; 
 Specialize in some profession, 
 Finish up some line of art". 
 Edmonia surveyed the statue. 
 From its feet to its stone face. 
 And in an instant Franklin's history, 
 From first to last the girl did trace. 
 Said she'*when Franklin started life, 
 Like myself he was quite poor. 
 But that he became a hero. 
 There can nothing be more sure. 
 I might become a finished artist. 
 Should I a course in art embrace: 
 Make myself a heroine; 
 Win honors for myself,and race. 
 Along what line would I be likely, 
 Most of all to succeed? 
 Which art will in the colored race, 
 The most worthy ideals breed? 
 I might play the sweetest music, 
 'T would leave no tracks upon the ^i'' 
 By which others might be guided 
 To halls of fame, and fortune fair 
 If I should paint the finest portraits 
 In the rarest colors bright, 
 They would hang in costly dwellings 
 Forever from poor children's sight. 
 So I shall strive to be a sculptress, 
 Atid when great ones bones are rotten 
 I'll reproduce in marble, 
 Those who should not be forgotten. 
 Let th^m pose on tall pedestals. 
 Where all can see them, and admire. 
 Reflect upon their great achievements 
 Strive more honors to acquire". 
 99 
 
EDMt kN 1 A A N D TM E S PA TUE 
 
 She stood so long thus contemplating^ 
 Her friends were leaving her alone; 
 When she, awaking from her reverie^ 
 Said "I can carve a man from stone". 
 That day, William Lloyd Garrison, 
 A noble Negro emancipator; 
 Took Edmonia to a sculptor, 
 To see if he would educate her: 
 Said**train this girl to be a sculptress, 
 She now has an iron will: 
 And I think with your assistance, 
 She can soon acquire the skill" 
 That great hearted Boston sculptor. 
 Took Edmonia there to train; 
 And pretty soon he discovered, 
 That she owned an excellent brain. 
 She soon learned the art of sculpture 
 History's thrilling pages tell, 
 How in gracefulness,and elegance. 
 Her marble statues all excell. 
 In Rome she has an art gallery: 
 'Mong her finest works on show, 
 Are busts of Douglass, Browri,Sumner 
 And Mrs.Hariet Beecher Stowe. 
 Her superior skill, and genius, 
 Have her fine art gallery graced. 
 With classical, and christian statues, 
 Among those marble heroes placed. 
 Although she was poor,and ignorant, 
 vShe had a lofty aspiration: 
 Threw her soul into her efforts, 
 And Jichieved her elevation. 
 You young colored men, and women, 
 This teaches you to understand. 
 That you can master anj'^ science. 
 To which you may set your hand: 
 
 If you take up your profession, 
 Determined not to put it down, 
 Until you adorn your tempels. 
 With the victor's golden crown. 
 100 
 
Fred Douglass 
 Great Anti-Slavery Orator 
 
GARRISON I 
 
 Gleaming brightly as the sun, ') 
 
 A-re thy robe, and golden crown: / 
 
 R-ich with jewels thou hast won; ^ 
 
 I K-ewards for evils ye did put down. C 
 
 I-n thy news papers grand, i 
 
 S-lave holders found opponents bold:C 
 
 0-n the soil of every land, \ 
 
 ' N-ever did they cease to scold. ^ 
 
 ' STOWE is 
 
 S-un above this slave cursed nation; C 
 
 ' T-hou radient Goddess bright; | 
 
 ) 0-pened the way for emancipation, j 
 
 ) W-hen Tom's Cabin thou didst write \ 
 
 E-very word of thy great book, 
 ) this natiou to its center shook, c 
 
 BROWN , 
 
 ) B-old as a lion in the night; v 
 
 R-ifles could not thee restrain: 
 
 J 0-nward in defense of right, ^ 
 
 W-ent thou to sever slavery's chain. ' 
 
 ) N-eath the bar wert thou suspended :r 
 
 } but thy fate the nation rended. \ 
 
 Of Fr@®i®M 
 
 ar clouds had been brewing long, 
 Getting heavier dark,and strong; 
 
 m 
 
 When our civil war began, 
 That did set free the colored man. 
 When on that great,historic morn, 
 Christ,the saviour was borne, 
 He had within his heart,and brains^ 
 Power to break all slavery chains. 
 The golden rule he promulgated, 
 Has \vars,and strife precipitated: 
 Right trying to subdue the wrong; 
 They grapple manfully, and long: 
 Until the wrong is overpowered. 
 And flyeth liKe a stupid coward.. 
 101 
 
CHAMPIONS OF FREEDOM 
 
 That rule goes down the ages crashing 
 Monarchies to pieces dashing: 
 Subverting empires,scepters breaking 
 Kingdoms into republics making. 
 And it will ever crash on down, 
 Until all men give Christ the crown: 
 Honor that immaculate king: 
 Obey his law in every thing. 
 Emperor Constantius had died; 
 And Constantine had come with pride 
 To claim, and receive as his own; 
 The Roman scepter,crown,and throne 
 When up five bitter rivals shoot; 
 His title to the throne dispute. 
 To it each one does lay a claim, 
 And fight like tigers for the same. 
 Constantine was much perplexed; 
 And to his very soul was vexed: 
 Until he saw across,and banner. 
 Standing in an imposing manner, 
 Over the sun above his head, 
 And on that banner plainly read. 
 In gold letters on a line, 
 "Conquer you by this sign" 
 The cross ment faith in Christ he new 
 The banner told him what to do. 
 A brass standard like it he makes, 
 Which he into his wars takes. 
 Meets,and conquers all his foes; 
 Every rival overthrows. 
 Became the emperor of Rome, 
 With scepter,crown,and palace home. 
 Christianity he embraces; 
 Encouraged christians in all places. 
 The Romans famed for bravery. 
 Held millions of men in slavery: 
 Forced them with arms to till the land 
 Tnroughout that broad empire grand. 
 'Til Constantine saw that strange 
 
 thing, 
 And became a christian king. 
 102 
 
CHAMPIONS OF FREEDOM 
 
 Then for the right he took a stand; 
 Gainst slavery lifted his hand. 
 With one stroke of his mighty pen^ 
 He set free forty million men. 
 Now had Wilberforce,and Howard; 
 (Surely neither was a ooward 
 But posessed both skill, and bravery;) 
 Caused England to abolish slavery. 
 When the detestable slave trade, 
 Did free America invade, 
 It was not to be very long, 
 Before our good christians strong, 
 Would the awful crime deplore; 
 And seek to drive it from our shore. 
 A fruitful source of revenue, 
 Rapidly this slave trade grew. 
 White men, to obtain the gold, 
 Their black brothers bought,and sold. 
 Until on every great plantation, 
 Slaves were held all o'er this nation. 
 They were driven, beat,and killed: 
 Untimely graves these people filled. 
 The whites did crush beneath the rod 
 The image of themselves,and God. 
 Iron chains their limbs did bind; 
 They were with ignorance kept blind 
 Many a slave's distressful groan, 
 •Caused God to tremble on his throne: 
 Caused him his powers to employ, 
 All slave holding to destroy. 
 Ben Lundy,brave,and skilful knight. 
 Knowing that slavery is not right. 
 Did the poor slave's cause espouse; 
 Spoke,and wrote'til he aroused, 
 Men in every northern state, 
 Slavery every where to hate. 
 To labor for the liberation, 
 Of every slave in our nation. 
 Like an angel on white wings, 
 His famous news paper brings. 
 True counsel to all people's doors: 
 The crime of slavery it deplores, 
 103 
 
CHAMPIONS OF FREEDOM 
 
 Though the brutal mob,and clan, 
 Often assaulted this great man; 
 Though he many times was jailed, 
 Because slave holding he assailed; 
 It did not abate his zeal: 
 Like hot thunder bolts of steel; 
 These burning truths he ever hurled, 
 Long as he lived over the world. 
 Garrison's bold addresses; 
 And reasons from his printing presses 
 Which into every state he sends, 
 Gain for the Negroes many friends. 
 The pen of Harriet Beecher Stowe, 
 Perhaps did more to overthrow. 
 Slavery's shameful institution, 
 Than any earthly contribution. 
 Her Uncle Tom's Cabin book, 
 America by storms took. 
 Convinced men they must put down 
 
 slavery, 
 Or renounce their bravery. 
 Douglass,a colored man, 
 From a slave plantation ran, 
 Into the free northern states; 
 Slavery's horrors ke there relates. 
 That scholar-orator,self made; 
 So much intrinsic worth displayed, 
 That the world could plainly see, 
 That if these people were set free; 
 And given thorough education; 
 They'd be an honor to this nation. 
 That these industrious black brothers 
 Would do as much as any others, 
 In peace, or war's distressful time. 
 To make this country sublime. 
 
 Then came Sumner on the stage, 
 And he relentless war did wage; 
 
 In the congress of this nation. 
 For black men's emancipation. 
 
 His speeches. eloquent,and bold. 
 The senate long spelbound did hold. 
 104 
 
CHAMPIONS OF FREEDOM 
 
 •Causing many northern men, 
 To resolve with arms to win, 
 The freedom of the southern slaves, 
 Or find themselves heroic graves. 
 Lucretia Motts most brav€, 
 Espoused the just cause of the slave: 
 Lectured for emancipation: 
 Gave many of them education. 
 John Brown had long led slaves away 
 Laboring both night,and day; 
 Helping them their masters foil, 
 Until they got upon free soil. 
 Deciding that was far too slow; 
 He planned with arms to overthrow, 
 Slavery in every southern state; 
 Attempted armies to create. 
 With a few men, John Brown made. 
 Upon an arsenal a raid: 
 (It was the Harper's Ferry one,) 
 To get for every slave a gun. 
 But the slaves from on the farms, 
 Came too slow to tak^ up arms; 
 They were captured, and destroyed: 
 But their fat© the world annoyed. 
 When they hanged brave John Brown 
 The North swore slavery to put down. 
 So many abolitionists, 
 Resolved to accomplish this; 
 Into politics it went: 
 They made Lincoln president: 
 A man of skill,and bravery, 
 And a foe to slavery. 
 Not wanting her black men freed. 
 South Carolina did secede. 
 All other southern states too, 
 From the union soon withdrew. 
 The confederacy erected: 
 Davis their president elected. 
 Richmond the capital was made: 
 The rebs their banner there displayed, 
 105 
 
LINCOLN ( 
 L-ive thou immortal statesman grand,( 
 
 I-n Heavea's fair,and happy land. (i 
 
 N-ations still admire thy worth: / 
 
 C-onsecrate thy mound of earth. c 
 
 O-verthrower of slavery: ( 
 L-eader with skill, and bravery. 
 N-ew monuments erect for him: 
 
 let not his noble name grow dim. ' 
 
 Th® ©Iwll Wmw 
 
 BATTLE OF SVM.. TER APR1861 
 
 rfflhen the southern states ceceeded, 
 lA|l Forts ,and guns then they needed: 
 Tried they to hold the forts,and stores 
 The Union had around their shores. 
 Fort Sum ter sat before their eyes; 
 They coveted the splendid prize. 
 Their general Beauregard, 
 Here,and there had labored hard; 
 Placing batteries around; 
 Sumpter's walls to shatter down. 
 President Lincoln then told, 
 Anderson the fort to hold: 
 That he would there surplies send. 
 To help him Fort Sura ter defend. 
 That they'd hold their forts, and all. 
 Until by rebel guns they fall. 
 In April, eighteen sixty one. 
 The Civil War was begun. 
 Early one morning.half past four, 
 A cannon's mouth was heard to roar 
 It did on James Island stand, 
 Under Beauregard's command, 
 Far off Aurora's chariot of light, 
 Was just emerging in to sight: 
 The west lay wrapped in heavy gloom 
 All had been silent as the tomb. 
 Happily did sleep,and rest, 
 All but those with cares oppressed. 
 106 
 
SUM' TER 
 
 The North, and South on war's brink.. 
 Their leaders,awake did think. 
 Both nations now fast breathing rage, 
 'On war theater's frowning stage; 
 Began that bloody war to fight, 
 That gave slaves their freedom quite. 
 That confederate gun illfated, 
 Most dreadful war precipitated: 
 When bursted forth from every gun, 
 Ten thousand thunder storms in one. 
 The cannon growl, roar,and flash; 
 While through the air the shells dask 
 Upon each others works they fall; 
 Making great fissures in each wall. 
 Anderson,and his brave men, 
 Fought most desperately to win: 
 Fought like Gods not borne to die: 
 Delighting every rebel eye. 
 Until fell Pluto,Vulcan,Mars, 
 Tearing down all nature's bars; 
 Turned loose all the powers of hell, 
 To help old Beauregard excel. 
 After Fort Sum ter was shattered; 
 ■Stars,and stripes completely tattered; 
 When rebel's red hot cannon balls. 
 Had fired Sumpter's mangled wallsi; 
 The flames ascending to the skies; 
 Smoke blinding the soldiers eyes 
 From toil their limbs were sore; 
 Yet they were ready to do more. 
 Looking out through many a wrent, 
 With all their amunition spent; 
 Like a lion in a cage, 
 With no protection from men's rage.; 
 While he does armed men behold, 
 Llis heart remains fearless,and bold: 
 These brave sons of Mars surveyed. 
 Death, which never them dismayed. 
 -Sum ter they held for three long days 
 While it was burning up in blaze. 
 But in that awful deadly strife, 
 "Not B. soldier lost his life. 
 107 
 
1 ney naa no otner course to take, 
 But die or those red flames forsake. 
 By the rebel troops admired, 
 The Union garrison retired. 
 
 McDowell 
 
 M-ay grateful people,black,and white|^ 
 
 C-onsecrate ever thy grave: ^ 
 
 D-eliniate on tablets bright; |X 
 
 0-r marble statues for the brave: j^ 
 
 W-ondrous valor he did show: ^ 
 
 E-ven though he did not win: J 
 
 L-eading his troops against the foe, i^D 
 
 L-aboring slavery to end. ^^ 
 
 BATTLE OF BULL RUN ^ 
 
 nwoarmies,each Vi'ith lion's heart, 
 ;5lept that night not far apart: 
 Near Manassas on Bull Run; 
 Waiting for the next day's sun. 
 McDowell's Union soldiers brave. 
 Resolved to set free every slave: 
 The southern soldiers in the planes; 
 Sworn to keep the slaves in chains. 
 Around now Somno's legion flies, 
 Sealing with sleep the soldier's eyes: 
 Leads their slumbering souls away. 
 To dream-land's bright,eternal day. 
 Wrapped in profound sleep it seems , 
 To Union soldiers steeped in dreams; 
 They had the rebs annihilated, 
 And the slaves emancipated: 
 That the freed men had achieved, 
 Distinction hard to be believed: 
 That in commerce,science,and art. 
 Grandly they had played their part. 
 O! what a vaulting thing is sleep; 
 That can o'er years,and ages leep; 
 And make the enterprise seem won; 
 When it has only just begun. 
 Could they have seen the fields blood* 
 And dead men rolling in the flood; 
 All the battles to be fought; 
 And mighty devatation wrought; 
 108 
 
BATTLE OF BULL RUN 
 
 Before this progress could be known; 
 They'd have made a solemn groan. 
 The southern soldiers,rich,and poor, 
 Who side by side did sleep,and snore; 
 Dreamed the north did to them yield, 
 And they had slaves on every field; 
 All over the American nation, 
 Who'd never see emancipation. 
 Asleep,the poor reb did enjoy, 
 His land, his mule,and Negro boy; 
 That were to reward his bravery. 
 In perpetuating slavery. 
 The rich reb dreams of his estates; 
 A hoast of slaves that on him waits: 
 While he robs his colored neighbor. 
 Out of all his honest labor. 
 God, upon his great white throne, 
 Meditating all alone; 
 These states' transgressions assaying; 
 Ones sins against the others weighing; 
 Lifting the scales of justice high. 
 And on the South fixing his eye, 
 As down the golden beam does tilt; 
 Weighing Dixie's heavy guilt; 
 Decreed her fall, and devastation: 
 And the slave's emancipation. 
 Omnipotence did then resolve, 
 These states in long war to involve: 
 That the South may long repent, 
 And have good reason to relent, 
 When the North subdues her forces, 
 And destroys her resources. 
 While this war was just beginning, 
 He'd start the South off to winning: 
 With hopes of victory her inflate; 
 Lure her on to her blind fate. 
 Aurora's arms of golden light, 
 Rolled back the curtains of the night, 
 Then floods of rays burst from the sun. 
 Into the valley of Bull Run. 
 Illuminating nature's stage; 
 When in her play she did engage: 
 109 
 
BATTLE OF BULL RUN 
 
 A play of perfect love, and beauty:. 
 A play to teach all men their duty. 
 Could the slave-holders,every one, 
 Have sat alone on dear Bull Run; 
 Spectators of fair nature's play; 
 Conned her legend,and her lay; 
 Wouldn't these demons have relented;: 
 Their revolting crimes repented? 
 The lilies,pinks,and daisies fair, 
 Pouring their sweetness on the air, 
 Might have taught them to believe, 
 *Tis better to give,than to receive. 
 The birds in every bush, and tree. 
 Intermingling with glee; 
 With never a complaining note. 
 Escaping from a birdie's throat; 
 Might have taught the rebs that day, 
 Race prejudice to throw away: 
 That when men shall inter mingle. 
 Without a discord,jar,or jingle; 
 When all their powers men employ, 
 For one anothers peace, and joy; 
 To make all wealthy, learned and free;; 
 So all can talk, and sing with glee: 
 They will carry out God'^s will: 
 Their highest purposes fulfill: 
 And all men receive full measure. 
 Of prosperity, and pleasure. 
 Bull Run, so small in its beginning; 
 In size,and power ever winning; 
 Its waters all with gradual motion. 
 Making to the spacious ocean; 
 Where as billows of the sea, 
 To help all men they will be free, 
 To carry to every nation. 
 The means of wealth, and education; 
 Might have impressed on southern 
 
 brains^ 
 To take away the galling chains. 
 From the limbs of every slave: 
 Help them be learned, skilful,brave; 
 110 
 
BATTLE OF BULL RUN 
 
 So that in commerce,science,and art. 
 They can perform an honored part. 
 The actors in nature's theater, 
 Delighting men, and their Creator; 
 Would have averted this great fight, 
 Had they been seen, and heard aright. 
 Both armies were for battle arrayed: 
 Their great banners were displayed. 
 Before command was given to fire, 
 McDowell did thus his troops inspire 
 "The cause that brings you to this 
 
 place, 
 The guns,and flashing swords to face, 
 Is one that you cannot forsake, 
 And men of worth, and honor make. 
 By your skill,and bravery, 
 You must brake up slavery: 
 A cause as broad as all creation; 
 The highest interest of your nation. 
 Yon great host of southern men. 
 Are your neighbors,and your kin: 
 You are Anglo-Saxons all. 
 Their blood through your veins crawl 
 But justice you must all defend, 
 Though you must slay brother,and 
 
 friend. 
 Those white criminals murder others; 
 Enslave,and kill your black brothers 
 With dogs, and ponderous lashes, 
 On their bodies tear they great gashes 
 Until the blood from torn veins, 
 Around their feet in showers rains. 
 Not that they willingly submit; 
 The rebs by force accomplish it. 
 Neither are the blacks inferior; 
 Bnt rebs in learning are superior. 
 It is the glory of a knight, 
 For defenseless ones to fight; 
 To rescue them from oppression; 
 And to avenge the transgression. 
 Ill 
 
BATTLE OF BULL RUN 
 
 Coming to overthrow the wrong, 
 You prove to bedauntless,andstrong.- 
 Worthy to be ealled the sons, 
 Of those who took the British guns, 
 Founded this grand,and free nation, 
 Famed for wealth,and education: 
 Extending equal rights to all; 
 The rich, the poor,the great, the smalL 
 Those men the Golden rule did guide:: 
 The bible was their j)oy,and pride; 
 Which taught these patriots to know,. 
 That all men reap just what they sow^ 
 Christ died that all of us saight live: 
 Some of us our lives will give, 
 To emancipate a race: 
 For our souls God has a place. 
 Who dies for his neighbor's sake. 
 In to heaven God will take. 
 Monuments with lettered bases; 
 Busts with bronze,aud marble faces;. 
 Arches,and shafts of marble tall; 
 Thy pictures hanging on the wall; 
 Poets inspiring lays; 
 Fascinating opera plays; 
 Books,and medals will proclaim, 
 To future ages your fame. 
 Perhaps a mead of greater worth. 
 And one to live beyond the earth; 
 A worthy race of men set free; 
 To praise you through eternity. 
 In the storm of shot,and shell, 
 Soldiers use your weapons well. 
 Straight for victory make a dash: 
 See that when these two armies clash,. 
 Every blade,and every ball, 
 Does on a rebel's heart strings fall. 
 Mow them down, like cutting grain: 
 Heap their bodies on the plane. 
 To night,victorious,in your camps, 
 Set down beside your shining lamps; 
 112 
 
THE BATTLE OF BULL RUN 
 
 Write, and tell your friends we won: 
 That the fight was only fu». 
 JSIow, while our musicians play, 
 Go forward boys,and win the day". 
 General Johnson had com€ in, 
 With part of his Shenandoah men; 
 To join those under Beauregard, 
 Whom he thought would be pressed 
 
 har4. 
 Jackson,and his reserve brigade. 
 Were in the rear,under the shade. 
 As McDowell did retire; 
 The Union army opened fire. 
 Confederate guns at once repHed: 
 For hours surged the battle tide: 
 Like an awful thunder storm; 
 Spreading destruction, and alarm. 
 The guns from our trenches reaching. 
 Were dead rebel's funerals preaching. 
 As swords clash, and cannon roar, 
 The 'fields are flooded with gore. 
 Then every brave union boy, 
 Does all hisstrength,and skill employ 
 Upon the rebel's left hand wing. 
 And drove before him every thing. 
 Fast the rebels they were beating. 
 Who were for their lives retreating, 
 Until Jackson's reserve brigade. 
 Gave their escaping brothers aid: 
 Enabled them to stand their ground, 
 While the battle raged around. 
 Johnson's other troop came in, 
 And soon the rebel force did win, 
 McDowell with a lion's heart: 
 Skilled in war's terible art: 
 Saw he could not therebs subdue. 
 From the engagement withdrew. 
 So with an honorable defeat, 
 To Washington they did retreat. 
 113 
 
GARFIELD 
 G-row lovely flowers on thy grave: 
 A-never fading crown for thee: 
 R-edeemer of the groaning slave; 
 F-riend who fought to set him free. 
 I-n the shining courts of glory, 
 E-ternally mayst thou dwell: 
 L-etall the world, learning thy story, 
 D-own to the future race it tell. 
 
 illl® of Pr@§t®iibiifi 
 
 
 ike a young lion fierce,and bold; 
 
 This war, while but a year old; 
 Was a most terible affair: 
 Causing untold trouble, and care. 
 While it did move from place to place, 
 Men fell before its bloody face. 
 Thus far.to their delight,and pride. 
 The rebs had had it on their side. 
 The North, watching the gorey play, 
 Was filled with sorrow,and dismay: 
 To know that she,though in the right, 
 Had lost in nearly every fight. 
 The rebels,sixty thousand strong, 
 Bold, and determined in the wrong; 
 On Kentucky's eastern soil, 
 Skilfully did march, and toil. 
 Fight,and maneuver with discretion: 
 To force the state into secession. 
 Rosecran's forty thousand men. 
 They wanted to defeat,and win. 
 114 
 
BATTLE OF PRESTONBURG 
 
 If his troops they had defeated, 
 Kentucky would then have seceded. 
 At Prestonburg,Big Sandy near, 
 On a tall hill chosen vath care; 
 Five thousand reb soldiers did stand,. 
 Under old Marshall's command. 
 Colonel James Garfield employs. 
 Eleven hundred Uuion boys; 
 Marshall's five thousand men to fight 
 Them to slaughter,or put to flight. 
 This brave knight from Ohio, 
 Did there become a great hero: 
 Won a never dying name; 
 Leaped into the halls of fame. 
 Garfield obscure,and poor was borne;. 
 But conquered poverty, and scorn; 
 Eagerly to school he went: 
 Became a college president. 
 Then from his home in Ohio, 
 This brilliant young scholar did go; 
 The forty second to command: 
 A troop the rebs could not withstand. 
 Fought like an ai\gry Hon brave: 
 Our government to save, 
 And for complete emancipation: 
 Was made general by his nation. 
 He,Rosecran's chief of staff was made- 
 And such intrinsic worth displayed; 
 That we did every battle win. 
 Which he participated in. 
 At chicamorga,and Shiloah, ^ 
 
 The rebs he helped to overthrow. 
 He was so honored and respected. 
 Soon he was congressman elected: 
 And from that to president, 
 This Solon from Ohio went. 
 Kentucky was the war theater. 
 Where this dauntless gladiator,. 
 116 
 
BATTLE OF PRESTONBURG 
 
 First won the hero's golden crown; 
 With its honors, and renoun. 
 ■Of the rebsthey were in sight: 
 ■Stood they in full view on a hight. 
 The waters of Big Sandy river, 
 Did with chilly breezes quiver. 
 The January air was cold: 
 But Garfield was dauntless,and bold. 
 Before command to shoot he gave; 
 He spoke to make his soldiers brave: 
 Said,"soldiers,in this fight to day, 
 Great valor,skill,and worth display. 
 Let not a reb before you stand: 
 Heap their bodies on the land.' 
 Win this battle for your nation: 
 Receive then her congratulation. 
 To excell in any art, 
 You must put in to it your heart: 
 If in w'ar you do the same, 
 You will achieve eternal fame. 
 This war, with its toils,and care. 
 Has been going on a year: 
 And to our disgrace,and shame. 
 The rebs do most the battles claim. 
 Deep sorrow,and consternation, 
 Distress the northern population. 
 The rebel troops greatly prevail; 
 The Union quivers in the scale: 
 And soon will fall by rebel bravery; 
 And all of us be held in slavery, 
 If we don't more bravel}' fight: 
 To uphold justice,and right. 
 The reason why the rebs excell. 
 Is because they fight so well. 
 Like a wild and savage beast. 
 That does on a man's carcass feast^ 
 Boldly chasing men awa}^ 
 Who would deprive him of his prey; 
 Yon' rebs who force men in slavery. 
 Do to keep them fight with bravery: 
 But they war against the light: 
 'They war against justice, and right. 
 
BATTLE OFFRESTONBURG 
 
 Their fight's a double crime,and sin: 
 War they against both God,and men. 
 God does upon these people frown; 
 And will help you to put them down; 
 But if with them you sympathise, 
 And with their crimes compromise; 
 Or if you think it is not right, 
 Against these criminals to fight; 
 You will go upon the field, 
 Void of valor,skill,and zeal: 
 You will be as tame as sheep: 
 Or like grain for them to reap. 
 But if you be bold in the right, 
 And with desperate valor fight; 
 You will the rebel force destroy, 
 And fill your nation's heart with joy, 
 Shoot,and cut with all your might: 
 Defeat those rebels before night. 
 Go ferward boys,and win the day: 
 All the rebels before you slay'. 
 The forty second Ohio, 
 Against the rebs did running go. 
 The fourteenth Kentucky fine, 
 Rapidly did fall in line. 
 The Union cavelry most grand, 
 Did upon the rebels land. 
 All Union troops made a bold dash, 
 And with the rebel forces did clash. 
 Like a thousnd bolts of thunder; 
 The rebs did reel,stagger,blunder: 
 The Union soldiers rushed the fight: 
 Spreading destruction left, and right. 
 And after just three hour's fight. 
 The rebel force they put to flight. 
 Sixty rebs were killed in all: 
 Two Union soldiers dead did fall. 
 The victory brought consolation, 
 To the disheartened Union nation. 
 
 117 
 
LYON 
 L-iving in ths realms of light, 
 Y-onder far above the sun; 
 0-ne who battled for the right: 
 N-eve wert thou known to run, 
 
 SUMMER OF 1861 
 
 1 
 
 ike two great tornadoes surging, 
 
 Now separating,now converging, 
 
 Overturning with their huge arms, 
 Whole countries,their cities, and farms 
 Now raged the war's relentless fury; 
 Both in Virginia, and Missouri. 
 Like wild fire it soon progressed, 
 Throughout the East.and middle west 
 Missouri rebs were very few; 
 Her governor Jackson that well new. 
 Her progressive population, 
 Favored the slave's emancipation: 
 Jackson the state neutral proclaimed: 
 For that he was greatly blamed. 
 The Union troops with captain Lyon» 
 With hearts.and souls stout as iron; 
 
 lis 
 
WAR IN MISOURI 
 
 Took up guns,aiid swords with joy, 
 The rebel forces to destroy. 
 Took Fort Jackson in a flash: 
 Against Boonville they made a dash. 
 Marmaduke's forces at that town, 
 Lyon's Union troops put down. 
 Then to Saint Louis leading his men; 
 They did soon that city win: 
 Our arsenel there defended; 
 For that he was highly commended. 
 But when they went to Wilson's creek 
 O ! God their fate I dread to speak: 
 Price,and McCnlloh there did land, 
 All the troops in their command. 
 Shut Lyon in on every side; 
 The hero fought until he died. 
 Accepting terms to them tendered; 
 His brave soldiers surrendered. 
 Because he such bravery displayed, 
 Lyon had been a general made. 
 His dauntless valor's awful fury, 
 For the Union won Misouri. 
 Never has a soldier's grave. 
 Received a heart more stout,and brave 
 His brief,but dazzling career. 
 To our hearts is most dear. 
 Lyon's niches in fame's walls; 
 His statues gracing parks,and halls; 
 His white stone shafts pointing above, 
 Proclaim for him a nation's love: 
 And a progressive race of men, 
 Who's freedom he did help to win, 
 For him will speak eternal praise: 
 Relate his story, sing his lays. 
 On ever}' decoration day, 
 In the deligiitful month of May, 
 They'ill with flowers'deck thy grave: 
 Martyr who died to free the slave. 
 Soldiers will then their canon shoot. 
 Thy dauntless spirit to salute. 
 119 
 
I®iil#s Of Henf f 
 And Donaldson 
 
 Fou£ 
 
 our champions came on the stage^ 
 A.nd such deadly war did wage; 
 i^ought with such valor,skill,and zest. 
 They conquered all rebs in the West. 
 Grant,Sherman,Farragut,Pope; 
 Who caused the rebels to lose hope, 
 Of over northern soldiers wininng, 
 Though they had a good beginning. 
 Grant,our nation's joy, and pride, 
 Oft'through the jaws of death did ride 
 And rescue victory's precious meat, 
 Out o the stomach of defeat. 
 Of all ^heroes Grant was the best; 
 Napol eon,Caesar,all the rest; 
 Excelled the heroes of all ages, 
 Whose names adorn history's pages. 
 Grant was like the War-God bold: 
 Death, he did defy, and scold: 
 His courage, valor_,zeal,and skill, 
 The chief part were destined to fill 
 In vanquishing the rebel nation; 
 And achieving emancipation. 
 He did our troops great courage lend 
 And brought the war to speedy end. 
 The Mississippi to its mouth, 
 Was lined with forts held by the south 
 The Tennessee's banks the same. 
 Held many forts the South did claim. 
 On Tennesse Fort Henry stands, 
 Donaldson on Cumberland's sands. 
 Although repulsed at Belmount, 
 Grant took of it little account. 
 To take Henry,and Donaldson planed' 
 By gun-boat fleet,and force on land. 
 Halleck reluctantly consented, 
 But never the result repented. 
 Comodore Foot with his gun-boats, 
 To Henry,on the Tennessee floats. 
 While Grant, with troops in his 
 
 command,. 
 To Fort Henry moved by land. 
 120 
 
Ulysses S.Grant 
 Military Hero, And Statesman'^ 
 
HENEY,AND DONALDSON 
 
 Foote's gun-boats anchored off shore, 
 Captured garrison, fort, and store. 
 Grant came on the scene too late, 
 To help to seal Fort Henry's fate. 
 They both moved on to Donaldson; 
 And a splendid victory won. 
 The rebs repulsed the Union fleet: 
 But Grant gave them a sure defeat. 
 In this fight,God does snow employ, 
 To help the rebel force destroy: 
 The garrison was poorly clad: 
 Few blankets,and wrapps they had. 
 No fire at all by which to warm; 
 God blasted them with a snow storm. 
 While it was thus cold, and stormy; 
 Grant,and his dauntless Union army; 
 Into that fort for three wholr days, 
 Their guns did thundering blaze: 
 'Til dying soldier's shrieks,and yells, 
 Mingling with thunder of shells; 
 The men by cannon balls shot down; 
 Lots frozen dead upon the ground; 
 The awful story plainly tell, 
 They wanted no more shot,and shell. 
 The rebel general Buckner wrote, . 
 To brave general Grant a note. 
 The conditions to him did tender, 
 On which he would the fort surrender. 
 When Grant said for his brave nation, 
 Surrender without stipulation: 
 Or into judgment he would land, 
 All who dared before him stand. 
 As Grant prepared the fort to take, 
 Buckner did surrender make. 
 Fifteen thousand rebs in all, 
 Into Union hands did fall. 
 All of the rebels now were seen, 
 Leaving Columbus,and Bo'ling Green: 
 Johnson, and Beauregard directed; 
 At Corenth they soon collected. 
 121 
 
nlie Union army mored to Shiloh; 
 And there Grant did shortly go: 
 He was sent to take command; 
 Buel's force rushed to join his band. 
 Johnson tried Grant's men to beat, 
 Before his, and Buel's troops did meet. 
 Groping through the dark, they found, 
 The Union army lying down: 
 Their eye-lids were locked with sleep: 
 They were as grain for rebsto reap. 
 No one dreamed the rebels near; 
 They stole on them all un aware. 
 Aurora nt)w began to write, 
 With her pencils of golden light; 
 Old colonel Dark a long furlough: 
 So to Asia he could go: 
 And cease the rebels to assist, 
 With his sable mantle's mist: 
 Blinding the Union soldier's eyes, 
 So rebs could take them with surprise. 
 Confederate troops at break of day, 
 Rushed from the woods in battle array 
 Like bees, the rebel soldiers swarmed, 
 Around the Union troops un armed. 
 Who.tho* surprised. and unpre]>ared; 
 To arm theinselves,and fii:ht, dared. 
 "Rebel troops in every quarter, 
 Pid sleeping Union soldiers slaiighter. 
 The Union army,hacked.and torn. 
 To the river bank was bourn. 
 Then Grant the God of battle came, 
 And did them from defeat reclaim: 
 Determined he to die, or win; 
 Massed his cannon ;grouped his men: 
 Hurled the rebs into a ravine: 
 The most pathetic sight e'er seen. 
 While they grope in mud, and water. 
 Shells rain on them from every quarter 
 Both from the army, and the fleet; 
 They on the groping rebels meet. 
 ^122 
 
BATTLE OF SHILOH 
 
 •Such havoc wrought he in their rank, 
 That few rebs reached the river bank. 
 Thiis,our Grant.skilful.and brave, 
 Did most the Union army save: 
 'Til Buel's troops to aid them came; 
 When they did a great victory claim. 
 The rebels with a shameful beating, 
 Soon were for their lives retreating. 
 Surely these rebels illfated, 
 Both by God, and men were hated: 
 For as from Shiloh they retreat, 
 God poured on them volleys of sleet. 
 Before Corentli did these rebs hold, 
 Many of them died in the cold. 
 Two thousand rebs with Johnson fell; 
 Grant sent their wicked souls to hell. 
 O ! God, the South, for a long season. 
 Had no religion, law, nor reason: 
 No one to help restrain the wrong; 
 Or shield the weak a gainst the strong. 
 Men looked with un consern at others, 
 Enslave,and kill their weak brothers. 
 Fain would they have captured God; 
 Made him dig their turf,and clod; 
 "Since they enslaved his image, man; 
 Keep him down long as they can. 
 O! what a foul, corroding sin. 
 They participated in. 
 No time had Johnson to repent: 
 His soul straight to perdition went. 
 Take warning southern white men all, 
 Lest his sad fate should you befall. 
 Fifty yeai's from thence removed; 
 Your character has not improved. 
 Your infernal lynching clans; 
 Are always forming lawless bands; 
 ^Murdering men of the black race, 
 Over the South in every place. 
 You southern men of education; 
 Who caused the -South to wreck this 
 
 nation; 
 123 
 
BATTLE OF SHILOH 
 
 So you ignoraut slaves could hold; 
 Men like beasts be bOught,and sold: 
 Of lynching you are all the cause; 
 You incite men to break the laws. 
 To get the offices, and rule, 
 You do the poor mhite people fool: 
 Make them hate the colored neighbor 
 Side of whom they daily labor; 
 And would be happy, and contented, 
 If they were not thus prevented. 
 You teach them 'tis a shame, and sin,. 
 To vote with or for colored men: 
 Say they are vicious;have no rights: 
 That they should be ruled by whites. 
 Thus teaching them black men tohate 
 So much anger in them create, 
 That from trifling insults. 
 Brutal murder oft' results. 
 This lawless butchery elates. 
 White leaders in the southeru states: 
 The strife they have sown bearing fruit 
 Prejudice taking deeper root. 
 Long as murder you tolerate, 
 You'll hold office in southern state. 
 Punish lynchers for their crime. 
 It will not be a long time, 
 Before they'li colored men respect; 
 And to office them elect. 
 Southern white leaders must tremble,. 
 When to worship they assemble; 
 To think the offices they hold, 
 Are causing woes, and death untold. 
 You brave,aud skilful northern men; 
 Who did such great achievements win,. 
 By beating the slave-holding nation; 
 And giving a race emancipation. 
 The greatest work of all the ages. 
 That does adorn history's pages. 
 Future scholars will read the story; 
 And admire your fame.and glory. 
 Upon your children you have rolled,. 
 A heritage more dear than gold. 
 124 
 
BVrrLEOFSHILOH 
 
 What is the joy of wealth, and ease, 
 Compared with honors such as tliese? 
 When your swords decay in rust; 
 Your statues crumble into dust; 
 You will enjoy these honors bright, 
 In a world of fadeless light. 
 Be it to northern soldier's pride^ 
 That they fought, bled, and died; 
 A race's freedom to restore: 
 Christ himself did not do more. 
 Mind the smiles,and soft hand shake; 
 And speeches southern orators make. 
 Their wrongs they have not repented: 
 Nor their purposes relented. 
 Don't you see the splendid prize, 
 Taken away before your eyes ? 
 The prize that your brave fathers won. 
 By their valor,sword,and gun. 
 Though in honored graves a resting, 
 They are silently requesting, 
 You the victory to complete: 
 If you the South again must beat. 
 God in his image made all men; 
 So they could great achievements win 
 Made them with latent mental powers: 
 That can unfold, and bloom like flowers 
 Made them for mutual help, and joy: 
 Not to enslave nor to destroy. 
 The world's exhaustless resources, 
 Of inanimate forces; 
 The electricity, and air, 
 Over the globe every where: 
 And all the fire,water,steam. 
 With which every land does teem; 
 These the good Creator gave, 
 For men to harness,and enslave: 
 He gave all men inventive skill; 
 With machines the world to fill: 
 To utilize these forces in; 
 So they can do the work of men. 
 When all men are educated; 
 125 
 
BATTLE OF SHI LOH 
 
 Science will be so elevated, 
 That all inventions will appear, 
 To do away with toil, and care: 
 So in that happy ,glorious day. 
 Work will be the same as play. 
 Let no men by envy, and greed. 
 The nation's improvement impede. 
 Commodore Foote does justly claim. 
 His statues in the halls of fame; 
 For his valor skill, and cunning; 
 In doing such effective gunning, 
 At Henry,Donaldson,Shiloh; 
 Helping Grant to overthrow, 
 Confederates,and them to beat; 
 Compelling thousands to retreat. 
 Though old hungry time devours; 
 His monum8nts,and lofty towers; 
 He still will flourish in this rhyme: 
 Immune to ravages of time. 
 Beauregard's Confederate band. 
 Into Corenth then did land; 
 Halleck led Union soldiers there; 
 And Beauregard escaped else where. 
 As Beauregard retreating flies, 
 Halleck the city occupies. 
 The Union soldiers now controlled. 
 That Confederate strong hold. 
 
 126 
 
Th# Amw Mm 
 
 s 
 
 ijow did two great armies race; 
 
 To gain a most important place, 
 i^or Louisville both armies dash; 
 Both plunge the spur, both ply the lash 
 Three hundred miles the race 
 
 extended; 
 It was a spectacle most splendid. 
 Each with a hundred thousand men; 
 Striving hard the race to win: 
 With their bright regalia; 
 And war paraphernalia. 
 Wagons,and team in endless trains, 
 Stretching over the western planes: 
 Swords clankingjhorses neighing; 
 Banners flying,music playing. 
 Now slow, and restful moves the mass.: 
 Now galloping,they onward pass. 
 As the columns march along, 
 ■Spectators watching either throng, 
 Are with admiration thrilled: 
 Or with consternation filled. 
 Had you on air-ship been placed; 
 Watching these armies as th^y raced, 
 You would have seen a demonstration 
 The grandest ever in this nation. 
 No tournament of any place; 
 Nor Greek,and Roman chariot race: 
 Was half so interesting,and grand, 
 As armies racing through the land. 
 Federalists,and rebels fly; 
 Kentucky state to occupy. 
 Buel,and his Uuion men, 
 In this splendid race did win. 
 At Perry ville ensued a fight: 
 Bragg escaped from Buel at night. 
 While Grant's army was divided. 
 The Confederates decided; 
 To go,and slaughter our brave men; 
 'Corenth take,and hold a gain. 
 Albert Price, and Earl Vandorn, 
 Leads their forces on that morn. 
 127 
 
At Corenth on Grant they fall; 
 He defeats their forces all. 
 
 BATTLE OF MURFREESBORO 
 
 J rag at Murfreesboro standing: 
 Sixty thousand men commanding 
 On his northern expedition; 
 Excited general Rosecran's suspicion: 
 Who from Nashville moved his train; 
 To meet Bragg's army in the plane. 
 These two generais,far a part; 
 Masters of the martial art; 
 The same plan of attact persue; 
 As nearer they together drew. 
 As onward over planes they pass^ 
 Both on the left their armies mass: 
 Thinking the others line drawn out; 
 And he'd go through it with a shout. 
 The rebel's strong left wing dashes; 
 It with the Union right clashes. 
 The scattered Union right wing reeled: 
 Might have been driven from the field- 
 Had not Sheridan stood his ground, 
 While Rosecran's army moves around : 
 New trenches dig, a new front forms; 
 Prepares to meet the deadly storms, 
 Of terrific shot,and shell, 
 That thick as rain among them fell. 
 Four times this front the rebs assailed: 
 Four times the rebel army failed. 
 They to the Union trenches went; 
 But this assault they did repent. 
 Like salamanders,born in fire, 
 The Union troops the charge admire: 
 While in this inferno they stand; 
 Driving back the rebel band. 
 The Confederate general Bragg, 
 Surrendered .and took down his flag. 
 No longer did they hope to win, 
 Kentucky from the Union men. 
 Thus Sheridan leaped into fame; 
 And immortalized his name. 
 When in a sea of blood submerged; 
 And fire,and death around him surged 
 He came out a brilliant hero: 
 Triumphant over the foe. 
 128 
 
G-o]den,are the deeds of heroes: 
 R-efu]gent,as the shining sun; 
 A-far their brilliant honor glows: 
 N-ations praise the things they've done. 
 T-hey are the bearers of the light: 
 and strong defenders of the right. 
 
 on Mississippi river stands, 
 
 Vicksburg,in Confederate hands. 
 
 The Union army quickly goes, 
 To capture those slave-holding foes. 
 Sherman's brigade there floats, 
 In Poter's Federal gun-boats. 
 Grant rushes soldiers there by rail; 
 But fate causes his plans to fail. 
 Vandorn's cavelrymen in haste, 
 Dash to Holly Springs, and waste. 
 His stores of powd er,ball!?,and guns; 
 Away the caveley now runs. 
 Grant waited for another chance. 
 Against Vicksburg to advance. 
 Disappointment is a matter,- 
 That often men's arrangements shatter 
 Ample means are oft' provided, 
 To do things we have long decided; 
 When in contengencies will wander, 
 And tear our brilliant plans asunder. 
 But go forward, have good cheer; 
 We have ten smiles for every tear: 
 Ten days of joy to one of care: 
 Fewer cloudy days than fair. 
 Don't stop because your efforts fail; 
 Perseverence will prevail. 
 129 
 
i^^P^<:r^^^^^ 
 
 (0) P-roud arc we of thy career: 
 ^ 0-n board the vessels of thy nation: 
 o^P-utting rebels on the bier; 
 (K)E-stablishing emancipation. 
 
 Batlte®ff rao.io 
 
 ill rebs from Columbus withdrew; 
 
 1 
 
 The Union gun-boats them persue 
 
 They land on Island Number Ten: 
 And were captured by Union men. 
 Three weeks the roaring guns of Foote, 
 Their title to the place dispute; 
 Until the Union captain Pope, 
 Caused his dauntless soldiers to hope. 
 Standing on the river's brim ; 
 The rebel army fasing him; 
 His resourseful genius found, 
 A plan to get his troops around. 
 To the rebel army's rear, 
 And fire their guns upon them there. 
 Cross Donaldson's Point,a canel, 
 In nineteen days they did cut well: 
 Twelve miles in length, fifty feet wide; 
 His men through it in boats did glide. 
 Then the awful charge began; 
 The gun-boats the batteries ran: 
 Thundered on rebs from front,and rear 
 A storm of shells they could not bare. 
 The Union soldiers soon did win, 
 The fort,and seven thousand men. 
 The gun-boats next go down the rive,. 
 And a death wound do deliver: 
 To the Confederate iron-clad fleet; 
 It receives a great defeat. 
 On Memphis next the gun-boats call;. 
 Took city,soldiers,fort,and all. 
 Kentucky,and west Tennessee, 
 From rebel armies now were free. 
 130 
 
C-onquerer of matchless v.'orth, 
 U-pon tke fields of blood, and fire; 
 R-enouned art thou all over earth: 
 T-hy brave deeds all men admire. 
 I-n parks are thy monuments tall: 
 S4atues hast thou in honor's hall. 
 
 m 
 
 
 Burtis now comes on the stage, 
 And he,relentless war does wage; 
 
 His most brave,and generous toil 
 For the Union gaining soil. 
 Into Arkansas from Missouri, 
 He droveP rice with desperate fury. 
 Vandorn does now the rebs command: 
 Curtis on his troops did land. 
 The Federal army did rend, 
 A might}'- force of rebel men. 
 At Pea Ridge was waged this fight: 
 They vanquished the rebels quite. 
 While they grappled to excel, 
 So mahy rebel soldiers fell; 
 And Indians the rebs employd, 
 Amased, excited, and annoyed; 
 Startled to see big guns on wheels. 
 Whose noise their war-crj^ conceals: 
 Disconcerted, they leap,and yell; 
 'Til mangled by a bursting shell. 
 They the hard pressed rebels hindered, 
 And general Vandorn surrendered. 
 This is the irony of fat; 
 That does on wicked people wait: 
 The instruments they do employ, 
 Others to injure,or destroy; 
 Do often on themselves rebound; 
 When their schemes fall to the ground 
 131 
 
Wmwwmo^i . 
 
 F-orever will the brave, and free, 
 A-dmire thy bold, and dauntless feat; 
 R-ushing on mines hid in the sea; 
 R-ebs had placed there for thy fleet. 
 A-lthough one vessel they destroyed; 
 G-o forward ! ,said thy fearless breath. 
 TJ-ndismayed,and unannoyed, 
 T-hy sailors crossed that sea of death. 
 
 iatlle Of l#w Oi 
 
 SI 
 
 ight put on his starry crown; 
 
 On his great black throne sat down 
 Donned his spacious sable robe 
 Its shadow darkened half the globe. 
 Whilt this thick, and blinding mist, 
 Thieves,and murderers assist, 
 Good men avail themslves of it, 
 Lawless bandits to outwit. 
 While the soldiers were a sleeping; 
 And the night away was creeping; 
 Farragut awake, was thinking; 
 His head shaking,and eyes blinking: 
 Searching in his spacious mind, 
 Some method quick,and sure to find; 
 'Pon New Orleans a raid to make, 
 That city to subdue,and take. 
 The fleet must go past the defenses; 
 Bnt ! God, the consequcnses. 
 On his mind a plan now flashes; 
 Among his officers he dashes, 
 Delivering them this command, 
 "Take squads of men out on the land, 
 Get wagon loads of boughs.andtwigs; 
 Put over the gun-boats, and their rigs: 
 Take advantage of the night: 
 Do the work without a light. 
 132 
 
BATTLE OF NEW ORLEANS 
 
 You can the gun-boats so disguise, 
 They may deceive the rebels' eyes, 
 As we move on down the stream, 
 The trees along the shore we'll seem", 
 'Quickly they performed the task: 
 Every boat had on its mask. 
 Then Farragut his men addressed: 
 Encouraged them to do their best: 
 •Said"Soldiers gallaut,brave,and true, 
 I much respect,and honor you, ^t •; 
 For the brave deeds you have done; 
 For your many battles won. 
 With triumph your arms are blessed. 
 In both the east.and middle west. 
 Maryland, and West Virginia; 
 Missouri, (thus the states continue:) 
 Kentucky our army gains; 
 It in the Union still remains: 
 Fort Monroe.and Hatters Inlet, 
 Took we away to their regret: 
 Fort Henry, also Donelson, 
 Are two strongholds that we won; 
 At Shiloh,and Number Ten, 
 We did two gr^at victories win: 
 Perriville,Corenth Murfreesboro, 
 Saw us the rebels overthrow. 
 At Pea Ridge it was our pride, 
 To have victory on our side. 
 We want the Mississippi river. 
 So rebel steamers can't deliver, 
 Eithere soldiers or supplies, 
 To any state that on it lies. 
 First her ports Ave must blockade: 
 Then we must through Virginia wade. 
 The rebels now are failing fast: 
 Not much longer can they last: 
 'Their numbers few,supplies small. 
 That nation soon is doomed to fall. 
 •God has turned from them his face: 
 There is for slave-holders no place, 
 Wher« they can live in peace longer; 
 135 
 
BATTLE OF NEW ORLEANS 
 
 And oppress men because stronger. 
 Every Union soldier fights, 
 To defend men's natural rights. 
 The right to freedom, right to vote: 
 The right to be statesmen of note. 
 Bight to achieve through education; 
 High honors in the state,and nation. 
 Your highest earthly aim, 
 Should be your neighbors to reclaim, 
 From both outward, and inward harm; 
 And them into real saints reform. 
 So fts children of the light. 
 With brilliant minds,and lives upright; 
 They'll perform deeds,and words 
 
 express,. 
 That may every nation bless. 
 The men,and women of all nations, 
 Are your equals,and relations. 
 Whom, when oppressed in any land, 
 You should lend a helping hand. 
 When taxed without representation,. 
 By the haughty British nation, 
 Europe did the wrong deplore; 
 And send her armies to our shore. 
 Lafayette,Steuben,and KoehambeaUy 
 Hehped us her armies overthrow. 
 In this nation's capital fair, 
 Is to be seen Lafayette square: 
 A park in Washington where standi 
 Statues of those who loaned a handy 
 To help set Americans free; 
 Brave men from far beyond the sea^> 
 The park our white house faces*; 
 Flowers,and statues it embraces. 
 The greatest gain to be received; 
 Highest honor to be achieved. 
 Is the consolation, and joy, 
 You have when you do employ^ 
 Your money,skill,and bravery, 
 To wipe out wrong,and slavery, 
 134 
 
BATTLE OF NEW ORLEANS 
 
 House3,and gold will pass away; 
 All earthly pomp will soon decay: 
 But fame by chivalrous deeds won, 
 Will always shine bright as the sua. 
 I can't resist the envitation, 
 To fight for freedom,and my nation. 
 When breaking the tyrant's rod, 
 We are also serving God. 
 And we have nothing to fear: 
 Of our souls God will take care. 
 If we die doing our duty, 
 Our lives will end in perfect beauty. 
 It is just now three o'clock. 
 Loose the gun-boats from the dock. 
 Move on slowly down the stream; 
 So that we the trees will seem. 
 If they shoot us from the shore, 
 Fix them so they'll shoot no more". 
 Like lions watching prey to move, 
 The rebs discover, and r-eprove. 
 Thundered big guns along the shore: 
 From Union ships a volley tore. 
 The guns from forty four gun-boats, 
 Sang destruction's awful notes: 
 While forts,and batteries reply, 
 The Union sailors death defy. 
 The bombardment was so profound, 
 For forty miles it shook the ground; 
 Shattering window glasses out; 
 And killing all the fish about. 
 Passing the fort.the Union fleet; 
 The rebel iron clad ships defeet. 
 The st'cam battery Louisiana, 
 Surrendered her rebel banner. 
 The iron plaited ram, Manassas, 
 Into Union service passes. 
 The fleet now to New Orleans runs. 
 Which lay helpless before its guns. 
 The rebels now begin to fear, 
 Being attacted in the rear; 
 Surrender into union hands: 
 The river's mouth it now commands, 
 135 
 
CAMPAIGN 
 
 Both nations now did grimly frown 
 jAnd on eachothers heads cut dowD 
 Grappled with their strength, and art, 
 To tear out eachothers heart. 
 For Washington the South did strive: 
 To take Richmond the North contrived. 
 Each drew again on their resources, 
 To make more powerful their forces. 
 When the conflict was renewed, 
 Each one so skilfully persued, 
 And fought the other with such ;'.eal, 
 That neither long could claim the field. 
 But Unionists,bold in the right, 
 Did with such dauntless valor fight. 
 So long as men shall honor worth. 
 Their praise shall wring all over earth . 
 The Union army now does go, 
 From Washington to Fort Monroe; 
 Thence,a hundred thousand strong, 
 To York Town they marched along. 
 Here with five thousand men Magruder 
 Stopped every Union intruder. 
 From Washington comes heavy gunsy 
 And away Magruder runs, 
 Behind the Williamsburg defenses; 
 McClelian to march there commences. 
 In bloody battle they engaged, 
 Which for nine whole hours raged. 
 General Hooker,"Fighting Joe", 
 There became a great hero: 
 He held the rebel troops at bay, 
 ^Til reinforcements came his way. 
 The rebels stagger,fall,and die; 
 Bleeding from the field they fly. 
 Behind them Hooker's troops continue 
 Nearly to Richmond Virginia. 
 Much blood on the ground was lying. 
 The fields were heaped with dead, and 
 
 dying. 
 136 
 
PENINSULA CAMPAIGN 
 
 They did to Richmond go so near, 
 They saw her steeples in the air. . 
 Soon as Richmond gets this news, , 
 An awful panic there ensues: 
 A bloody siege these rebels fear, 
 From the Union army near. 
 The reb congress at once adjourned. 
 This way,and that the people turnecL 
 All were wild with consternation, 
 Dreading a federal invasion. 
 The rebs resort to martial art, 
 To make the Union troops depart. 
 To Hanover court house flies, 
 A force to cut off their supplies 
 And thirty thousand federalists, 
 Marching McClellan to assist. 
 The Union troops with Poter came. 
 Captured the rebels there,and clame, 
 Honor of having comrades shield, 
 And being masters of the field. 
 For them the evergreen does grow: 
 Flowers for them do ever blow. 
 Men, and angels do admire, 
 The fame which they did here acquire, 
 McClellan for McDowell waited, 
 Whom circumstances had belated. 
 Had his men come,and joined his band 
 On Richmond he had ment to land. 
 But Johnston's military art, 
 Keeps these Union men apart: 
 Sends Jackson up Shenandoah Valley 
 'Gainst Washington to make a sally. 
 Joined with Fuel's ten thousand men. 
 From Banks he did Strassburg win. 
 The Shattered Union forces run. 
 For refuge back to Washington. 
 As they into the city swarmed. 
 The people were greatly allarmed. 
 Lincoln then with keen discretion^' 
 Took of all railroads posession, 
 Called on all governors to send, 
 137 
 
PENINSULA CAMPAIGN 
 
 Their state soldiers to defend, 
 Th« capital of their nation, 
 Against a confederate invasion. 
 From Franklin sends Fremont's troop; 
 Banks with Harper's Ferry group; 
 McDowell with Fredericksburg men; 
 Jackson to conquor,and bring in. 
 Adroit.and shrewd ai a coon, 
 For all of them he was too soon. 
 At Cross Keys Fremont did him bay: 
 But there Jackson refused to stay. 
 Fremonfs troop he soon defeated, 
 To Port Republic then retreated: 
 Had a battle there with Shields; 
 Drove him five miles from the fields. 
 He from Shenandoah retreated, 
 Without having been defeated. 
 As from the valley he retired', 
 Jackson all towns, and bridges fired". 
 With fifteen thousand rebs in gray,. 
 From sixty thousand got away. 
 Dexterously foiling all plans, 
 To make him fall in Union hands. 
 He threatened Washington to sack,. 
 And saved Richmond from attack. 
 Apart of McClollan's forces. 
 Cross Chickahominy river courses. 
 Then came up a heavy rain; 
 The waters flooded all the plane; 
 These dashing waters,deep,and wide,. 
 McClellan's Union troops divide. 
 The rebs attack the exposed wing, 
 And drive before them every thing. 
 But general Sumner's troops now leep^. 
 Across the bridges there,and sweep, 
 The rebel soldiers all away, 
 So Union troops could win the day. 
 Johnion here a wound was given: 
 The rebels from the field were driven. 
 General Sumner,ganaht,brave, 
 Thus did the Union army save. 
 138 
 
PENINSULA CAMPAIGN 
 
 He was then embraced by fame: 
 Him as her consort she did cliam. 
 On his lips a kiss she pressed: 
 Held his head upon her breast. 
 Gave him the hero's golden crown: 
 Eternal honors,and renown. 
 Lee came forward to direct, 
 The rebs the Union troops to check, 
 He,such shrewd maneuvers made, 
 He did McClellan's troops evade. 
 Forced Union soldiers to fall back: 
 Thus saving Richmond from attack. 
 Then sent he Stewart off a flying; 
 To waste supplies that were lying; 
 By the railroad near Whitehouse; 
 He did this quiet as a mouse. 
 'Round Union soldiers he did drive; 
 And back to Richmond went a live. 
 The Union troops attempt to go, 
 Richmond to tako,and overthrow; 
 Hooker's brigade had got in sight, 
 Of Richmond's lofty houses white; 
 Now Jackson, and his men appear, 
 At Hanover Courthouse near; 
 Cutting off from Whitehouse landing, 
 Union troops at Richmond standing. 
 Resolving now to change his base. 
 To a more convenient place, 
 McClellan chose the James river; 
 Ere he could there supplies deliver, 
 From York river,his present place, 
 Lee's whofe army did him face. 
 They checked Lee at Mechanicsville: 
 Again repulsed him at Gain's mill. 
 Here Poter did most desperately fight, 
 By Chicahominy's waters bright; 
 From the bridge the rebels turned, 
 Then the river bridge he burned. 
 Lee sent Longstreet,Magruder Hill, 
 With troops the Union force to kill. 
 The Union army fought Magruder, 
 At Savage station,but the intruder; 
 139 
 
PENINSULA CAMPAIGN 
 
 Was checked by the approach of ni ght 
 Then he escaped from their sight. 
 Rebswith Hill,aud Longstreet swarm, 
 E-oundUnion troops at Frazier's farm. 
 Such stout defense Uuioiiists make, 
 Their line the rebs could never break. 
 After much fighting^constant marching: 
 Dust blinding them, and sun a parching 
 The Unionists at night did go, 
 For rest in fort Malvern Platteau. 
 This mighty fort of clay, and sand, 
 Was like an amphi theater grand: 
 Circles of frowning guns did rise, 
 Upon eachother to the skies. 
 The gun-boats anchored in the water. 
 Offered assistance from that quarter. 
 Into this double Inferno, 
 General Lee's army did go. 
 Twenty tnousand died on the altar, 
 Before Lee's hopes to win did faulter. 
 McClellan, Union troops commandiag^ 
 Went quietly to Warrenton's Landing. 
 Lee now Washington anoys; 
 From Richmond dash the Union boys-, 
 McClellan with his army ran. 
 To join Pope on tlie Rapidan^ 
 Lee exerted his skill, and art. 
 To keep Pope,and McClellan apart.. 
 Sends Jackson in Unionists rear. 
 To make assault npon them there-. 
 On he went through Thoroughfare gap; 
 Thinking he'd caught them in a trap- 
 Stood in the rear at Bristi's station. 
 Prepared for Pope's annihilation; 
 By double attack from front,and rear,. 
 By his rebel forces there: 
 But Lee had in general Pope, 
 One whose skill could with his cope. 
 Pope seeing the rebels divided, 
 To fall on Jackson he decided: 
 Planed to beat Jackson, then take Lee; 
 And Washington from fear to free. 
 140 
 
PENINSULA CAMPAIGN 
 
 This scheme to nothing had to go, 
 Because McClellan came too slow. 
 And Pope with forty thousand men, 
 On all sides was now shut in; 
 But fought like angry lions they; 
 And from the rebels got away. 
 They fought through all the rebel force 
 And back to Washington did course. 
 This bloody battling was done, 
 On the old field of Bull Run. 
 Mclellan's cowardice had cost, 
 Thirty thousand Unionists lost. 
 No greater doubt,allarm,and awe, 
 Had the Noath faced in all the war. 
 
 s when wolves drive men away 
 And then return to seek their prey 
 Lee goes back through Maryland, 
 Raising troops on every hand. 
 On Washington to march, and fall; 
 And vanquish Union forces all. 
 With his troops organized a new, 
 After the rebs McClellan flew. 
 On the way this general found, 
 A paper lying on the ground: 
 At once did McClellan see, 
 That it was lost by general Lee. 
 When he did this paper unfold. 
 It plainly to McClellan told, 
 How General Lee by his own hand, 
 Had specified his marching plan. 
 Learned he that Lee's men were divided 
 To fight his rear he then decided. 
 Drove he them to South Mountain pass 
 And fought the rebels in a mass. 
 The Union troops poured in the field, 
 And compelled them all to yield. 
 Lee perceiving his mistake. 
 Across Antietam creek did take,'| 
 The remnant of his vanquished men; 
 And from there he bid begin, 
 141 
 
BATTLE OF ANTIETAM 
 
 To organizing his troops a new; 
 And back to fight McOlellan flew. 
 As rapidly as he could be, 
 Jackson was coming to hel]) Lee. 
 Heoker's and Burnside's brigade, 
 Hastned to McClellan's aid. 
 McClellan might have won the day,. 
 Had it not been for his delay : 
 Gave Jackson time to join Lee's menj.. 
 Before he did the fight begin. 
 Aurora looked through golden bars 
 Upon the frowning field of mars: 
 Old stelthy,cunniug,sable night. 
 Saw her shining swords of light, 
 Dressed in black, refuge he seeks, 
 Behind the western mountain peaks. 
 When old swarthy night had gon, 
 Day's bright king sat on his throne: 
 Saw fory thousand rebs in gray: 
 Eighty thousand yankees that day. 
 Hooker did Lee's left wing engage, 
 And was swept from off the stage. 
 Both sides did now recruit their powers. 
 The war raged dreadfulh- for hours. 
 Burnside reached the field of fight. 
 Too late to help the Union right. 
 That night the rebels under Lee. 
 Across the Potomac did flee. 
 Six weeks hense Unionists continue. 
 Their march onward in Virginia. 
 No rebel army standing near, 
 Washington was relieved from fear. 
 Lincoln read the proclamation. 
 That gave all slaves emancipation. 
 Men,and angels did shout,and sing; 
 Guns did thunder.and bells did wring: 
 Freedom's friends in every nation. 
 Rejoiced at emancipation. 
 
 142 
 
BY BURNSIDE 
 
 Bike a plan«t*s silvery blaze, 
 Emitting fax its brilliant rays, 
 Another hero bursts in sight; 
 Shines on the world intensely bright: 
 He is the Union's joy,and pride; 
 The wise,and fearless Burnside. 
 He did the Union troops inspire. 
 Many victories to acquire. 
 Celestial Muse, his praises sing: 
 Let them through endl«ss ages wring: 
 AmericanSjSweet flowers bring; 
 Lay on his ^rave every spring: 
 Adorn his little moun of clay, 
 Every decoration day. 
 On Roanok« Island stands a foct; 
 The key to many a rebel port: 
 The guard for railroads, rivers, sounds, 
 Kuning through those rebel grounds; 
 Be it to his joy,and pride. 
 Its men surrendered to Burnside. 
 Fort Monroe,Elizabeth City; 
 Surrendered to Burnside witty^ 
 iFernandina,and fort clench, 
 X)ftrean,Jack8onville they lynch. 
 iPulaski,and St.Augustine, 
 Had two Union victories seen. 
 Both New Bern,and Fort Maoon toQ, 
 (Burnside's army overthrew. 
 Hn most the cities by the sea, 
 Burnside did set th.e slaves free. 
 
Q 
 
 OF VICKSBURG 
 
 cksburg,its great forts,and stores^ • 
 
 [On Mississippi river's shores, 
 
 Cirrant.to capture,long had sotaght: 
 Hore for weeks he'd toiled, and fought. 
 Firm, as Gibraltar.still it stands: 
 Invulnerable to hostile hands. 
 By failure,Grant was undismayed, 
 But greater skill, and worth displayed;. 
 The next time he besieged this town: 
 And tried, its forts to batlle down. 
 Leaning against a big white oak, 
 Thus bold grant to his soldiers spoke: 
 "My soldiers,of intrinsic worth. 
 You are honored throughout the earth: 
 Your great valor,skill,and zeal, 
 Proved on many a battlefield; 
 Have won your nation's praise,and 
 
 mine: 
 Your service thus far has been fine. 
 You have such splendid fighting done, 
 That,your arms have many states won. 
 When Visksburg from rebels you wrest; 
 You'll hold this river,and the West. 
 For three whole years the eastern states^ 
 Have been the cruel sport of fates: 
 ITnion leaders have trifled so. 
 That their progress has been slow: 
 But when we at Antietam won. 
 The rebels saw that they were done. 
 Unrestrained, our troops continue. 
 Marching towards Richmond Virginia. 
 Now,our hardet work is done: 
 The rest will only be but fun. 
 In all the battles that await, 
 Our brave heroes emulate. 
 Like them vanquish the rebel forces: 
 Like them capture their resources: 
 Like them plunge through cannon fire^ 
 And splendid victories acquire. 
 Tore God, your souls are pure, and white 
 Because you battle for the right. 
 144 
 
SECOND BATTLE OF VICKSBUG 
 
 •Justice directs the arms you wield: 
 Truth is 3'our protecting shield: 
 Though the war continues long, 
 These will surely conquer wrong. 
 This land is for the free, and brave: 
 No person here should be a slave. 
 All should be trained in the high school 
 All men should vote,and help to rule: 
 All men should to greatness aspire; 
 And much good for the world acquireu 
 Put you all tyrany to flight: 
 Fill this nation with freedom's light. 
 A human being's mortal arm; 
 No greater service can perform: 
 Than the nation's wrongs to right, 
 And to dispence freedom,and light. 
 You'll thus yourselves immortalize: 
 And b© lauded to the skies. 
 Your 8tatues,and monuments tall; 
 Busts,and portraits in fame's kail; 
 The famous bard's immortal lay^ 
 And what historic annals say; 
 Will through all ages grace your name 
 All you heroic sons of fame, 
 if southern white men should refuse, 
 Colored office-holders to chose, 
 And persist in keeping that race, 
 In servitude,and disgrace; 
 They will resort to emigration: 
 Live in thair own states,and nation. 
 There with restraints taken away,. 
 They ){ill great energy display. 
 In culture, enterprise,and worth. 
 They'll soon excell all men on earth. 
 Yicksburg will fall into your hands, 
 If you now carry out my plans. 
 The fleet must past these forts glide. 
 The army march down the west side: 
 Take boats,and sail across the stream: 
 From all sides on the rebels team. 
 Those batteries are eight miles long: 
 And lined with guns heavy,and strong: 
 145 
 
SECOND BATTLE OF VICKSBUa 
 
 If you pass that dangerous wall, 
 You will through death's intestines 
 
 crawl'.. 
 It is so hazzardous a task; 
 I cannot that much of you ask. 
 All of yon can go who chose;. 
 Thoie who donot may refuse. 
 All who past those batteries fly, 
 Will then be lauded to the sky. 
 It is the shortest road to fame: 
 And to a never dying name. 
 You'll win all people's admiration; 
 And be promoted by your nation. 
 Most every one tendered his name: 
 To go on that voyage of fame. 
 Shortly there had been enrolledt, 
 More than the boats would hold. 
 They were selected then by lot: 
 Their names on cards,placed in a pot: 
 Drawn out by a hood winked boy: 
 To the number they would employ. 
 One man, whose name stayed in the pot,. 
 Offered to buy a boy's lot: 
 Offered a hundred dollais cash, 
 To take his place in that grand dash. 
 Prefering deathless fame to gold. 
 The boy never his ticket sold.. 
 Down the stream,the first gun-boat, 
 Close to the western bank did float: 
 In the dark shadow of the tre^s: 
 The rebel army soon it sees. 
 Kindles a bonfire right away;; 
 Which shows the gun-boats plain as d»jr 
 Like a thousand huge volcanoes; 
 From which a firey deluge flows: 
 In deadly streams,for miles away; 
 That do all living creatures slay;. 
 The guns from the batteries yell: 
 When sheets of fipe,shGt,and shell; 
 Upon the Union gun-boats fall: 
 But they ran past the big guns alL 
 146 
 
SECOND BATTLE OF VICKSBUG 
 
 Ferried the troops to other side; 
 Only a few of them had died. 
 They fought the robs at Port Gibson: 
 When Grant defeated Pemberton. 
 Johnson was coming,miles away, 
 To assist Pemberton that day: 
 Grant.moved to Jackson, 'tween the two 
 And Johnson's forces overthrew. 
 <Jhased Pemberton to Champion Hills: 
 Hundreds of his soldiers kills: 
 To Big Black River next he flies: 
 Shutup in Vicksburg.next he lies. 
 Grant did twice Vicksburg assault: 
 Twice there the Union soldiers halt. 
 They threw up embankments of clay: 
 To keep the rebel shots away. 
 Mines, and counter mines they made: 
 The riflemen the rebs surveyed. 
 When ones head shown above the fort, 
 A Union rifle made report: 
 The reb was slaughtered in a flash: 
 Dead in the trenches he did dash. 
 All over town the buildings fell: 
 Mangled by Union shot,and shell. 
 The rebels faced annihilation; 
 And surrendered to our nation. 
 Grant's energy, and skill had won, 
 What others said could not be done. 
 
THE BATTLE OF 
 
 *®rt Plsh#r 
 
 Dort Fisher, with her frowning guns^ 
 Past which, Cape Fear river runs; 
 
 Standing near that river's mouth; 
 
 Was 'mong the strongest in the South. 
 
 Wilmington, a town of high rank, 
 
 On that river's eastern bank; 
 
 North Carolina's chief sea-port, 
 
 Was protected by that great fort. 
 
 Several towns of smaller size, 
 
 From Wilmington get their supplies; 
 
 By which the rebels are made strong: 
 
 And able the war to prolong. 
 
 A combined land, and naval force; 
 
 Towards Fort Fisher now does course; 
 
 Sent by Grant from Fort Monroe: 
 
 Fort Fisher's walls to overthrow. 
 
 Poter,the brave commodore. 
 
 With seventy gun-boats,or more; 
 
 And all of Butler's lusty legion; 
 
 Proceeded to that rebel region. 
 
 Two days of bombardment profound; 
 
 Failed, that fort to battle down. 
 
 Butler to Grant then did report. 
 
 That they could not capture the fort. 
 
 Butler's land-forces now go, 
 
 Rapidly.back to Fort Monroe. 
 
 Decides Poter to wait a while; 
 
 Asks Grant for another trial: 
 
 Said he if all, their best had done, 
 
 They'd easily have that fort won. 
 
 Terry, with Butler's troops, and more, 
 
 Grant sent to aid the commodore. 
 
 Protected by a cannonade, 
 
 These brave soldiers,and sailors made. 
 
 Some trenches,behind which they craw! 
 
 'Til they are near Fort Fisher's wall. 
 
 Now, fiercely they the fort attack: 
 
 But the sailors are driven back. 
 
 But those intrepid soldiers all, 
 
 Leaped over that thundering wall. 
 148 
 
Waged a fierce hand toTiand 'battle; 
 And slaughtered rebel troops like cattl^e. 
 The Union soldiers,black,and white, 
 Did,with such fierce valor fight, 
 That Fort Fisher,its stores.and all, 
 Into Unionist's hands did falL 
 Those who into honor's hall <;limbe, 
 Whether,in war,or peaceful time; 
 •Oftimes do fail, and try again; 
 Before they do th« victory win. 
 
 Jobile*s spaeious,pond«ro«s fort, 
 Guarding that great southern port; 
 Looming up on fair Mobile bay; 
 Before Farragut's gun-boats lay. 
 These boats^in pairs,together' lashed; 
 Rapidly, past the huge fort dashed. 
 Farragut.from the Hartfcn-d's mast, 
 Heviewed those gun-boats as they passed 
 Many a fierce torpedo mine, 
 The channel there did thickly line. 
 The foremost gun-boat was the first, 
 A torped«-mine to burst. 
 'The explosion did sink that "boat: 
 Bold Farragut heard the report: 
 And shouted,*^what's the matter there!" 
 The answer came, "torpedoes here." 
 Admiral Farragut's reply, 
 'lV^as,"go a head,aQd them defy." 
 As these gun-boats did forward rush, 
 Their keels,torpedo mines did crush. 
 The bursting caps did whine,and sputter 
 Against those boats,reproaches utter. 
 'Though all those torpedoeerwere loaded 
 lHoi another one exploded. 
 In a great storm of cannon balls, 
 'They fought pagt those thundering walk 
 149 
 
THE BATTLE OF MOBILE 
 
 After battling just one hour, 
 Thty did the soldiers overpower. 
 Engaged the rebel fleet below; 
 And did their ships overthrow. 
 Took the Tonntssee iron-chid; 
 To surrender the rebs were glad. 
 By reason of this expert gunning, 
 The port was closed 'gainst blockade 
 
 running* 
 If Farragut had been afraid, 
 
 4 And off those fierce torpedoes stayed; 
 
 " Had he from those deadly mines run, 
 That battle he would not have won. 
 When men put their lives in stake. 
 An opening for the right to make; 
 When they for justice risk their lives, 
 And rush upon the guns,and knives; 
 All nature seems to love the bold, 
 When death they thus defy, and scold: 
 Plunge into the huge jaws of death, 
 Emurge with vietory,fame,and breath. 
 Guns seem all heroes to admire: 
 At them they oft' refuse to fire. 
 An Indian chief.in war one day, 
 Shot Washington five yards away. 
 At him fifteen times he shot: 
 But hit the hero he could not. 
 When he'became the president, 
 To Washington the old chief went; 
 To honor him who on the field. 
 The great spirit from death did shield* 
 In Fort Moultry's bombardment; 
 Sergeant Jasper,s«fely went; 
 Out in a storm of cannon balls. 
 And fixed the flag upon the walls. 
 The'gallaxy of heroes bright, 
 Embraced Farragut with delight: 
 Gave him a corronet of gold: 
 Because he was dauntless,and bold. 
 150 
 
W-olf upon the stormy sea; 
 I-n thy noble Kearsarge boat; 
 N-o rebel ship could eicape thee: 
 S-ank ye many they had afloat. 
 L-ofty shafts of lettered stone, 
 0-ver thy dear grave shall stand: 
 W-riter's ink will make thee known 
 among scholars in every land. 
 
 THE ALABAMA AND KEARSARGE 
 
 El 
 
 ow bursts upon the sky of fame, 
 A star with a brilliant flam.e. 
 
 It is brave captain Winslow, 
 Who became a great hero, 
 Wihen he,the Alabama sank: 
 A British steamer of high rank. 
 England was a neutral nation: 
 But,broke her neutralization: 
 Wh«n she sent cruisers to out-strip. 
 And capture every merchant-ship. 
 That was then in navigation^ 
 Belonging to the Union nation. 
 The Alabama,big,and strong, 
 She sent.though we denounced the 
 
 wrong; 
 As a cruel,unfriendly act; 
 But she refused to call her back. 
 She sent her to the Azores: 
 Where she reeeired her crew.and stores. 
 Charge of her.captain Semmes takes: 
 Straight for Cherbourg France he makes 
 When,into that French port he runs, 
 Ha challenges Winslow's guns. 
 Winslow,captain of Kearsarge; 
 A Union sloop of war large. 
 The bold Kearsarge does now advances, 
 151 
 
ALABAMA AND KEARSARGE 
 
 Her foe to vanquish near France. 
 The surging ocean is the stage, 
 On which they did the battle wage. 
 The duel off Cherbourg took place. 
 France looked on with smiling face. 
 The gallant captain Winslow, 
 The^Kearaarge did maneuver so, 
 That there in sight of laughing France^ 
 He made the Alabama dance. 
 His cannon balls that cruiser found, 
 While in a ring, she sailed around. 
 Seven times danced she around, 
 Then to the bottom went she down. 
 Then the Kearsarge did rescue. 
 The Alabama's drowning crew. 
 Her rebel captain Semmes found. 
 Refuge on board the Deerhound. 
 The Deerliound,an English yacht. 
 Which chanced to be near the spot. 
 Long live the fame of Winslow: 
 For him may flowers ever grow. 
 Let all, his honored grave admire: 
 And lenrn from it,fame to acquire. 
 Learn how the tyrants to destroy. 
 And fill the werld with peace,and joy. 
 
THE BATTLE OF 
 
 nhe rebel iroops lay East, and West, 
 Along tall Lookout Mountain's crest 
 Un Missionary Ridge were seen; 
 And along tht valley green. 
 The scenery in that grand theater; 
 Was carved out by the great Creator. 
 Missionary Ridge,a lofty mountain, 
 A valley with a crystal fountain. 
 Green foliage covered the ground: 
 Lovely flowers bloomed around. 
 The birds,from melodious throats, 
 Sang out freedom's joyous notes. 
 The rills chanting delightful rhyme; 
 A scene most pretty, and sublime. 
 The IJnion troops, on dress parade, 
 A spectacle most splendid made. 
 Effulgence was from swords streaming: 
 Bayonets,and helmets gleeming. 
 The eighty thousand yankees bold, 
 Against that rebel army rolled. 
 As they were for battle arraying, 
 The bands were thrilling music playing. 
 The sun upon his throne of gold. 
 Did with joy that ecene behold: 
 Was glad that battle-field to light, 
 So men for freedom's cause could fight. 
 The soldiers were so animated; 
 Their spiriti so elevated; 
 The officers,near at hand, 
 Could hardly their troops eommand. 
 A bold dash, general Thomas makes: 
 And, Orchard Knobs,he quickly tak«8. 
 The next day, Hooker's force, enlarged. 
 The forts on Lookout Mountain charged. 
 They did not heed comin-and to stop. 
 But rushed on to the mountain top. 
 Driving the rebels from the crest, 
 Achieving there a grand conquest. 
 A mist of rain did so enshroud. 
 This awful battle in the cloud; 
 That,those who saw it from the plane, 
 Only a glimpse of it could gain. 
 153 
 
BATTLE OF LOOKOUT MOUNT'S 
 
 Oppressors can't rest any where: 
 Neither on earth, nor in the air. 
 The northern wing did Sherman storm: 
 Hooker's troops on the South did form. 
 Grant.about the center stayed : 
 Waiting to see it weaker made: 
 By the removal of its men; 
 To help the left,and right to win. 
 Soon he saw an open space, 
 In it Thomas' brigade he placed. 
 Told them the rifles to acquire: 
 Then from the battle to retire. 
 The works,they carried at the base: 
 And onward these brave soldiers race: 
 Their valor did brave Grant so thrill, 
 He ordered them to take the hill. 
 Up the steep,and rocky ascent, 
 These heroic soldiers went: 
 With many loud, and cheering yells, 
 In the face of shots,and shells. 
 Far a head Union flags did wave: 
 Above the helmets of the brave. 
 Heedless of the dead, and dying, 
 That before them were a lying; 
 With the rebel brigade they clashed. 
 And it from Lookout Mountains dashed. 
 Then a deluge of shot,and shell; 
 Upon those flying rebels fell. 
 Flashing camp fires that night, 
 Upon the lofty'ridge,and height: 
 Filled the rebel troops with awe. 
 For they had enough of war. 
 When Chattanuga Grant acquirod. 
 From the service Bragg retired. 
 Grant,a door-way had made. 
 By which he could the East invade. 
 
 154 
 
[^ S-oldier,by whose valor.and worth, fe 
 5 H-olds this nation her honored name: ^ 
 I E-v«ry country on the earth, fj^ 
 
 ij R-ecord in histories thy fame. |^ 
 
 I M-ighty thunder-bolt wert thou: (0) 
 
 ^ A-gainst gouthern slave holders all: (^ 
 ' N-eath thy strokes the South did bow: \, 
 5 when chaini off every slave did fall-0 
 
 BATTLE OF KNOXVILLE 
 
 Bnion soldiers then could go^ 
 Through Tennessee,and overthrow, 
 All of the Confederate hosts, 
 'Long eastern sea,and river coasts. 
 Leaving Virginia.Burnside, 
 Into Tennessee did slide: 
 And so many rebs destroyed, 
 That he,Jeff Davis annoyd. 
 The Confederate president; 
 Then,to Chattanuga went: 
 Talked with Bragg,reviewed his men; 
 Saw they had no chance to win: 
 Then.sent he general Longstreet, 
 Burnside's Union toops to defeat. 
 Soon into Knoxville Tennessee, 
 Burnside's army had to flee. 
 They severed its communication, 
 Threatened yankees with starvation. 
 IVhen Chattanuga Grant did win, 
 H» sent Sherman, and his men, 
 Away.to Knoxville Tennesse*; 
 "The Union soldiers there to free. 
 When news of this came to Longstreet, 
 He resolved Burnside to beat: 
 And frustrate general Grant's plot; 
 "Before Sherman could reach the spot. 
 Longstreet charged with dauntless sou4. 
 But Union troops did Knoxville hold: 
 "Til Sherman's army came in sight; 
 WJien Longstreet's whole brigade took 
 
 flight 
 155 
 
mmimm 
 
 T-hough wrong-doers try thee to slay, 
 
 H-old up the flag of truth,and ligkt. 
 
 0-pen to all a brighter day: 
 
 M-ake every tyrant do right. 
 
 A-11 guns could never daunt brave men, 
 
 S-truggling freedom to win. 
 
 THE BATTLE OF 
 
 Eosecrans,after long delay, 
 To subdue Bragg went on his way. 
 
 In Chattanuga, Bragg was standing: 
 With all the troops he was commanding. 
 Roseerans forced his evacuation: 
 By threatening his communication. 
 Th« yankees,sixty thousand strong; 
 In a column thirty miles long; 
 Thought the rebels were retreating: 
 "When they were the rebels meeting. 
 Bragg, was ahead, at a distance; 
 Troops had gon to his assistance. 
 He did Roseerans troops engage; 
 And fought them with such fierce rage; 
 That his line did almost fail: 
 Got almost cat up in detail. 
 Roseerans quickly concentrated. 
 His long line of soldiers.illfated. 
 Against Bragg's army they dashed: 
 They on the Chicamauga clashed. 
 All day,so ranged the battle tide, 
 That success was on neither side. 
 About noon on the second day, 
 Rosecran's troops were giving away. 
 The left wing,having been hard pressed; 
 Greatly shattered, and distressed; 
 From the center,a regiment, 
 To aid the right wing troops was sent. 
 166 
 
BATTLE OF GHICAMAUGl 
 
 That left a central open space, 
 Which, did general Longstreet face: . 
 He threw a brigade in that gap: 
 It did, away the right wing slap. 
 Then, as might have been expected; 
 All eyes, at Thomas were directed. 
 Thomas,Gn the left v/as standing: 
 The left wing he wa-s commanding. 
 If he,and his troops had retreated; 
 The army would have been defeated. 
 On him, the rebel troops 'converged: 
 For hours,they, against him surged. 
 Blood flowed round him like a fountain: 
 But Thomas stood, firm as a mountain. 
 Hense his many admirers all, 
 Him/'rock of Chicamauga" call. 
 
 They asked general Thomas bold, 
 
 How long he the pass could hold: 
 
 He answered with a cheerful shout; 
 
 ^'Until the army's mustered out". 
 
 Then along came kind old night, 
 
 And put an end to that day's fight. 
 
 To Chattanooga,Rosecrans went; 
 
 But this,he did quickly repent. 
 
 Bragg severed his communication; 
 
 With the resources of his nation. 
 
 And then stood guard upon a hill, 
 
 liaady all fugatives to kill. 
 
 Cut off from all communication, 
 
 The Uniyn army faced starvation. 
 
 Brave Grant was given Rosecran's place; 
 
 To Grant's aid Union troops did race. 
 
 They rout the rebels under Bragg: 
 
 And take away his rebel flag. 
 
titte ®f G®ilwsbin 
 
 riiTith hopes of victory inflated, 
 lAjGeneral Lee never waited. 
 Heading a powerful brigade, 
 He hastened the North to invade. 
 As the rebels northward glided, 
 They with our troops collided. 
 On the public road leading west, 
 From Gettysburg was this contest. 
 On both 8ides,assistaDce came: 
 To help their troops the victory claim. 
 A short while after the attack, 
 Meade,and his troops were driven back^ 
 Meade now to Gettysburg retreats: 
 His troops get tangled in the streets. 
 Whole platoons were rushed away 
 As prisoners,before next day. 
 The Union troops came in all night; 
 Joining Meade's army by moon-light i 
 Eeady to shoot,at his command 
 Into the rebels,near at hand. 
 Both sides,a hundred thousand strong; 
 Were on two lofty ridges,long. 
 Those grand ridges eachother face: 
 Making a most picturesque place. 
 Meade, with the Union army grand! 
 On Cemitery ridge did stand. 
 Lee's army,near two miles away, 
 On Missionary Ridge did lay. 
 Longstreet for"Little Roundtop"dashes; 
 There with Sickle's brigade he clashes. 
 The rebel flank now swings around, 
 Goes to the hill-top at a bound: 
 Is there met by Warren's brigade; 
 A most heroic charge it made. 
 Sickles a repulse was given: 
 Back to Ctmitery was driven; 
 Makes here a bold, heroic stand; 
 Repelling all the rebel band. 
 Euel's brigade assaults our right: 
 To Gulp's Hill crestjthey quickly fight. 
 158 
 
BATTLE 0:F GETTYSBURG 
 
 .^ight throws his mantle o'er the planes 
 And the contending hosts restrains. 
 The sun next day,with smiling face; 
 Yiewed with delight that lovely place. 
 In the valey between green hills; 
 Cattle were feeding by the rills. 
 .Every beetlc,bird,and bee; 
 Sang with perfect joy ;and glee. 
 The streamlets in the dazzling light, 
 Were like flashing mirrors bright: 
 Reflecting peaceful heaven's face; 
 Streams that blood would soon disgrace. 
 Before a gun was seen to smoke; 
 Meade thus to his soldiers spoke; 
 *'Brave comrades,on this field of fame, 
 Today the black slave race reclaim. 
 Before the sun shall set to night; 
 Achieve eternal honors bright, 
 Others for you have fought,and died: 
 To set men free should be your pride. 
 "When men donot restrain the wrongs 
 Surely ,it is never long; 
 Before it gets beyond controll, 
 And destroys every soul. 
 Wrong,unchecked,like fire spreads, 
 And brings down ruin on all heads. 
 If we to wrongs do pay no heed; 
 Soon we some people's help will need: 
 To free us from the tyrant'g chain; 
 And help us independence gain. 
 When the right is crushed by wrongs 
 The weak ones injured by the strong; 
 And no one will justice defend; 
 All in general ruin end. 
 Study the book of life, and light; 
 That God's holy people did write; 
 Learn that you will true greatness win, 
 Wiien you shall strive to help all men. 
 Turn over history's pages; 
 Study the nations of all ages: 
 How they ri8e,and how they fall; 
 On<3e how great,and now how small, 
 159 
 
BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG 
 
 Babylon, Egypt^Greece,and Rome; 
 By turnSjbecame refinement's home: 
 By turns in all learning excelled; 
 The scepter over others held. 
 The Anglo-Saxons all were then, 
 A wild, and savage race of men: 
 Living in holes,and rocky caves; 
 And buried in unhonored graves. 
 From the savage tribes.and slavery, 
 They have attained to skill, and braverj 
 When others did from greatness fall, 
 They then became greatest of all. 
 The only shield for any nation, 
 To give it eternal duration; 
 Is kindnes8,truth,justice,and right; 
 To have brave children of the light. 
 God has his keen,unearing dart, 
 Drawn upon that nation's heart; 
 That practices wrong, and oppression: 
 To cut it down for its transgression. 
 And if it does not soon get right, 
 God will extinguish its proud light: 
 Will shatter its criminal heart; 
 Then its greatness will depart. 
 These facts should yon with zeal inspire- 
 And with lion courage fire; 
 Slavery to eradicate. 
 In every southern state. 
 When to shoot I give you command; 
 Let not a reb before you stand. 
 Those who escape swords, and balls; 
 Land them beiiind the prison walls". 
 This speach all of the soldiers praised;^, 
 Their hats on bayonets raised. 
 Lee orders his men to shoot; 
 A hundred fifty guns salute; 
 General Meade's sublime harangue; 
 The cannon balls around him sang. 
 There for two hours,or more; 
 The shells did burst,the cannon roar^ 
 'Til rebels,eighty thousand strong; 
 In double line,a mile long; 
 160 
 
BATTLE OF OETTYSBURG 
 
 "Moved up the slope of Cemetery Hill, 
 The Union troops to wound„and kill. 
 Volleys of lead, and iron balls, 
 Shattered those iiving,human walls. 
 Every death dealing round, 
 .Mowed whole regiments to the ground. 
 But o'er the wounded,dead,and dying; 
 'Tht Confederates kept on flying. 
 Planted on the wall their banner, 
 In a very splendid manner. 
 Then ran they right into death's claws: 
 And passed through his enormous jawSo 
 Trying to bayonet our men, 
 On all sides they were hemmed in. 
 .Shot,and shell from every quarter, 
 Did thousands of rebels slaughter. 
 Panic strickened,and defeated. 
 Others from the fight retreated. 
 Thirty two thousand rebs in all. 
 Into Union hands did fall. 
 Lee no other attempt made, 
 The northern sections to invade. 
 The South's cause in the scale did shake 
 All knew it would soon fall, and break. 
 Christian Civilization, 
 Long had fa<;ed annihilation. 
 Had confederates won the day; 
 It would here hare been swept away. 
 Right would to power have to yield; 
 And justice h«re would be no shield. 
 sSlave holders would have stretched 
 
 their chain: 
 From Mexico to northern Maine, 
 ^oon Christian civilization, 
 Would have fallen in every nation. 
 
 161 
 
THE MONITOR AND MERRIMAC 
 
 El 
 
 J he sun above Hampton was shining 
 Sailors in their boats were dining. 
 A gentle breeze the water shimmered: 
 The ocean in the sun-light glimmered: 
 Like a sea of melted gold; 
 Garlands,and medals to mold: 
 For heroes,champions,and knights, 
 Who risk their lives for human rights. 
 The old iron clad Merrimac, 
 Seeking Union ships to attack; 
 Sailed into Hampton road's waters, 
 With its cannon.and its mortars. 
 The sloop of war Cumberland spying, 
 She was soon towards it flying. 
 The Cumberland great broadsides shot: 
 But harm Merrimac,8he could not. 
 The cannon balls that ship caressed, 
 Like harmless breezes from the west. 
 The great Cumberland , built of wood^ 
 Her rival fought long as Ehe could. 
 The Merrimac,with iron nose, 
 To scuttle the Cumberland goes: 
 In her side she made a great wrent; 
 Straight to the bottom that ship went. 
 Her guns were fired by her men; 
 'Til stopped by water rushing in. 
 While the drowning men were dying, 
 Above the deck the flag was flying: 
 Triumphant o'er their liquid grave; 
 The stars,and stripes to God they gave. 
 Then a mortal contribution, 
 Gave she the frigate Constitution. 
 That had retired to the shore. 
 Such a wrent in her she tore. 
 The haughty white South,educated, 
 Thus treat defenseless black8,illfated. 
 In government gives them no voice: 
 To groan,or leave, their only choice. 
 Their ahield of wealth, and skill strong 
 They use to treat black people wrong. 
 162 
 
MONITOR AND MERRIMAC 
 
 Unsubdued by fearful war; 
 Unrestrained by courts,and law; 
 They plunder,murder,and enslave, 
 The weak, and dash them in the grave. 
 That boat.exulting in her wrong, 
 'Cause she was iron-clad, and strong; 
 Heturned to Norfolk with great joy: 
 Intending next day to destroy, 
 All gun-boats in the* Union fleet, 
 That on the sea she chanced to meet. 
 This filled the South with boundless joy 
 But did the northern men annoy. 
 In the naval constructor's art. 
 It seemed the yankees were less smart. 
 Than southern naval engineers. 
 Whom, it seemed did have no peers. 
 Since southerners had put afloat. 
 An invulnerable gun-boat. 
 But God for freedom's cause had planed 
 That truth,and justice here should stand 
 Timby.many years before; 
 Viewing the fort on New York's shore; 
 The guns in walls,and tow^ers seeing; 
 The guard for New York City being; 
 Saw that the guns in each tower, 
 Would have greater destructive power, 
 If those towers,above the ground, 
 Were made so they could turn around. 
 Made he a fort of ivory small. 
 With turrets just three inches tall. 
 Then this great inventor witty. 
 Built.and placed in New York City; 
 A fort of iron three feet high, 
 With turret that around could fly. 
 The turret turning with its guns, 
 He,by a small steam engine runs. 
 Showing how,in quick succession, 
 Soldiers can, at their discreation, 
 Point their guns in any quarter, 
 And approaching foes slaughter. 
 The government its merrit caught, 
 And the patent of him bought. 
 163 
 
MONITOR,AND MERRIMAC 
 
 While M«rrimacthe boats were taking. 
 The Union engineers were making, 
 An iron clad ship, turret on deck; 
 A ship the rebels would respect. 
 The Monitor was that ship's name: 
 An iron clad gun-boat of fame. 
 On its deck a turret'of steel, 
 Did two powerful guns conceal. 
 First battle ship of modern style; 
 It beat the rebels on first trial. 
 The Merrimac came out next da)^; 
 To sink all ships that came its way: 
 The Monitor that baggot spies; 
 And for her bosteful rival flies. 
 The Merrimac.and M onitor, 
 Fought grandest duel of the war. 
 For hours these bold p ugilists, 
 Eachother punch with iron fists. 
 The grand engagement raged for hours^ 
 Without exhausting cithers pow ers. 
 The Merrimac, lifting her beak, 
 To scuttle Monitor does seek. 
 Plunged many times against her sides; 
 Unharmed away Monitor glides. 
 Seeing she could not subdue, 
 Her queer rival,she withdrew. 
 By God are men's intentions weightd; 
 And ample preparations made; 
 For all wrong doing soon to fail: 
 And for righteousness to prevail. 
 Envy with his poison dart. 
 May aim to plunge it in thy heart; 
 But some friend, bold in the right, 
 Thy cause will champion, and fight. 
 In war,men may match their skill; 
 And oneanother wound,and kill; 
 But the side that's in the right,,. 
 Wins in nearly every fight. 
 This just,and needful compensation. 
 Has gon on eversince creation. 
 164 
 
8iaw & e 
 
 S-ilver javelin, strong,and bright; 
 H-urled at Wagner's hostile towers; 
 A-grave thou didst win in the fight: 
 W-e will keep it bedecked with flowers_ 
 
 C-rawling on one hand, and knee, 
 A-loft the banner hou didst thrust. 
 R-ebel guns had wounded thee: 
 N-ever did it kiss the dust. 
 E-verywhere worth is esteemed, 
 Y-ou will a great hero be deemed. 
 
 • »f Wmwi « 
 
 ^jirave colonel Shaw's black- regiment 
 _^JOu to take fort Wagner went. 
 They had to march a night, and day: 
 No sleep,nor rest,nor food had they. 
 Heavy sand did fill the plane: 
 They were wet with drenching rain: 
 These black soldiers bold, and raw, 
 Commanded by Robert Gould Shaw. 
 The grand fiftyfourth regiment, 
 From famous Massachusets sent. 
 While they took ten minuts rest, 
 Thus colonel Shaw his troops addressed: 
 "My brave soldier brothers in black, 
 Take that fort before you look back. 
 Leep over that thundering wall: 
 Slaughter those wicked rebels all. 
 Black men in war have no superior: 
 In peace they are to none inferior. 
 When guns do other men destroy, 
 They donot black men annoy. 
 Through a storm of cannon balls, 
 They dash up to the quaking walls: 
 'Mong the garrison they leep: 
 Slaughter them, like wolves do sheep. 
 165 
 
TATTLE OF FORT WAGNER 
 
 The cannon is the black man's brother: 
 They often quarrel but love eachother. 
 With joy he greets the cannon balls: 
 As one who on his kinred calls. 
 The hardest fight,the hotest fire, 
 All black soldiers do admire. 
 They've won for themselves,and race, 
 In history an honored place. 
 The flag is their chief delight: 
 For it they do with valor fight. 
 When cannon balls the flag stpff shatter 
 And bursting shells the banner tatter; 
 Into that inferno they bound, 
 And lift that banner from the ground. 
 Though cannon balls around them 
 
 swarm ^ 
 They bravely face the deadly storm. 
 If they get an arm shot off, 
 The other arm will hold aloft, 
 . Their nation's blood stained banner, 
 In a most heroic manner. 
 If both his arms are shot away, 
 He will the stars,and stripes display; 
 Rushing with them in his mouth. 
 Against the armies of the South. 
 Brave in the forum, and the field. 
 They can the ruler's sceptre wield. 
 Fill offices in state,and nation, 
 With honors,and congratulation. 
 When we the soutnern states subdue, 
 We'll make citizens of you. 
 Give you access to education; 
 You'll help govern your nation. 
 In the world of science, aud art, 
 You will perform an honored part. 
 You will many wrongs endure; 
 But your progress will be sure: 
 Until from whites you separate. 
 And live in your own towns,and state. 
 There you can become great men; 
 And the highest honors win. 
 166 
 
BATTLE OF FORT WAGNER 
 
 You black men have many a friend, 
 
 That does bitterly contend, 
 
 That you will poor service render; 
 
 That to the rebs you'll soon surrender. 
 
 You will to day be weighed in scales, 
 
 Against all those fictitious tales. 
 
 Take the public with surprise: 
 
 Prove those sayings to be lies. 
 
 Fight you for your rights like men: 
 
 To day a splendid victory win. 
 
 Your war record is most grand: 
 
 Praised by men in every land. 
 
 Black Hanibal through Rome did go, 
 
 And vanquish his country's foe. 
 
 He o'er the cloud capped Alps did go: 
 
 The lofty Alps covered with snow; 
 
 Up the rugged, snowy peaks, 
 
 The army struggled for two weeks. 
 
 Elephants, oxens,soldiers all; 
 
 Araund those cliff8;and boulders crall: 
 
 Dash in the valley of the Po: 
 
 And for the haughty Romans go. 
 
 So many battles 'gainst them won: 
 
 They honored him as champion. 
 
 Black Hannibal, the world does know; 
 
 As an intrepid war hero. 
 
 Toussant L.Overture,brave, 
 
 Set free every Haiti slave: 
 
 When French,and Spanish troops he 
 
 beat. 
 And forced the British to retreat. 
 This battle will grace history's pages; 
 Be read throughout all future ages. 
 Today you add unto your name, 
 Eternal honor8,or shame. 
 Go forward, charge with all your power; 
 Take that fert within an hour". 
 For Wagner the army runs, 
 'Mong bursting shells from her guns. 
 From Cummings Point,and Sumter 
 
 came, 
 Solid sheets of steel,and flame. 
 167 
 
BATTLE OF FORT WAGNER 
 
 As from three forts the fire flies, 
 The gates of Hades seemed to rise. 
 Cumming's point battery yells: 
 Fort Sumter's many bursting shells; 
 Submerged them in a sea of flame 
 As they did climb that hill of fame. 
 Plant the flag upon the wall; 
 And among the gunners fall. 
 A dead-lock grapple for to win, 
 Then ensued among these men. 
 Though far outnumbered by the white^ 
 The black men did like lions fight. 
 Colonel Shaw though young, and brave^ 
 Here received &a honored grave. 
 This colonel of approved worth; 
 Noble,and valient from birth; 
 Although the rebs had passed a bill, 
 Every white officer to kill; 
 That colored soldiers commands; 
 When they fall in rebel hands; 
 He, this wicked law defied; 
 Lead his black troops on with pride. 
 Though in this battle shaw did fall; 
 He'd won the greatest fight of all; 
 Victory over selfish pride, 
 Before at Wagner he died. 
 One of the brightest sons of fame; 
 Eternal glory crowns his name. 
 For him poets their pens will rush; 
 And artists wield their wizzard brush: 
 Sculptors will their chisels ply, 
 To laud Shaw's valor to the sky. 
 Had not Higginson stepped in. 
 And stopped these fearless colored men; 
 Filled with dauntless valor,and pride. 
 They'd have fought until they died. 
 Sergeant Carney, wound in side; 
 Along upon one knee did slide: 
 Holding the banner in one hand: 
 Lifting it above the sand; 
 Said he when Union troops he found; 
 'The old ilag never touched the ground'. 
 168 
 
Balil© m'- 
 
 AND ATLANTA 
 
 Elow the scene to Charleston changes 
 )Admiral Dupont arranges; 
 The iron clad Union fleet to. take, 
 Past the batteries, and to make, 
 An attact upon that vain town: 
 Her lofty buildings battle down. 
 The Confederate cannon smote. 
 Every iron clad gun-boat. 
 The balls like rain upon them patter: 
 One they sink, the others shatter: 
 Defeeted by that iron hail; 
 His plan to conquer had to fail. 
 Brave Gilmore now takes command. 
 On Morris Isle a troop does land: 
 They by bombardment profound, 
 Sumter,and Wagner shoot down. 
 Wagner's vanquished garrison sore, 
 Soon surrendered to Gilmore. 
 The Union sailors then did crall. 
 Over Sumter's mangled wall: 
 But,rebs,uprising from the trash, 
 Away the Union men did dash: 
 Back to Gilmore's Union fleet, 
 Rapidly they did retreat. 
 The Union troops had done their best; 
 Those in the East,and those out West. 
 When they won the Getysburg fight, 
 The future to our arms seemed bright. 
 The Mississippi to its mouth. 
 Had been taken from the South, 
 <jrrant,through Tennessee creates, 
 Access to the eastern states: 
 And, to his great honor,and pride. 
 He did the rebel states divide. 
 Orant,and Sherman,champion8 bold; 
 By wire,a consultation hold: 
 Decide to join their martial art, 
 To keep the rebel troops apart: 
 Far apartjOne force from other, 
 So they could not assist eachother. 
 169 
 
BATTLE OF ATLANTA 
 
 While Grant the war would continue. 
 Against Lee's army in Virginia, 
 In Georgia Sherman's Union men, 
 Would Johnson's army fight and win. 
 While Grant's army, from its quarters,, 
 Was crossing Rapidan's waters. 
 Grant a telegram did write. 
 To Sherman to begin the fight. 
 The rebelsjfifty thousand strong, 
 That movement had expected long, 
 And protection they did seek, 
 Behind many a mountain peak. 
 For more than a hundred miles. 
 Among the Georgia mountain wilds, 
 From Dalton to Atlanta city, 
 General Sherman, bold, and witty. 
 Drove Johnson's men from every peak 
 Forcing them others to seek. 
 Until refuge the rebels found, 
 Behind the trenches of that town. 
 Johnson was for Hood exchanged. 
 Hood, to fight Sherman's men arranged. 
 His Confederate army large. 
 Did the Union soldiers charge. 
 Desperate courage they display; 
 But Sherman's army won the day. 
 Three weeks rations in its carts, 
 Sherman's army now departs: 
 Goes,and occupies all the roads. 
 Pitches tents.and carts unloads: 
 Cuts off rebel communication: 
 Forces their evacuation. 
 As rebels from Atlanta fly, 
 Sherman's troops it occupy. 
 Hood's men into Tennessee dash, 
 And with Schofield,and Thomas clash. 
 Into Nashville they did retreat; 
 Turn then, and Hood's whole army beat 
 The Union troops in two days fight. 
 Vanquished that rebel army quite. 
 The South, and all wealth on its lands^ 
 Now falls in Gtneral Sherman's hands. 
 170 
 
O'ER GEORGIA, AND CAROLINAS 
 
 Sherman now from fear get free, 
 Began his long march to the sea. 
 
 fiis troops Atlanta Georgia burned: 
 Then towards Savannah turned. 
 With sixty thousand Union force, 
 And skirmishers to shield their course, 
 In four columns they proceeded: 
 Forraging for all they needed: 
 Over a space fifty miles wide, 
 Three hundred long marched they with 
 
 pride. 
 Every city,village,and town. 
 Plundered they,and then burned down. 
 Never has a conflagration. 
 Wrought such havoc,and devastation. 
 Savannah reached they in few days, 
 On Fort McAlister they blaze. 
 Captured that fort in splendid manner 
 Quickly then they take Savannah. 
 Brave general Sherman then sent, 
 To Mister Lincoln, President, 
 Twenty five thousand cotton bales, 
 To verafy the thrilling tales. 
 A hundred fifty cannon fine, 
 Sent he as another sign. 
 Of the brave fighting they had done: 
 And their brilliant victories won. 
 Through both the Carolinas they. 
 Then went on their destructive way. 
 Columbia, and Charleston burn. 
 On Raleigh North Carolina turn: 
 Go through her with joy,and splendor; 
 Make Johnson's feeble troops surrender 
 The slave holders groped around; 
 Sick, and pale,and heads hung down. 
 The wealth the rebels had enjoyed, 
 Was either taken,or destroyed. 
 The wealth that is obtained by wrong, 
 Will never be enjoyed long. 
 They had from men their labor taken; 
 But it had them all forsaken. 
 171 
 
[Ill® ®l Wlli#ra* 
 
 maionists crossed the Rapidan; 
 And in to the wilderness ran. 
 Grant's fine army onward pushes, 
 Among the many trees, and bushes: 
 Knowing not that in that wood, 
 Lee,and his whole army stood. 
 On went they through that dense place, 
 Until they did the rebels face. 
 Then began a fearful battle: 
 The cannon thunder,muskets rattle. 
 The trees their movements concealed; 
 But did none from destruction shield. 
 Neither could resort to skill; 
 But mutually did wound, and kill. 
 There was neither pomp,nor glory 
 But only devastation gory. 
 Most terible havoc,and slaughter; 
 Raged three days in every quarter. 
 Twenty thousand Union braves, 
 Went to their honored graves. 
 Ten thousand rebels there died; 
 Slain by Union troops with pride. 
 Neither side had victory won; 
 But both with that slaughter were done. 
 Old grim,and greedy monster war 
 Now had filled hie spacious maw. 
 Grant his scattered army massed; 
 And around Lee's right wing passed. 
 Towards Spotsilvania he turns: 
 Lee soon of this movement learns. 
 A head of Grant some rebels crept. 
 The Union troops to intercept. 
 When Grant's army reached that place 
 Lee's whols army did it face. 
 Tkey maneuver here five days: 
 Sharp shootes's rifles ever blaze. 
 General Sedgwick here did fall, 
 Pierced by a rifle ball. 
 Aurora radient,and gay. 
 Opened the golden gates of day: 
 
 172 
 
BATTLE OF THF WILDERNESS 
 
 Niglit retires from the planes, 
 ■But a heavy fog remains. 
 Hancock, and his corps of men, 
 Now a splendid victory win. 
 Through the fog they quickly steal; 
 The fog does their movements conceaL 
 Upon the rebel lines they fall, 
 And capture a division all. 
 Two rebel generals they take: 
 Three hundred rebels prisoners make. 
 Lee's troops charged with desperate zeal 
 To win the hard contested field. 
 Two thousand men on either side, 
 in a little while had died. 
 Grant moved around Lee,s right flank 
 Towards the North Anna bank. 
 Lee's men now with Grafs did race; 
 And were the first to reach the place. 
 They fought near North Anna's bank, 
 'Til Grant again goes round Lee's flank 
 The rebs to Cold Harbor retire: 
 Prepare on Union troops to fire: 
 The next morning at day brake, 
 Assault upon Grant's troops they mak-e 
 In twenty minuts they cnt down, 
 Ten thousand yankees to the groutvd. 
 But every one was kind,and brave, 
 And received an honored grave. 
 Those who battle for the right. 
 Though overpowered in the fight; 
 Killed, or led in captive's chain; 
 Do in eternal honor reign. 
 On earth respected as the best; 
 Their souls will live among the blessed. 
 
PETERSBURG,AND RICHMOND 
 
 nhomas,and Grant while in the west 
 Had won in every great contest: 
 
 Had conquered there the rebel forces, 
 And had taken their resources. 
 Farragut,and Sherman bold, 
 The lower southern states did hold; 
 And all surplies on tlieir lands, 
 Securely from the rebels' hands. 
 These champions of war knew, 
 That they would soon the South subdue 
 Grant's soldiers with pomp, and pride; 
 Across the James River did glide; 
 Rushing to Petersburg they go, 
 The rebels there to overthrow. 
 From three ways,Grant's army fine, 
 Converged upou the firing line. 
 Smith's,Kautz's,and Brook's brigade. 
 From the East appearence made. 
 
 The soldiers under Martindale, 
 
 Came along a w^estern trail. 
 
 Hink's black army moved between; 
 
 The bravest soldiers ever seen. 
 
 Grant's charge,general Lee expected; 
 
 And had batteries erected; 
 
 Which for miles away extended; 
 
 Hundreds of soldiers them defended. 
 
 Bold Hinks.looking the fields about,, 
 
 Saw batteries seven miles out; 
 
 For them the colored brigade runs; 
 
 Uhtil near the rebel guns. 
 
 Before the bloody charge they made; 
 
 Said Hinks to his colored brigade; 
 
 "You mnst them with bayonets take: 
 
 Forward, a deadly assault make ! " 
 
 A deluge of iron rain, 
 
 Burst from those guns,over the plane. 
 
 Many a brave black soldier falls, 
 Mangled by the cannon balls. 
 On they rush, 'til near the fort, 
 When many muskets make report: 
 Hundreds of colored soldiers brave. 
 Went to their honored graves. 
 174 - 
 
ETERSBURG,AND RICHMOND 
 
 Others through storms of shot.and shell 
 Upon those rebel gunners fell, v^ ^ 
 They drive the men from every gun. 
 And blaze them at them as they run. 
 Thus black troops won the first success, 
 In the great Petersburg contest. 
 The black soldiers were sent next day, 
 To take Dun's house three miles away: 
 They had to cross an open space: 
 A fierce cannon fire facOi 
 And the sharp shooters rifle balls, 
 Raining on them from trees,and walls. 
 When guns thunder from many places, 
 These soldiers lay upon their faces. 
 So dreadful was the storm of balls, 
 Belching from trees, rocks, and walls. 
 That for nearly half the day, 
 The soldiers on their faces lay: 
 Awaiting the command to fight; 
 They yearned to conquer before night. 
 Dun's house was by three forts protected 
 FortSjby rebel hands erected: 
 lSforth,and East.and South were they 
 On the East the black troops lay. 
 The cannon balls around them plowed: 
 But these soldiers,gallant,and proud; 
 To take these forts were commanded: 
 Tney at once against them landed. 
 Soon as the soldiers reached the banks, 
 A musket volley smoted their ranks: 
 'The skirmishers did first arrive; 
 But few of them escaped alive. 
 Over the the dead, and dying men, 
 These colored soldiers dash on in: 
 Capture every rebel gun: 
 6'laughter rebels as they run. 
 Both Brook's,«nd Martindale's brigade 
 "Now had splendid progress made: 
 Their dauntless soldiers fine, 
 Had swept away the rebel line. 
 Before general Smith's eyes, 
 3 jay Petersburg, a helpless prize: 
 175 
 
PETERSBURG AND RICHMOND^ 
 
 Which he might have taken that day, 
 Had it not been for his delay. 
 That Union general illfated, 
 For the second corpse waited: 
 Then o'er the town his glasses ranged; 
 But ! God, how things had changed: 
 Reinforcements had come in, 
 And made the city hard to win. 
 There is danger in all delay: 
 Strive to win your cause to day. 
 Those who wait not for other men, 
 Usually their causes win. 
 By Grant a siege was instituted; 
 Which he with vigor prosecuted: 
 'Gainst Petersburg, and Richmond toor. 
 It was the proper theng to do. 
 
 Many trenches did Grant there build; 
 
 And them with gallant soldiers filled. 
 
 Then from an old obscure ravine, 
 
 Where his soldiers could not be seen; 
 
 Grant cuts a tunnel through the clay, 
 
 To near two hundred yards away. 
 
 Beneath the rebel fort it ended: 
 "On it much labor he expended. 
 
 It was with barrels of powder loded: 
 
 That great mine was then exploded. 
 
 The first attempt with failure met; 
 
 Because the powder fuse was wet. 
 
 Douty,and Russ the mine asscended; 
 
 And the faulty fuse amended. 
 
 That morning, half past four oclock, 
 
 The mine exploded with a shock. 
 
 The ground d]d tremble,groan, shake,. 
 
 Like a mighty earth-quake. 
 
 The fort was blown up in the sky; 
 
 And on the air it seemed to lie: 
 
 Mangled bodies, cannon, wood, 
 Were seen while in the air it stood: 
 
 Two hundred feet above the ground;. 
 Then to the earth it fell back down. 
 When that blown up fort did fall. 
 176 
 
PETERSBURG,AND RICHMOND 
 
 It seemed to shake this planet all. 
 At tlie explosion of this mine, 
 All Union guns fired on the line. 
 A hundred sixty cannon, and mortars, 
 Thundered from the Union quarters. 
 When that fort was blown away; 
 It left a crater in the clay: 
 Hole.a hundred fifty feet long: 
 (For that fort was large, and strong:) 
 Thirty feet wide,fifty feet deep; 
 Towards that pit the rebs did creep. 
 Burnside chose the black brigade, 
 The rebel quarters to invade. 
 Halleck thought the foremost place, 
 Should not be given to that race; 
 Although when put to trying test; 
 They proved themselves to be the best. 
 They left it to Grant to decide: 
 "Draw lots for it", the general cried. 
 "Which ever troop the lot falls to, 
 Must charge the rebel quarters through 
 Charge the rebs while horror strickened 
 While they're non plused,and sickened 
 Don't wait for them to recover; 
 And 'bout that crater 'gin to hover". 
 Ledlie drew the lot to go: 
 'Gainst Poter, Wilcox, Ferrero. 
 His brilliant soldiers reached the banks 
 Tliere they faultered.and broke ranks. 
 Both Poter's,and Wilcox's brigade, 
 Very feeble attempts made; 
 As if they had gon'there to play; 
 The rebels came, and drove them away. 
 The bladk soldiers with Burnside, 
 To that crater did move with pride. 
 There the rebels were converging; 
 And around that crater surging. 
 The colcred soldiers with them clashed; 
 And were into the crater dashed. 
 Submerged in death's caldron hot; 
 That they were mortals they forgot. 
 177 
 
PETERSBURG,AND RICHM0N1> 
 
 As floods of shot,aiid shell flow in, 
 From every side upon these men; 
 Surely God was in that pit; 
 Protecting them from getting hit. 
 Scorned they to yield, or to retire; 
 But,bravely faced the deadly fire. 
 Fought they like lions there 'til nighty 
 Came, and stopped that bloody fight. 
 Halleck's foolish advice had cost. 
 Four thousand Union soldiers lost. 
 General Grant did thus relate, 
 To men, sent to investigate; 
 "Had the first charge here been made^ 
 By our fearless black brigade; 
 Petersburg would now be ours; 
 Taken from the rebel powers". 
 Grant, who was as wise as bold; 
 His other brave generals told; 
 •'The food for every rebel's mouth, 
 Comes by rail road from the South. 
 We must the rail road from them take, 
 Before we them surrender make. 
 We'll now to take Richmond pretend. 
 They will leave here.it to defend". 
 From Petersburg,and the rail road, 
 On to Richmond, the rebels flowed. 
 Grant took the rail road near the town 
 And with his army settled down. 
 Lee then did Washington annoy. 
 Grant from Richmond to decoy 
 Early's brigade does onward sally. 
 Through the great Shenandoah valley 
 At Monocasey Wallace he takes: 
 Attact upon Stevenson makes. 
 The frowning guns of Stevenson, 
 Grandly defended Washington. 
 Early's twenty thousand men, 
 Seeing,they could not that fort win;. 
 Waited around there a day; 
 When Unionists drove tham away, 
 178 
 
|arly's confederate brigade, 
 jNoWjdoes Union cities raid: 
 
 Kobs them of food.and surplies: 
 
 As it over the country flies. 
 
 They Chambersburg for ransom hold; 
 
 But,failing to obtain its gold, 
 
 Set they the splendid town on fire; 
 
 And in to the valey retire. 
 
 In Shenandoah valley near; 
 
 They kept Washington in fear: 
 
 Until brave Sheridan's brigade; 
 Did the great valley invade: 
 
 Like a powerful tornado; 
 And did from it Early's troops throw. 
 Sheridan with martial skill; 
 Kept the Union army still, 
 Until his troops Early divided; 
 When our men between them slided. 
 Charged on the rebels,left,and right: 
 And vanquished Early's army quite. 
 Having put to flight his foes; 
 To Washington Sheridan goes: 
 With president Lincoln to speak: 
 Leaving his men at Cedar Creek. 
 As when the shepherd goes away, 
 Wolves upon his sheep do prey; 
 Of Sheridan's absance learned; 
 Early, and on Unionists turned: 
 Sheridan's army they engaged. 
 And a desperate battle waged. 
 Returning to his troops that day; 
 Sheridan, twenty miles away, 
 The thunder of cannon did hear: 
 And rushed to join his soldiers there. 
 His spirited black horse astride, 
 Sheri4an,rapidly did ride: 
 
 179 
 
SHERIDAN'S RAID 
 
 Plunging the 8pur,plying the lash, 
 His horse along the road does dash. 
 Soon,the general was meeting, 
 His soldiers, from the fight retreating^ 
 Early's brigade had put to flight, 
 Sheridan's whole army quite. 
 But he, who never knew defeat, 
 Could not let his troops retreat. 
 He knew that all his men did need' 
 Was,their general,them to lead. 
 That,if he'd been in that conflict. 
 They'd have whipped the rebels quick.. 
 Without brave leaders,few will fight: 
 Butjturn from danger,and take flight: 
 But when by dauntless heroes lead. 
 They'll fight until they all fall dead. 
 Sheridan knew,that southern nation, 
 Faced ruin, and annihilation: 
 That we would soon slave-holding end,. 
 And the Union cause defend: 
 Knew that if he.this battle won, 
 The rebs with fighting would be done. 
 Sitting on his horse's back; 
 He shouted,"Boys,letsgo back! 
 Why in disgrace do you retreat ? 
 Lets go back, and them defeat. 
 You've won in nearly every battle; 
 Why now run from them like cattle? 
 Lets go back, and them subdue: 
 And soon with war you will be through 
 By him, they were so animated; 
 Their spirits so much elevated; 
 Became they intrepid heroes. 
 And turned upon the wicked foes. 
 Banbs were thrilling music playing. 
 While they were Confederates slaying. 
 'Til Sheridan annihilated, 
 Early's whole brigade illfated. 
 By sheer bravery, and zeal, 
 Sheridan regained the field. 
 Early's army he had destroyed; 
 No more was Washington annoyed. 
 180 
 
Jtately Aurora's shafts of light, 
 I Were uplifted'gainst the night. 
 Before th« radience of day, 
 Old night began to slip away. 
 Grant's soldiers,waiting for day-light, 
 •So they could renew the fight; 
 Were glad approaching dawn to see; 
 And hailed Aurora with glee. 
 As the approaching day progressed, 
 Thus brave Grant his men addressed ; 
 *'Soldiers,loyal to your nation; 
 You have won her admiration. 
 Through four years of war,you. 
 Have dignified the union blue. 
 No eloquence of tongue or pen, 
 'Can fully praise such dauntless men. 
 Our army records hold, 
 In simple language.briefly told; 
 The kistory of your brave deeds: 
 Praised by every one that reads. 
 Whether recited by the young. 
 Or painted by orator's tongue; 
 All Vi^ill your deeds admire: 
 With courage they will all inspire. 
 To our honored black brigade. 
 That has such peerless worth displayed 
 I hail you as our brave brothers; 
 The same as I salute the others. 
 Search every country on this baTl; 
 Review historic annals all; 
 You'll find no men beneath the sun, 
 That have better fighting done. 
 ;Soon you all will be free men; 
 In civil life high honors win. 
 Lee's soldiers now before you lying, 
 .Are fast from starvation dying. 
 We have cut off their resources: 
 And have conquered most their forces. 
 Lee's troops,and Johnson's puny band, 
 Are all the rebs do now command. 
 181 
 
LEE'S SURRENDER 
 
 Lee has determined to retreat, 
 
 Southward, and Johnson's army meet;: 
 
 But I'm resolved that move to hinder; 
 
 By making general Lee surrender. 
 
 Let every gunner take dead aim; 
 
 Submerge them in carnage, and flame^ 
 
 Forward I ©n the rebels fire: 
 
 Slaughter them, and retire". 
 
 The splendid Union army fine, 
 
 Fired all along the line. 
 
 Their enthusiastic yells, 
 
 Were heard among the bursting shells. 
 
 Now a grand assault they make: 
 
 And many rebel prisoners take. 
 
 Through the rebel line they fight: 
 Lee's army retreated that night. 
 From Petersburg, and Richmond too, 
 The ragged rebel soldiers flew. 
 With forty thousand Lee did go. 
 Like a confused fox.to^and fro: 
 Every where Lee's army wheels, 
 Grant's army thunders at its heels. 
 And, ever close upon its flank, 
 Sheridan's cavelry did clank. 
 The Unionists did rebs out race: 
 Sheridan's horsemen did them face. 
 Lee commands his starving men, 
 A daring assault to begin. 
 The cavelry then stepped a side, 
 When Grant's whole array, Lee espied. 
 Lee ordered his advance to halt; 
 Would not be guilty of the fault. 
 Of adding to wreck, and starvation, 
 Such whole sale annihilation. 
 At Apomatox's justice hall. 
 Surrenders Lee his armies all. 
 That act finished emancipation, 
 Of all the slaves in this nation. 
 The Union soldiers.now do claim. 
 Their niches in the halls of fame. 
 Would you their best monument see; 
 Behold the race they helped to free 1! 
 182 
 
M®tl©m@I ^#m@l®py 
 
 In the national cemetery, 
 In North Carolina, at Salisbury; 
 Lie twelve thousand northern braves: 
 Resting in their honored graves. 
 These soldiers all died in one year; 
 In the rebel stockade there: 
 Prisoners of the rebel nation; 
 Died of neglect, and starvation. 
 There will eternally remain, 
 On that state's escutcheon this stain. 
 They did them capture,and disarm; 
 They were powerless to do harm. 
 They should to them have been kind; 
 Like men with feeling,heart,and mind. 
 At least they all should have been fed; 
 And not have died for want of bread. 
 Southern men with much vanity, 
 Were no friends to humanity. 
 So long slaves they'd killed, and bossed 
 That they had their conscience lost. 
 'On slave work they did so long feast, 
 It had transformed them into beasts. 
 As well be in a tiger's mouth, 
 As in the power of the South. 
 Rattling for a holy cause, 
 Fell they into this monster's -claws. 
 But those who battle for the right. 
 Are stately children of light. 
 That they in rebel hands did fall, 
 And die within their prison wall; 
 Is no dishonor to their name: 
 No reason why we them should blam«. 
 Many of them had bravely fought: 
 Killed hosts of rebels ere being caught 
 Their valor helped to turn the scale, 
 So Union armies could prevail. 
 Roll back the curtains of the sky; 
 Look where your honored ashes lie; 
 See how your nation, and your state, 
 JReckon you among the great. 
 183 
 
NATIONAL CEMETERY 
 
 A tall gray shaft,stately,aDd fair, 
 Your nation has erected there: 
 With words of praise around its base; 
 To all her martyrs in that place. 
 Sweet flowers,and ever green, 
 All year round may there be seen; 
 Growing beneath the willow's shade. 
 For the soldiers there laid. 
 Two states show their love,and care. 
 For their brave sons sleeping there; 
 Maine,and Pennsylvania grand; 
 By monuments that there stand. 
 The grateful citizens of Maine; 
 Noted for valor, wealth, and brain. 
 Have there a tall shaft on which stands 
 A soldier holding gun in hands. 
 Inscriptions on its every side, 
 Express much gratitude,and pride; 
 For the valor, toil, and care. 
 Of their comrades sleeping there. 
 
 Pennsylvania's men of worth; 
 
 Noble, brave, and true from birth; 
 
 Have a stately monument there; 
 
 Erected with much skill, and care: 
 
 A marble pavilion affect; 
 
 A statue does the roof bedeck. 
 
 Stone soldier with uncovered head, 
 Standing, weeping over the dead. 
 
 Long will these gladen grateful eyes; 
 
 And laud your valor to the skies: 
 
 But ere long all of them must, 
 
 Break, and crumble into dust. 
 
 But your best monument will stand, 
 
 Immune to time's destructive hand. 
 
 The race you helped emancipate, 
 
 Will your valor imulate: 
 
 With sweet music,song,and story. 
 
 They will praise your names in glory. 
 184 
 
A Rlwal B#f #at#i 
 
 
 
 Jadeed,Willie,an(l Ben, 
 Were two jolly young men; 
 Who had been companions all their lives. 
 They had both become grown, 
 And were men of their own; 
 And both of them were seeking to get wives. 
 "Willie,he was yellow; 
 A dashing young fellow; 
 Who,in schooljhad lately graduated. 
 Ben, he was dark brown: 
 Had trifled about town; 
 Becau8e,all books,and learning be hated. 
 It was the young men's fate, 
 To both love pretty Kate; 
 A chocolate belle.eighteen years old. 
 Willie,she admired: 
 With Ben she was tir«d: 
 And she did almost always treat him cold. 
 It happened by chance, 
 Now, that Ben could danee; 
 But,neTer could Willie dance atall. 
 Ben did dance with Kate; 
 Both early,and late, 
 Every time he met her at the ball. 
 Willie began saying. 
 If Kate keeps on playing. 
 With that triflingjgood for nothing Ben; 
 She'll soon him admire: 
 
 And also,him desire; 
 
 And thus the foolish fellow will her win. 
 
 Next time there was a ball, 
 
 He visited the hall; 
 
 Although it was cold, and stormy weather: 
 
 For it made him feel blue, 
 
 Whenever Willie knew, 
 
 That Kate,and Ben were dancing together. 
 
 Willie was very wise: 
 
 He did a plan devise, 
 
 To keep his dear Kate,and Ben apart. 
 
 He went into the hall, 
 
 While they were dancing all; 
 185 
 
THE ENGAGEMENT 
 
 To work upon his rival his art- 
 Talked with the dancing master; . 
 He gave directions faster; 
 And, he gave them every one in Spanish, 
 This did Ben confuse: 
 Kate,he soon did lose: 
 And quickly from the party he did vanishv 
 Stepped Willie to her side: 
 They, from the hall did glide: 
 And soon they disappeared through the door_ 
 With Ben she was furious; 
 It was very curious; 
 She never danced with the fellow more. 
 
 Th» I'iiiaism^iit 
 
 J ate had bloomed for eighteen summers; 
 In the fairest kind of clothes: 
 In her ribbons, silks.and laces, 
 She had blossomed like a rose. 
 Kate was black, and really pretty: 
 Had black eyes, and dark eye-brows: 
 And her hair was rich, and silken;. 
 Which she always wore in blouse. 
 Claud was dashing, strong.and manly: 
 Sholders broad, and color brown, 
 And, was thought by all who knew him, 
 To be the finest man in town. 
 Claud, and Kate had been ccmparions, 
 For many long and happy years: 
 They'd played together since their child-hood 
 And they felt eachother's cares. 
 Oft' they'd roamed the fields together: 
 Plucked the dasiesby the rill; 
 Skated on the ponds in winter; 
 And rode in sleds down snow-clad hills-. 
 They had whiled away the hours, 
 In the parlor at her home: 
 Or.on the lawn, so cool, and shady,. 
 'Neath the oak tree's ivey dome. 
 186 
 
THE ENGAGEMENT 
 
 There they'd played chess,and billiards: 
 
 'Sung many a delightful song; 
 
 "Told love legends,and romances; 
 
 Stories charming,sweet,and long. 
 
 But,th«ir own was never thought of, 
 
 Until one eavening at the play, 
 
 When Claud saw Charley, his old comrade. 
 
 Giving Kate a fine boquet. 
 
 And when Kate bestowed on Charlie, 
 
 A very 8weet,and winning smile; 
 
 Then did Claud grow sick,and nervous: 
 
 And his heart beat fast,and wild. 
 
 He saw that should he wait much longer, 
 
 To ask dear Kate to be his wife. 
 
 Some other chap would surely win her; 
 
 And darken all his future life. 
 
 Just then Katie glanced at Claudie; 
 
 Saw him look so pale,and sick; 
 
 She asked Charlie to excuse her, 
 
 And she got beside him quick. 
 
 Said"gracious goodness,what's the matter; 
 
 Are you ill, you look so white. 
 
 Were you startled by the murder, 
 
 In the opera play to-night? 
 
 Her serious words wer bo consoleing; 
 
 And filled his heart with somuch pride. 
 
 He had to laugh from sheer amusement: 
 
 And, in these sweet words replied; 
 
 ■"No dear Katie,I'm not suffering; 
 
 I'm sure I need no drugs,nor pills: 
 
 One sweet word from j'^ou dear Katie, 
 
 Will sooth, and quiet all my ills. 
 
THE ENGAGEMENT 
 
 Kate,you make a splendid picture, 
 
 In this gay,and brilliant hall: 
 
 In culturs,]oveliness,and beauty, 
 
 You eclipse the ladies all. 
 
 You are more refined,and brilliant, 
 
 Than the globe electric light: 
 
 You are dearer,and more lovely, 
 
 Tkan the flowers,red,and white. 
 
 And I 'm becoming quite suspicious, 
 
 Of the eager,wi8tful eyes; 
 
 As they watch with growing interest. 
 
 The girl that I so highly prize. 
 
 Tell me Katie that you love me: 
 
 Pledge to me your hand, and heart: 
 
 I will surely never fail you: 
 
 And, our souls shall never part." 
 
 Claudie's earnest declarations, 
 
 Had taken Kati© with purprise: 
 
 She paused, and pondered for a moment: 
 
 Then raised to his,two loving eyes: 
 
 Saying'lyes dear Claud I really love you^ 
 
 All my hopes are built on you: 
 
 I am yours, if you love me: 
 
 And prove always kind, and true. 
 
 Let-my country's transports carry, 
 Me-to distant lands to fight; 
 Linger-yet,my heart will ever, 
 By-these hills,and waters bright^ 
 Thy-lakesare fair 0,my home land; 
 Side-them all I like to stand. 
 
 ^v — 
 
 
 ^k 
 
 ^ 
 
 ^Jq"^ 
 
 ^1 
 
 
 ^ 
 
 «ii 
 
The violets.and the dasies all are hlooming: 
 The blossoms on the lawn are fresh, and gay: 
 The birds in the trees are sweetly singing: 
 I 8it,and try to make out what they say: 
 When of my brawn ekin belle it seems they 
 
 are chanting, 
 I think of littl« Annie far away. 
 
 Chorus 
 Annie,dear,I want to see yon only: 
 I miss you so I'm awful blue,and lonely 
 If I could see your lovely face today; 
 It would all my blueness chase away. 
 And fill my loyal soul with boundless joy 
 0, Annie,come to your loving honey boy. 
 Through the long,and weary evenings, 
 I sit within my study all alone; 
 And, often lay aside my volume; 
 Listening to the dear old graphophone: 
 As it repeats the song8,and music, 
 I have often heard my lover sing, and play; 
 Then,in sadnes9,rm reminded, 
 Of my littU Annie.far away. 
 
 Chorus 
 When I go out to ball8,and partiei; 
 And see the ladier dressed in silks,and lace: 
 And, when I dance in waltz,and shoddess. 
 And hold the lovely things in my embrace; 
 Swaying here,and there in time with music; 
 Talking with eachother all the while, 
 I think of my little chocolate colored Annie, 
 Every time I se e my partner smile. 
 
 Chorus 
 
 189 
 
Irst ^1 
 
 N-eath the smiling summer sky 
 I-n the lovely month of June; 
 R-ambl»d Hattie dear,and 1 
 E-very Sunday after noon. 
 U-nder the shade trees in the dell;. 
 S-trolling by the flowery stream; 
 D-©lightfully on them I dwell; 
 E-ver of them I will dream. 
 L-ovingly she'd talk, and sing: 
 E-arth holds not a sweeter charm: 
 0-n my memory they wring: 
 N-evcr will they cease to warm. 
 W-e would read.and talk of winnings 
 H-igh positions,ends,and aims: 
 1-n life.from that small begining, 
 T-h© victor's crown one of us claims^, 
 E-ven Hattie, though your name, 
 S-hould not on shafts of marble standi 
 F-ill no niches in halls of fame, 
 I-mbelish no histories grand; 
 R-emember,it was for your sake, 
 S-trove I to be a great hero; 
 T-rying a champion to make; 
 L-ong up the hills of fame did go- 
 0-f my achievements you are due, 
 V-ery properly « share: 
 E-very dear fiber of you, 
 R-eally,my achievments bare. 
 
 190 
 
he moon above the sleeping village, like a silver crescent hung 
 Gentle winds from April flowers most delightful odors brung: 
 Reminding Lesslie of the many happy hours spent with Ray, 
 In her lovely little parlor, before to school he went away. 
 They had long been faithful lovers,for a year had been betrothed 
 To Lesslie, Ray had been devoted, allother boys she had loathed. 
 Lesslie was a yellow man, Ray Spelman's skin was olive brown; 
 They were of as noble families as were living in their town. 
 Lesslie,coming home from school, his train had been anhour late; 
 The clock struck ten, as Lesslie morgan got to Ray Spelman's gate 
 He was met by mister Spelman who gave him a hearty shake; 
 Then,into his sitting-room, Lesslie morgan, he did take. 
 Lesslie talked of Harvard college;about the train, and its delay; 
 Then he asked about the village, and enquired where was Ray. 
 He said Ray was at the carnival, walked out with Charlie Brown 
 'Twas in the park, down by the river, on the other side of town. 
 Straight to the carnival he went, although it was a mile away; 
 He thought he'd like to hear the music, and to see his dear Ray. 
 He saw Ray in the ferriy's wheel, by the side of Charlie Brown: 
 When she saw Lesslie she got angry, met him with an evil frown. 
 To Lesslieshe refused to talk, to Charlie's arm she still did hold, 
 Asto,and fro,among thepeople,Ray,and Charlie Brown strolled. 
 A thousand swords,instantly appeared to pierce Lesslie's heart: 
 As his beautiful Ray Spellman did so cruelly from him part. 
 To him it seemed his sun had set, never again on him to rise; 
 Everywhere was heavy darkness,both on earth, and in the skies. 
 That Ray Spelman's fickelness,on Lesslie's heart was suchablight 
 Decides he to jump in the stream, and drown on that very night. 
 Before he reached the river's hank, he saw a lady by him dash; 
 Then,into the cold, dark waters,Lesslie Morgan heard her splash. 
 Forj^ot himself that fatal moment,thinking only how to save, 
 That most lovely looking waman,from an awful watery grave. 
 In plunged Morgan behind her,grasping her by one little hand; 
 Swiming with her to the shore, like a brave,heroic man. 
 Saw he,it was Mable Boyd, whom he thought at school in Slatter- 
 Muc h perplexed was he to know, what with Mable was to matter: 
 When,to the carnival he went,carrying Mable in his arms, 
 Both the white,and colored people, wer filled with terrible allarms 
 Her relatives,and other people came to Lesslie's assistance: 
 All, except Charlie,and Ray, these two peoyile stood their distance. 
 Doctor Malcom then was called, who gave Mable medical aid: 
 Insisted that immediately to her home she be conveyed. 
 
 191 
 
THE SPORT OF FATfi 
 
 Lesslie wished to talk with Mable, learn from her the reason why; 
 She wanted to jump in the river,'neath the chilly waters die. 
 The next evening,Lesslie Morgan, sat beside miss Mable Boyd:: 
 All the family, thanked the hero,and his presence, all enjoyed. 
 Ray was dejected, and sad, her eyes had lost their brilliant light. 
 But Lesslie was so jovial she soon became cheerful, and bright. 
 When the family had departed, leaving Lesslie, and Eay alone; 
 Insisted he upon the girl to make her troubles to him known. 
 She said thatshe,for ayear,had been betrothed to Charlie Brown: 
 And for that flirty Ray Spellman, Charlie now,had put her dowii 
 ThatjWhen he suspended writing she in school could not remain: 
 And, came home,before the closing,to ask her lover to explain. 
 Thatjfrom Slatter Seminary she had returned home that day: 
 When he refused to talk to her,and did ever cliog to Ray. 
 Thatjher earthly aspirations were concentrated in that boy: 
 That the experience of that evening did her universe destroy. 
 That,in such a fatal plight,the only cure for a broken heart, 
 Is to commit suicide,flnd tare body, and soul apart. 
 That.if she didn't lose her wits,she'd,with poison, gun or knife: 
 Contrive some quick, and sure method to deprive herself of life. 
 Lesslie then assured Mable,she l)ad made a grave mistake: 
 Persuaded bar with strong reasons, the foolish impulse to forsake^ 
 Said, he, had started to the river to jump in hiraself,and drnwn. 
 Because Ray Spelman.his lover,had forsakened him, for Brown. 
 That,seeing her in such peril, drove the mania from his soul: 
 Enabled him that awful moment,his strong feelings to control. 
 Thatjhe thought,in that sad moment,only how her life to save. 
 Thatjby rescuing her from death, both had escaped a liquid grave- 
 That,fortune had intervened to shield them from the cruel fat«rs 
 Of marrying below their rank, to lovers,not atall their mates. 
 That,Ray,and Charlie had no learning,no lofty honors did cla-un 
 That they had nearly graduated, and in life had lofty aim. 
 Thatjtheirs was the love of children, founded on external graces; 
 That,they were infatuated by two pretty, charming faces. 
 That,if you court a marble statue, having neither brains,nor heart 
 You will soon get disappointed, and from the cold thing deiiart. 
 Said he "you aie the governor's equal, Charlie is notyour peer: 
 He would only have impeeded your own, splendid life-career", 
 Mable then replied to Lee^slie,' you are a gjillant hf ro brave: 
 Who did from death beneath tha water thankful little Mable save 
 
 192 
 
THE SPORT OF FATE 
 
 Your counsels are most true,I now hate Charlie,! must say. 
 And I've always been surprised that you culd love that silly Eny. 
 You are the most brave, aud gallant jentleman I've ever seen: 
 I am sure you aro worthy of the most imperious queen". 
 Then said Lesslie to Mable,"you fill my world again with light: 
 Aud lift the vail before my future,makingit intensely bright. 
 You are a splendid, ideal woman ;heaven threw you in my way; 
 Tell me that you'll be my wife, lets get married, name the day". 
 Said she,heaven must have planed it by the cruel sport of fate: 
 Ont of our hearts,and minds,past folly to eradicate. 
 Your achievements are peerless,there is on earth no finer boy: 
 Any time that suits your fancy will be Mable's supreme joy. 
 Phis intelligent couple went back.aad finished their education. 
 The next year Lesslie went away, and worked at his ocupation. 
 ^t christmas,in the village church he to the altar Mable lead; 
 ^nd in a splendid cerimony Lesslie, and Mable Boyd wed. 
 
 Ow®iifa 
 
 A-fter ray heart was touched with thy sweet spell; 
 
 L-earned I to love thee as I do no other: 
 
 V-isions most bright do in my mind upwell: 
 
 I-n which my life is shared with another, 
 
 N-o painter could, with brush, and colors bright; 
 
 0-n canvass draw those dreams of love,and glory • 
 
 V-ainly would novelests attempt to write, 
 
 E-ven half of the exquisite story. 
 
 T-ell me 0,Muse ! shall I these pleasures know: 
 
 T-ell me shall Alvin ever be my wife: 
 
 R-efulgent as the sun's radient glow; 
 
 A-dorning with her loveliness my life. 
 
 C-ould I the coming years penetrate; 
 
 R-oU back the vail that shuts the future out; 
 
 0-pen,and read the changeless laws of fate; 
 
 S-olve now I would this tantalizing doubt. 
 
 B-ut it is best,perhaps,we donot know, 
 
 Y-oung lover's future blessed ness,or woe. 
 
Plni Th® ilain#s 
 
 M-ore lovely than the April rose; 
 I-s the girl of whom I write: 
 S-preading sunshine as she goes; 
 S-he is our chief delight. 
 
 R-efulgent God ess of thy city; 
 0-n thee, with joy, do look all faces: 
 B-ecause thou art fair,and witty: 
 E-ndowed with all the sweet graces 
 R-emeinber,to be truly great, 
 T-hou must use thy raatchlees skill 
 A-11 wayword ones to elevate: 
 
 H-elp them to asscend life's hill. 
 0-n histor3''s pages will stand, 
 G-lowing records of thy fame: 
 A-nd thy life will be truly grand: 
 N-ations will consecrate thy name. 
 S-tately,fair,and charming belle; 
 thou wilt thus all girls excell. 
 
 D-istinguished schol]ar,and sage; 
 -rator of worth, and power; 
 C andle bearer of thine age; 
 T hy race's much esteemed flower; 
 O vorthrow for self and race, 
 R-estrictions on thy chance to rise 
 
 W-in in the government a place. 
 I-mprove laws by thy counsel wise 
 L-et not the Southern whites stand 
 L-onger over you and race: 
 I-n rulership a share demand: 
 A-t once,or find another place. 
 M-iserable, we'll always be; 
 S-taying here among the whiles; 
 
 D-isfranchised and but half free; 
 E-ternally denyed our rights. 
 N-oble doctor with traned mind; 
 T-hy culture for Ihy race employ;. 
 I-ndependence for it find; 
 S-o all can live in peace and joy,. 
 T-hy race's freedom vindio.ate, 
 or help to build a Negro state> 
 194 
 
|anst tbou,i]ature,in thy gaJIry 
 
 JA more lovely statue show? 
 
 Holdest thou a finer picture, 
 
 In thy great portfolio? 
 
 Bright Aurora in her >vp]endcr; 
 
 Clad in robes of golden hue, 
 
 Never made a fairer portrait, 
 
 On the oriental blue. 
 
 The moon,her silvery mantle 
 
 spreading., 
 Over castles,lakes,and towers, 
 Is outrivaled in grace, and beaut}', 
 By Roberta among the flowers. 
 Blossoms held a coronation. 
 Graced her with a queenly crown: 
 Now they celebrate her triumph, 
 When the spring-time rolls around 
 Roses pay her special homage: 
 Fill her days with odors sweet; 
 Sprinkle soft,and dainty petals, 
 For a carpet under her feet. 
 Graceful, tall and stately lilies, 
 'Mid the darling floral bowers: 
 Pore their sweets from golden calyx 
 On Roberta among the flowers: 
 Was there ever traced in colors, 
 A face that beamed celestial fire; 
 O n the white,and perly canvass. 
 Future ages to admire? 
 Can the crafty chisel earve, 
 From a block of marble cold. 
 Such a rare,and stately Godess, 
 With a faultless heart,and soul? 
 Bert has more than brush or chisel, 
 Or engravers can impart; 
 For,to her peerless beauty, 
 There is linked a perfect heart. 
 
L-ike the fairest rose in May, 
 I-s the one of whom I write: 
 L-ike it she is sweet,and gay: 
 L-ike it she is our delight. 
 I-n loveliness she's like a pink: 
 A-11 eyes with joy her face behold: 
 N-oble picture that can think; 
 
 C-rystal, dearer far than gold. 
 L-ithe,and slender little belle; 
 A-11 people now may thee ad mi rep 
 R-eally,wouldst thou long do well; 
 A-good education acquire. 
 B-eauty that is joined to worth, 
 E-nlightened mind, and heart pure; 
 L-endeth the way word onesofearth 
 
 H-opes of heaven's joys sure. 
 I-n school make ample preparation, 
 N-ever fading honors to gain: 
 E-qual the brightest in the nation^ 
 S-oar to a higher plane, 
 
 If-blossoms should forget to smile> 
 You-the eye do so beguile; 
 Want-to win your love do all: 
 A-world of people, great, and smalL 
 Lover-true and Cupid's sage, 
 Write-of you on many a page. 
 Me,-if you'ld claim for your friend 
 Dear,-you must them from you 
 
 send. 
 
Whf Gaii'llPdFiSt 
 
 Why can't I forget you dear Lily ? 
 Why yearns so hungrily for you my heart? 
 Three long weary years have gon by dear; 
 ^Since you, and I reluctantly did part. 
 Why can't I forget those chocolate demple; 
 Those laughing, brown eyes,filled with iite 
 
 and fire; 
 That pretty little facr,and perfect figure, 
 That I so very greatly do admire. 
 Why can't I forget your silken tresses; 
 Adorned with jewels like a diamond crown 
 Your graceful head,as stately as a Godess; 
 Your pretty neck, and sholders hazel brown 
 Why can't I forget youir soft,sweet voice: 
 That lulls my soul in its enchanting spell 
 The thought of its intoxicating sweetness, 
 Still within my memory does dwell. 
 Why cant I forget your cheerful laughter? 
 You tented Godess of the autum season: 
 Lithsome figure, with its graceful poise: 
 Bronze statue that can smile,think^and 
 
 reason. 
 
 Why can't I forget your stately mansion, 
 That sits among the trees upon the hill; 
 And all the lovely violets.and the dasies, 
 That you, and I have gathered by the rill. 
 Why ean^t I forget the songs^and music. 
 That I've often heard you sing.and play; 
 All about your home,and in your parlor. 
 Many a,many a,many a happy day. 
 Why can't I forget your dear,sweet letters 
 I often read those missives over with care: 
 When, though hills,and planes do us divide 
 It seems to me that you are by my side. 
 
 197 
 
o you want to be a man ? 
 
 Well then, why ofcourseyou cam. 
 You must not live on pie?, and cake: 
 You must not dress out all yovi make:: 
 You must not go in every show: 
 Nor on all excursions go. 
 You must not drink from whisky cup- 
 Your health,and reputation up. 
 You must notmate with lude females 
 And hear their vulgar songs,and tales^ 
 Seek for wealth, and edncalion; 
 Instead of ease,and recreation. 
 In all elections, go, and vote: 
 Be men of honor,worth,and note. 
 You pay your taxes every year; 
 In government you own a share. 
 You are neither dogs nor cattle, 
 So foryour rights stand up, and hattle:: 
 Battle like brave,and fearless nipi>; 
 Thus,an equal chance you'll win. 
 Then the Negro's cole black face, 
 Will be an ornament of grace. 
 When we,self-government acquire; 
 All men will the race admire: 
 Respect us as their dark-skin brothers^ 
 The same as they honor the others. 
 If you fail here,with tongue,aiid i)cn,. 
 Your equal rights to win; 
 Don't give up like c(v\vin(] slaves; 
 But,leave,like pioneers brave. 
 Build yon a splendid Negro state; 
 You'll soon be powerful.and great. 
 
 1*.)8^ 
 
Mi 
 
 To help make the laws,and rule, 
 Is my highest aspiration: 
 I'll here,help make laws,and rule; 
 Or leave,and build us a nation, 
 Then,I shall be a pharmacist: 
 And own a big drug store: 
 With gold labeled bottles, 
 From ceihng to the floor. 
 A splendid soda fountain; 
 With flashing mirrors bright; 
 Like a ferry palac, 
 In the brilliant light. 
 Shall monufacture medicine. 
 And fill prescriptions too; 
 Every day in the year, 
 I'll have something to do. 
 Pretty colored ladies, 
 My fountain drinks will sell: 
 I want you all to know, 
 My drug-store will be swell. 
 
 I shall be a champion, 
 Of colored women's rights: 
 We'll help make the laws.andrule; 
 Or move out from the whites. 
 Then I'll be a musician. 
 Sweet music sing.and play; 
 Shall entertain my audience; 
 Make them cheerful, and gay. 
 Will give to the oppressed ones, 
 High aim8,and aspirations; 
 Will move them to establish, 
 A splendid colored nation. 
 It will be said of me some day; 
 "That brilliant colored girl, 
 The sweetest melodies do play 
 Of any in the world. 
 199 
 
To liv« h«re,disfr*nchised as slaves- 
 Is a thing I cftonot stand: 
 Shall have a voie© m government, 
 Or build a bliack r«public grand. 
 Then, I'll l«arn to b« a doctor: 
 Go about, and write prescriptions; 
 With my skill in medicine; 
 Cure ills of all descriptions. 
 When,aching,b«tween life.and death. 
 Linger my many patients^ll; 
 For health,! will turn the scale,. 
 With a iugar coated pilL 
 Shall ride in an automobile: 
 Live in a stately palace; 
 Have a heavy bank-acccw^nt; 
 Then, I'll marry Alice. 
 
 T||# BftFTist*!' 
 
 In law-making,and government,. 
 I'll win for us an equal share: 
 Or to a state of our own, 
 We'll all emigrate from here. 
 Then I'll learn to be a lawyer: 
 And read the largest kind of books?; 
 Get up in the courts,and plead, 
 Against the frauds,and crooks. 
 Sitting in my fine office, 
 The latest news.I'll read: 
 And lend money on interest, 
 To those who are in need. 
 Shall run for governor of thestate-- 
 Defend the people's sacred cause; 
 See that their rights are protected^. 
 By faijjaud impartial laws. 
 
 005 
 
m 
 
 Iilliam made a red silk kite; 
 With a longjblu© silk tail: 
 A cord of twisted cotton white; 
 You ought to have seen it sail. 
 Like an eagle in the sky, 
 Above the steeples tall: 
 That red kite would mount,and fly.; 
 And it would never fall. 
 Every one who saw that kite, 
 Loved little William Brown: 
 It was such a pretty sight, 
 Sailing over the town 
 A dreadful storm came up one day, 
 And frightened many people: 
 Blew William's red silk kite away, 
 Against a tall church steeple. 
 The steeple caught its blue silk tail, 
 And held it in such manner, 
 From it that kite still does sail, 
 Like a little red silk banner. 
 William is a brown skin chap, 
 Only fourteen years of age, 
 Since he was in his mother's lap: 
 They've called him little sage. 
 William learns his lesson well, 
 Always obeys the rule; 
 In every game,he does excell. 
 All the boys in school. 
 He has made an air-plane, 
 Toy pistols,8Words,and guns: 
 Has made a small automobile; 
 And a toy train that runs. 
 Both white,and colored people say^ 
 That little William Brown, 
 If he keeps own, will be some day. 
 The greatest man in town. 
 201 
 

 shall study government; 
 
 jAnd be & noble statesman great: 
 
 Help t» make the laws,and rule, 
 
 Our nation,and our state. 
 
 Will, as a congressman reward, 
 
 All the people's sacred trust; 
 
 By making for their betterment, 
 
 Laws that are wise,fair,and just. 
 
 You colored people follow me; 
 
 Don't mind th« color of your skin; 
 
 Let us be brave.and not give up; 
 
 And we will self-government win. 
 
 Besides,there is a God, you know; 
 The great father of truth, and lights 
 To give us success when we try, 
 To achieve that which is right. 
 Black people,did you ever try, 
 To be elected magistrate; 
 Or to make the laws, and rule, 
 Your nation, and your state ? 
 Shame on you, if you have not: 
 From brave men go hide your faces. 
 Not to help to rule yourselves,. 
 Is the deepest of disgraces. 
 Father4f you will vote for me; 
 And you, my uncles.and my brothers^ 
 I will make pnblic speeches then. 
 And win the votes of many others, 
 I will give you all my word, 
 That,assoon as Vm elected, 
 I'll see that colored citizens, 
 Are in their rights protected. 
 I'm determined to break up, 
 Disfranchising,and segregation: 
 And to stop lynching of Negroes, 
 In every part of our nation. 
 You must wake up. and get bu?y; 
 Don't hang your heads, and die: 
 You can help rule your nation if^. 
 You all stand up, and bravely try. 
 202 
 
STEAM-BOAT BUILDER 
 
 I built a little schooner, 
 
 And sailed it on the lake; 
 
 When I'm growa a steam-bDat, 
 
 I intend to make. 
 
 Shall hire colored people; ' 
 
 In making up my crew; 
 
 It may be dear School-mates, 
 
 I'll hire some of you. 
 
 Will carry goods.and people, 
 
 To every state,and nation; 
 
 All it takes ta do it. 
 
 Is money,and education. 
 
 I shall study hard in school; 
 
 Until I graduate; 
 
 Then, I'll work for money, 
 
 Both early,and late. 
 
 Shall not squander it either, 
 
 On fine 8uits,8hirts,and collars; 
 
 But,shall live on little, 
 
 And lay aside the dollars. 
 
 Thus I'll have plenty of gold. 
 
 To build my big steam-boat: 
 
 Be some service to my race, 
 
 And, a man of note. 
 
 Learn some trade,or business: 
 Something in great demand; 
 Be trying to accomplish, 
 something for which to stand: 
 Get a never dying name; 
 Something the world will claim 
 ^ 
 
RAILROAD BUILDER 
 
 A train I inade,that ran down grade,. 
 
 Without eoal,or water: 
 
 I m«t a boy who liked the toy; 
 
 And sold it for a quarter. 
 
 When I'm grown, a man of my own, 
 
 I'll start an association, 
 
 With the eolored business men; 
 
 With them all I will begin, 
 
 A railroad corporation. 
 
 Will have freight,and passenger trains^, 
 
 Dashing over the hills^and planes: 
 
 Connecting cities fine: 
 
 Pullman palace cars will fly: 
 
 Delighting many a Negro's eye; 
 
 Along our railroad line. 
 
 We'll have eolored engineers; 
 
 Colored section overseers; 
 
 Black conduetors,fares to collecti 
 
 You'll be comfortably seated, 
 
 In cars nicely heated, 
 
 And treated with respect. 
 
 If you boys all follow me; 
 Icidastrioii3,and siving^ be; 
 Gat wealth, and edaeation; 
 'Tsvill not be many years. 
 'Til W0 can sell the shares, 
 In oar railroad corporation. 
 
 204 
 
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