F83 .4 ,E93 fb--:,-:: o /"V '• ./.,. V^*'-'^ .f^ .■iy' <' '^.. V A" <:, .r- V A '^ ^^ 1 • A A^ -^ .f 0^ '^x. .■^■ ■K- > Si' < ■J '^^ ^-^ -^^^'^^^^^ ^^ ^-<> .0' /^ v\^ VP*?' ,-^ t ':av ■*i ,<4 oV'^^^^ill^'- ■«- <* o A ^ «$> * O „ O ' 4 O '«^ ^ i^ tr aPaI Mink. «» A. ^ ^ /^ >t # ^^ >« ^ o > *^. o v» \>* <'©' ^* . i*^ 1 '<^\ * " " ♦ ^°-^<^ 4 O I@ THE I IN THE !^[Hl@©l=Oi[L/?\M© lgllil[LLO@lKl. V ADVERTISEMENT. The writer of the folloiving lines, hastily thrown together, has endeavored to present a true picture of the thrilhng scenes whiclj occurred in this city, on Wednesday, the 18th of May last — the decisive day in the late insurrection, and one not soon to be forgot- ten by our fellow-citizens. How far he has succeeded, he leaves? for those to say, who, like himself, were eye-witnesses of the ffearful events as they transpired. THE AUTHOR, Providence, June 10, 1849. THE EVENTFUL DAY. Midnight approached, with slow and silent tread. And o'er the city's domes her mantle spread ; Grim Darkness, sullen, at this solemn hour, Sat on his ebon throne with princely power ; The moon his presence owned and shrunk away. And down the western hills withdrew her ray ; O'er streams the cloud-like mists were gathering iast, And soon on all around their curtains cast. But these dim shadowings of Nature's form Were feeble emblems of the gathering storm Of raging Passion's dark, malignant ire. And sombre fumes of mad Rebellion's fire, Striving to burst — the rule of State to claim — ■ And wrap the guiltless in its deadly flame ! How oft beneath the Summer's sultry sky, A group of clouds has met the gazer's eye, Which gladly told that soft descending showers Would soon refresh the earth and drooping flowers : But when it came — an awful tempest black — It brought destruction in its fearful track I Impelled by native and by foreign force. The swollen stream moves swifter in its course : Rushing, unchecked, along its widening path. It gathers fury and increasing wrath — Fearless of aught that sternly may oppose, It bids defiance to resisting foes I, Such was the darkly gathering storm that late. In threatening mood, o'erhung oar cherished StatGo The scheme, at first, had no designs of ill — At length, restraints it cast away at will : Pretending loud to plead the People's cause, It trampled down Authority and Laws ; Disguised in Freedom's garb and hallowed name, It soon a foul Conspiracy became ! And now were pledged the mad, misguided band, To rise and plunder with unsparing hand ! ******* The clock had told the solemn hour of one, When loudly spoke the foeman's signal gun ; Another — and another — soon were heard, Whose voices deep the trembling city stirred ; The mournful bells of various churches rung — Responses flowed from many a human tongue — Waked by the tocsin-peals, that louder grew, The sleeper from his couch unconscious flew. 'To arms ! to arms !' the sons of freedom cried — ' To arms ! to arms !' the echoing skies replied ! Obedient to the call, the friends of right. Amidst the darkness of surrounding night, W^ent boldly forth with weapons in their hands. Prepared to quell the Traitor's lawless bands — Prepared their homes and freedom to defend. And bring this dread Rebellion to an end ; For now the hour had come their strength to show; And ON exhausted patience bade them go ! Meanwhile the Leader of the blinded throng Was urged by mad ambition's power along ; Heedless and rash, he bade no friend intrude, But Ceesar-like his daring course pursued. 1* His reckless troops were marshaled in their pride. With arms prepared and ready at their side. He first would make the store of arms his prey. And seize its treasures ere the dawn of day. Onward he marches, the foremost of the van, With heart elate to consummate his plan : But schemes by which the bad would fain prevail. By hands unseen are often made to fail : ^T was thus with him — and, goaded to despair, He left the field, nor won fresh laurels there ! At length the morning dawned — its cheering light Ne'er pierced the darkness of a gloomier night: The Sun rolled upward in the orient sky — His presence bade the misty vapors fly : The solemn bells, whose strangely booming sound- Spread the alarm with quick, alternate rounds, And told the sleepers of the danger necr. Now ceased to strike upon the startled ear. The sky, all cloudless, lovely and serene, Gazed down upon a sad and fearful scene. *To arms !' was echoed still the city round, While clattering feet along the pavements sound. The thundering cannon's frequent roar is heard ; And anxious friends, with partly spoken word, Inquire with eager haste if each may know The latest movements of the reckless foe. A thousand rumours fly with meteor speed — A thousand hearts with boding sorrow bleed 1 Now citizens their rooms of labor close, And fly to arms the rebels to oppose : Ail, like undaunted soldiers true and brave, Are Hatherins: fast their threatened homes to save. The leader of the traitorous scheme secure. And make the strength of law and freedom siu-e. It was an hour of awful interest then — An hour to try the souls of stoutest men — An hour that caused the gushing tears to flow — An hour that gave the heart unwonted woe ! The husband left his wife and children dear, And hasted on, as as if devoid of fear; His partner's lips were moved in silent prayer, For Heaven his cause to aid — his life to spare. The mother's blessing rested on her son. As forth he went to join the war begun : 8 The brother grasped his weeping sister's hand, And soon was found among the patriot-band ; The lover bade his cherished one farewell, And as he went affection's tear-drops fell ; The sire, with hoary locks and tottering frame, Amidst the friends of ' Law and Order' came. None could disclose the scenes that lay before — They parted then — perhaps to meet no more ! Now soon arrived assistance from below, A valiant band to march against the foe : Thy heard the rallying cry at midnight made. Nor on their couches of repose delayed : But quickly placed their armour at their side, And upward rode upon the river's tide. With patriot-pride tlieir hearts beat high and strong. As now in phalanx firm they move along, To join their city friends, and aid bestow — To quell the mob, and seize the daring foe. To do or die, his courage each maintains — The blood of Seventy-Six flows through their veins Ere long were joined in one each marshaled band, The brave defenders of their native land. 9 The line of march the patriots soon begun — Their armor gh'ttered in the radiant sun : With footsteps firm the pavement-path they trod — Their cause — for right and truth — their hope in God ! As on they pass a thousand eyes behold The long-extended line of freemen bold. From every dome that towers amid the air, Groups of the anxious gaze intently there; From every window opening to the view, Look down the lovely on the brave and true. Some gently wave their hands, or loudly cheer — Some lift the prayer, or drop the flowing tear. On they advance through many a winding street,. With solemn step, the desperate foe to meet, Till each opposing enemy is near, And deadly weapons in their front appear. Heart-rending sight — a joyless scene to see ! Here, in this Christian land — home of the free — Brothers and friends, arrayed on either side, Are now prepared to stem the battle's tide — Ready to strike the fierce, death-bearing blow, And bid life's blood in crimson currents flow [ 10 Although *the sun had reached meridian sky — Bright beaming in his golden car on high — How dark the hour — how fraught with boding ill I From every dome, from each adjacent hill, A thousand tearful eyes the scene survey — A thousand sad and trembling hearts delay. Each is expecting now, at every breath, To see commence the awful work of death 1 The flash behold, and with unwilling ear. The pealing thunder of the cannon hear ! And listen to the wails of wounded there. And dying groans upborne upon the air 1 But He, who reigns with undivided sway, Bade conquest follow in a happier way. Thinned were the ranks of the insurgent band, For some who saw its leader's traitorous stand. No more witli him such fearful lengths could go, And left him 'neath the gathering clouds of woe : He knew the storm was bursting in its might, And, from its frowning wrath, escaped by flight 1 Others, ere long, their chief's example saw. And fled the presence of the friends of law ! 11 The desperate few, remaining on the field, Saw hope depart, and promised soon to yield. Thus victory's flag in tranquil triumph waved — Thus were our homes from lawless plunder saved ; For He, who rules the wildest storm at will, Spake to the waves of passion, ^ Peace ! — be still !' Their work performed, the patriot band retired, And homeward went with gratitude inspired : Once more were joy and quietness restored, And gladness smiled around the festive board. Those hearts so late in gloomy sorrow found, Now at the welcome news of peace rebound. To Heaven, at sweet Devotion's shrine they raise The grateful offerings of sincerest praise. The sun went down on this eventful day, 'Midst broken clouds that half obscured his ray; And well might Nature turn aside her eye. And o'er such scenes in sorrowing sadness sigh. Gladly would we forget this day of gloom, And let it sink to dark Oblivion's tomb ; But Time's consuming hand can ne'er efface The sad remembrance of this deep disgrace ; 12 I'liis stain upon our land we long shall see — The land of Ro2;er Williams and the free ! Misguided men ! — how dread is passion's ire, When unrestrained it vents its native fire ! — May they kind Heaven's forgiving mercy know. And in the path of crime no longer go : May God's right hand be mighty still to save, And o'er us let fair Freedom's banner wave ! ^ 1 » VV//::)— R\ °. . • A <. *' .. -^ .C ^. %.^^ O .-^ y