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vexations. Give vitality by energy. Use
every means to subdue. Proclamations
are useless; make a bold front and fight
the enemy; leave traitors at home to the
care of loyal men. Less note of prepara-
tion, less parade and policy talk, and more
action.
HENRY KNOX."

"That is not Indian talk, Mr. Shockle," said the President; who is 'Henry Knox?' It was suggested to the medium to ask who General Knox was, and before the words were fully uttered, the medium spoke in a strange voice, "The first Secretary of War."

"Oh! yes, General Knox," said the President; who, turning to the Secretary, said: "Stanton, that message is for you; it is from your predecessor."

Mr. Stanton made no reply.

"I should like to ask General Knox," said the President, "if it is within the scope of his ability, to tell us when this rebellion will be put down."

"Well, I don't know-I will think the matter over, and see what conclusion to arrive at.”

Heavy raps were heard, and the alphabet was called for, when "That's what's the matter," was spelt out.

There was a shout of laughter, and Mr. Welles stroked his beard.

"That means, Mr. Welles," said the President, "that you are apt to be longwinded, and think the nearest way home is the longest way round. Short cuts in war times. I wish the spirits would tell us how to catch the Alabama."

der the shadow of an English fort-from which an English flag was waving. The Alabama was floating idly, not a soul on board, and no signs of life visible about her. The picture vanished, and in letters of purple appeared: "The English people demand this of England's aristocracy."

The lights, which had been partially lowered, almost instantaneously became so dim as to make it difficult to distinguish the features of any one in the room, and on the large mirror over the mantel-piece there appeared the most beautiful though supernatural picture ever beheld. It represented a sea view, the Alabama with all steam up flying from the pursuit of anIn the same manner as before, this mes- other large steamer. Two merchantmen sage was received: in the distance were seen, partially de"Washington, Lafayette, Franklin, Wil-stroyed by fire. The picture changed, berforce, Napoleon, and myself have held and the Alabama was seen at anchor unfrequent consultation on this point. There is something which our spiritual eyes cannot detect which appears well formed. Evil has come at times by removal of men from high positions, and there are those in retirement whose abilities should be made useful to hasten the end. Napoleon says, concentrate your forces upon one point: Lafayette thinks that the rebellion will die of exhaustion; Franklin sees the end approaching, as the South must give up for want of mechanical ability to compete against Northern mechanics. Wilberforce sees hope only in a negro army.—KNOX." spelt out. "Well," exclaimed the President, "opin- "I see, I see," said the President: ions differ among the saints as well as "Mother England thinks that what's sauce among the sinners. They don't seem to for the goose may be sauce for the gander. understand running the machines among It may be tit, tat, too, hereafter. But it the celestials much better than we do is not very complimentary to our navy, Their talk and advice sound very much anyhow."

like the talk of my cabinet-don't you think so, Mr. Welles?"

"So England is to seize the Alabama finally?" said Mr. Lincoln: "It may be possible; but, Mr. Welles, don't let one gunboat or monitor less be built."

The spirits called for the alphabet, and again "That's what's the matter," was

"We've done our best, Mr. President,"

said Mr. Welles; "I'm maturing a plan

which, when perfected, I think, if it works | prostrated. The account here given is well, will be a perfect trap for the Ala- from one who was present; and, though bama."

evidently by no one unfriendly to the medium, there has been no denial of the general correctness of the proceedings.

Putting 'Em Through a Course of Sprouts.

"Well, Mr. Shockle," remarked the President, "I have seen strange things and heard rather odd remarks; but nothing which convinces me, except the pictures, that there is anything very heavenly about all this. I should like, if possible, to hear what Judge Douglas says about this war." "I'll try to get his spirit," said Mr. Shockle; "but it sometimes happens, as it did to-night in the case of the Indian, that though first impressed by one spirit, I yield to another more powerful. If perfect silence is maintained, I will see if we can- to even say something about taking it not induce General Knox to send for Mr. Douglas."

One lively spring day, four young men of the city of Frederick, Maryland, went to the good old town of Liberty, and whilst passing the Stars and Stripes which floated from a pole at the west end of the town, took the idea into their empty heads to curse that time-honored emblem with considerable liberality and positiveness, and

down. Hearing, however, that they would be called to account for such rebellious Three raps were given, signifying assent acts, they loaded their pistols before leavto the proposition. Perfect silence was ing the hotel, and roisterly declared what maintained, and after an interval of per- they would do if attacked. The "fun" haps three minutes, Mr. Shockle rose quick-came at last. About five o'clock, a carly from his chair and stood up behind it, riage was seen coming up the hill, and resting his left arm on the back, his right when nearly opposite the flag, two citizens thrust into his bosom. In a voice such as walked out into the middle of the street no one could mistake who had ever heard and gave the command, " Halt," which was Mr. Douglas, he spoke. The language promptly obeyed. The next command was eloquent and choice. He urged the was-"Salute that flag!" After an exPresident to throw aside all advisers who cuse or two about a bad cold,' and 'how hesitate about the policy to be pursued, salute it?' they gave a weak cheer. The and to listen to the wishes of the people, answer to this was, "That won't do; a who would sustain him at all points if his little louder!" The second time their aim was, as he believed it was, to restore voices raised considerable; but "louder the Union. He said that there were yet!" was commanded, and the third time Burrs and Blennerhassetts living, but that they gave mighty good proof of pulmonathey would wither before the popular ap-ry health. They were then ordered to proval which would follow one or two vic- "Curse secession," and they did so. After tories, such as he thought must take place having thus passed successfully their exere long. The turning-point in this war will ercise on the various points of the political be the proper use of these victories. If decalogue, they were allowed to move on wicked men in the first hours of success-wiser and better posted men. think it time to devote their attention to party, the war will be prolonged; but if victory is followed up by energetic action, all will be well.

Carolinian Unionist Showing the Track.

Captain Grant, of the Nineteenth Wisconsin regiment, had the good fortune to "I believe that," said the President, escape from the Confederate prison at "whether it comes from spirit or human." Columbia, South Carolina, to the Union Here closed the interview, at Mrs. Lin- lines. When he had been twenty days coln's request, Mr. Shockle being much out, and had just crossed the line between

North and South Carolina, he was startled | ed up his wife and had her get supper for about the middle of the night by hearing the stranger. Here Captain Grant got voices in the middle of the road and ap- his first insight of the faithfulness, earnproaching. Stepping aside and listening estness and hopefulness of the real Union closely, he was reassured by the discovery party of North Carolina. His host told that one of the voices was that of a negro, him where and how to find Union men, and supposed, of course, the other was a and marked out the most favorable roads negro also. He called them, and enquired for him to take, giving many directions, all the road to a town not far distant, which of which were proven to have been given was in the direction he wished to go. To in good faith. this interrogatory, a white man's voice replied :

Carolina Unionist.

"Men of your stamp don't want to go to that town-you must flank it."

"What do you mean by men of my

stamp?" was the reponse.

66

Sentiments of a Dying Soldier.

At a public meeting in Boston, Mr. Gough said: "Not long ago I was in a hospital, and saw a young man, twenty-six years of age, pale and emaciated, with his shattered arm resting upon an oil-silk pillow, and there he had been many long and weary weeks, waiting for sufficient strength for an amputation. I knelt by his side and said, "Will you answer me one question?" "Yes sir," was his reply. "Suppose then you were well, at home, in good health, and knew all this would come to you, if you enlisted, would you enlist?" "Yes, Sir," he answered in a whisper; "I would in a minute! What is my arm or my life compared with the safety of the country?"

That was patriotism of the genuine

[graphic]

brand.

Why," said the Carolinian, "I mean Banks's Morning Call at Marshal Kane's

that you don't want to go there, that's all;

but you must flank it."

Door.

General Banks, on assuming command

"But what do you suspect me of be- in Maryland, took his first step in the work ing?" Captain Grant enquired.

"You are a Yankee," replied the Carolinian; "if you go there you will be made a prisoner."

of throttling treason by arresting George P. Kane, marshal of the police of Baltimore, who had publicly declared that that city was "red with blood," and boastingly adding, with reference to the Northern troops, "We will fight them, and whip

"And if I am a Yankee," said the Captain," and wanted to flank the town, is there anybody about here who could them, or die." Banks accordingly detershow me how to do it?-is there such a man?"

"That I be," was the reply, and the Carolinian parted from his negro companion, who turned out to be a woman, and took Captain Grant to his house, and call

mined to arrest the marshal. Eighteen hundred men marched from Fort McHenry into Baltimore with loaded muskets and fixed bayonets, just before daybreak, for it was well known that the marshal had arms secreted at the head-quarters and the sta

tions of the police, and it seemed that he was only waiting a favorable opportunity to rise with his whole force and begin an insurrection to wrest Baltimore from Federal authority.

cer in command, "Why did you not bring five or six more regiments and some artillery? If you had sent me a note and a carriage, I would have come without all this fuss."

It was even then day-break; the column moved briskly forward, and the marshal enjoyed the rare sight of sunrise from the ramparts of Fort McHenry.

Prospective Value of the War.

The men wore their cartridge boxes, in which were a few rounds, but no knapsacks. They had marched a square, when a policeman, in his cool summer uniform, and swinging his long baton, was observed crossing the street ahead. Instantly the head of the column opened, the body An officer from Louisville led one of swept on, and the policeman, riveted to the Rosecrans' regiments into battle, his supeground in astonishment at this manoeuvre, rior having been called to other duty. In unknown to the tactics of either Matsell the advance this man's son fell by a rebel or Vidocq, found himself swallowed up and bullet. The father saw him fall, but could borne along in the resistless advance. not stop to care for him. Narrating the Two squares ahead another policeman was circumstances, the bereaved father said, discovered again the column opened and with the tears fast falling from his eyes: he was engulfed. By the time the column "My boy, you know, is gone. I was in reached the residence of the marshal, not temporary command of the regiment, and less than fifty-seven of the vigilant guard- as we were pressing on I saw my boy ians of the night had been thus swallowed fall. I could not turn back to him, so I up; but when they found that their cap- said to a soldier, 'Look to Johnny,' and tors had halted at the door of the mar- went on, and we did the work we went to shal's house, they began to smell a rat of do." the largest possible dimensions. An offi"Do you still hold to the idea you excer now rang the bell. After some delay, pressed when you and I talked over the a night-capped head popped out of the questions of this war before? Do you window, and the well-known voice of feel now as you did then? Marshal Kane inquired, in a rather gruff

tone,

"What is wanted?"

The officer blandly replied that he himself was the article just then in demand. "Hum, hum," said the marshal, never at a loss for a joke, "I'll supply that demand."

66

Certainly; I feel we are doing this work for ourselves and children, and for those who are to come after us. Of course, I am very sad, but the cause is just the same as before-only more sacred than ever."

Comedy of Cabinet Errors.

Did the vision of escape cross the mar- The following jaunty account is told of shal's mind? Possibly. It is certain that an interview with the Cabinet chiefs, just he skipped with agility to a back window, after the Baltimore Republican Nominaraised the curtain and looked out. Alas! ting Convention:

the moonbeams played upon five hundred Immediately upon the adjournment of glittering bayonets in the yard below. the Convention, a prominent Republican The game was up, and the marshal knew gentleman paid his respects to Mr. Sewhe must submit to his inevitable fate. He ard; found him in a pleasant state of mind, descended the stairs and opened the front with one thumb in vest pocket, and twirling his spectacles with the other hand. "Ha! ha! Mr. -," said the secretary

door.

"Good God!" he exclaimed to the offi

to his visitor, "I see that poor Blair and Chase have been invited to leave the Cabinet by the Baltimore Convention!"

few moments conversation with General and Mrs. McClellan, the parties retired as they had advanced. Such an occurrence of ceremonial courtesy between two opposed military and political chieftains did not fail to impress the hundreds of lookers on.

Forgetting his Usual Courtesy.

The instances are rare in which President Lincoln's temper is known to have given way, under the annoyance of persons boring him with their "views" of secession, war, emancipation, &c. One such instance is thus narrated:

The gentleman was astonished, as he had supposed that this resolution referred to Mr. Seward as much, at least, as to any other member of the Cabinet, and after a few common-place remarks, retired. Immediately after, he paid his respects to Mr. Welles, whom he found awake, and who immediately notified his visitor that he had heard or dreamt that some people, who had recently assembled in Baltimore, had invited Mr. Seward to leave the Cabinet. The next Secretary visited was Mr. Blair, and he was found to be laboring A good lady of Ward Beecher's church, under the delusion that the resolution of doubtless inspired by her pastor's free exthe Convention was meant for Mr. Chase, hortations about politics, thought she had his particular 'friend.' And finally it was discovered a sure means of aiding the discovered, in this amusing Comedy of cause, and became so engrossed with it Cabinet Errors, that every individual mem- that, woman-like-she persuaded her ber of Old Abe's confidential advisers husband to take her to Washington that supposed that he was exempted, while all she might be the first to whisper it in the the others were censured for their part in ear of the President, and so become the the conduct of the war. honored instrument of the nation's salvation. The patriotic couple called at the White House, and were told that the One of the most significant of the many President was engaged on important busipolitical groupings at one of President Lin-ness and could not be seen. But the lady coln's 'receptions' during the war, was thought her mission of too much importthat in which the President, Mrs. Lincoln, ance to be postponed for a single day, and General and Mrs. McClellan, and General and Mrs. Fremont, were parties. The two latter were waiting in the reception room Unwilling to send away a lady, and supuntil their carriage should arrive, when posing that she had come to ask a perthe President came up and asked General sonal favor, perhaps in reference to some Fremont if he would be presented to Gen- relative in the army, the President left his eral McClellan. "With pleasure," replied conference on State matters, and went he, "but we are about leaving." "Never down to listen to his lady visitor. He sat mind that," said the President, "I've patiently while she opened her plan of milgot him in a corner in the other room, itary and moral strategy for the suppressand he's waiting for you." Of course General Fremont did not refuse, so, followed by Senator Sumner and Mrs. Fremont, he walked with Mr. Lincoln the en. tire length of the East Room, the observed of all the guests, who cheerfully gave

Political Courtesies at the White House.

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sent word back to the President that her business was of the greatest consequence.

ion of the rebellion, and then rising to his full hight, which was some, said, with abruptness and impatience

"Madam, all this has been thought of a hundred times before!"

Saying which, he hastened out of the

place.' The introduction was, of course, room, forgetting his usual courtesy to the the ordinary simple ceremony, and after a other sex.

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