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Ulysses, you appear to think a great deal | Bishop Simpson followed the introductory

of him."

"And why shouldn't I?" quickly replied the tanner boy; "he is the father of my country, and was raised up by the Almighty to lead it to independence."

exercises with a speech, an hour and a half long, without manuscript, in which he held his vast audience of cultivated Christian gentlemen spell bound, under his discussion of the four questions-" Shall our

"All very fine," retorted John; "but he government be destroyed and swept from was a traitor to his king!" the earth? Can we be divided into two or

66

"A what?" asked Ulysses, raising his more governments? Shall we have a new voice.

form of government? Is not the nation

"Washington was a traitor, a rebel!" to rise out of its present troubles better, continued the Canadian.

"Cousin John," calmly replied Ulysses, "would you like to have your sovereign called hard names?"

"Why, no; I can't say I should."

"Well, then, let me tell you plainly, that I will not allow you or any one to insult the memory of Washington!"

"What are you going to do about it?" queried John with a sneer.

firmer and more powerful?" During the whole of this magnificent address, the assembly, in deep silence, hung upon his lips save when applause was struck out of them as with blows of magnetism. But a scene ensued, in the delivery of his peroration, that was well nigh sublime.

Laying his hands on the torn and ballriddled colors of the Seventy-third Ohio regiment, the impassioned orator spoke of "I shall resent it as I have a right to the battle-fields where they had been bapdo. You may take advantage of me; for tised in blood, and described their beauty you are older than I am. My mother has as some small patch of azure, filled with told me not to quarrel with my school- stars, that an angel had snatched from the mates; and I mean to mind her, and shall heavenly canopy to set the stripes in blood. not attack them on my own account. But With this description began a scene that when Washington is assailed, and espe- Demosthenes might have envied. All over cially by an English boy, I shall defend the father of my country. Cousin or no cousin, I am ready to fight for Washington."

the vast assembly handkerchiefs and hats were waved, and before the speaker sat down the whole throng arose, as by a magic influence, and screamed and shouted, and saluted, and stamped, and clapped, and wept, and laughed in wild excitement. Colonel Moody sprang to the top of a bench and called for the "Star Spangled Banner," which was sung, or rather shout

So saying, Ulysses laid off his jacket, and soon convinced the Canadian reviler that he was in earnest. Blow quickly followed blow, until young Grant was the victor. The false assertion of the elder boy was corrected, and he compelled to ed, until the audience dispersed. admit that he had done wrong. As he

would have defended his own chief ruler, Northern Instructors of Southern Teachers.

so he was forced to acknowledge that Ulysses had done right in not submitting to hear Washington insulted.

Ohio Battle Flag in the Hands of a Bishop.
The autumnal session of the Pittsburg
Annual Conference of the Methodist
Church, 1864, was characterized by an
incident of patriotic and thrilling interest.

As touching the subject of loyalty, one of the most unique and characteristic letters of General Butler will be found in the following correspondence between him and a southern woman whose patriotism had failed her :

LOCUSTVILLE, ACCOMAC Co., VA., March 10.-General B. F. Butler, Sir: My school has been closed since Christ

mas, because as I understood the oath re- support, protect and defend" the Conquired of us, I could not conscientiously federacy "without speaking or writing." take it. Having heard since then that one Some of them act as spies, some smuggle of your officers explains the oath as mean- quinine in their under-clothes, some smug. ing simply that we consent to the acts of gle information through the lines in their the United States government, and pledge dresses, some tend sick soldiers for the passive obedience to the same, I take the Confederacy, and some get up subscriptions liberty of addressing this to you to ascer- for rebel gunboats. tain if you so construe the oath. I cannot understand how a woman can "support, protect and defend the Union," except by way." speaking or writing in favor of the present war, which I could never do, because my sympathies are with the south.

If by those words you understand merely passive submission, I am ready to take the oath, and abide by it sacredly.

Very respectfully,

MARY R. GRAVES. General Butler's reply to the foregoing certainly leaves Miss Graves in no doubt as to what an oath to support the government of her country implies.

Perhaps it may all be comprised in the phrase, "Where there is a will there is a

Now, then, you could "support, protect and defend the Union" by teaching the scholars of your school to love and rev. erence the government, to be proud of their country, to glory in its flag, and to be true to its Constitution. But, as you don't understand that yourself, you can't teach it to them, and, therefore, I am glad to learn from your letter that your school has been closed since Christmas; and with my consent, until you change your sentiments, and are a loyal woman in heart, it never shall be opened. I would advise you. madam, forthwith to go where your "sympathies" are. I am only doubtful whether it is not my duty to send you. I have the honor to be,

Very respectfully,

your obedient servant,

FORTRESS MONROE, March 14.-My Dear Madam: I am truly sorry that any Union officer of mine has attempted to fritter away the effect of the oath of allegiance to the government of the United States, and to inform you that it means nothing more than passive obedience to the same. That officer is surely mistaken. The oath of allegiance means fealty, pledge of faith to love, affection and reverence for the government, all comprised in the word patriotism, in its highest and truest sense, Loyalty of one of Jeff. Davis's Fellow Citiwhich every true American feels for his or her government.

B. F. BUTLER, Maj. Gen. Com'g
To MISS MARY R GRAVES,
Locustville, Accomac County, Virginia.

zens in Mississippi.

Andrew Jackson Donelson's name was, for more than a generation, prominent and respected in the region where he lived, as well as far beyond that limited sphere of political influence. In 1856 he was a can

You say, "I cannot understand how a woman can 'support, protect and defend the Union, except by speaking or writing in favor of the present war, which I could never do, because my sympathies are with didate for the Vice Presidency of the Uni the south." That last phrase, madam, shows why you cannot understand "how a woman can support, protect and defend the Union."

ted States, by one of the great parties which then swayed the country. During the rebellion, Mr. Donelson's case was a hard one, as appears from a conversation Were you loyal at heart, you would at which he had with a Union man, on board once understand. The southern women a gunboat going from Memphis down the who are rebels understand well "how to Mississippi. In a frank, hearty, and open

ential persons, and these subsequently corroborated his statements. His visions had one burden-southern ruin.

manner, Mr. D. spoke of his ineffectual | Conscious that the "visions" he had to reefforts to induce his friends in Mississippi veal would be very unpopular if made to keep clear of the rebellion; of his many public, he made them known only to influpredictions to them that the sacrifice of their "peculiar institution" would certainly follow their attempt to destroy the Government; of the ban under which he was On the 27th of March, 1864, he felt placed in consequence of his loyalty; of impelled to communicate to Jeff. Davis, the many little annoyances to which he through the Hon. J. A. Orr, of Mississippi, was subjected by those whom he had pre- the predestined taking of Richmond, and viously befriended; and finally, of his ar- utter defeat of the South. The rebel aurest and transportation to Vicksburg, to thorities regarded Beckerdite as a dangeranswer a charge of high treason to the ous man, whose prophetic words tended to Confederate Government. On the last discourage rebel efforts, and they ordered topic he was very bitter, and used language that he should be hung; he was however too expressive to look well in print. He warned, and escaped. His daughter subsaid that upon his arrival in Vicksburg, he sequently placed copies of the paper sent demanded the charges against him, and to Jeff. Davis, in the hands of Captain that after considerable delay they were Jean, of the Sixty-first United States infurnished. There were thirteen specifications, one of which intimated that he would not trust Jeff. Davis further than a blind mule could kick,-or words to that effect. He admitted that he had said so, and offered to substantiate his opinion by evidence bearing upon certain events connected with that functionary's political dishonesty in former years; but his proposition was ruled out. In regard to the other specifications, he said he was ready to prove any statement which they charged him with making in reference to the rebellion, if time were allowed him in which to bring his witnesses. The result of the matter was, that he was not brought to any trial, but was told, after several day's stay in Vicksburg, that he was at liberty to return to his plantation. He was not slow to avail himself of this permission.

fantry (colored,) and through him they were made to see the light,—the following quotations being samples:

"At this writing Richmond is threatened by the armies that will take it, after which it may be called the city of Blood."

"No memory can be strong enough to retain all the moans of so great a war. Be it sufficient that I have given you the great events to prove to you that the whole was laid out by the Master of the Universe, before the sectional conventions of 1860. There will be an implied armistice by the northern power, believing the rebellion at an end, during which, God gives you time to consider welfare. If you your repent, humbling yourself in prayers and supplications for His mercy and re-instate yourselves in the Union, peace will ensue; but the States of South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi will not, and the

Predictions of Beckerdite, the "Southern vision of 25th of March, 1864, will take

Prophet."

place and be fulfilled by three northern armies crossing in the radius of, and east of Mobile, and prostrating the Confederacy to its ultimate destruction.

In the year 1832, as appears from authentic statements, a man named Beckerdite, who resided at Lawnhill, Mississippi, began to prophesy on national affairs and A curious trait of this southern prophet the future of the southern States. He was his attachment to the South, his diswas a man of reputable character, of grave like of Yankees, an indisposition to conmanners, and of profound religious feeling. demn slavery, and his belief that great

evils would ensue to the Union people of constitutionally unable to decide on peace the country unless they provided a home or war, can elect which of the two propfor the blacks and induced them to emigrate to it.

Scouting the Doctrine that Majorities are to
Rule.

ositions shall govern their rulers. Let Lee and Grant, meanwhile, agree to an armistice. This would sheath the sword; and if once sheathed, it would never again be drawn by this generation.

Davis-The plan is altogether imprac

Mr. Gilmore, who visited Richmond in the summer of 1864, and sought by interviews with Jefferson Davis, to bring about ticable. If the South were only one State, an arrangement for a cessation of hostil- it might work; but as it is, if one southities, was at one point in the conversation ern State objected to emancipation, it with that official completely "stuck"-and would nullify the whole thing; for you are no wonder. This dead-lock between the aware the people of Virginia cannot vote two was occasioned by Davis's plump de- slavery out of South Carolina, or the peonial that “majorities" should rule in polit-ple of South Carolina vote it out of Virical or State affairs.

Gilmore-If I understand you, the dispute between your government and ours is narrowed down to this: Union or disunion.

Davis-Yes; or to put it in other words: Independence or subjugation.

Gilmore-Then the two governments are irreconcilably apart. They have no alternative but to fight it out. But it is not so with the people. They are tired of fighting and want peace; and as they bear all the burden and suffering of the war, is it not right they should have peace, and have it on such terms as they like? Davis-I don't understand you. Be a little more explicit.

ginia.

Gilmore-But three-fourths of the States can amend the Constitution. Let it be done in that way, so that it be done by the people. I am not a statesman or a politician, and I do not know just how such a plan could be carried out; but you get the idea that the people should decide the question.

Davis-That the majority shall decide it, you mean. We seceded to rid ourselves of the rule of the majority, and this would subject us to it again.

Gilmore-But the majority must rule finally, either with bullets or ballots.

Davis-I am not SO sure of that. Neither current events nor history shows that the majority rules, or ever did rule. The contrary, I think, is true. Why, Sir, the man who should go before the Southern people with such a proposition, with any proposition which implied that the North was to have a voice in determining the domestic relations of the South, could not live here a day. He would be hanged to the first tree, without judge or jury.

Gilmore-Well, suppose the two governments should agree to something like this: To go to the people with two propositions-say, peace, with disunion and southern independence, as your proposition; and peace, with union, emancipation, no confiscation, and universal amnesty, as ours. Let the citizens of all the United States (as they existed before the war) vote 'Yes' or 'No' on these two proposi- Gilmore (smiling)-Allow me to doubt tions, at a special election, within sixty days. If a majority votes disunion, our government to be bound by it, and to let you go in peace. If a majority votes Davis (also smiling most good humorUnion, yours to be bound by it, and to stay edly)-I have no fear of that. I give you in peace. The two governments can con- leave to proclaim it from every house-top tract in this way, and the people, though in the South.

that. I think it more likely he would be hanged if he let the Southern people know the majority couldn't rule.

Crossing Fox River.

Mr. Lincoln's story in reply to a Springfield (Illinois) clergyman, who asked him what was to be his policy on the slavery question, in connection with the war, must certainly be regarded as sufficiently expressive:

previously, in obedience to the revolutionists, but which had been securely buried in the southern portion of the county, that it might escape insult and destruction.

At the time appointed for this interesting patriotic ceremony, a procession of ladies, numbering some three hundred,. "Well, your question is rather a cool and displaying their gay Union flags, one, but I will answer it by telling you a marched to the public square, where their story. You know Father B., the old long banished idol was to be unfurled to Methodist preacher? and you know Fox the pure breeze that played so calmly over river and its freshets? Well, once in the the beautiful town of Cleveland. It was presence of Father B., a young Methodist one of the most imposing spectacles of was worrying about Fox river, and ex- loyalty and true patriotism ever witnessed. pressing fears that he should be prevented Gray-haired mothers, whose eyes were from fulfilling some of his appointments dimmed by age, were there; and there, by a freshet in the river. Father B. too, was the middle-aged matron, whose checked him in his gravest manner. Said sober gaze told the observer that a hushe Young man, I have always made it a band and father was at that time imperrule in my life not to cross Fox river till iling his life upon the field or in the dreary I get to it.' And," said the President, "I camp, to sustain the honor and dignity of am not going to worry myself over the that banner about to flap its cherished slavery question till I get to it." A few folds in the breeze where it was once days afterwards, a Methodist minister called on the President, and on being presented to him, said, simply: "Mr. President, I have come to tell you that I think we have got to Fox River." Mr. Lincoln relished the point thoroughly, thanked the clergyman, and laughed heartily.

Three Hundred Ladies with their Union

Flags.

scoffed and derided; and there were those who had bade farewell to brother or lover, with a God-speed to the glorious cause.

Of these was that jubilant procession composed, while five hundred, at least, refugees from rebellion, and loyal East Tennesseans, who had taken refuge within the Federal lines, were there to assist in unfurling "the gorgeous en

The good people of Cleveland, East sign of the Republic." The procession Tennessee, suffered much from the power halted at the Public Square, the band disof the rebellion, and for a time the flood-coursed Hail Columbia,' and amid the gates of secession were opened wide upon swelling jubilee of cheers from the vast them, with the accompanying tide of per- multitude, that beautiful emblem of a great secution and spoliation. But in course of people's nationality was run up to the time the "powers that be were changed, staff-head. Each star appeared more and they once more breathed the salubri- brilliant, and each stripe more attractive, ous atmosphere of olden times, for the law for having been so long buried from the of the Union and the Constitution was hands of those who would have dishonagain established among them. Colonel ored it. Waters, of the Eighty-fourth Illinois regiment, was in command, and one of his Presidential Favor at last for Everybody. first acts was to give notice that the Not long after the issue of his Proclaloyal citizens of Cleveland and vicinity mation of Emancipation, the President had desired to resurrect the same identical flag a fit of illness, though happily of short duthat was lowered two and a half years ration. Notwithstanding this disability,

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