Ulysses, you appear to think a great deal 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." Bishop Simpson followed the introductory 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 "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 the battle-fields where they had been baptised in blood, and described their beauty as some small patch of azure, filled with stars, that an angel had snatched from the heavenly canopy to set the stripes in blood. With this description began a scene that I shall resent it as I have a right to do. You may take advantage of me; for you are older than I am. My mother has told me not to quarrel with my schoolmates; and I mean to mind her, and shall not attack them on my own account. But 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 Colonel Moody sprang to the top of a bench and called for the "Star Spangled Banner," which was sung, or rather shouted, until the audience dispersed. So saying, Ulysses laid off his jacket, saluted, and stamped, and clapped, and and soon convinced the Canadian reviler wept, and laughed in wild excitement. 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 admit that he had done wrong. As he would have defended his own chief ruler, so he was forced to acknowledge that Ulysses had done right in not submitting to hear Washington insulted. Northern Instructors of Southern Teachers. 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 : Ohio Battle-Flag in the Hands of a Bishop. quinine in their under-clothes, some smuggle information through the lines in their dresses, some tend sick soldiers for the Confederacy, and some get up subscriptions for rebel gunboats. 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 meaning simply that we consent to the acts of the United States government, and pledge passive obedience to the same, I take the liberty of addressing this to you to ascertain 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 reverence 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, 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. your obedient servant, B. F. BUTLER, Maj. Gen. Com'g. 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 candidate for the Vice Presidency of the Uni 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 the south." That last phrase, madam, ted States, by one of the great parties shows why you cannot understand "how a woman can support, protect and defend the Union." 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 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 ential persons, and these subsequently cortheir "peculiar institution" would certainly roborated his statements. His visions had follow their attempt to destroy the Gov- one burden-southern ruin. ernment; 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 specifica- fantry (colored,) and through him they tions, one of which intimated that he would were made to see the light,—the following not trust Jeff. Davis further than a blind quotations being samples: 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. "At this writing Richmond is threatened 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 your welfare. If you 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." 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 the future of the southern States. He 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. A curious trait of this southern prophet 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 emi-ositions shall govern their rulers. Let grate to it. Scouting the Doctrine that Majorities are to 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. Mr. Gilmore, who visited Richmond in the summer of 1864, and sought by inter- Davis-The plan is altogether impracviews 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 no wonder. This dead-lock between the two was occasioned by Davis's plump denial that "majorities" should rule in political 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 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. would nullify the whole thing; for you are aware the people of Virginia cannot vote slavery out of South Carolina, or the people of South Carolina vote it out of Virginia. 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 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) to the first tree, without judge or jury. vote 'Yes' or 'No' on these two proposi- Gilmore (smiling)-Allow me to doubt tions, at a special election, within sixty that. I think it more likely he would be 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. 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. THE HELP THAT HELPS. A almost every act of his life. His sound views Said sober gaze told the observer that a husmade it a band and father was at that time imperBRAHAM Lincoln's good sense is witnessed by lesident, "I camp, to sustain the honor and dignity of kriver till iling his life upon the field or in the dreary on indiscriminate charity and the best means off over the that banner about to flap its cherished encouraging thrift and industry are shown by the following letter to one of his brothers, which is among the Ward Hill Lamon collection of Lincoln manuscripts recently sold: Dear Johnson. Your request for eighty dollars A few folds in the breeze where it was once it minister scoffed and derided; and there were those Mr. Presi- with a God-speed to the glorious cause. being pre- who had bade farewell to brother or lover, I do not think it best to comply with now; at the now," but in a very short time I find you in the Ir. Lincoln are an idler.... You are now in need of some ready money, an what I propose is that you should go to work, tool their Union and mall, for somebody who will give you mone for it... and then to secure you a fair rewa dollar you will now promise you that for everveland, between this and the first of ne composed, while five hundred, at least, Of these was that jubilant procession refugees from rebellion, and loyal East Tennesseans, who had taken refuge within the Federal lines, were there to assist in unfurling "the gorgeous en East sign of the Republic." The procession other for your labor I will then give you oom the power halted at the Public Square, the band disthe contrary, it mean to be unkind to you one the flood- coursed Hail Columbia,' and amid the other dollar.... You have always been kind t 6 the contrary, if you will follow my advice you wid wide upon swelling jubilee of cheers from the vast find it worth more than eight times eighty dollar to you. Affectionately your brother, time the "powers Pay A. Lincoln. 3 tide of per- multitude, that beautiful emblem of a great in course of people's nationality was run up to the vere 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, 11 |