well-being-I may even venture to say, to the existence of the United States as an independent Power: First, an indissoluble Union of the States under one Federal head; Second, a sacred regard to Public Justice; Third, the adoption of a proper Peace Establishment; and Fourth, the prevalence of that pacific and friendly disposition among the People of the United States which will induce them to forget their local prejudices and policies, to make those mutual concessions which are requisite to the general prosperity, and, in some instances, to sacrifice their individual advantages to the interest of the community. These are the Pillars on which the glorious fabric of our Independency and National character must be supported." Can we not read, again, on another of those seemingly vacant sides, that familiar passage in his Farewell Address,-a jewel of thought and phraseology, often imitated, but never matched,-"The name of American, which belongs to you in your National capacity, must always exalt the just pride of patriotism more than any appellation derived from local discriminations"? and, not far below it, his memorable warning against Party Spirit, "A fire not to be quenched, it demands a uniform vigilance to prevent its bursting into a flame, lest, instead of warming, it should consume"? Still again, terser legends from the same prolific source salute our eager gaze: "Cherish Public Credit";-" Observe good faith and justice towards all Nations; cultivate peace and harmony with all";-" Promote, as an object of primary importance, institutions for the general diffusion of Knowledge. In proportion as the structure of a government gives force to public opinion, it is essential that public opinion should be enlightened." And, above all,—a thousandfold more precious than all the rest,there will come streaming down from time to time, to many an eager and longing eye, from the very point where its tiny aluminium apex reaches nearest to the skies, and shining forth with a radiance which no vision of Constantine, no Labarum for his legions, could ever have eclipsed,some of those solemnly reiterated declarations and counsels, which might almost be called the Confession and Creed of Washington, and which can never be forgotten by any Christian Patriot: "When I contemplate the interposition of Providence, as it was visibly manifest in guiding us through the Revolution, in preparing us for the reception of the General Government, and in conciliating the goodwill of the people of America towards one another after its adoption, I feel myself oppressed and almost overwhelmed with a sense of Divine munificence. I feel that nothing is due to my personal agency in all those wonderful and complicated events, except what can be attributed to an honest zeal for the good of my country."-"No people can be bound to acknowledge and adore an Invisible Hand which conducts the affairs of men, more than the people of the United States. Every step by which they have advanced to the character of an Independent Nation seems to have been distinguished by some token of Providential Agency.”—“ Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, Religion and Morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of men and of citizens." And thus on all those seemingly blank and empty sides will be read, from time to time, in his own unequalled language, the grand precepts and principles of Peace, Justice, Education, Morality, and Religion, which he strove to inculcate, while, encircling and illuminating them all, and enveloping the whole monument, from corner-stone to cap-stone, will be hailed with rapture by every patriotic eye, and be echoed by every patriotic heart, "The Union, the Union in any event!" Edgar Allan Poe. BORN in Boston, Mass., 1809. DIED in Baltimore, Md., 1849. TO HELEN. [Works. First Collective Edition, Edited by Rufus Wilmot Griswold. 1850.] 1823. ELEN, thy beauty is to me HELE Like those Nicéan barks of yore, On desperate seas long wont to roam, Lo! in yon brilliant window-niche THE RAVEN. in "" [Contributed to "The American Review," February, 1845. Reprinted, with emendations, The Raven and Other Poems." 1845.-The present text, conformed to the poet's final revision, is from "The Raven. Illustrated by Gustave Doré, with a Comment by E. C. S." 1883.] ONCE upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary, Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore,- Ab, distinctly I remember it was in the bleak December, And the silken sad uncertain rustling of each purple curtain This it is, and nothing more." Presently my soul grew stronger; hesitating then no longer, Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there wondering, fearing, Back into the chamber turning, all my soul within me burning, 'Tis the wind and nothing more!" Open here I flung the shutter, when, with many a flirt and flutter, |