The American epic: a concise scenic history of the United States, and other selected poems, with references to the epics of the ages and brief biographics of their authors

Front matter

DRUMMOND WELBURN, Author of "The American Epic."

A CONCISE SCENIC

HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES,

BOOK FIRST.— 1764-1766. Page

Britain from Julius Cresar to George III.— William Pitt — Grenville — The Stamp Act — America a Greater Britain — Jamestown the Nursery of American Piety and Civilization — New England's Enterprise— A'irginia's Burgesses the First American Legislature — All the Colonies Aroused 5

Satan's Soliloquy — Pitt Prime Minister — Gets Sick — The Boston Massacre — Royal Piety— Death of Whitefield 21

Chatham is " Junius "—Bos^ton's Tea Party— The Boston Port Bill— Virginia Fasts— The South Feeds Boston- Gage Inclosed by a Human Wall — Dunmore Driven Out of Virginia — Battle of Lexington— Battle of Bunker Hill — British Driven from Boston — Declaration of Independence — French Offers of Arms, Aunnunition, Money 44

Revolutionary Battles from Long Island to Yorktown — Sufferings at Valley Forge — Plots Against Washington — Arnold's Treason — French Co-operate at Savannah — At Yorktown — Peace — Washington Resigns His Command. . 69

Constitutional Convention — No Power to Coerce States — Virginia Convention Disturbed by a Storm While Henry Speaks— A Tribunate of States Desirable— The Bargain between New England, Georgia, and the Carolinas — Washington Inaugurated — Satan's Scheme for War Between the States— Jay's Treaty — Adams President — War with France— Alien and Sedition Laws — Jefferson President — Louisiana Purchased — The Embargo— John Henry and New England — Madison President 90

War — Battles from Tippecanoe to New Orleans — Hartford Convention — Peace — An International Court to Prevent War — Monroe President — Missouri Compromise — Florida Purchased — Texas Given Away — J. Q. Adams President —A High Tariff— Lafayette's Visit— Tariff Higher 115

4: CONTENTS.

BOOK SEVENTH.— 1829-1860. Page Jackson President — A Gradual Reduction of the TariflE" — Van Buren's Ascendency — Battle of San Jacinto — Van Buren President— Slade's Petitions against Slavery — Satan's Boast — Harrison President — Tyler President — Texas to Be Annexed — The Magnetic Telegraph — Polk President — Mexico Makes War — Is Conquered — Much of It Annexed — A Tariff for Revenue — Gold Discovered — Taylor President— Fillmore President — Clay's Compromise — Pierce President — Satan's Cyclone — Buchanan President — The Dred Scott Decision — John Brown at Harper's Ferry — Historic Discussion of Slavery 134

South Carolina Secedes — Argument on the Folly of Secession — On the Right to Secede — No Troops to Coerce States — A Nation's Immorality — Argument on the Nature of the Union — Lincoln President — Battles from Fort Sumter to Fredericksburg — Criticisms on Generals 158

Battles from Fredericksburg to Nashville — Death of Stonewall Jackson — The North Goes to the Bosom of John Brown — Onward and Skyward at Lookout — John H. Morgan — Georgians Banished from Their Homes as Cherokees Were — Argument against Arson — Naval Conflicts. . . 181

Bachman Ill-treated by Sherman's Hell-hounds — Richmond Keeping the Sabbath— Ford's Theater — Johnson President — Davis a Vicarious Sufterer — Right or Wrong of Slavery — The Guilty — Retribution — Cruel Treatment of President Davis — Johnson Impeached — Alaska Acquired — Fire in Chicago — Boston — Tlie North-west — Retribution — Black Friday— Tweed— Credit Mobilier— Grant President. 206

Book Eleventh.— 1876-1885

Centennial Exhibition — Pittsburg Railroad Riots — Argument on Arson — On Labor and Capital — Taxation — Finance, etc. — Hayes President — Garfield President — Death of Garfield — Arthur President — Burial of Emerson— Theological Arguments 231

Cleveland President — Reform in Civil Service — Discoveries and Inventions — Burial of Grant — Harrison President — Michael's Sublime Visions of America's Future — Satan's Threats and Predictions — Politics — Enrich the Poor Without Impoverishing the Rich — Financial Strife 253

THE flMERICHN EPIC

Book First

Scene: Westminster Abbey. Time, early morning, March 11, 1764. Michael and Gabriel approach each other.

Gabriel. Hail, faithful leader of the heavenly hosts! My loving comrade since creation's dawn! At thy approach bright days of early years Come tripping lightly from the silent shades, Flitting with airy tread o'er memory's jjaths. In their light footsteps comes the grand arra}^, The princely pomp, the brief magnificence Of hoary nations that then claimed our care. They rose, they flourished, fell, and are but dust.

Michael. These are the tombs of kings and famous men ; Fortune's most flattered fav'ritcs molder here. This is ambition's goal. Here ends the race For wealth, for power, for fame's green laurel-wreath. Here human greatness shows its littleness, And earthly glory ends in sordid dust.

Gabriel. Yes, Michael ; guilty greatness has no dreams Of heav'nly joy to cheer the sleep of death. Hope holds no vigils whei'e the wicked rest. They will not wake to everlasting bliss, Nor stand approved before the Judge of all.

Michael. To men this place is ancient. In its gloom The ghosts of solemn centuries seem near. To us 'twas but last week or yesterday That Julius Caesar first to Britain came, With conq'ring legions to subdue its tribes And to great Rome's vast empire add their home.

Gabriel. True, Michael ; but since then Teutonic hordes, Danes, Scandinavians, and Scots, and Picts, And cruel Norman conquerors, have slain Unnumbered thousands here, and fertilized Their fruitful fields with blood. Yes, blood has flowed In coitions streams through dreary centuries Of fratricidal strife. War's iron hoof, Trampling on civil law, has crushed in dust All sacred human rights; with imj)ious tread Profaned all holy places. Peace perished. Religion hid in humble cottage homes, Where heavenly light still glimmered mid the gloom. Justice was outraged — fled beyond the seas. And bleeding freedom followed in her train. The hand of industry w^as jjaralyzed. The wheels of progress clogged. Art lanjniished, While star-eyed science, shudd'ring and dismayed, Took refuge in far-distant Moslem lands.

Michael. But now how changed ! These hajipy islanders Shed no fraternal blood. Justice protects All classes : the prince, the peer, the peasant. Law, liberty, and love enthrone themselves In hearts that thrill with joyous gratitude. Eeligion kindles pure celestial fii'cs In princely palaces, in humble homes, In gorgeous temples, and in darksome mines. Her hymns of praise ring grandly through the land, And float tow'rd heav'n on ev'ry breeze that blows. Britannia's wat'ry walls, by hearts of oak Well guarded, give calm security to Peaceful homes against all foreign nations. A native king sits on her royal throne, And hurls defiance at her every foe. He wields his scepter over distant lands In all earth's continents. Fair, fertile isles Of all the sunny seas obey his laws. In widening streams wealth from the Indies flows To fill his coffers and extend his sway. This busy London, centi*al mart of trade, Most active ant-hill of the human race,

WESTMINSTER ABBEY.

Outgrows all cities earth has ever seen. In days to come so great will be its growth That Paris, Pekin, Nankin, Jeddo, Pome, Might all be piled in splendor on its plains, Lost in the pomp of its magnificence. How wonderful this little island world !

Gabriel. Michael, thy wisely si:)oken, truthful words Befit the tongue of one who long has watched The rise and fall of empires. But j^esterday Blind folly aimed a blow at human rights, That soon shall echo loudly round the world. If I forecast aright, 'twill break the ties That bind Americans to England's throne, And la}^ in rightful, honest principles The firm foundations of a government Better than earth has ever known before. Its peaceful flag shall float triumphantly O'er sea and land through all the hemisphere Columbus found by sailing westwardly. This mighty nation, now in embryo, Shall be a " Greater Britain," which in time, By the attraction of its excellence. Shall draw admiring millions to its shores. And neighb'ring nations to its kind embrace. Till myriads of enlightened freemen join To honor law and banish tyranny.

Michael. Gabrieljwhy should not Britain still hold sway, Guiding America with gentle hand Through peaceful paths to glory and renown ? AVhy should they not munificently march Together, scatt* ring blessings round the world ?

Gabriel. Michael, they should, but selfishness forbids; A few self-centered fosterlings of hell May yet involve two continents in war. And rend the grandest empire under heaven. This nation had for its Prime Minister Wise William Pitt. His statesmanship Made no mistakes. 'Twas such as wo beheld

PITT 'S ADM IN IS TEA TION.

In saintly Daniel at the Persian court. He found his country fleeing from her foes, To be the prey of harpies in her home; Corruption's vermin in her ulcers fed ; No hand was raised to help her in distress. He to her rescue rushed to bring relief,

ALFRED THE GREAT.

And heal the fest'ring wounds from which she bled. The venal factions fled before his frown, The cringing courtiers fron\ his shadoAV shrunk. His patriot voice called heroes, and they came. To marshal armies and command his fleets. Giving him victories on land and sea.

He brought the nation to the highest pitch

Of unexampled grandeur and renown,

And would have held the vantage he had gained

Had not the youthful king, by Satan moved.

Dismissed the minister whose mighty mind

O'ershadowed royalty and with strong hand

Heroically saved country and king

From self-inflicted ruin and distress.

Then came the pressing need of untold wealth

To settle debts, and meet the urgent claims

Of bold, insatiate, fawning favorites.

Commerce with open hand would have paid Pitt

All needed revenues, trusting his plans

To pay her back again a thousand-fold,

By fost'ring trade in ev'ry distant mart;

But blund'ring imbeciles are in his place.

Grenville proposes awkward robbery,

And throuixh the Parliament asserts a right

To tax the colonists without consent.

Not merely once a year, but ev'ry hour

Of ev'ry busy day, the Stamp act taunts.

And aggravates the honest man it robs.

'Twill hound him thi'ough the avenues of trade,

Track him to legal courts with steady step,

Intrude upon his ha]ipy nuptial hours,

Pursue him to his solemn death-bed scene,

Nor let him will his fortune to his heirs,

Without this sad humiliating sign

Of his own degradation in the act.

Let us away to climes beyond the waves

And watch the storms that rend this mighty State.

Michael. Gabriel, not now. I go at duty's call To distant Asia, where Britannia's flag Floats o'er the sunny shores of Hindostan. It now protects the selfish sons of trade. But in the happier days of years to come One-third of Asia's children shall with joy Serve the Lord Jesus under its broad folds. A year from now that western hemisphere Shall claim attention throui^h its vast extent.

THE AMERICAN CONTINENT. 11

I will examine it from pole to pole,

And from the centers of surrounding seas,

On what day shall we meet ? and at what place ?

Gabriel. Let us meet May the first, and at the place Where the first British settlement began. Till then, farewell. But who are these we see Moving so orderly at early dawn ?

Michael. 'Tis the two Wesleys and their followers, Going to worship God at break of day. These are the servants of the Lord. Farewell.

Scene: Jamestown, Va., May 1, 1765, at sunrise. Gabriel and Michael approach.

Gabriel. Hail, Michael, of created princes chief! Please tell thy thoughts of this grand continent. And the great nation that shall flourish here.

Michael. Gabriel, since last we met, this hcmisj^here Has been my constant study. I have seen Its boundless oceans, fertile isles, vast lakes, Broad bays, safe harbors, long peninsulas ; Its lofty mountains; rich, productive vales; Its wide savannas, decked in Eden's bloom; Its tow'ring forests, lifting giant arms To prop the clouds and draw their moisture down On fruitful plains, where plenty ever smiles. Here bounteous nature gathers ample stores To feast her ev'ry tribe that treads the ground, Or cleaves the ambient air on buoyant wing. Or glides in glory through the sparkling waves. With steadfast gaze I've watched where rippling rills On lofty mountains m the frozen north Make pathways for themselves thi'ough frowning I'ocks, To seek the company of limpid streams, That hasten to unite with rivulets. That gently moving claim companionship With grand, majestic rivers on their march T' assuage the burning thirst of sunny climes. Intensely interested, I have traced The mountain rano-es that direct the course

Of heaitnful currents of the atmosphere.

I've seen the arctic icebergs moving down,

To meet the genial warmth of tropic streams,

And lave these favored shores with waves of health.

The earth, the air, the waters teem with food;

Exhaustless mines of ore lift up the hills,

Inviting industry to gather wealth.

Internal commerce may be limitless.

And claim with ease the commerce of the world.

Earth's grandest seat of empire here is found.

Tell me, dear Gabriel, of the men who claim

This happy land and its encircling seas.

Gabriel. Michael, the swarthy tribes Columbus found, Self-doomed, seem swiftly journeying to death. The white man's vices, added to their own, Hurry them downward into gaping graves, Yet a small remnant may be saved by grace, Pitt, in his day of power, subdued the French. Spain, trembling, saw her colonies submit. And must have yielded all, if England's king Had not dismissed his mighty minister. But Spain decays, and England's sons hold sway. Here is the spot where English piety First claimed this hemisphere for the most high. Here liberty and law came hand in hand To plant an Eden in the wilderness. Here holy faith and hope and love and truth And lofty honor firm foundations laid For a great nation ; noblest, grandest, best Known to the world through all its centuries. Religion here lit her first altar fires. Built her first temple on this continent, Where English hearts might worship the Great God Here Western savages bowed suppliant knees. And meekly claimed the Saviour as their own. From this bright spot went forth with joyous smiles All human excellences, leading on All Christian graces to exalt mankind. In their fair footsteps rose on every hand Such habitations as the angels love,

VIRGINIANS BRING RELIGION. 13

Having for inmates earth's most noble men, And women loveliest of all the race. From these have sprung the principles and men That are to govern this delightful land. What think you of our nascent nation now ?

Michael. Gabriel, I am most hopeful of its growth In all that God approves and men admire, But lead me now where I myself may see The rock on which the Plymouth pilgrims stood When they first landed in America.

Was it not there that English liberty First found a home upon this continent, And English Protestants first worshiped God?

Gabriel. Michael, 'tis so reported, but not so. That far-famed rock defies the howling storms That beat in fury on New England's coast, Five hundred miles away, far to the north. I knew that earth and hell had long proclaimed That Plymouth Rock was freedom's natal home. And pure religion's earliest cradle-bed. But marvel much if Heav'n has been deceived ! 'Twas not in heav'n that you were so informed ? I knew it could not be. Such history May have been taught at Harvard or at Yale. Those grand old schools, where wise men of the East Proclaim New England's glory and renown, May have taught this so long, so heartily That they believe it in their inmost souls; But long before the Pilgrim Fathers left The muddy shore of Holland, Robert Hunt And his co-laborers had worshiped God And planted churches in this colony. Where prayer and praise and God's most holy word Drew forth the inmates of a thousand homes Whene'er a Sabbath brought relief from toil. Such happy homes earth never saw before. In them Religion wore no scowling frown. But sweetly told of love and hope and joy, While smiles of God lit with celestial rays

The glowing face of Hospitality,

Who stood with open door and beck'ning hand,

While Plenty welcomed every joyful guest.

These pioneers of English liberty,

These missionaries of the faith of Christ,

Had founded Churches, opened courts of law;

By vote had chosen representatives

To the first Legislature of the West,

Established civil liberty, and won

Their Indian neighbors for the Lord before

The famous Maytiow'r sailed across the deep.

Michael. Then it was not on famous Plymouth Rock ileligion, liberty, and civil law Began their grand career in Western wilds ?

Gabriel. No, Michael ; but permit me now to say ; All honor to the men of Plymouth Rock ! JSi ew England has no need of stolen fame. Ten thousand glories s]jarkle on her brow. Fame's greenest laurels bend above her head. Her restless industry, inventive skill, And boundless enterprise have made a w^orld Pay tribute at her gates. Her busy hand Plantec^l a fair and fruitful paradise. Where barren rocks and thirsty, sterile sands Frowned on a stormy coast. In distant seas She sought and found rich floating mines of wealth; Transferred the yellow treasure to her ships, And bore it safely to her busy ports. All coming generations of her sons iShall sing her well-earned praises through the world. But in this sisterhood of colonies Are others high in honor and renown. Fair Georgia, youngest of the family. Was nurtured in the lap of piety, Is heir of Oglethorpe's heroic zeal, Of Whitefield's eloquence, and Wesley's prayers. The Carolinas, wise, polite, and brave, Blend Huguenot and Scotch and English blood. New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland,

ANCESTORS OF AMERICANS. 15

In all the Christian virtues panoplied, Eepose in loveliness by their broad baj^s. Great Pennsylvania grows rich and strong With German industry and Quaker thrift. New York can boast the brave and valiant blood That drove the Spaniards from the Netherlands. These embryonic States draw vital force, Hereditary virtues, and the strength Of Christian principles from num'rous lines Of grand old ancestors. Here meet and join The Norman, Saxon, Celt, the Cavalier, The Covenanter, Roundhead, and the Welsh ; French Huguenots, brave Irishmen and Swedes, Heroic Poles, Swiss, Germans, Hollanders — All sons of liberty in union joined.

Abdiel approaches and addresses Michael and Gabriel.

Abdiel. Hail, holy princes of the hosts of God! To meet you here gives unexpected joy: Your presence fills all places with dehght. At your approach all anxious cares depart. Gay smiles irradiate the cheeks of time, And make them glow with dimpled, youthful charms, While gleeful gladness sports with playful hours. But now your presence is most opportune : I need instruction and enlightenment On great events transpiring in this land. Portentous gloom seems gathering around, As if preceding mighty earthquake throes. Alarming rumblings break upon the ear, And startling tremors shake the solid ground. Throughout the north, excitement rules the hour. The Stamp act rouses men to mutiny. Here order reigns. These people live at ease; In quiet dignity they dwell at home. They have no grievances to madden them, Hereditary hatreds they have not.

They are the favoi'ed subjects of their king, His "Old Dominion" is their lovely land. If they demand, the Stamp act perishes, And mild conciliation rules around.

Happy, unselfish, prosperous, polite.

They have not hastily provoked the king;

And on a simple question of finance

Would freely grant him more than he would ask ;

But on a point of honor or of right

Their indignation flashes into wrath.

They know their rights, and, brave in their defense,

Would meet defiantly a world in arms;

Or, moved by sympathy for other men.

Their gushing blood may flow in plenteous streams.

This day Virginia's House of Burgesses

Convenes at Williamsburg in high debate.

Ithuriel went thither yesterday

To witness the proceedings of the day.

Gabriel. Let us go now to see what they will do, And listen to the matchless orators.

Scene : A street in Williamsburg. Afternoon of May 1, 1765. Ituu- KIEL meeting Michael, Gabriel, and Abdiel.

Ithuriel. Comrades, I greet you with intense delight. The legislators of this colony Have filled us with astonishment to-day. Your wisdom may inform my ignorance On the great themes discussed by statesmen here. The House of Burgesses denies the right Of Parliament to tax the colonies.

They boldly and defiantly demand That the most odious Stamp act be repealed. One of their orators made such a speech As shook the ground beneath King George's throne, And startled nations by its mighty force. Men shuddered as they heard the brave man say "Cffisar his Brutus had, and Charles the First His Cromwell, and George the Third " — then treason Rang out loudly on the air. Defiant Stood the orator to say : " George the Third May profit by their fate." Then scornfully: " If that be treason, make the most of it." In former times such fearless words as these vibginia's matchless statesmen. 17

Took off the heads of those who uttered thera ;

But now they bring the hope of better days.

You are too late to hear their great men speak,

But see, they come this way. What men they are I

E,ome iiever had in her lieroic times

A Senate such as this. Britannia's lords

Are dwarfed by these great statesmen of the West.

There is George Wythe, and Eichard Henry Lee,

John Eandolph, Peyton Eandolph, Colonel Bland,

And Carter Braxton ; and there the hero

Of the present hour, bold Patrick Henry,

Orator unequaled, whose thunder tones

Shake kingdoms and arouse a wond'ring world.

And thei'e George Washington, grandest of men.

Behold that tall, slim youth, thoughtful and grave:

Too young to be a burgess at this time.

That's Thomas Jefferson, whose honored name

Shall echo through the ages as the friend

Of equal rights against all tyranny.

And there are others worthy of all praise.

Ye sapient leaders of angelic hosts.

Tell us what mean these movements of mankind ?

Will God forsake and turn against King George?

Will Britain fall like Babylon or Eome"?

Will God raise up a nation on these shores ?

Michael. God will not utterly forsake the king And the great country over which he rules, But the}' will lose these prosp'rous colonies — Just retribution for their many sins Against their brethren of this Western world. God will raise up a nation on these shores. And give to it the half of this round world. The western hemisphere shall be its home. But all mankind shall gladden in its smile. Humiliation is proud Albion's doom. But God has wondrous work for her to do. She and these daughters she so rashly spurns Shall long stand side by side in truth's defense, And bless the world with Christian principles.

Gabriel. Comrades, what has been witnessed here to-day Begins a union of these colonies.

The cities have been ringing multled bells, Mourning for liberty by Britain slain. The Congress at Kew York with potent voice Shall call her back to life, and bid mankind Kejoicing gather to enjoy her smile. Till then we part to go where duty calls.

Scene: Trinity Church-yard, Broadway, New York, by moonlight, December 31-January I, 1766. Gabriel, Ithuriel, Abdiel, IJzziEL. A clock strikes twelve.

Gabriel. Another year has passed. Its hasty steps Have left deep foot-prints upon Time's rough road ; Its busy hands have forged enduring links For destiny's bright chain, binding with gold In loving union these rich colonies. Its voice has roused the sons of liberty From Southern Georgia to the coasts of Maine.

Ithuriel. Brave Patrick Henry, in Virginia's name, First hurled defiance at the robber hosts Of venal lords and commons and their king. Millions, responding to his thunder tones. Caused quailing minions of despotic greed. Though backed by Britain's might and majesty. To thi'ow up their commissions, and with haste Forsake the hateful ways of infam}^

Uzziel. Here in New York the craven officer Gave to the city council his vile stamps. Thus do the people triumph o'er the king.

Abdiel. Gabriel, what next ? Shall war with cruel hand Spread desolation o'er this Western world ?

Gabriel. Abdiel, not yet; this law will be repealed, And but for stubborn pride and selfish greed A happy reconcilement might take place. King George means to be better than he is. If he could be a private citizen, He would appear to be a model saint, A Christian gentleman to be admired.

GOOD AND BAD IN KING GEORGE. 19

He frowns on vice, is honest, truthful, chtiste,

Hates war, aims not at conquests, loves England ;

But he thinks a king must rule : a king must

Be obeyed, must overawe his subjects.

With this in view, he browbeats wiser men,

And those he cannot frighten tries to buy.

He thinks men have their price and are for sale,

From basest menials up through ev'ry rank.

'Tis oven whispered he will try to buy.

With a poor, paltry earldom and kind words.

Great William Pitt, the grandest of mankind.

The king spends thirty millions annually .

Buying white free-born native Englishmen.

That he may have more mone}' to buy men,

Inflicts the slave trade on his colonies,

Tramples on law and right and common sense

By taxing those he has no right to tax.

The venal Parliament, like ci'inging slaves.

Wait on his royal will for smiles, for wealth,

For titles, honors, and for offices.

The vilest of them all have English pride ;

With fancied self-sufficiency look down

On all who were not born on English ground.

The wealthy nobles may not sell themselves

For filthy lucre, payable in coin ;

But if a farthing added to their tax

Would save from ruin a whole continent,

They would resist it to the last extreme.

Nor pay a copper till the law compelled.

The laborer may toil in agony.

Till bloody sweat bt*eaks forth from every jjore;

Taxes may kill him if they may escape.

What if the Hindoos starve, the negroes sink

Beneath old ocean's waves, in frontier homes

Fair women lose their scalps, so Britain's wealth,

Her glory and renown, be the result?

Abdiel. Gabriel, there must be better men than these. Or Sodom's fate would overwhelm the land.

Gabriel. Yes, Abdiel, there are thousands who believe In God, in Christ, in Christian principles;

But most of these so idolize their king, Their Parliament, and their own native land, That all who dare resist them are despised. The few true friends the colonies can claim, They count upon the fingers of a man. Pitt, Shelburne, Conway, Barre, and Oglethorpe, With Burke and Camden faintly following, Comjjriae the names that dare to sympathize. Unthinking millions live and toil and die, Leaving their offspring following in their steps. Such is the best of human governments. Is it not time a better should arise?

Ahdiel. Yes, Gabriel, this broad wilderness shall bloom, And this shall be the gi-andest of all lands. God sifted Europe for the best of seed. To plant a nation he will own and bless. All human excellences here shall meet Under divinest blessings from on high. Earth shall behold with wonder and delight And holy angels guard its happy homes. Let us depart each to his proper work, But see the patriots Jay and Livingston ! They've watched the old year out, the new year in.

Book Second

Scene: Gamble's Hill, Richmond, Va., March 1, 1766. Satan's Soliloquy.

Satan. Eeraorse ! remorse ! remorse ! Fierce, horrible, Insatiate harpy preying upon guilt. But why should I repine ? My pride forbids The useless whispering of vain regrets. If penitence could plead, 'twould plead in vain. Euined! doomed! damned! Despairing agony Drives hence all thoughts of possible relief Even forgetfulness flies far away On swiftest wing, from writhing wretchedness; Pours no Lethean drop into the cup Of sinful anguish. She strews no restful Down o'er sleepless beds of sin's sad victims. Helpless! Undone forever! Bound in the Galling chains of ever black'ning darkness. Unceasing torment is my dreadful doom, And fearful looking for of fiery wrath. Just retribution ! I was first to sin.

Such scenes as this, earth's fairest, brightest, best, Most comforting, give no surcease of pain. These wooded heights and this majestic stream Remind me of my days of innocence And heavenly landscapes I shall see no more. These dear, delightful homes, the blest abodes Of Adam's noblest offspring, recall to Fond and mournful memory, the blissful Joys that waited on Clod's angel children When first they woke to life, to light, to love On the bright morning of their natal day. Peace walks the earth in smiling loveliness; And plenty, tripping lightly in her steps, Thrills human hearts with rapturous delight.

Eeligion, science, industry combine

To elevate the families of men,

That they may gladden in the smile of God,

While on my vitals pent-up furies prey.

Britannia sways her scepter o'er the seas,

And steps from land to land in majesty,

Triumphant over all her ancient foes.

They seek her friendship as they dread her might.

All Europe sits admiring at her feet.

Old Asia rests supinely with her sons.

Amid the hoary ruins of all time,

In meek submission taking on the yoke

Of these her latest, noblest conquerors;

While helpless Africa with outstretched arms

Sees from her dusky bosom her dark brood

Snatched by the ruthless hand of cruelty,

That Britain and New England may grow rich

By trading rum for servile sons of Ham.

'Tis true the slave trade flourishes.

And feasts the hungry sharks on filthy flesh

Of dead and dying negroes. But ages

Of most hopeless degradation have doomed

The race to end in cruel deaths, lives of

Despairing agony. No chance or change

Makes their condition worse than that of their

Long line of barb'rous ancestors. Indeed,

These kindly, careful. Christian mistresses

Have so emparadised their happy slaves