And Marshfield's giant oak, whose stormy brow Has ofttimes turned the ocean tempest from the West, And now our startled eagle knows not where to rest." Since my remembrance, this country has been agitated by legislating for the "blacks." The whites have been neglected. There are about three millions of the one and twenty-five millions of the other. Now, while I have the best possible feeling toward the "blacks," I have also the highest respect for the whites; and as twenty-five millions of the latter have been requested to stand aside, so that the three millions of the former might be attended to, I am an advocate now for a change in our Congressional policy. Leave the "blacks" alone for the next ten years, and take care of the "whites." The whites deserve more attention than Congress has devoted to them, and having legislated for the blacks for so long a time, they have at least the democratic right of the majority to protest against anything more being done for so inconsiderable a minority in numbers, to say nothing for the question of equality,-at least for some few years. There has been enough talk on the question to fill the British Museum with reading matter; yet, after all, no one has discovered any invention to bleach a black man white. Next winter, the slaves of the South will be sheltered, clothed, and fed, while multitudes of free-born men are pale with want, demanding labor to purchase bread, In such times as these, the futile discussion of the slave question had better be thrown under the table, not to be taken up again 'till Congress has legislated on some of the practical questions of the day. The whites demand a hearing. As the times are changing everywhere, why not give up for a while the continual bickerings on a subject that cannot be touched without provoking unpleasant reflections. Let us be Americans-not Northerners or Southerners-but simply Americans. Union should be the last thought as we sleep-the first when we wake. Let us ever pray for "A union of lakes, a union of lands, A union of States, none can sever; And ever! The flag of our Union forever!" A few months more, and the strong arm of military power may be required to preserve order. Let us maintain our national rank. We have laws, they must be obeyed. We have laws, but not always justice. Out of evil good may come-order spring forth from chaos. California, at one time, was full of evil spirits. The law was ineffectual; then the people rose up in their might, and said, "Let there be justice," and there was justice; and now where can you find a place more orderly and quiet than San Francisco? There will be no necessity for such measures here. England feeds the poor; France gives them soup. The people are not allowed to starve in Europe, in Asia, or in Africa; nor will they be in America. Government will do what it can. But when men meet in masses in public squares, and talk sedition, rapine, violence, demand money, (not work and bread,) they must take care that they do nothing more than talk. In 1837, "Bread, meat, rent and fuel," were on the banners, and "Down with the prices." In 1857, "Work!"-" Arbeit!" are the words on the flag. Let them break the law-let them step beyond the line of civil avthority-and military power will clear the streets with grape. George the Fourth gave tone to the law-Napoleon knows well its meaning-and the American volunteer militiaman will shoot down his own brother, if that brother dares to place himself beyond the law of right, of equality, or of justice. Herein lies the strength of the American Republic. OUTLINE OF A GRAND FINANCIAL DRAMA. CANTO I. "I had a dream which was not all a dream." PLACE: A PROSPEROUS COUNTRY. Time: Indian Summer. Hour: Midnight. Houses unroofed. "Doors unlocked." Discovers some people in other people's beds. Imp Number One "chased"-Number Two, not. Offered bribe to keep dark-Accepts, and blabs. Magazine Torch. Falling houses. CANTO II.' "A change came o er the spirit of my dream." A COLONY OF CARRION KITES. History. Kite Number One proposes to Kite Number Two. Shows them how to use their Bills, and lends them their first Notes. Old Kite fails. O. L. & T. Co. Western Kites flock in. Arrival of Credits. Cash balances absorbed. Some Home Kites Blind. Old Kite loses tail feathers. Young Kite smells rat. 1837, wind raised Kite-1857, Kite raised wind. Kites fly abroad. Crows arrive. Croaks. Rats. No hole CANTO III. "A change came o'er the spirit of my dream." RAILROAD. Bonds-England. President makes tracks-Directors make Notes. Dividends. Stocks rise. Board short. Bridge falls. Train off the Track. Receiver appointed. Gratuitous offers to ride Directors on their own rail. |