Delivered at the Reception of the Framingham members of Rest soldier, rest! Not now the trumpet pealing, Rest! soldier, rest! the joyous cannon hail thee; Not now the drenching rain-the weary marching; Not here the flashing of the foeman's sabre; Not here the wide ranks kneel to Death's behest; Naught but the glance of bright eyes kindly beaming ; Rest! soldier, rest! Not here the whistling of the leaden death-shots- See yon fair wife, a white-armed welcome waving! A mother's kisses greet her first-born darling; Not all who answered to Columbia, calling Rest soldier, rest! Loud let the bugle swell the note of triumph! FOR THE UNION. BY CHARLES BOYNTON HOWELL. Speak boldly for the Union, Though traitorous foes are near ! Let not that flag trail in the dust Our fathers held so dear; Then victory's golden sunlight Will break in the nation's sky, And the starry folds of our banner Will float triumphantly! Fight bravely for the Union, Ye soldiers in the field! And though the hour of strife is dark, Of our land in its infancy, And strike for your country gallantly, Work, patriots, for the Union, Till the hour of triumph comes! Till the shadowy clouds of treason And the sunrise beams of hope and peace THE EAGLE OF THE SEA. BY W. H. C. HOSMER. Rocked in the trough of waves-to-night In the wind's eye she walks ahead, He is a sailor, staunch and true, I love the thunder of the gale, And pity those whose cheeks turn pale; We may go down, or strike a reef, Let the storm whistle through the shrouds, Rough waters to a brighter shore. Capped is the mountain surge with foam, But canvas-winged, and cable-reined At last her toughened bones may bleach For the proud Eagle of the sea. Let the wind howl, and roar the surge, Fear not, my comrades, going forth, To crush upon a Southern shore God rules by sea, as well as land, NATIONAL WAR-SONG. SPIRITUALISM AT THE WHITE HOUSE. WASHINGTON, April 28, 1863. A few evenings since, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, was induced to give a spiritual soirée in the crimson room at the White House, to test the wonderful alleged supernatural powers of Mr. Charles E. Shockle. It was my good fortune, as a friend of the medium, to be present, the party consisting of the President, Mrs. Lincoln, Mr. Welles, Mr. Stanton, Mr. L of New-York, and Mr. F of Philadelphia. We took our seats in the circle about Alas! the starry Flag is rent that floated once on high! eight o'clock, but the President was called away shortBut shall the Southern rebel rag e'er mock our North-ly after the manifestations commenced, and the spirits, AIR-John Brown. Oh! say, and is the Union gone, O countrymen! for aye? sce, And Knoxville prays our conquering arms to set her The noble West-Virginians foreswore the Richmond yoke, And braved the Old Dominion's power with sturdy hearts of oak; Shall Letcher and Jeff Davis, friends, their patriot ardor choke? O Northmen! answer, Nay! Remember Sumter's fearful siege, and noble Anderson! We kept our hands from brothers' blood-they fired the fatal gun : Shall we give up Virginia, the land of Washington? To arms! ye heroes of the nation! which had apparently assembled to convince him of their power, gave visible tokens of their displeasure at the President's absence, by pinching Mr. Stanton's ears and twitching Mr. Welles's beard. He soon returned, but it was some time before harmony was restored, for the mishaps to the secretaries caused such bursts of laughter that the influence was very unpropitious. For some half-hour the demonstrations were of a physical character-tables were moved, and the picture of Henry. Clay, which hangs on the wall, was swayed more than a foot, and two candelabras, presented by the Dey of Algiers to President Adams, were twice raised nearly to the ceiling. It was nearly nine o'clock before Shockle was fully under spiritual influence, and so powerful were the subsequent manifestations, that twice during the evening restoratives were applied, for he was much weakened; and though I took no notes, I shall endeavor to give you as faithful an account as possible of what took place. Loud rappings, about nine o'clock, were heard directly beneath the President's feet, and Mr. Shockle stated that an Indian desired to communicate. Well, sir," said the President, "I should be happy to hear what his Indian majesty has to say. We have recently had a visitation from our red brethren, and it was the only delegation, black, white, or blue, which did not volunteer some advice about the conduct of the war." The medium then called for pencil and paper, and they were laid upon the table in sight, of all. A handkerchief was then taken from Mr. Stanton, and the materials were carefully concealed from sight. In less space of time than it has required for me to write this, knocks were heard and the paper was uncovered. To the surprise of all present it read as follows: "Haste makes waste, but delays cause vexations. Give vitality by energy. Use every means to subdue. Proclamations are useless; make a bold front and fight the enemy; leave traitors at home to the care of loyal men. Less note of preparation, less parade and policy talk, and more action. HENRY KNOX." That is not Indian talk, Mr. Shockle," said the President. "Who is Henry Knox ?" I suggested to the medium to ask who General Knox was, and before the words were from my lips the medium spoke in a strange voice: "The first Secretary of War." "Oh! yes, General Knox," said the President; who, turning to the Secretary, said: “Stanton, that message is for you; it is from your predecessor." Mr. Stanton made no reply. "I should like to ask General Knox," said the President, "if it is within the scope of his ability, to tell us when this rebellion will be put down." In the same manner as before, this message was received: 66 Washington, Lafayette, Franklin, Wilberforce, Napoleon, and myself have held frequent consultations Three raps were given, signifying assent to the proon this point. There is something which our spiritual position. Perfect silence was maintained, and after eyes cannot detect which appear well formed. Evil an interval of perhaps three minutes Mr. Shockle rose has come at times by removal of men from high positions, and there are those in retirement whose abilities should be made useful to hasten the end. Napoleon says, concentrate your forces upon one point; Lafayette thinks that the rebellion will die of exhaustion; Franklin sees the end approaching, as the South must give up for want of mechanical ability to compete against Northern mechanics. Wilberforce sees hope only in a negro army.-KNox." quickly from his chair and stood up behind it, resting his left arm on the back, his right thrust into his bosom. In a voice such as no one could mistake who had ever heard Mr. Douglas, he spoke. I shall not pretend to quote the language. It was eloquent and choice. He urged the President to throw aside all advisers who hesitate about the policy to be pursued, and to listen to the wishes of the people, who would sustain him at all points if his aim was, as he believed it was, to restore the Union. He said there were Burrs and Blennerhassetts living, but that they would wither before the popular approval which would follow one or two victories, such as he thought must take place "Well," exclaimed the President, "opinions differ among the saints as well as among the sinners. They don't seem to understand running the machines among the celestials much better than we do. Their talk and advice sound very much like the talk of my cabinet-ere long. The turning-point in this war will be the don't you think so, Mr. Welles ?" 'Well, I don't know-I will think the matter over, and see what conclusion to arrive at." Heavy raps were heard, and the alphabet was called for, when "That's what's the matter," was spelt out. There was a shout of laughter, and Mr. Welles stroked his beard. That means, Mr. Welles," said the President, "that you are apt to be long-winded, and think the nearest way home is the longest way round. Short cuts in war times. I wish the spirits could tell us how to catch the Alabama." The lights, which had been partially lowered, almost instantaneously became so dim that I could not see sufficiently to distinguish the features of any one in the room, and on the large mirror over the mantlepiece there appeared the most beautiful though supernatural picture ever beheld. It represented a sea view, the Alabama with all steam up flying from the pursuit of another large steamer. Two merchantmen in the distance were seen, partially destroyed by fire. The picture changed, and the Alabama was seen at anchor under the shadow of an English fort-from which an English flag was waving. The Alabama was floating idly, not a soul on board, and no signs of life visible about her. The picture vanished, and in letters of purple appeared: "The English people demanded this of England's aristocracy." "So England is to seize the Alabama finally ?" said the President. "It may be possible; but, Mr. Welles, don't let one gunboat or monitor less be built." The spirits called for the alphabet, and again "That's what's the matter," was spelt out. "I see, I see," said the President, "Mother England thinks that what's sauce for the goose may be sauce for the gander. It may be tit, tat, too, hereafter. But it is not very complimentary to our navy, anyhow." "We've done our best, Mr. President," said Mr. Welles. "I'm maturing a plan which, when perfected, I think, if it works well, will be a perfect trap for the Alabama." Well, Mr. Shockle," remarked the President, "I have seen strange things and heard rather odd remarks; but nothing which convinces me, except the pictures, that there is any thing very heavenly about all this. I should like, if possible, to hear what Judge Douglas says about this war." "I'll try to get his spirit," said Mr. Shockle; "but it sometimes happens, as it did to-night in the case of the Indian, that, though first impressed by one spirit, I yield to another more powerful. If perfect silence is maintained, I will see if we cannot induce General Knox to send for Mr. Douglas." proper use of these victories. If wicked men in the first hours of success think it time to devote their attention to party, the war will be prolonged; but if victory is followed up by energetic action, all will be Who's afraid to meet the foe- Who would bear a hero's name- There's a cry falls from the sky- Through the air 'tis sweeping by- Armies of the patriot dead "Ye, our children," hear them say, But the evil stout withstood For the country we made free- For the world that free shall be- Europe eager watches you; TO THE PATRIOTIC WOMEN OF ST. LOUIS. Come, sisters! in this noble strife Oh! hear the orphan's piteous cry! Watch the pale wife as o'er his couch She bends to catch the parting sigh. Shall we, Columbia's daughters, sit, With hearts unmoved and listless air, Nor aid our brothers, husbands, sons, Our country's flag to nobly bear? Out sprang a little trumpeter, and clasped the courier's knees; "I'll sound the charge, I'll call the halt-me, too! let me go, please!" "Nay, boy! I want nor trumpet-note, nor arm nor sword so small; The ranger's ball shall sound the charge, the halt but death shall call." To horse! the steeds impatient neigh; to horse! the way is long. Brave hearts are light, keen sabres bright, and willing arms are strong. The clatter of hoofs! the clash of steel! the day is nearly done; There will be need of armed heel ere the far off goal be won. Lo! the entrance to Cyril's Wood gapes like the mouth of hell; The dauntless courier mutters, "Good! the rebel dogs watch well!" No rein is drawn at the line of flame; tally, a score and six. "My place to lead" is the sergeant's claim; "Hb for the River Styx!" "Thou follow!" rings the quick reply; "for God and liberty!" And the well-closed column dashes by-tally, a score less three. "Comrades!"-the courier turned his head-"if I fall, pass me by, 'Whom the gods love, die young,' 'tis said; it is no shame to die." The sunless swamp is near at hand; gleameth each hostile tree; Eyes to the front, the lessening hand, reckless, ride rapidly. "Help ho! the sergeant !" (One hath seen whence the death-bearing sped; Aimeth the ranger's eyes between, pierceth the ranger's head.) Under the giant cypress him the rough hands gently place; Give water to cool the fevered lips, to lave the burning face. Not here! his thoughts are far away in the home he loved so well; A BALLAD OF THE SECOND WISCONSIN, WRITTEN Like a sleepy child he murmurs: "Hark! do you. แ AMONG THE TOMBS. "Spare man nor steed, use utmost speed; before the sun goes down, Thou, sir, must ride," the Colonel cried, "unto Helena town." "Colonel!" the stern Lieutenant said, "to hear is to obey! Comrades! the path is fringed with death; who rides with me to-day ?" Instant a gallant Sergeant spoke: "I ride with thee to-day." Along the ranks a wild shout broke: "We follow ! lead the way!"' VOL. VII.-POETRY 3 hear the vesper-bell ?" |