Upload
others
View
1
Download
0
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
1
TranscriptionofaJointDiary,
KeptbyNathanW.DanielsandHisWifeCoraL.V.Scott(Hatch)Daniels.
RenderingbasedonapartialtranscriptionbyC.P.Weaver,
completedandeditedbyJohnB.Buescher.
Comprisesthelastentryofvolume2(1865)andtheentiretyofvolume3
(1866-67)ofNathanW.Daniels,Diary,
ManuscriptDivision,LibraryofCongress
December8,1865 WashingtonCity,D.C.
[Nathan]Concludedthismorningthattheeveningshouldfindusmanand
wife—accordinglycalleduponRev’dFatherPierpontandsecuredhisservices,sent
Juliusafterthelicense,andGeorgeaftertheflowers,andcontinuedincompanyto
themarriagefeast,allofwhichwepleasantlyaccomplishedathalfpasteighto’clock.
MydarlingCoraandmyselfenteredthequietandcozylittleparlorofourpresent
home,andwithonlyGeorge,Louise,Julius,Lottie,Mrs.Everett,andFatherPierpont
inthemortalform,withanimmeasurableandgloriousassemblageoftheImmortal
worldpresent,outwardlyunitedintheblissfulbondsofthatstatecalledmatrimony,
which,sincethefirstmeeting,inwardlyhadbeenours.Adelightfulsupperfollowed
andafeastofvenisonandflowofsack.Then—.
[Diaryfor1866]
Boldlyflyingo’erthemountain
2
Pausingnearthesparklingfountain
Upthejaggedrockcliffsclimbing
Intheshadydellreclining
Heartandpurpose—allundaunted
Throughtheforestsspirithaunted
Fleetandstrong,quitekind
FreeasGod’sbreathonthemind
UndisturbedbythoughtofFear
Thouartnamed“WingedReindeer.”
Shenandoah
Wednesday,January3rd1866
TravelingfromWashingtontoBostonviaNewYork.
Thursday,January4th1866
LeftWashingtonlasteveningtakingsleepingcarsandarrivedsafelyinNew
Yorkthismorning.Tookomnibusuptownforthepurposeofhuntingupourgood
friendsMr&MrsAnderson,andstrangetosay,wespiedMrAgoinguptown.—It
wasProvidentialaswehadbreakfastedatTaylor'sfeelingimpelledtotakea
particularomnibus&thisonecausedustomeetMrA,asweunfortunatelydidnot
havethecorrectnumberoftheirresidence.—Anotherbuswouldhavemissedhim
&weshouldhavefailedtofindtheirhome,thusbyaspiritualimpressiondidwe
accomplishourwishes.—
Friday,January5th1866
3
ToMrAnderson
GleamingdownamidEarth’sdarkness
Thro’theclouds&mist,thatare
Hasteninginitspaththebrightness
Whichilluminesalltheskies
Lo,itsrayslikesunlightarrows
DartingfromthebowofHeaven
‘Prisonedinacellwhichnarrows.
Butitcaresnotwhatisgiven
Forwhentotheearthdescending
It,brightradiancedidpour
So—aboveaLilybending
DidtheStarbeamhovero’er
Bornofheaventheflowersoheavenly
Andgreenpalewithpurestdew,
Bornofheaven,theStarbeamslumbers
UponLily’sbosomtrue.
Shenandoah.
Saturday,January6th1866_________Boston
ToMrsAnderson
Frailasmorningexhalations
FairasheavenlyIncantations
4
Lovelyandpure.—
Notthemorning’sgoldensplendor,
NortheEvening’sshadowstender
Fortheeendure.
Butthedew-dropinthebosom
PaleandwhiteasLilyblossom
Reflectsitslight
Everdownwardandthro’theshadows
Likethemoonbeamso’erthemeadows
Comesitsray,bright.
Lilythywhiteleavestremble
Norcanthyheartdissemble
Chastewithlove
FortheetheStarbeamshineth
RoundStarbeamLilyturneth
TruthraysofLove.
Shenandoah.
ReachedBostonlasteveningatduskandweremetattheDepotbyProfes.
Smith.—
VisionseenbyDarlinginDecembershortlyafterourmarriage—“While
sittingwithmyloveenfoldedinhisarmsIsawagoldensphereorGlobesuspended
inmidair.Nearerandneareritcame,thenperceivedthatwhatseemedaUnitor
5
GlobewasreallyaUnionofseparateSouls,whosespheresweremerged&blended
intooneperfectwhole.Theinnersoul(thewoman)theouter(theman)andboth
radiatingalightofetherealbeautywhichseemedtofillavastspace[]Isawthat
thiswonderfulvisionwasofourowninteriorsouls,thatourlovewasthus
manifested.FromthecenterofourunitedheartsIsawascrollcomeforthonwhich
wasreadthewords‘ThepoorinhearthaveseenGod,’thenIsawabannerofblue
onwhichwasreadinlettersofgold‘Loveshallredeemtheworld’andasIgazed
enrapturedatandthrilledwiththiswondroussight,Isawthatallourthoughts
becameembodiedinshapesoffairestbeauty,flowersofstarryformandmost
exquisiteodor,birdswithsilverwingsandwingedcherubs,eachoneagod.Thusit
seemedlifewouldbecomeunderthebeautifullightof‘PerfectLove.’”
Friday&Saturday,January12th&13th1866
VisionseenbyDarlinglastDecemberinWashingtonD.C.“Isawmydarling
dressedinUniformbutwithhisswordsheathedandunbelted&hatinhand,
walkingbesideme.—Twolittlechildrenwerewithus.—Avastthrongfollowed
ourfootsteps.—Theyseemedofeveryrace,class,&color&wereshoutingnotesof
Liberty.Bannerswerewaving,drumsbeating.—Itseemedthattherehadbeen
war—thatthestrugglewasover&wehadnowthevictory.Weascendedahilland
gazedaroundonthegatheringmultitude.Aswestoodthereasilencefelluponthe
people—fullofexpectation—andatlastmydarlingspoke.Inwordsofburning
eloquenceheportrayedtheGloriesofwarthruwhichtheyhadjustpassed.Praised
thecouragewhichhadraisedthestandardof“FreedomtoallPeople”againstthe
Usurpers&TyrantswhenLawfulPowerhadledagainstthem.—Pointedtothe
6
beauteousland—doublybaptizedinblood—&tothosemonumentsofoppression
(thechurches)&said“nowgoforthtosow,&reap,&gatherforthereisnoneto
forbid,nonetooppress,nonotone.”Long&ferventlyhespoke,andwhenheclosed,
loudshouts&exaltationsrangthruthebluevaultofheaven.Thentheywereonce
moresilent&apowerwithinmespoke—myvoicewasraised&seemedtorollover
theminatideofthought.—ThewordsIknownot,butthethemewasTruth&Love
&thatblessedPeacebornofgreattrouble&conflict.—Thenmidsongs&
rejoicings,Isawthempassawayingroups—overalltheland,nowbeautifulabodes
&templesdedicatedtoart&scienceseemedtospringupasifbymagic.—
Happiness&peacewerethere&allwereblestbeneaththelightofLove,Equality&
Truth.”—
Friday&Saturday,January19th&20th1866
ToMrs.Wilson
Twiningitstendrilsroundthecolumnfair,
Orclimbingo’erthelovelycottagedoor
Itflingsitsstarryblossomsontheair
Andallitswealthoffragrantbloomsdothpour
Roundthespotwherelittlechildrenmeet
Besidethefountorontheslopinglawn
Minglingitsperfumewiththeirlaughtersweet
Andwelcomingwithdewyeyesthedawn
Tho’sweeterodorsmaydelightthesmell
7
Noneothergayerflowersforbutaday
Thusbringstheheartthesweetestrecompense,
T’istheClematisbreathesofHomealways.
Shenandoah.
ToMr.Wilson
ThebroadbrightsplendoroftheSun
Isoftencloudedinthemorn
‘Erehalfhissplendidcourseisrun
Thestormkingsoundshisbuglehorn
Therarestconstitutionsoft
Aredimmedbycloudswhichrisefromearth
Andsorrows’shadowsgatherwhere
Sparklethegemsofforestnorth
ButfreefromvainAmbition’sboast
Nonesordidcaresorsorrowsblight
AmongthefirmAngelichost
The“PaleStar”beamsforeverbright.
Shenandoah.
Sunday,January22nd1866
“Vision”seenbyDarlinginWashingtonlastmonth.
8
“Isawanaltarcoveredanddrapedwitharichcrimsoncurtainfringedwith
gold.Beneaththealtarwasafountain,whosesilverwatersfilledtheairwithrare
incensemusic—likewarblingsofbirds.IsawmyDarlingthyselfkneelingbesidethe
fountainanditscoolingspraytodescenduponus&fillourviewswithacelestial
lightandallourthoughtsweretunedtothemusicofdivineharmony.Whenthis
baptismwasdone&ascendedtothealtarwhereonaBookofGold—sealedand
clasped.Ononeofthecoverswastheword‘Truth’inraisedletters,ontheother
‘Love’—Mybelovedplacedhisrighthandonthecoverbearingtheinscriptionofthe
firstnamedwordandmylefthandpressedtheoppositeone.Theclasps&sealsflew
openandwefoundburningwordstracedwithin&bothreadinconcerttothe
multitude,whichtillthenwehadnotseen.Iknownotthewords,buttheysound
likegems,wroughtfromtheminesofthought,andthepeoplegatheredthemwith
theirsouls,astheyfellfromourlips&theirfacesfreerradiantinthelightof
knowledge.Evenuntilthevisionceaseddidwecontinuetoread.”
Sunday,February4th1866
PoemgiveninBostonlastTuesdayEveningatthecloseofalectureonbehalf
oftheColoredFreemenofAmerica.
Brightstaroftruth:whereradiantbeams
Shineonthro’cloudsofwoe
Thoughwhoserefulgentsplendorgleams
Aboveallsinbelow
Then—whohastseenthe“Nations”rise
Andperishbythybreath
9
ThenwhohastcheeredtheMartyrson
Eveninshame&death,
Theeweinvoke!
Bythatblackhistorywhosepage
Istracedinhumanblood,
Andbytherollingflood
Thereprophet,[]&sage,
Haveforthymandatesstood
Anddiedineveryage,
[]—faminesandsoredistress,
Whichforthysakehavecome,
Whichinthynamehavecome,
Whenthrothelongdarkwilderness
Onceledthychildrenhome,
Andthine,thesighsandgroans,
Theagony&tears,
Theterrors&palefears,
Thehorrorsofthoseyears,
Whichfilledtheworldwithmoans,
Andthine—thedyingtime
Ofvictimsslain—
That[]a[]
10
Mustmaketheworldlikethee!
Notthine,butErrors’—Thouwhoselight
MildastheMadonnaofthenight,
Yetflamingisthysword,
Twoedgedastheword.
God,whospeakethfortheright,
Truthweinvokethyaid!
Andye,Oshining[]ones
Payyourowndeedsnowglorified,
Thro’yourownactionsdeified.
Andliftedtothethrone
Whereononlythejustandpure,
Onlythe[]whichshallendure,
Onlythespirits[]whose[],
DarkErrornow[],
Ye,thathavefought&died,
Yesaintsthe“sorelytried,”
Ye,thatstoodsidebyside
WithFreedominhertoils,
Ye,weinvoke!
Lo!Whenyourshiningranksappear
Abovethebattlementsofnight,
11
Inrank&filestillfortheright,
BearingthegleamingswordofLight,
Yourlegion’srallyfar&near,
Ledbythemartyredheroesslain,
Ineveryage&clime
Fromeveryshoreoftime,
Thosespiritsnow[]
Bendo’ertheworld[]
Yeweinvoke!
Ledbytheveteranstrong&bold
OfproudAmerica
ThelandofLiberty.
(O,Godwhatmockery,)
Thenobleherogray&old,
Who[]lawfulmurdersold
BecauseofSlavery,
Andyewhofollow—fathers,sons,
Brothers,&friends,arise—
Yewhoweremadethesacrifice
OffoulAmbition!—shiningones—
Yeweinvoke!
12
BrightstarofTruth!Thydayisnear
Theworldshallfeelthybreath,
Andallthe[]ofDeath.
Itallasthegrandhostsappear,
WefollowthyCommand,
Weseetheshiningland
OfthatEternalstrand,
Whenthoudostreign,
Andthou!Jehovah—Lordofall—
Weseekthyguidinghand,
Thypotentmagicwand,
ThypowerofLove,thyvoicedothcall
Nomoreerror,norcrimeshallfall,
[]aneternalbroodingpall,
Overthis[]land.
WeseekthyTruthEternally,
WeseektobeforeverFree.
Inseekingthese,wefollowThee!
Tuesday,February6th1866_________Philadelphia
13
CameonfromNewYorklastSaturdaynight,metourgoodfriendDr[Henry]
Childsatthecars&wereescortedbyhimto“TheContinentalHotel.”Philadelphia
Sunday.DarlingspokefortheSpiritualistSociety,morning&evening.—Thesubject
intheEveningbeing“TheGodinMan,”ofwhich,thefollowingPoemwasinspired:
VeiledbehindAngelicname
LaythesplendorsofOsiris,
Andtheshadow’dformofIsis.
Allthewondrouspowerproclaim
WhentheEasternDevotee
AndtheGrand&[]Lama
WorshipsattheshrineofBramat.
Lo!theirofferingsareforthee.
WhenthesplendorsoftheEast
[]theTempleoftheSun
ItisbuttheLivingOne
LightinguptheHeavenlyfeast
AlltheagesofthePast.
ConqueredbythesternNemesis,
Nowshallfindtheirtime[]
Guidingthemtotruthatlast
Thisweknow—Thynametobe
ThoutheInfiniteJehovah
Bendingeveryspiritover,
14
Lovehassolvedmystery.
Wednesday&Thursday,February7th&8th1866,Burlington,NewJersey
WentouttoourfriendMrsWoolmantospendafewdays.Intheevening,
Shanniecameandgavethefollowing.
ToMrs.Woolman
Shadowedbythebreathofsorrow
Drooping‘neaththecloudsof[]
Asthefloweroftendroopeth
Wherethestormsweepethbefore
Strugglingforthehighesttruest
Longingevertofindrest,
Sothedew-dropsoften[]
E‘entheLily’ssunnybreast
Thro’thevalleyofAffliction
Sothencomeththebrightpromise
Recompenseforsorrow’stears
Angelhandsholdingachalice
Inwhicheverytearmustfall
Bytheirlovetheychangethepearldrops
Intogemsofgloryall.
Andthy[]magicpetals
15
[]astrangeandwondrousflower
[]theminacrownofglory
Cheeringnowlife’sdarkesthour.
Gem—bright—golden—pure—&perfect,
Lo,thiscrownisthineownthought,
Whichthesoulshallwearforever
“StarLillies”byAngelswrought.
Shenandoah.
ToMr.Woolman
EachmornthegloryoftheSun
Illumestheearthwithlight
Sheddingamantlebrightandclear
Ofrarestsunbeamsbright
Eacheveningoverhillandplain
Andeveryshrub&flower
Hislingeringlookdothstillremain
Tocheerdays’partinghour.
Whencloudsabovetheearthappear
Likebroodingwingsofsorrow
TheSundotheverstraintogive
Somepromiseforthemorn
Andrendsthedarkandgloomypall
16
Withraysoflivingsplendor
Thathemaygivenewhopetoall
Andflashhisglancestender.
Lo,whenthewoesofearthlygrief
Broodo’erthehumanspirit
Thineistheheartwouldbringrelief
Andbidthemtointurit[sic]
Thejoyandhopewhichisthineown
Todriveawayallsadness
Andcheerbydeed&look&[]
Thynameis“BeamofGladness.”
Shenandoah.
Mrs.Woolmanremarkedtheotherevening—“Ifeelthatourspiritfriendsare
nearus.”WhentheInfluencewhichwasShellyrepliedthroughDarling—
“Nearyou”?Yes.EachbreathofHeaven
Waftssomewhispersoftheirlove.
Messagestoyouaregiven
Fromthestarryrealmsabove.
Everymomentistheirpresence
Breathedinsweetestmelody,
Andasoftdeliciouscadence
17
Thrillsyoursoulswithharmony.
“Nearyou?”Whenthetwilightshadows
Bendlikebroodingandflutteringwings
Anduponthefieldsandmeadows
Nighthersablemantleflings
Then,Othen,theycomestillnearer,
Closelytoyourformstheypress
Andyoufeelthattheyaredearer
Asthee,giveeachunlitcaress.
“Nearyou?”Yes.Eachwaveofmusic
Risinglikeagoldenchain
Findsresponseinangelbosoms
Andechoesbacktoearthagain—
Bringingsomethingoftherapture
WhichdothfilltheirHeavenlyHome.
Yes—upontheirspiralsoundofarts
Theytheblessedonesevercome.
“Nearyou?”O,thevoiceofprayer
Risingfromyoursoulstonight
Thrillsthewavesofgoldenair
18
Withasoftandpuredelight.
Andthebendingformsyoulive
Breathetheirsweetestlovetone,Where
Allyourspiritsjointlyprove
Thentheheartcansay“Amen.”
Shelly.
Friday,February9th1866
LeftBurlingtonyesterday&cameovertoNYtoattendtoadvertisements&c
forourlecturethiseveningatCooperInstituteandDarlingcameoverthismorning.
—Lastnightwewereseparatedanditwasanightoflonelinessandlongingforeach
other—butDollyissohappyaswerebothofus,tomeetagainthismorningthatit
seemedasthoughourshortabsencehadifpossibleheightenedourhappiness.—
Monday,February19th1866________WashingtonD.C.
Remainedinourheavenofhomeallthemorning.Shanniecameandspenta
fewmomentswithus.—WrotearticlerelativetoTheAntiSlaveryStandardand
sentto“TheReligio”[Religio-PhilosophicalJournal]—alsolettertoTheN.[ew]
0.[rleans]TribuneinwhichIsaidthatitwasrumoredthatthePresidenthad
decidedtovetoTheFreedmen’sBureauBill,butthatIdidnotbelievehewouldgo
beforethecountryuponthismeasureashecouldfarmoreeffectuallynullifythe
samebyhisappointments—andthesubstitutionofthesouthernstatemilitiain
placeoftheU.S.forcesasexecutorsofitsprovisions.—Thathewouldalsovetothe
19
civilrights&DistofColumbiaSuffrageBills—thatStanton&Harlanweretheonly
membersofhisCabinetthatwouldprotestagainsthisvetooftheFreedmenBureau
Bill—butthatCongresswouldquicklypassthesemeasuresoverhishead.
ThisafternoonwhileSenatorYatesofIllinoiswasmakingasplendidspeech
infavorofgrantingalltherightsoftheAmericancitizentothecoloredman.The
Freedmen’sBureauBillcameinvetoedbyThePresident.Alongmanifesto
accompaniedthedocument,givingthereasonsforhisactions,theprincipleoneof
whichwasthattheBillwasunconstitutional.—Thiscreatedaverygreatsensation
amongthemembersasitwasentirelyunexpected&tookthemallbysurprise.—
Greatindignationwasmanifested&anadjournmentwasimmediatelycarriedfor
thepurposeofcanvassingthematter&preparingforthefightwhichmustcome
tomorrow,astheSenatewilltrytopassitoverthePresident’sveto.—
Nellie&Julius&thebabypassedtheeveningwithusandwehada
verypleasantsociablevisit—canvassedCalifornia&Nevadasilvermines.—
Tuesday,February20th1866
Shanniecamethismorning&saidthatthewarhadbegun.—Thatthe
PresidenthadarrayedhimselfuponthesideoftheConservatives&thathewould
carryoutthesameplanuntilwaragainbreatheditsterriblespiritoverthecountry.
Shesaidalsothatweshouldsoongonorth&thenwestspeakinginbehalfofthe
Freedmen.—Thatweshouldthengosouth—andnottoCaliforniathisyear.—
ThatPresidentJohnsonhaddeterminednottovetotheFreedmen’sBillupto
Sunday.ThatSewardhadopposedthevetouptothattime&hadwrittenthe
documentthataccompaniedthevetoaskingamendmentstotheBill—butthaton
20
Sunday,Sewardhadlearnedthattheycouldnotretaintheirsoutherninfluenceif
theBillbecamealaw—changed&wenttothesupportofthePresident’soriginal
intentions—&thenthedecisionwasmadetovetothesame,Harlan&Stantonbeing
theonlyoneswhostoodoutagainstit.ShanniethenreproducedthreePoemsthat
weregiventhe7thofthismonthatMrsWoolman’sinBurlingtonNewJersey.She
alsosaidthatthevillainwhowasdoggingSenatorHowardwouldbeintheSenate
chamberagaintoday&thatifwewenttothesameplacethathewasinbeforewe
wouldfindhim.—CorawroteMrsWoolman&enclosedthepoemsgiventhis
morning.
Mydarlingwife&myselfwentuptotheSenatethisafternoon,foundthe
chamberjammed,thedoorways&everyavenueliterallypackedwithpeopleasthe
excitementoverthevetoisintense&peopleseemtosensethecomingconflict.—
Managedaftermuchsqueezingtoeffectanentrance&throughthepolitenessof
Judge[JohnFitch]KinneyofUtahsecuredaseat.—GarrettDavis[D-Kentucky]was
readingadryharangueinfavorofthePresident’sveto&againsttheBill.Afterhis
inflictinganhourofhisstupidityupontheSenate,heclosedandSenator[Lyman]
Trumbull[R-Illinois]arose&forthreehoursspokeinsupportoftheBureau&ina
masterlymannershowedthatthePresident,accordingtohisownargument,wasin
thewrong—thatifhisdoctrinesweretrue,hewasnothimselfconstitutionallythe
PresidentofTheUnitedStates—thattheBillwasconstitutional—thatitwasa
savingofgreatexpensetotheGov’tinsteadofaburdenedthatitwasanecessityin
thepresentbelligerentandhostileconditionofthecountry.
21
At5o’clockheconcluded&thenavotewastakeninwhich30senators
votedinfavorofthebillnotwithstandingtheveto—and18againstandthustheBill
waslostandthePresidenttriumphed.—SixRepublicanSenatorsconsigned
themselvestoeverlastingInfamybytheirfailuretosupportthemeasure—These
wereMr[EdwinD.]Morgan[R-NewYork]—[JamesR.]Doolittle[R-Wisconsin](he
neverdidless)—[James]Dixon[R-Connecticut],[Edgar]Cowan[R-Pennsylvania],
[DanielS.]Norton[R-Minnesota]and[WilliamM.]Stewart[R-Nevada].—Great
excitementwasmanifestedinthegalleries,somuchsothattheyhadtobecleared,
immediatelyafterwhichtheSenateadjourned.—WmLloydGarrisonwas
prominentamongtheaudienceinthecoloredgalleryandIhopethatnowheis
convincedthatthePresidentandCongressarenotentirelytobetrusted&that
thereisstillneedoftheAntiSlaveryorganization.—Amongtheinteresting
episodes—whileTrumbullwasspeakinghewasinterruptedbyCowanofPenn,
withthequestionof“WhatcoursewouldyoupursuetowardRebelswhohadlaid
downtheirarms?”“Hangthem,iftheywereTraitors”respondedTrumbull.—This
broughtdownthegalleries&foramomenttherewasgreatenthusiasm&Joy.—
Thiswillcastagloomoverthecountryequalifnotworsethanthatwhichfollowed
thefallofSumpter—&isthefirstblowoftheconflictthathasbeensooften
predictedistoagaincomeinthiscountrybetweenthearmedforcesofJusticeand
Error.—
Wednesday,February21st1866
22
WentuptotheSenateChamberthismorningbutfoundacopperhead
Senatorreadingadull&boringspeechinfavorofThePresident’sveto.—The
LegislaturesofthedifferentstatesarepassingResolutionsinsupportoftheRadical
membersofCongress&condemningthePresident’sveto.Republicanpapersall
overthecountryarefollowingthesamecourse—aUniversalcryofcondemnationof
MrJohnsoncomesthisfarfromtheRepublicanpartyallovertheland—whilstthe
copperheadpress&party—arerising&sustaininghisaction—sothewarhas
fairlybegun.—
ThiseveningMr&Mrs[GilesB.]Stebbins,MrsFrancisD[ana]Gage,Miss
ClaraBarton,&Mr[EberB.]WardofDetroit,cameup&spenttheeveningwithus.
—Theyareallnotablesintheirway,anditwasaveryinterestingoccasion.—After
aninterestingconversation,mydarlingwasentrancedand[Theodore]Parkercame
andgaveusanhourofhiswonderfulprophecyandpredictions.—Hesaid—
Thestruggleissurelycoming&youmaypreparefortheworst.Therewillbe
difficultybetweenThePresident&Congress&‘erelongwarwillexist.Sen[Jacob
M.]H[oward,R-Michigan]—WillthePresidentvetotheFreedmen'sBureauBill?
Ans—HewishesathearttodosobutisnotsustainedbyallhisCabinet—wedonot
thinkhewilldaretogobeforethecountryagainstthatmeasure—stillifhethinkshe
candosowith[impunity?],hewill.Buthecaneffectuallynullifyitinthe
appointments&atpresenthedesirestoactdiscreetly.—SenH—IsMrLincoln
here?&canhetellanythingaboutaconversationhehadwithMr[JohnBrown]
BaldwinofVa,Apr3rd‘61?—SenatorHowardthenrelatedthetestimonyofBaldwin
&othersuponthatsubject.—Ans—Yesheisherestandingbyyourside&hishand
23
isonyourshoulder.Herememberstheconversationwell&says“Senator,Inever
offeredabribetoTreason.IdidsaytoMrBaldwinthatifhewouldgotoRichmond
&causetheconventionthereassembledtogohome,Iwouldnotsendsupplies&
ammunitionorprovisionsofanykindtoFortSumpteruntilitwasabsolutely
necessary,eventothepointofstarvation.Iwoulddothistoavoidanyirritationto
thepeopleofthesouth—butInevercouldwithdrawthegarrisonseitherfromFort
SumpterorPickens.”SenH.—ThisistheanswerofMrLincoln?Ans—Yes,and‘tis
thetruth.Heassuresyouthatyoumayrelyonitscorrectness.—(Theconversation
thenturnedonForeignaffairs)SenH—IsthereanydangerofawarwithFrance?
Ans—nottheleast.—TheSecretaryofStateistoowilyforthat.Heapprovesofthe
existingstateofaffairs.—SenH.—IstheInfluenceinformedwhetherMrSeward
evergaveanyspecialpledgesorsentanyprivatemessengerstoEuropeinthe
beginningofourwar&pendingtheoccupationofMexico?—Ans—Weareaware
thathedidmakesuchpledgesofneutralityaswouldjustifytheoccupationof
MexicobytheFrenchandwethinkhesenttwomessengerswhosenameswewill
ascertain&reveal.—Thecountryhasbeenbetrayedbythissubtle&unprincipled
Demagogue&thetestimonywillyetberevealedtoproveit—wewillascertainthe
facts&thenmakethemknowntoyou.
Aftersomefurtherconversationofapersonalcharacterreferringtothe
dangeroftheSenatorbecauseofhisinquiresconcerningJeffersonDavis,&a
statementthathewaswiseinchanginghisrooms&warninghimthatsuchofthe
President’splans,hislifethatofothersenatorswhowereRadical&membersare
threatened—&theinfluenceleft.
24
ShanniesaidinthepresenceofSenatorHowardandaladyfriend,thatithad
beenascertainedthatoneofthemessengerswhomMrSewardspeciallydeputised
tocarryoutnegotiationsofneutralitywas“themanwithabigcross,”meaningArch
Bishop[John]Hughes.ThathehadampleinstructionstotreatwiththeEmperorof
theFrench&thePope—thattheothernameswouldberevealedonThursday
eveningFeb22nd-TheinfluencerepeatedthesubstanceofMrLincoln’s
conversationwithMrBaldwin,&whenaskedifherememberedhavingany
conversationwithMr[John]BottsofVirginiaafewdaysafterthesaidApril3rd1861,
herepliedyes,&thathetoldMrBottsinsubstancewhathehadsaidtoMrBaldwin.
SenH.—HowlongaftertheinterviewwithBaldwindidyouseeBotts?Ans—
abouttwodays—no,itmusthavebeenlonger—itwasaweeknearly,forthe
vesselshadalreadysailed,whichweretoprovisionFortSumpter&Icouldnotthen
makeBottsthesameofferthatIdidMrBaldwin,thoughItoldhimwhatIhadsaid
tothelatter.—SenH.—DidMrLincolnkeepanyrecordofthoseconversations?
Ans—Yes,hesays.Itisinmypocketmemorandum—Iwroteitmyself.—Itmustbe
amongmypapersathomewithmywife—writeherforthememorandumofthat
date—Iamsureitisthere,writeher.—Theinfluencethenproceededtostatethat
theprivatemessengerswhomMrSewardsenttoEuropeasspecialDiplomatswere
ArchBishopHughes,ThurlowWeed,andlaterGen’lGeorgeB.McClellan.Thatto
thesepersonshegaveprivateparticularinstructions...&thatthefirstconveyedthe
messagetotheEmperoroftheFrench&PopeofRome—“Ifyouwillremainneutral
wewillnotopposeanyschemesyoumay
25
SenH.—DidanyofthesepartiescarrywrittendispatchestotheFrench
ministerorothersinpowerorauthority?Ans—ArchBishopHugheshadwritten&
verbalInstructionsbuttheyareinaccessibleandassafeinthearchivesofthe
RomanChurchastho’theywereburiedbeneaththePyramidsofEgypt.—Heisthe
onlyonewhomMrSewarddaredtoentrustwithwrittendispatches—norwere
thesetotheminister,buttoTheEmperor&Popeinperson.—Totheothershe
gaveaCarteBlanchesayingsimply,Iwillberesponsibleforthefulfillmentofthe
promisesandnegotiationsmadebythesegentlemen.Hepromisedneutralityand
gaveinstructionsthatthisgovernmentwouldnotobjecttotheestablishmentofa
RomanCatholicMonarchinMexico.Ofcoursetheseprivatenegotiationswould
neverberevealedexceptincaseofwar.—Butwoeuntothemanwhohasthus
betrayedthetrustofthisnation.SenH.—DoesGen’lMcClellanhold
correspondencewiththePopeatthepresenttime?Ans—Hehaslatelybeenin
Rome&isnowinactivecommunicationwiththePapalPower.—Thestronghold
whichthatpowerhasgainedinMexicoleadsthemtohopeforanincreaseof
influenceinthesestates,andMrSeward’sloveofIntriguewouldprompthimto
favortheestablishmentofsuchagovernmenthere.Theinfluencethenproceeded
towarnthesenatorthatthePresidentcontemplated&wouldattempthigh-handed
measuresagainsttheloyalmajoritiesinCongressiftheypersistedinrefusingseats
tosouthernmembers—thattosecuretheadmissionofthesesouthernstates,
especiallyTennessee,washispetidea&hewouldnothesitatetoadoptany
measurestoitsfulfillment.—HopingtobesustainedbytheDemocratsofthenorth
&southernsympathizersallovertheland—thathispolicywastovetoevery
26
measureintendedfortheameliorationoftheFreedman’scondition¬accept
anyactionofCongresscoveringthestatesinRebellion.—Thathewouldas
CommanderinChiefofthearmydeclareCongressoritsRadicalmembersin
Insurrection&attemptbyforceofarmstodrivethemfromthecouncilsofthe
nation.Thatwar,bitter&relentless,wascominginwhichthefreenorth&its
Congress&thefreecoloredpeopleofthesouthwillbeononeside&the
governmentofAndrewJohnson—thesoutherntraitors,northernDemocrats,
Fenians&theCatholicchurchontheother,butFreedomshallatlastprevail.
QuesbyMrBacon—isGen’lGranttruetothenorth?Ans—Heis,ofthiswe
aresure,notwithstandinghisDemocraticantecedents.Hisheartisrightand
furthermoreadivisioniscomingbetweenhim&theExecutive,whichwillthrow
himintothearmsofthenorthandhewillespouseitscause.—SenH—Whatof
Sherman?Ans—Hewillbeonthesideofthesouthandwillbeoneoftheleadersof
theGov’tagainsttheFreedmenQues.byColD[aniels]—AreyousureGrantwillbe
allright?Ans—Yes,wearesure—alreadythereissomedifficultybetweenhim&
ThePresident,hecannotremainlonger.Bearinmindallwehavesaid&be
preparedfortheworstasthesearenoimaginationdreamsbutstemrealities.Ques.
byCol.D—IstheInfluencestillcertainthatthePresidentwillattempttocontrol
Congressbyforceofcrisis?Ans—wearecertainthatishispurpose,unlessCongress
checkmateshimbyanImpeachmentwhichwefeartheycannotdo,astheSenateis
notstrongenough.IftheRadicalspersist(whichtheywill)inkeepingoutthe
southernmembers.ThePresidentactingundertheadviceofsouthernRebels&
northernDemocrats,willattemptwhatwehavepredicted&wethinkitwilloccur
27
withinthreemonths.Suchishispresentdesign—Butwemustclosefortonight
commendingwhatwehavesaidtoyourwisdom&judgment.
Thursday,February22nd1866
ThefuneralorationofThelateHenryWinterDavisisbeingpronouncedto
dayintheHouseofRepresentativesbyTheHon.J[ohn]A.J.Creswell,theSenator
fromMaryland,andallthecelebritiesofthenationaresupposedtobepresent—
thatisalltheloyalelement,asthecopperheadsareholdingagrandpow-wowat
Grover’sTheatre&inthestreetsnearthesame.Jubilatingovertheaccessionto
theirranksandtheinfamousTylerismofAndyJohnson.—
AdjourningfromtheTheatre,themotleycrewofsecesh—copperheads,
ConservativeRecreantRepublicans,andallthehotchpotchthatgotomakeupthe
untempered&unwashedDemocracy—wentuptoTheWhiteHouse.Aftera
considerableamountofnoisetheysucceedinbringingoutthePresident,andhe
makesaspeechpraising&endorsingthedemocraticproslaveryResolutionthat
theybringhim,claimingthattheRadicalpartyareRevolutionary.—ThatCharles
Sumner,Stevens,&WendellPhillipsaretheotherendoftheline,thattheyareas
treasonableaswere[Jefferson]Davis,[John]Slidell&[Robert]Toombs,&thatthey
must&shouldbesuppressed.—Thatthesouthernstatesweretodayintheunion
&thattheirRepresentativesmustbeadmittedtoCongress&c&c—allsenseless
andvapidastheharangueofadrunkenfool—anditisnotbyanymeanscertain
thatsuchwasnothisphysical&mentalconditionatthattime.—Thecrowdhelloed
andcheeredtotheirheartscontent,satisfiedthattheynowhadMrJohnsoninfull
democraticcommunion&thatinhisaccessiontotheirranks,theconfederacyhad
28
accomplishedbyTylerised,Recreancy&Treasonwhatitcouldnotdoinafouryears
ofbloodywarfare,andthattheSouthwasindeedtriumphant,asWendellPhillips
hassotrulyproclaimed.—
Ontheotherhand,MrCreswell’sorationwasasplendideffortandbecoming
thesuccessorinRadicalprinciplesthathetrulyisofthelamentedDavis—atone
endtheavenueloyaltyandPatriotism—attheotherTreason,Treacheryand
Infamy.—SenatorHowardcamethiseveningandafterapleasantvisitmydarling
wascontrolledby[Theodore]Parker,andthefollowingwasgiven—.
Friday&Saturday,February23rd&24th1866
[Cora]ThiseveningwassetapartbyMr[GeorgeA.]Bacon&ourselvesto
addresstheColoredpeopleofthiscityinoneoftheirchurches(theAsburyM.E.)
&ithasprovedanoccasionofthedeepestinteresttoallwhowerepresent.The
churchwascrowdedineverypart&doubtlessmanywereunabletogain
admittance.MrBaconwasfirstintroduced&spokeconcerningthe"present
conditionsoftheSouth”prefacinghisremarksbyabeautifulpersonal
explanationoftheFraternitybetweenhimself&thecoloredraceavowinghis
determinationtocontinuehislaborsintheirbehalf.Hecontinuedbyreading
carefullyselectedparagraphsgleanedfromtheleadingJournalsoftheday,
showingthehostilityoftheSouthernpeopletowardsthenegroes,interspersing
&closinghisaddresswithnoblewordsinbehalfofFreedom.
Mydarlinghusbandnext&addressedthemonthe“Rights,Qualifications
&NecessitiesoftheColor’dFreemenofAmerica”relatinghispersonal
experienceamongthemasacitizen&soldier-declaringthattheirRightswere
29
thesameasourown&theirqualificationsequal,orcapableofbecomingso
thro’afullpossessionoftheirRights.–[He]depictedinglowingtermsand
wordsofpraisetheheroismofhisregiment(colored)uponthebattlefield&
recitedmanyhorribleinstancesofatrocitieswhichhavebeen&arebeingdaily
committedupontheseunfortunatepeoplebytheReconstructedTraitors&slave
holdersinthesouth.EnteredhisindignantprotestagainstanyGovernment...
thatwouldpermitsuchthingstoexist&finallyclosedbyagrandallusiontothe
strugglewhichiscominginwhichtheColor’drace&theFriendsofFreedomwill
bearray’dononeside,andapervertedGovernment-ledbyafalse&perjured
Executiveontheother-declaringthattheoppressed&downtroddenchildren
ofAfricawouldbecomethesavioursofournation&itsLiberties!Hisremarks
wererec’dwithgreatfavorandapplausebytheaudiencemostofwhomwere
colored.
[Nathan]Thenmybeloved,mytruehearteddarlingwife,addressedthe
audienceandinwordsoflivingfirerenouncedthepolicyoftheAdministration,
condemningMrJohnsonandallwholikehimsacrificeprincipletopolicy.[She]said
thatthefactsofthehorribleconditionoftheirracehadbeenportrayedtothemby
theprecedingspeakersandthatnowtheyshouldmakesuchevidencetheinspiring
AngelwhoshouldleadthemoutoftheirpresentconditiontooneofLiberty&
Freedom.ThattheAdministrationhadalreadybeganthewar“ofraces”andthat
whentheopposingforcesfoundthattheywereequallybalanced,intheend,each
blackmanwouldbesoughtandhisstrongarmrequiredtoagainsavethenation
fromdestruction.—Thenwillbeginawar—asMrJohnsonhadpredictedawar
30
inauguratedbyhisownhand,andoneinwhichFreedom&Justicewillsurely
triumph,drivingthisapostate“Moses”ofthecoloredracewhohasprovedtheir
“Pharoah”intotheRedSeaofhisownInfamy,whilethehandofHeavenpartsthe
wavesfortheoppressed&downtroddentopassthrough.—Thenshallwefindthe
Savioursofourcountryanditscherishedlibertiesintheheretoforeenslaved
millionsofthesouth&thenwilltheyJoinhandswiththeirnobledefenders&strike
thedeathblowtotreason&slavery.MuchmorewassaidthatIhavenotroomfor
here—andtheapplausewascontinuousanddeafening.
[Cora]Atthecloseoftheabovenamedaddress,someonearoseinthe
audience&announcedthepresenceofRobertPurvis,esqofPhila,oneofthe
championsofFreedomforhisraceandamostintelligent,accomplished&
eloquentspeaker.Hewascalledforbytheaudience&inspiredbythe
enthusiasmalreadyexisting,hespokeintermsofrarepraiseofthewordshe
hadlistenedtoandborethewholeassemblageonthehighwaveofHuman
Freedomwhichwassurgingaroundus.Hespokebrieflybuttothepoint.
ReferringtotheExecutivehesaidthathewasnotthe“Moses”oftheirrace.
Theyrefusedtoaccepthimassuch.HehadneverbelievedinAndrewJohnson’s
Fidelitytotheircause.He(Johnson)hadsimplyLied!Hethencomparedthe
turningoftherodintoaserpentinancientdayswiththepresenttimebutsaid
therodwhichAndrewJohnsonheldhadbeenturnedbySatanintoaSerpentof
the“Copperhead”species!Heurgedthemtoformanorganizationof“Black
Fenians”toarm,drill&prepareforthefight--andtobeinspiredbythesame
spiritwhichisexpressedintheMarseillesHymn,“LibertyorDeath.”Thehearts
31
ofthevastconcourseechoedhiswordsasdidtheirvoices-LibertyorDeath!He
closedamidatumultofapplauseandafteravoteofthanks,themeetingclosed
amidtheeverinspiringstrainsof“JohnBrown”&thecheersofthepeoplewho
nowknowthemeaning&havetastedsomeofthefruitsofFreedom&are
determinedtoobtainitordie!-
[Nathan]WrotelettertoAntiSlaveryStandarddescriptionofthescenein
theSenateuponthedayoftheveto&alsoonetoNewOrleansTribuneonsame
subject.—
Sunday,February25th1866
[Nathan]ThePressandPeoplealloverthenorthcondemnMrJohnsonin
mostdecidedterms&recognizehimnowasonanEqualitywith[Jefferson]Davis&
hishordeinInfamyandTreason.MrSeward,theMephistophelesofthe
Administration,wenttoNewYorknightbeforelasttomarshallandengineerthe
greatmassmeetingthatwasgottogethertosupporttheAdministration.—Loand
beholdtheassemblagewascomposedofthatclassknownasshoulderhitters—
business—&thekindofmaterialthatusuallygoestomakeupNewYork
Democraticmeetings.—TheRepublicanPartydidnotandwouldnotsustainit,and
foronceMrSewardfoundhimselfamonghiskind—onthesameplatformwiththe
unwashedandtheuntempereddemocracy.—Theoccasionwaspronounceda
failureandMrSewardcamebacktoWashingtonawiserifnotabetterman.—
HenryWardBeecher,howevergoesthewholefigure,hasbeenboughtupbySeward
—andswallowsAndyJohnson,Reconstruction,Treason,andall—Godsavehimfor
theAmericanpeopleorhisprinciplesneverwill.—
32
WewereinviteddowntoMr[Giles]StebbinslastnighttomeetWmLloyd
Garrison&othercelebritiesbutcouldnotgoonaccountoftheinclemencyofthe
weather.—GarrisonlecturedhereFridaynightandsomewhatchangedhistuneof
“Libertyvictorious”ashepitchedunceremoniouslyintothePresident—sustained
Congress—andotherwiseshowedhimselftobetheGarrisonofhispalmydays.
MydarlingwifeaddressedtheSpiritualistsofWashingtonthismorningupon
“Children’sRights,”apleafortherisinggeneration.Theaudiencewaslargeand
intelligentandthelectureveryinteresting.Shebeganbyshowingtheimperfections
ofthepresentsystemofeducationwherethechildissubjectedtothelawofforce,
havinghislessonsdrilledintohisheadinsteadofitsbeingmadeasourceof
pleasureandentertainment,whereinthemasterorparentsendsthechildtoschool
moreforthepurposeofriddingthemofthetroubleofhispresence.Subjectsthem
tothecareofirresponsibleignorant&immoralnursesandguardians,forcedthem
todopenancebysittingsixhoursoutofthetwentyfouronahardbench,drilling
awayatmustyandunintelligiblelessons—placedthelittlebudsinahothouse&by
theforcingsystemtomakethembrightandshinylights—subjectedthemto
restraint,curbing&imprisonment,notgivingtheirlittlebodiesormindsan
opportunityofproperexpansion—crushingbacktheirmentalandphysicalsystems
onthepleathatchildrenshouldnotbetooforward,andinfactdoingJustwhatthey
shouldnotdoiftheywish,healthy,intelligentandbeautifulchildren.Shethen
sketchedineloquentlanguagethemodeofeducationthatwasbestadaptedtotheir
materialandspiritualwelfare,citingthemethodofobjectteachingasanexcellent
one,forinstanceachairistaken,thekindofwoodofwhichitismade,itsuses,the
33
place&soilwhereverthewoodgrows,themachinerybywhichitismade&c&c—
allinterestingtothechild,instructinghimthoroughlyandatthesametime
affordinghimamusementandnotmeanness.Thenagainselectyourteachersfrom
thosewholovechildren—&awoman“asitissupposedtheyhavemoretime&can
behiredathalfprice,”onewhoisspirituallyendowedandwhowilltakethe
childrenonasummer’sdayintotheforest&alongthebrookdiscoveringuponthe
beautyandteachingsofnature,takingtheflowers,thesunnybrook,theelms&
pebbles,thetrees,birds&allnatureforhertext—andthusbythesimpleyet
beautifulmethodofobjectteaching.Instructthoroughlyandwithoutfatigueinone
day,whatinthemodernmanneritwouldtakesixmonthstoaccomplish.—She
thenclosedbyabeautifuldescriptionofthechildrenintheangelworld,their
teachingsandtheirbrightabode.—Theaudienceweredeeplyinterestedand
sympathizedfullywiththespeaker.—AmongthesameInoticedMrsFrancesD.
Gage,wholecturestomorrownightatSeatonHallupon“LifeonTheSeaIslandsand
EmancipatedLabor”—shepresenteduswithcomplimentarytickets,soIsuppose
wemustgo.—
[Cora]WhiletakingalittlereposethisP,Ihadamostsingular
dreamorvision,whichmadesuchanimpressiononmymindthatIrecord
ithere.Itseemedthatmyhusbandwaswithmeinsomeruralplace,a
countrytown,wherewehadbeenvisitingtheirschools&addressingthem.
Asweweregoingtoourplaceofabodeinthetwilighthour,Iglanced
towardtheeast&sawabrightlighttracetheoutlinesofaform.Itwasan
oldmanleaninguponastaff.Slowlythefiguredescended&passedfrom
34
oursight.Iaskedwhatcanitmean,mycompanionsaid,‘Tisasign,andthe
nextonewillshowwhetherwearetohavepeaceorwar.
WewatchedtheplaceintheHeavenswheretheSignappeared&soon
perceivedaSecondlight.Itcameasdidthefirst,bright&larger,untilwecould
distinctlyseethefigure.ItwasanArcherlikeoneofthesignsoftheZodiac,with
thebodyofaHorse&thehead&shouldersofaman.Thefigureheldabow&
arrowdrawnforafight.“Thismeanswar”saidmyhusband.Thefiguredidnot
disappearasdidthefirstbutremaineduntilIwoke.Thismaybeamusedream,
butIfeelthatithassomebearingontheunfortunatestateofourCountry.-We
shallwatchforthesign.
[Nathan]Mrs[ElizaWoodson]Farnhamcamethiseveningandinfluenced
mydarlingandgaveheradmirableLectureupon“Woman.”TheHousewasfulland
theaddressgavegreatsatisfaction.—
Monday,February26th1866
[Cora]ThismorningShanniecame&wrotealongtimereproducingthe
conversationbetween[Theodore]Parker&Sen.Howard,alsogivingthe
“Singingwords”inwhichtheSenatorrec’dhisSpiritualname.Itwas“Rockof
Truth”whichwethinkmostappropriate.
[Nathan]WentuptotheSenateChamberandsawSenatorHoward,gave
himtheminutesof[Theodore]Parker’scommunicationandShannie’sPoem.Then
wentupintotheGentlemen’sgallerywhereIfoundaman—aonearmedspecimen
ofassassinansweringthedescriptionoftheonethatwasrepresentedbyParkeras
35
doggingSenatorHoward.—IimmediatelynotifiedHoward&weputadetectiveon
histrack.
IthenwentovertotheHousewhereIsawBeauman[ofMich.]andgavehim
ticketforthelectureforthemembers.—MetGen’l[NathanielPrentice]Banks&in
conversationwithhimhesaidthatincaseitcametoaconflictofarms,thearmy
wouldnotbewithWendellPhillips.Irepliedithadbetterbewithhimthanthe
President.Heansweredthathethoughtitwouldbewithneither—thatallmilitary
historywenttoshowthatthearmywasalwaysforthearmyandthatsuchwouldbe
thecaseinthecomingconflict.LearnedfromMr.MerchantthathehadputSenator
[Henry]Wilson’s[R-Massachusetts]brother,whoisaspecialdetective,onthetrack
ofthemiscreantwhohavebeenpointedouttousasthewouldbeassassinof
SenatorHoward,sothatweshallnowseewhatwillbecomeofit.—
[Cora]ThiseveningweattendedalecturedeliveredbyMrs.FrancesD.
Gage,oneoftheoldest&ablestworkersinthefieldofReform,aneloquent&
earnestspeaker,atalentedwriterandathoroughlaborerinbehalfof
Humanity.-HersubjectwasherexperienceontheSouthSeaIslandswherein
theyear‘63theexperimentofFreeLaborwastriedamongthenegroes&onthe
plantationsabandonedbytheRebels&capturedbyourforces.-Thesubjectwas
prolificofinterestandshemadeeverypointavailable.Gaveabeautifultribute
toGen’l[Rufus]Saxtonwhocommandedtheforcesatthattimeandinthat
Department.Gaveminutedetailsofthecondition&abilitiesofthelowestclass
ofplantationslaves,andgaveotherofherexperiences&travelsinconnection
withthesubjectofEmancipation&closedwithamostgloriousperorationon
36
Liberty.Itwasaveryperfectlecture&theage,earnestnessandthetrue
humanityofthespeakerrenderedherutterancesmostimpressive.Weboth
enjoyeditmuchandwouldnothavemisseditfortheworld.Theaudiencewas
large&appreciative-membersofcongress&manynotedpersonswerepresent.
Wenoticedspeaker[Schuyler]Colfax,Mr.Julian(MrC),FatherPierpont,Clara
Barton&othersontheRostrum.RobertPurviswasintheaudience-allwere
delighted&sheheldthemfortwohours.
‘Tisglorioustofindthatthosenoblewomenwhohavetoiledsolongin
behalfoftheSoutharenowreceivingtherewardoftheirlabors&insteadof
sneers&jibesandsocialostracism.[They]arenowsoughtafterbytheproudest
intheland,whobringlaurelstolayattheirfeet-whilethousandswhomtheir
effortshavedisenthralledsingtheirpraises!SuchaoneisFrancesD.Gage.
Tuesday,February27th1866
[Cora]ThismorningIwasinfluencedbythatmostpowerfulcontrolwho
Shannietellsusis[William]Wilberforce-certainly‘tisamostabsorbing&
overpoweringinfluence.-Hecametotellmydarlingsomethingwhichhewill
writehere-
[Nathan]Thattherewasaplanafootamongcertainrowdyandsecesh
charactersinthecitytocreateadisturbancethiseveningattheLecture,butthat
theywoulddiscoverwhentherethattheaudiencewouldnotpermitany
interferences&thatconsequentlytherewouldinallprobabilitybenodifficulty,but
thatitwouldbewellenoughtobepreparedforanyemergency.—Thatthe
dispositionofthepeoplewasagainstus&thatiftheydared,theywouldsoonputus
37
outoftheway.—Thathehadmuchtotalkwiththembutdidnotsupposehewould
gettheopportunity.
[Cora]Shannieafterwardswrotesome“Singing”wordsforMrsWhelpley
&MrKnoxgivingtheirSpiritualnames-thatofMrs.Wwas“MeadowLark”and
MrKnoxwasnamed"CaveofSilence."Hadweroomheretheywouldbe
transcribedbuttheywillperhapsbepublishedandplacedintheScrapbook,to
whichoftentimesweshallrefer.
[Nathan]MydarlingwasinfluencedthiseveningbythespiritofTheodore
Parker,whohadpreviouslyannouncedthathewoulddeliveralectureuponthe
Apostate—andaddressedalargeintelligentandappreciativeaudience.Previous,
however,tothelecture,theMozartband,allcolored,favoreduswithabeautiful
chant,“AbouBenAdim,”whichtheyrenderedinaveryeffectiveandenchanting
style.ThenParkercameandbeganwiththerelationofhisgoingtoEurope,his
experiencewhilstthere.Hethenmostbeautifullypicturedthebirthandlifeof
“MosesRemoses”andhisfinallyleadingtheIsraelitesoutofEgypt,relatingthat
MoseswasintruththesonofthedaughterofPharaoh&thatthetaleofthenurse
beinghismother,wasanEgyptianstoryforthepurposeofconcealingtheshameof
theRoyalHouse&thatMoseswasindeedthedescendentofPharaoh&therefore
entitledtojustsomuchmorecreditforhisnobility&goodnessofcharacter.Hethen
tookupAndrewJohnson,tracedhislifeupfromhisbirthinNorthCarolinatothe
present,statingthathehadallthenarrowprejudice&bigotry&hatredofthenegro
thatcharacterizesthepoorwhiteofthesouth&thattheywerejustasmuchin
existencetodayaswhenheroamedapoorboythevalesofTennessee—andhe
38
cametohislifeinTennesseewhenhepromisedtobetheMosesoftheNegroes—
andmostbeautifully[]thequestionofapostacybyclaimingthatatthisperiod,and
wastheapostateasheapostatisedfromthemeannessand[]ofhisfirmantecedent
&education—thatinasmuchashepromisedandperformedfortheNegrorace,just
somuchdidheapostacisefromhispast[]andlife.Hethenshowedthepenalties
thatintheCatholicChurchattendedapostasy—andmadetheapplicationtothe
President’scase.HethentookupThePresident’slateaction&speechquotingthe
Insurrectionarypartwhichproclaims[Charles]Sumner,[Wendell]Phillips&
[Thaddeus]StevensTraitors&saidthatSumnerwastheBugleCalleroffreedom,
StevenstheoldwarhorseofLiberty,andPhillipsthegoldenEaglewhosepinions
hadneverbeentouched.HealsosaidthattheEpitaphofJohnsonshouldbeas
follows,uponablackmonumentinlettersofRed,thedeclarationthathehadmade
tofreedom,&theninwordsoflivinglight,hisfakepromises&[]speeches,&then
thewhole[]in[].
Wednesday,February28th1866
[Cora]WrotethismorningtotheRichmondsinans.toaletterrec’da
monthago.Mydarlingwasalsowriting.JusthadtogooutearlytoseeMr.
Stebbinsaboutthehallinwhichtorepeatthelectureoflastnighttomorrow
evening.IdressedmyselfandwenttocallonMrs.Stebbinswheremyhusband
metme.Ihadadelightfulcallandfindatrue&sincerefriendinMrs.S.—We
attendedintheSenatetoday&heardaportionofaveryablespeechbySenator
NyeofNevada.Itisoneofthebestspeechesofthesession.WentfromtheCapitol
todine&spenttheeveningwithJuliusandNellie.Thebabyisflourishingfinely.
39
Wehadaverycozytimeandwefeltverymuchpleasedwithourvisit.Wemuch
wishthattheyhadroomforusthere,asweenjoytheirsocietymorethan
anyoneinthecity.
[Nathan]Lastnight[Theodore]Parker,throughmydarling,againpredicted
thatwewereontheeveofamostterriblewarandthatbutafewdayswouldelapse
‘erethePresidentproclaimedthesouthernstatesintheUnionandforcedatthe
pointofthebayonetthesouthernRepresentativesintoCongress.—Thenwould
comebloodywarandfinallyheclosedwithagrandthrillingandmagnificent
descriptionofwhatwassooncomingandclosedwithagloriousperorationcalling
forthfromtheaudiencerepeateddemonstrationsofapplause.—Attheconclusion
somegentlemanintheaudiencearose&aftermovingavoteofthankstothe
speaker,requestedthatthelecturemightberepeatedandasChairmanIputittoa
vote—itwasunanimouslycarried—andsonextThursdaynightaweekwas
announcedforitsRepetition.InoticedamongtheaudienceSenatorHoward,Gen’l
Banks&manyothernotedpersonages.—TheLecturewasindeedasuccessand
carriedtheaudiencecompletelywiththespeaker.Nodemonstrationsof
disturbanceweremadeaswehadbeenwarnedtherewouldbe—buttheelement
wasoutsidetheHall&onlykeptbackthroughfearofthelargerespectableaudience
thattheyfoundassembled.—Congratulationsfollowedmydarlingatthecloseand
allcameawaysatisfiedwiththeresultsoftheevening.
ToMrs.Whelply
[]hisnestinvernalmeadows,
Thro’themorningmists&shadows
40
Hiddenfromthenight—
Upwardtowardthesunlightspringing
Soaring—diving—sweetlysinging
Inthemorninglight.
Sofromeverymistofsadness
Fromtheearthwithswiftestgladness
Doththespiritsoar.
Flashingwingsofgoldenbrightness
Andwithheartofjoyouslightness
Singingevermore.
Andthysilentthoroughlyonehidden
Tillby[]bidden
Towardthesame.
Andtotheethisthoughtisgiven,
PartofEarthandpartofheaven.
MeadowLark’sthyname.
Shenandoah.
TheabovepoemwasgivenbyShannielastDecemberatalittlesociablehere,but
notreproduceduntilthis[].
41
Thursday,Marchlst1866
[Nathan]Carrie&Major[George]Chorpenningcametoday.TheMadamis
verycordial&hasforgottenIsupposethatwhensheleftWashingtonayearago,she
wasnotonthebestofthetermswiththewriter—buthermemoryisshort&
treacherousandonthewholeIdon'tknowbutthatitisa[]toforgetinsuchcases.
—Itwouldbeinsomepersons,thosewhomweknowtobesincere,buther
steadfastnessislikethatofthewind—liabletoveeratanymoment.
ThefollowingbeautifullittlepoemcamethroughCoraandbyShannytoMr
Kure—
“CaveofSilence”
Intheforestwild&hoary
Whenthewindsrepeattheirstory
AnddeepSolitudeitsglory,
Evermanproclaims—
Whenthesparkling[]rushes
Andthepearlyfountaingushes,
Andtheechoeverhushes
E’enthewood-nymphs’names
Soarockycaverevealeth
Splendorswhichnosunbeam[]teth
Andwhicheveryfairyfeeleth
42
Inhercharmedhome—
Oftenthusfromeyesofmortals
Inthegrand&shiningportals
HiddenbythegreatImmortals
Tillthehourdothcome.
Allthynoblestthoughtsconcealing
Tillthro’loveorwoesrevealing
Thoushalteverfind
Thatthetruestraresttreasures
Aretheoneswhichvirtuemeasures
InSilentCavesofMind.
Shenandoah.
Alittleincidentoccurredtonightwhichillustrateshumannaturemost
excellentlywell.—LastweekmydarlingfanciedthatMrsMatthews,[Schuyler]
Colfax'smother-in-law,atthereceptiondidnotgreetherwiththatwarmththatshe
shouldhavedone,orthatshe,bynottakingherhomewhenwecameaway,slighted
heronaccountofherconnectionwithSpiritualism.—Accordinglythismorningshe
paidherbackinherowncoin&thattoomostadmirably,astheladyhavingbeento
thelecturetheothernight&hearingthatSpiritualistshadbrains&cproceededto
bemostpolite,butCoracouldnotseeitinthatlight&wasrepeatedly[]andstately.
43
[Cora]Attended,aftermuchindecisiononthesubject,thereceptionof
SpeakerColfax.Webothpreferthequietofourownhome,butatlastdecidedto
go.SawMr&MrsStebbins,MrJulian,andseveralotherswhomweknew.Gen'I
Banksgreetedmyhusbandverycordially,tho’theyarebynomeansfavorites
withoneanother.WeboththinkBanksa“policy”man.Hewasintroducedbymy
husband&madesomeflatteringallusionstothelectureofTuesdayevening,to
whichImadeanotherreplythenabow,&andaftersometriflingconversation
hewalkedaway.Weremainedabouthalfanhourthenleftuntilthethorough
convictionthatReceptionsareanuisance—merecoldlifelessformalities—
whichistrue!
Friday,March2nd1866
[Nathan]Gen’lBankswasparticularlypolitetobothofuslastevening.I
imaginethatheisseekingtomakeupforhispastmeanness&tyrannyandwouldbe
[]ofmy[]—asgodknowshehasdonemeinjuryenough—anddidIharbor
vengefulfeelingshewouldbethefirstthatIshouldstrike,ashetriedtodomeall
theinjuryinhispower—butintheenditresultedinmyfavor.—
[Cora]VisitedtheSenate&housetoday.Foundbothunderthecontrolof
theDemocraticsideandveryfewpersonsintheGalleries.-Thereseemstobea
lullinthepoliticalatmosphereevenasthereisintheoutward.Doesthissilence
presageastorm?Surelyitdoesinapoliticalsense,andwhilespringisunfolding
herbuds&leavestothewarmsunshine&bakingair,tempest&stormsofwar
willrollaroundus-anominousbroodingspiritisnear-onethatbreathesof
wartothenation.—
44
AfterdinnerwecalledatNellie’s&askedthemtoaccompanyustothe
Senatewherewesupposedtherewouldbeaneveningsession.-Wearrivedat
about8o’clock&foundtheSenatehadadjournedatseven,havingremainedin
sessionuntilthattime&finallypassedtheconcurrentresolutionthatnoneof
theSouthernstatesshallbeadmitteduntilcongressdeclaresthementitledto
admission.Theopposition(Dem)triedtopreventavote,buttheRepublicans
wereboundtopassitiftheysatallnight.-Thevotewasayes28,nays19.We
wereinformedofthisbythekeeperintheCap.
CalledonMrsStebbinsbutdidnotfindherin.MrsMerchant,however,
invitedustoherroomwherewepassedanhourinmostpleasantconversation.
SenatorHowardisabsentinconsequenceofthedeathofhiswife.Itwasquite
suddenbutperhapsthereissomethingProvidentialinhisabsencejustnowforI
thinkthedangersaregatheringthick&fastaroundthememberswhoare
called“Radical.”Wemisshimtho’,inCongress&socially.-
Julius&Nelliefoundanoldfriend,Miss[Josephine]Griffin[g]ofthe
Freedmen’sAidSociety,inthehouse&calledonher.-WedidnotseeMr&Mrs
Stebbins,butenjoyedthecallverymuchhopetoseethemallatourroom
tomorrowevening.
[Nathan]TheactionoftheSenatetodayinpassingbyastrongmajoritythe
ConcurrentResolutionacceptsthechallengethatthemiscreantJohnsonhashinted
atCongressandhintsbackinhisfacedefiance.—Tisabravedeedandcompletely
emancipatestheRadicalwingofCongressfromanyfurtherassociationwiththe
Executive.—ThenextstepintheprogrammewillbetheadmissionofTennessee&
45
theCommitteeofReconstructionwillreportprobablyinfavorofadmittingherupon
onlyaloyalbasis,thatis,permittingonlythosewhohavebeenloyaltotakepart
eitherintheelectionsorgovernment,disfranchisingRebels&makingequalbefore
thelawallcitizensblackorwhite.—Thiswillbeanotherpillforcandy,whichit
seemshardlyprobablenow,hewillswallowwithoutsomedemonstrationofthe
clawthatexistsbehindthefearofpower—butletitcome,itisbetterthattheissue
shouldbemetthisdaythananyother—thepeopleareready,theywillsustain
CongressandthatthisInfamousmiscreantwhoshamesthePresidentialchairwill
leave‘erehehasfinishedhiswork.—
Saturday,March3rd1866
[Cora]Mydarling&myselfwrotealonglettertothe[Anti-Slavery]
Standardthismorning-descriptiveofMrsGage’slecture,of“TheFenian”
movement&itsinevitableconnectionwiththedisturbedconditionofthe
country,ofMrSeward’scomplicityandtreacheryinreferencetoMexico,France,
thePope-andthefuturestrugglesofournation,oftheconditionofthepublic
mind-ofCongress,TheArmy,itssympathywiththeExecutive–Gen’lBanks,his
opinionthat“thearmywillfightforitself”-ofthecomingstruggle&thegreat
issuesinvolved-allmakingasomewhatstartlingbuttruthful&interesting
letter.Rec’dabeautifulletterfromMissWoolmanofBurlington,N.J.atwhose
houseweenjoyedsuchrealpleasurewhenwecamefromN.York&Boston.-She
wrotemostsweetlyofourvisit,urgedmenottogiveuptheideaofplayingthe
harp,andshewhoplayssodivinelythinksthatImightbecomeproficient.Ihope
‘tistrue,forofallinstrumentsIlovetheharpthebest.Shewrotemost
46
encouraginglyofourworkinbehalfoftheFreedmen,saidwemustnotbe
discouragedbytheobstacleswhichthepresidenthadplacedintheway,but
mustpressbravelyonforourmissionwasHeavenappointed&mustsucceed!
Sheurgedustovisitthemonourwaynorth,whichweshallsurelytrytodo.—
Sheisasplendidwoman,&Iknowshelovesusbothforsheissincere.
ThiseveningMr&MrsStebbinscame,buttotheir&ourgreat
disappointmentnoonewaswiththem—MissMerchant,Miss[Clara]Barton,&
othersexpectedtocomebutwereprevented.Weinvitedthemtoourroomand
enjoyedaquiet,cozychat,tho’itwassomewhatsadwhenwethoughtofthe
inevitablesorrowswhicharebroodingoverus.-Ofcourseourconversationwas
whollyuponthependingevents,political&social,whicharecoming.-During
theeveningtheywishedustofixuponsomeeveningtovisitthem&tohavetheir
friendstomeetus.-Aftercanvassingthematter,wethoughttomorrowevening
wouldbethebesttimeasweshouldbeoccupiednearlyeveryeveningnextweek
&weexpecttoleaveonFriday.-Itwasdecidedthatwegotomorrownight.-
George&Louise[Bacon],Julius&Nelliearealsoinvited.Theyhopetohave
severalmembersofCongressthere&itwillnodoubtbequiteinteresting.-Mr&
MrsSleftearlyastheywereweary-welikethemverymuch.
[Nathan]Aspiritofconflictisbroodingoverthiscity,whichcoulditbeseen
initstruelight,wouldexcitealarmandhorrorinthemindsofallloyalandfreedom
lovingpeople.—Thecityisfullofruffians—disbandedconfederatesoldiers,who
roamaroundthecityatnight,keepingboundduringtheday,whodogandfollow
ourRadicalCongressmen&allotherswhoarespeciallyantislavery—whothreaten
47
thed—dabolitionists,astheyaretermedhere,withdeath&vauntinglysay—that
“inafewdaystheywillallbecleanedoutofWashington”andwhoarethe
miscreantswhoaredoubtlessbroughtheretodothebloodyworkofthis
government,whenitshalldecidetoattemptthedissolutionofwhatitcallsthe
“scumofCongress”&whoareatbestcutthroats&assassins.—
Sunday,March4th1866
[Cora]Thismorningwhileatthebreakfasttablewerec’dapackagefrom
theStandardcontainingthemanuscriptofapoem-unpublished-&asplendid
letterfromParkerPillsbury[ofTheAnti-SlaveryStandard]-explainingthatthe
literarydeptisnotunderhiscontrol&thattheyneverpublishoriginalpoetry-
alsothattheEditorofthatdepartmentisprejudicedagainstspiritualismand
wouldnotlookwithfavoruponanyproductionemanatingfromthatsource.-
Hepraisedmydarling’sletterstotheStandardveryhighly&said“yourlast
letterwasthebestonesenttoanyoftheN.YorkJournalsontheeventsofthat
week,”also“youseemtocomprehendthesituationbetterthananyoneelseat
leastaccordingtomyviews”T’isglorioustoreceivepraisefromamanso
honest,critical&trueastheEd.oftheStandard!
MetwithJulius&Nelliebyappointmentattheirhouseabouteleveno’c
andwiththebabytookatriptoGeorgetowntovisitMr&Mrs[AlfredandAnnie]
Cridge,friendsoftheirswhomwehavemet&likeverymuch.-Theylivefarup
ontheheightsinanoldfashionedcottagesurroundedbygroundswhichonce
werebeautifulandstillretaintracesofformerloveliness.-MrsCisalovely
woman,possessingahighlygifted&susceptibleorganism.-Sheisthesisterof
48
Prof[William]DentontheeminentGeologistwhohaspublishedthatwonderful
bookentitledthe“SoulofThings”whichcontainsthepsychometricreadingsof
MrsCridgewhileinaClairvoyantstate.-Bothherself&husbandarehighly
intellectual,buthermindisthefinerofthetwo.-Theyhavetwolovelychildren,
aboy&agirl&twointhespiritworld.Theirlittleboy(fiveyearsold)isamost
remarkable&giftedbeing,spontaneousandfreeasthesunshine,holdingdaily
conversewithhislittlespiritBrothers-heinsiststhattheycomeandplaywith
him.-Weallenjoyedtheafternoonverymuchandweregladtothechange.The
dayhasbeenbright&sunnybutaseverewindhasmadeitratherunpleasant,&
towardeveningitwasverycold.-WearrivedhomeaboutsixP.M.&preparedto
gototheroomsofMr&MrsStebbins.
[Nathan]InvitedMrBacon,Julius&Nellietogowithusandproceededto
MrsStebbinsrooms.Foundalargecompanyassembledtomeetuscomposedofthe
followingmembersofCongress—[GeorgeW.]Julian[R-Indiana],[William]
Lawrence[R]ofOhio,[GeorgeV.]Lawrence[R]ofPenn,[GlenniW.]Scofield[R-
Pennsylvania],[Charles]Upson[R-Michigan],[FernandoC.]Beaman[R-Michigan],
[RowlandE.]Trowbridge[R-Michigan]andfiveotherswhosenamesIhave
forgotten.—Mr&MrsGilesStebbins,MrsMerchant,MrsBeauman,MrsGriffin[g],
MissClaraBarton&others.—Afterabriefconversationmydarlingwasinfluenced
byTheodoreParker&fortwohoursaconversationwaskeptupuponthecondition
&prospectsofthecountry.ThePresident&Congress,SpiritCommunion&other
subjects,thesubstanceofwhichIabstractasfollows—
49
HesaidthatPresidentJohnsonwouldnothesitatetocarryouthispolicyeven
ifheiscompelledtodispersetheRadicalpartofCongresswiththebayonet—and
muchmorebearinguponthesamepointthathasbeengivenus&writtendown
herebefore.—ThatSewardwasatthebottomofthewholematter&wasnow
intriguingwiththePopeatRome&theEmperorNapoleonthroughhisspecial
PrivateEmbassadorGen’lMcClellan,reiteratedwhathehadbeforesaidtoSenator
HowardrelativetoSeward’ssendingArchBishopHughes&ThurlowWeedto
France&Rome,&alsothearrangementsthathehadmade&carriedoutrelativeto
theirneutralityandtheMexicanscheme.—SaidthatJohnsonwasincomplicity
withtheAssassinationofMrLincoln,thatthevisitofBooththemorningoftheday
thedeedwasdonewassignificant,asmostcertainlyifanythinginthewayofharm
hadbeenintendedJohnson,itwouldnothaveoccurredatthattimeashisdeath
thenoranattemptathisassassinationwouldhavepreventedtheirdesignsuponMr
Lincolnfrombeingcarriedout,thereforethatitwasnottoassassinatebuttoholda
conferencewithhimthatBooth’svisitwasmade—&thatotherevidencewouldyet
cometolightwhichwouldprovethetruthoftheassertion.—Thattheadmissionof
Tennesseewouldonlydelaytheconflictandnotpreventit—thatifCongressdidnot
admitthatstate,thefightwouldcommenceinonemonth,iftheydid,itwould
withintwomonths,asMrJohnsonwouldinsistupontheadmissionofallthestates
&unlessCongressconsentedhewouldthenforcethemtohisdemands.—Thatthe
loanbillsoughttobecarriedthroughCongressbythesecretaryofTheTreasury
wasbutapartoftheprogrammebutthatitwouldfail.—ThatthePresident
wantedallthemoney&controlofallthathecouldobtaintocarryoutthese
50
purposes,butthatCongresswoulddiscoverhis[]andpreventit.—ThatCongress
wouldnotholdanothersessioninWashington,thatwithinthenextsixmonthswar
wouldbeinexistenceallovertheland,inwhichtheGovernment,thesouthern
people,northernCopperheads&sympathizers&theFenians&theCatholicchurch
wouldbeononesideandtheFreedmen,radicals&thetrueGovernmentuponthe
other.—ThatitwouldbegininthestreetsofWashingtonwiththearrestofthe
RadicalwingofCongressfortreason—thatitwouldthenspreadliketheNewYork
riotsalloverthecountry.—ThataProvincialGovernmentwouldbeestablished
somewhereinOhioorsomeoftheWesternstates—thatatfirsttheConservatives
wouldgaintheascendancy,butfinallyitwouldhavetosuccumbtothetrue
principlesofHumanity&Freedom.—Thatitwouldlastatleastfouryears&
perhapslonger.—ThatinitssettlementalloftheReligious,Political&social
questionsthatnowagitatethecountrywouldbesettledandPeaceandtrue
Harmonywouldfinallyprevail.MuchelsewassaidthatIhavenotroomtowrite
anddeepinterestwasmanifestedbyallpartiespresent.—ThePresident&Mr
Sewardrec'daterriblescorching—themembersofCongressquestionedthe
speakerclosely&uponeveryanswerweresatisfiedofitstruth.—Indeedmany
thingsseemingtocorroboratewhattheyalreadyknew,butwhichtheremainderof
thecompanywereentirelyignorantof.—Theseancelasteduntilalatehour&all
wentawaysatisfiedofthetruthoftherevelations&predictions.—Theinterview
hadamarkedeffect&willIbelieveservetoinfluencethevotesofthemembers
presentupontheTennesseequestionwhichcomesuptomorrow.—
Monday,March5th1866
51
[Cora]ThismorningwepreparedtogototheCapitolassoonaspossible,
expectingthatthisquestionoftheadmissionoftheTennesseememberswould
beconsideredintheHouse-asthiswasthedapfixedforthereportofthe
ReconstructionComm,onthatsubject.Mydarlinghadsomebusinesstoattend
to,soIprecededhimtothesenatechamber&waiteduntilhecame.Wethen
wentovertothehouse,founditinacommitteeofthewholeon“appropriations.”
WeweretoldthattheTennesseematterhadbeenpostponeduntiltomorrow.It
willprobablybeseveraldaysbeforeitwillbedecided.IfearTennesseewillbe
admitted-ifsoitwillbetheprecursorofadmittingalltherebelstates,but
probablyonsuchconditionsasneitherthePresidentnorthestateswillaccept.
Thewholesessionwasverydullandwecamehomeintimefordinner,
afterwhichwesatinourroomduringthewholeofthebeautifultwilight.Then
cametousthemostbeautifulInfluenceweeverfelt,oftenhaveweexperienced
thesamepresencebeforebutnotsopowerfullyastonight.Mydarlingwas
almostenfoldedinit&carriedawaywithme.Iwasimpelledtospeakwhilethus
wesat&thefollowingwordswereaddressedtous-1meanwhileseemingto
readthemonagoldenshieldshapedlikethesunwhichwasbeforemyvision.
SucharareandHeavenlyatmospheresurroundedus.Thesearethewords&
thoughtsgiventousbyonewhosenameweknownot,butwhoshedsonusthe
silveryshowerofherdivinethought—
TheCommunication—
“NearerandstillnearertothefountainofTruth:Higherandstillhigher
upthemountofKnowledge—Closerandcloserdoyourfeetpresstothe
52
goldenmarginoftheHeavenlyland—dearerandstillmoredear—your
soulsshallclingtogether—madeonebytheperfectlovewhichenfolds
you!Trustyourintuitions.Theywillleadyouaright.Everhaveyoubeen
guidedbythem!EvenfromyourchildhoodhaveIwatchedbothyourlives.
Liketwomountainstreamswhosecrystalsourcesarefarapart,dashing
overrocks,windingthro’shadywoodsanddeepmountaingorges,flowing
calmlythru’meadowsortorturedbyprecipitous&torturedcourses.Until
atlasttheyuniteuponsomegoldenplainandflowoninonetranquil
stream.Thushavebeenyourlives!&thushaveIwatchedyoursoulsfrom
birth!Darkanddevioushavebeenyourpathsthro’careandsorrow,
sufferinganderror,untilnowyoustanduponthepinnacleofthat
mountainwhosenameispeace.Thesorrowsofthepastcantouchyounot.
Eventheirshadowsmaynotreachyou!Likeyonderskydrapedinits
sunsetglory,yetclear&cloudlessyourlivesshallbe.Theshaftsofmalice,
everyhatred&scorn,hurledbythosewholovenottruthandareboundin
darknesscannomorereachyoursouls’pureskythancanmortalhand
pluckyoubrightstarfromitsHeavenlythrone.Likeevening’sstar,your
starofloveisundyingandquenchless.‘Tisagloriousandsublimereality
thatweeverbendaboveyouonwingsoflovetowatchandguardyour
footsteps.Youhavefeltthethrillsofourpresence.Youwillfeelitmoreand
morewhenwrappedineachother’sarms,allthoughtsoftheworldare
excluded.Moreandmorebeautifulwillthelightofyourlovebecome.
53
Strongerandstrongerwillbeyourheartstobattlefortheright&the
perfectblisswhichisbornofyourloveshallabidewithyouforever!”
Question—Cantheinfluencegivehisorhername?Ans.—My
influenceisknowntothemedium,butsheknowsnotmyname,norwould
yourecognizemebythat.Iam,however,yourtruefriendandguide.Q.—
Canyoutellusofthefuture?Ans.—Youhavebeentoldwhatistocome
immediately.Followyourimpressions;theywillguideyouaright.You
cannotunderexistingcircumstancesdoaughtinconnectionwiththe
Gov’t.Yourheartisnotthere.Gowhereyourfeelingsprompt.Inthatwork
alonecanyousucceed!Q.—ShallweleaveW.assoonasweintend?Ans.—
Youwillbedirected.Ifnothingintervenes,youwillgo.If‘tisnotbest,we
willarrangecircumstancestoprevent.Remember,weareeverwithyou
and‘tisanypresencewhichyoufeelinthoseholyhoursofrapture,you
shallrealizestillmoreperfectlytheblissofheavenlylove!Mychildren,
GoodNight.
Tuesday,March6th1866
[Nathan]ThiseveningmydarlinglecturedattheAsburyChurchtothe
coloredpeopleofthiscityinbehalfofthefamilyofapoorcoloredmanin
Vicksburghwhohadbeensoldintoslaveryfromthisdistrictsomenineyearsago
andwhonowwishedtoreturnhometoWashingtonbuthadnomeans.Thelecture
wasgivenintheiraid.Alargeandattentiveaudienceofcoloredpeople,(mydarling
andmyselfbeingtheonlywhitepeoplepresent)wereinattendance.—Thesubject
was“TheGuidingHand”&inthrillingtonesandeloquentlanguage,thepastand
54
presentoftheAfricanracewasportrayedandthemannerinwhichthisguiding
handhadledthemoutoftheirbondagetothesemblanceofFreedom&howyetthe
sameHandwouldleadthemtothelandindeedofLiberty—thoughtheypassed
throughtheRedSeaofbloodtoattainthesame.—Attheconclusion,theaddress
wascondensedintoseriesofResolutionsembodyingthesenseofthelecture,and
followedbyabeautifulPoemgivenimpromptu.—IwriteoutTheResolutionsas
theyhavebeenReproduced—
WhereastheInalienableRightsofallpeopletoLife,Liberty&thePursuitof
Happinessarerecognizedbythehighestlaws,bothDivine&Human,inviolationof
thisinherentprincipleofJustice,thepeopleofournationhavebeenbetrayed&sold
intomostabjectslaverybytheGov’toftheU.S.,andwhereasthehandofInfinite&
avengingJusticehasbursttheirbondsthro’theInstrumentalityofafearfulwar,and
whereasthesebondsarebrokenintheletterbutnotinthespiritofthenation—for
thedistinctionofcash&colorstillprevail,&ourpeoplearesubjecttoevery
indignity&crueltyeventodeathatthehandsoftheirformermasters.Therefore,
Resolved—thatwebind&pledgeourselvesinthemostsolemnmanner,touniteour
raceinonegrandPhalanxorFraternityfortheattainmentoftherecognitionofour
rightstolife,liberty&thepursuitofhappiness.Resolved—thatas“Knowledgeis
Power”wewillerectschoolhouses&organizeplacesofInstructionforthe
educationofourchildrentotheendthattheymayknowthemeaningoftheword
“Liberty”—andneverceasetostruggleforitsattainment.Resolved—thatwe
recognizeinnohumanpowerorGovernmenttherighteithertoenslaveortomake
freeanypeople—andthatwewillsteadily&constantlydemandfromthepeopleof
55
thisnation&theGovernmenttherecognitionoftheseInherentRights,never
ceasingevenuntoDeath.—Resolved,Thatweperceive“TheGuidingHand”ofThe
InfiniteFatherinallourtrials&blessings&thathisPowerhasledusthisfar
towardsthelightonthemountaintopofFreedom&thatwewillcontinuetotrust&
laborknowingthatGodisstillourstrength&shield&wewillremainUnited,Firm,
&Undauntedeventotheend.Poem—“SongofFreedom”
Slavesnomore,tho’scourge&chain
Seektobindourraceagain.
Letthemcome.
Littlecomfortwilltheyfind.
Nevercantheychainthemind.
Letthemcome.
Tho’thelandberedwithblood.And
wewalkinitsdarkflood.
Letitcome.
Tho’ourwives&childrendie,
Wewillneverlivealie.
Letitcome.
Tho’theTyrantatourdoor,
Bidsushope&trustnomore.
Letitcome.
Tho’inprisoncellwepray,
Godwillguideusonourway.
56
Letitcome.
Stillwe’llwatch&hope&trust.
KnowingGod—ourGodisJust.
Letitcome.
Tho’thebattlesoundafar,
Andwehearthenotesofwar.
Letitcome.
Whentheday&hourdothcome,
Wewillstrikeforlife&home.
Letitcome.
WeshallpasstheRedseawave.
God’skindhandwilleversave.
Letitcome.
Slaves,ohnever!seethebirds
Andtheflocks&lovingherds,
Theyarefree.
IntheirJoyandLiberty,
GodhathmadeallnatureFree,
Soarewe.
Slaves,nonever!Tho’theSun,
Ceasehissplendidcoursetorun
Wearefree.
Tho’thestarsforgettoshine.
57
WewillclaimourRightDivine
Wearefree.—
Attheconclusionoftheabove,theResolutionswereunanimouslyadopted
bytheaudienceandloudapplausewentuptothespeaker,greatenthusiasmwas
manifested,andtheydispersedintentuponorganization&practicalizingthetruth
thathadbeentoldthemsoably&soeloquentlybythefairspeaker.—Ohhowmuch
sincerityandrealtruthisthereintheseroughbuttruenatives.Theycanbetrusted,
anditissosatisfactorytoworkforthem.Theyappreciateandestimatefarbeyond
whattheyhavecreditfor&generallyIthink,beyondtheirwhiteneighbors.—My
darling&myselfhaveagloriousworktodoamongthesepeopleandweintendtodo
itwellandeffectively—nomatterwhatmaycome.—
Wednesday,March7th1866
[Cora]Mydearhusband&myselfattendedthesessionintheSenate
today&listenedtoamosteloquent&thrillingspeechofSenatorSumner
againstthepresidingCourt,whichproposestolimittheRepresentationofthe
southtotheirnumberofitswhiteinhabitants.Whilethismeasurewasintended
bytheCommitteewhoreporteditasablowagainstthesuperfluous
representationofthesouthernstateswhicharenolongerentitledtothethree
fifthsvoteoftheslavecode-stillMrSumnerregardsitas“Barbarous&
inhuman”&engraftingdistinctionofcasteuponaRepublicanCourt-whichis
contrarytothespiritofLiberty&utterlyunjusttoaracelatelydisenthralled&
whomitisthedutyofCongresstomakeWhollyFree.Icannotgiveevenanidea
58
oftheaddress-itoccupiednearlythreehours&wasoneoftheablestofthe
manyableeffortsofthatgloriousadvocateofFreedom!
TheGallerieswerewellfilled.Mr&MrsStebbinswerethere.Directlyin
frontofussatFrederickDouglasswithhisremarkablefaceallaglowwith
enthusiasm,listeningmostattentivelytoeverygoldenthoughtwhichfellfrom
thelipsoftheSenator.Herecognizedme&Iintroducedmydarling,whohad
nevermethimbefore&weconversedbrieflyatthecloseofMrSumner’s
remarks.-DouglassisatrueGenius-andisrisingeverydayinthatestimation
ofourbestminds.-ButweboththinkPurvishissuperior,thelatterseems
mouldedinafinerform,mentally&spiritually.Butbotharerepresentativemen
&aredestinedtoleadtheirpeople&eventhenationalongdistanceontheroad
toperfectFreedom.He[Douglass]isinWashingtonwatchingthemovementsof
Congress&theExecutive,alsodeliveringlecturestothecolor’dpeopleintheir
churches&tothenegroesinsuchplacearecenterprocured,forletitbe
recordedherethattheownersofallHalls,andtheTrusteesofallChurches
refusedGarrison&haverefusedDouglasstheuseoftheirbuildings-theformer
becauseofhisknowndevotiontohumanLiberty,thelatterbecauseofhis
Complexion.Surelythewarhasnotaccomplisheditswork!
PassedtheeveningatNellie’swherewewereinvitedtomeetMr&Mrs
Cridge&MrsSeaboldthesisterofthelatter.Theoccasionwasmostdelightful
andpleasingtousall.-Wefindgreatsocialcongenialitybetweenthem&
ourselves&shalleverprizethemasamongourmostvaluedacquaintances.Of
coursetheconversationwasmostlypoliticalasthegreateventsofthehourare
59
uppermostinallminds.Weweredelightedwiththeevening&badethemgood
night&goodbyewithsincereregretasweleavetownFriday!Wrotemother.
Thursday,March8th1866
[Cora]Todaywehavebeenwriting&packingalldaypreparatoryto
departingonthemorrow,firsttoBurlington[NewJersey]toseetheWoolmans
intheirdelightfulhome&thenwestwardtomother’s[inCuba,NY].-Wewanted
togototheSenatebuthadtoomuchtodo&astonightwasfixedforthelecture
ontheApostatetoberepeated,mydarlingthoughtIhadbetterremainquiet.-
ThevoteontheproposedConst’lAmend’twillbetakentodaypendingwhichI
havenodoubttherewillbeanexcitingtime.-Ihopeitwillnotpass,asitisbut
anotherofthoseperilouscompromisestothe“Whiteman’sGov’t”whichIam
surprisedtoseesustainedbysomanyofourleadingrepublicans.The
Democratswillvoteagainstitbecausetheythinkitinfringestheprivilegesof
theirfriendsintheSouth.Sumner&afewothers,willvoteagainstitbecause
theyregarditasaconcessiontoSouthernAristocracy&caste&subversiveof
thatentirejusticewhichshouldgovernthesentimentsofCongress.
WrotetoEmma[sister]todaywithmusic&papers&didnottelleither
herormotherthatwewerecominghomesosoonaswewishtogivethem
surprise.TonightwewereatUnionLeagueHallinduetime-agoodaudience
wasassembledbutnotasnumerousasitwouldhavebeensomeotherevening.I
knowitwasappreciative.Mydarlingwillwriteofthelecture.Beforegoingwe
calledatNellie’swherewemetMrsCheeseman,justfromCalifornia,&anold
acquaintanceoftheirs&Darling’s.Ialmostfeltacquaintedwithher,sooften
60
hadIheardthemspeakofher.Shegreetedusmostcordially.Herhusbandis
Ass’tU.S.Treasurerthere&isoneofthemostrespected&honoredcitizensof
Cal’aoroftheCountry.Mrs.C.isacharmingwoman,active,wholesouled,
intelligent.ShecomesonbusinessofimportanceconnectedwiththeirDep’t.We
regretpartingwithhersosoon,buthopetomeetagain.
[Nathan]MyDarling&myselfweredelightedtomeetourgoodfriendMrs
Cheeseman—sheisasplendidwomanandtherepresentationofthebesttypeof
herclass.ShehasjustcomeonfromCaliforniatoattendtoherhusband’sbusiness
intheTreasuryDepartment—inhavingmetwithalossofsome$10,000bythe
mistakesorconversionofaclerk.—WhenIlastsawMrsCheesemanIwasonmy
waysouthtotakechargeoftheInternalRevenueDeptofLouisianaanddidnot
expecttomeethersosoonagainthissideoftheRockyMountains.—
[Cora]Atthecloseofthelecture&aftertheaudiencehadnearlyall
dispersed,alady&gentleman-entirestrangers-approached&thenafterafew
remarkspresentedmewithamostexquisitebasketofrarestflowersarranged
inamostbeautifulmanner.Itwasadelicatetestimonial&gavememuch
pleasure.Mydarlingwasdelighted.Itwascomposedofwhiteandteal
Japonicas.Borderedwithevergreens&asters[]with[]heliotrope.
Friday,March9th1866______________EnRoute North
[Cora]BadeadieutoWashingtonalmostwithoutregret,altho’weleft
manyvaluedfriendsandwerealittlereluctanttoabsentourselvesfromthe
scenesofsomuchinterestasarelikelyconstantlytooccurintheCapitol.Mr&
MrsStebbins,MrsMerchant,SenatorHoward(nowunfortunatelyabsent),Julius
61
&Nellie,Mr&MrsCridge,&MrsCheesemanareamongthosewhosesocietywe
shallmissthemost-whiletheprivilegeoflisteningtotheeloquentwordswhich
arealmosteverydaybeingutteredinbothHousesofCongresswillbewholly
deniedus.
Yetwefeelitisourduty,nolessthanourpleasure,tovisitourfriends,
takealittlerepose&theninalltheNortherncities,urgethepeopletosustain
thesplendidmindsinCongresswhohavethusfarfoughtnoblyfortheright.-
AlsoacquaintthemwiththetrueissuesoftheConflict&showhowutterlythe
Presidenthasforfeitedallrespectofgoodmen&women!
Ourjourneywasmostfatiguing&unfortunatelywefailedtoconnectat
PhilawiththesixP.M.trainforBurlington-wereobligedtowaittwohours,but
atlastwearrivedalittlepastten&foundMrWoolman’scarriageawaitingus&
soonwewereinthewarmembrace&hospitablehomeofourfriends-tooweary
almosttospeakbutafteranicesupperwefeltquiterefreshed.Howcozy&
comfortableitishere&howbeautiful&warmtheirgreeting.
[Nathan]Lasteveningmydarlingwifelecturedagainupon“theApostate.”
TheInfluencepurportedtobeTheodoreParker.Hesaid“Thatwhencrossingthe
oceansomeyearsago,heinquiredofanoldsailor,howheknewthestormwas
coming.Herepliedthatthehazeinthewesternskytoldofthecomingdanger.That
whenatVesuviustheinhabitantsknewoftheeruptionofthehugemonsterfromthe
rumblingsthatannouncedtheoutburstdaysbeforeitoccurred.Thatinthedefilesof
theAlps,themountaineerscouldreleasetheslidingoftheglacier,socouldthe
speakerfromtheindicationsofthepoliticalworldtodayeasilyseetheconflictthat
62
wascominguponus—socouldhe,arguingfromcausetoeffect,safelypredict
anotherwar.Anothercontestinwhichmoreinvisibleelementswouldbebrought
thanthoseofthelastwar.”Hethen,afterreviewingthepresentpoliticalsituation,
tookupthequestionofApostacy,claimingthatAndrewJohnsonwasnotan
apostatenow.Thathewasanapostate—whenduringhisgovernorshipof
Tennessee,heclaimedtobetheMosesoftheNegro—fromhisfirsteducation&
proclivities&thatnowhehadreturnedtothefold&wasnolongeranapostate.
Thathewaseducatedin&raisedfromtheranksofthepoorwhiteofthesouth&
thathecouldnot&wouldnotbeanyotherwaythanafriendtothesouth&an
enemytotheNegro.Thatapostacywasaterriblecrimeasconsideredinthe
MasonicLodge&intheCatholicChurchandpunishedbythemostterrible
infliction—andthatsuchwouldultimatelyreachAndyJohnson.”Shethenpictured
thelifeofMosesofEgyptandbroughtMr.Johnsonincomparisonwiththatnoble
workerinthecauseofTruth&saidthatitwastheworstsentencethatthePresident
couldhaveutteredwhenhepromisedtobecometheMosesoftheblackman.She
thentookuptheRepublicanpastand[]uponitspresentpositionwiththe
President,endingthesubjectwithwhoweretheaccusersofAndrewJohnson—the
victimsofKansaswar,thelonglineofsufferersfromthelatewar,thelatemartyred
President,thewidowsandorphansofthethousandswhohadfallenonthe
battlefield,inhospital&inthetrenches,themillionsofsufferingandwronged
freedmen—allinrank&fileliketheghostsofRage&[]beforetheWhiteMan.No[
]—Thynamebe“accuser.”ShethensaidthatwhenthismanJohnsonpassedand,as
hewouldintime,someonewouldbefound,asindeedsomeonealwayscouldbe
63
foundnomatterhowpoorthesubjectwho[]bewillingtopronouncehiseulogy,
thenletablackmonumentberaiseduponwhichshouldbepaintedinlettersof[]
lightthefollowingwords—“IwillbeyourMoses,”beneath—“Thegovernmentcan
donothingmoreforyou.”Thenbeneaththat,“AsIsurveyaroundthecircle&
beholdtheotherendoftheline,IseeaPhillips,aSumner&aStevens,whoare
equallytraitorswithaDavis,aSlidelloraToombs.”Thenletthemonumentbe
foreversentontotheseaofoblivion&thisshallbetheepitaphofAndrewJohnson.”
InconcludingshespokethenofthegloriousTrinity—aSumner,thebuglecallerof
Freedom,Stevens,themanbornofLiberty,andWendellPhillips,thegoldeneagle
whosepinionshaveneverbeentouched.”Thehourwascrowdedandtheaudience
applaudedvociferously.Attheconclusion,agentleman&lady(perfectstrangers)
approachedmydarlingandpresentedherwithamostbeautifulbasketofflowers,a
gloriousfloraltribute.Shewasdelighted,andthoughtherbeautifulflowersthe
Resolutionoftheevening.
Saturday,March10th1866__________Burlington, NewJersey
[Nathan]WearetodayenjoyingthedelightfulsocietyofMr&MrsWoolman
attheirbeautifulcountryseatinBurlingtonNewJersey.—LeftWashington
yesterdaymorningandafteragreatlyprotractedJourneyreachedtheverypleasant
domicileofourexcellentfriends.—Theyaredelightfullysituated.Justfarenough
outofthecitytobeamongthegreenfieldsandfragrantflowersandnearenoughto
Philadelphiatoreach“TheContinental”inanhour’sride.—MrWoolmanisoneof
thoseactivestrivingbusinessmenthatmakeAmericasoeminentlyacommercial
nation,fullofenergy,impulseandalltonedandharmonizedwithatruespiritof
64
Progress&Reform—heisasplendidspecimenofourcountriesgoaheadworking
truemen.Hehasalargewealthwhichhasaccumulatedbyhisindomitablegoahead
activeness&isdailyamassing&addingtohispossessions.Heisveryliberal,
providessplendidlyforhisfamilyandisagoodhusband,whichisthebestofall.—
MrsWoolmanisoneofthefewinthisworld,amiable,refined,oflargesocialnature,
lovelyinherdispositionandequallyReformatory&Progressivewithherhusband.
—Splendidequipments,homes,andallthatgoestomakeupafineestablishmentis
there—andtheyenjoyitandhavetheirfriendsassisttheminhavingglorioustimes,
riding,driving,&visiting.MrsWoolmanisabeautifulperformerontheHarp&my
darlingislearning.—
Sunday,March11th1866
[Nathan]MrJackson&MissSallie(anieceofMrWoolman’s)cameout
yesterdayfromPhiladelphiaandalsotwoyoungspecimensofhumanity(oneof
themwithadecidedlygreaterquantityoflegsthanbrains)—younggentlemenwho
visittheyoungladiesofthehousehold—sothataltogetherwehaveaJolly
household.—Spentaverypleasantdaythroughtheconversation,ridingandmusic
&visiting.—Intheeveningthetriflingportionofourcrowddepartedfor
Philadelphia&thenunderthethrillingcharmofMrsWoolmans’inspiredmusicon
theHarp,mydarlingwasinfluencedbythePoetShelleyandgaveusallasplendid
communication,directedparticularlyhowevertoMrJackson,whowastheonly
unbelieverpresent,butwhoonthisoccasionwasmostdecidedlyimpressed.—
Afterwards,Shanniecameandgavethemsymbolicnameswiththefollowingsinging
words—
65
ToMissNellie—“MossRoseBud”
Itbloomethinbrightgardensrare
Ingayparterreandbower.
Amongtheflowerspure&fair
Thishaththesweetestpower
Openingitsdewypetalsoft
Todrinkthemorninglight
Sippingthedew-dropssweetandsoft
ReflectingHeaven’slight.
GuardedbyNature’sarmorstrong,
Nohandcanmaritsgrace
Butitssweetperfumefloatsalong
Itsbeautye’ertotrace
Sodoththyheartitsthoughtsunfold
Inrareandlovelytruth
Butpurityandgoodnesshold
Thearmorofthyyouth.
‘Tislovealonehathmagicpower
Itssweetsandjoystoclaim
Thouartsecureinlife’syoungbower
“MossRoseBud”isthyname.
Shannie.
66
ToMissMary—“JapanLily”
Wherewavingpalmtreeseverrise
Againsttheclearandbendingskies
AndwheretheSunhisgorgeousbeams
Foreverpoursincrystalstreams
Fillingeachhourwithbliss—
Whenorangegroves&myrtlebarrows
Fillwiththeirsweetsthegoldenhours
AndNaturerobesingorgeousfolds
Eachlovelyshapeandcolorholds
Thrillin