Daily national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1854, 1854-07-26
LITERARY MISCELLANY.
For the National Era.
MIGHT AND RIGHT.



And the nations came and worshppsd, in temple
so divine,
Wearing cloaks their thoughts revealing, subterfu-
ges naught concealing.
beheld the incense rising and heard the deafen-
ing roar,
Whole artillsries of clamor such brazen threats
outpour
Psals her arches gladly echo, croakings that her
walls ignore,
Cheering, groaning, shouting, swearing, deeds of
smoke, and deeds of daring.
Then the goddess waved her scepre and tho pageant
died away;
And tho congregation answered, Speak thy ssr-
wants will obey
" Go and do my will" said Freedom, "yo who trcad
M my courts to-day"
Thsn with steps that did not fater turned they from
her sacred altar.
Der the hills and wales Of labor, hastened the dis
pcrsing throng
Each to his own avocation some with weeping, some
with song;
And marvellod that among them some were drag
ging chains along
Some were starving. some were bleeding, some on
human hearts were feeding.
He who parted wife and husband, helpless babe and
frantic mother,
Outraged virtue, love- and honor scorned the names
Of home and brother,
Oitenes turned him toward the temple, shouted moro
than any other
.Down this dangerous agitation, stiAe conscience,
save the nation!'
Freedom Union - rent tho welkin, and shrill
Hoarse, and harsh, and hidsous, sounded as giant
striding past
Shook the Union to its oentre, trying if its cords
What is conscience to the natioa Right compared
to legislation?
On his broad and massive forehead, traced in burn
ing lines of fame,
Deep imprinted, wildly glazing, stood single word,
his nams.
Armed with law and sword and trumpet he will blow
blast for fame,
And tho world viii pause and wonder at the bombast
of his thunder.
Der the helpless and the fallen, Might, the giant
strobe along,
Framing statutes forging feters rearing prisons large
and strongj
Ringing now peal for freedom, now for slavery a
song;
Leyying now contribution to repair the Constitution
Oft there met him in his mission one he did not
to know,
Ksener hsr reproving chances than the sword Of
deadliest foe;
Yet he could not shun the being, whose pure pres
ence moved him
Thon he forgd his fetters stronger louder blew his
trump and longer.
compare,
Wearing on her brow credentials that admit her
whore;
and followed there,
He who laughed to her greeting blanchsd with
fear Mt every meeting
She her high and holy calling, heaven appointed win
fulfil,
Walking ever with the nations, doing the Great
Fathers will;
Thwartng oft the tyrants purpose oft returning
good for Ill,
Yet serene and tranquil ever swerving from her path
way, never.
Oh, my pm! could'st thou portray her, mingling
Whispering courage to the faintng, while he bated
with the strong;
Standing steadfas by tho martyr, while he faced the
deepest wrong
Victims bowed in bondage soothing, sorrows thorny
pillow smoothing.
Or baptizing with her spirt Liberty's apostles, nil
Hghborn souls, who wed to duty, dare to STAND, or
dare TO FALL.
Whom no ridiculc can silence, whom ne danger can
appal--
Fearful odds cannot alarm them, threat or menace
cannot harm them.
Lo dreamed my country yielded to the silent
Might Of Right,
In her heart Of hearts repentDg Of her creed, the
Right Of Might;
And the Nations their errors in the glory Of her
light,
And the radiance flashing round me, from the Wis
ions thrall unbound me.