The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-07-17
For the National Era.
M R S. H A D De N,
CHAPTER VII.

Tor inc National Era.
-. MRS. ALDEN.
CHAPTER VII
VI don't see soul here that know don't
knaF what came forl" said Fletcher to Mrs.
Harden, with his well-turned lip cured little.
:" ind calculated on being under your wing
all he evening. You have quite too large a
broid," looking over the assembled heads, "for
this, see."
yes, tonight, have. You must come over
soo1, when we are alone. Come over, for the
day; and then we will have some of the good.
lon, talks we had when you were here last
seaaon. Do you remember ?-we didn't agree
upen anything. And this was all the better
sin e we liked it so well, disagreeing. 1 fan.
cy,.though, that we should hardly be so far
apsft In discussing, these times for you must
certainly deprecate this miserable Know Moth.
ing SIN as heartily as do. Don't you despise
it?' she inquired, after waiting q moment for
him. to speak.
tWell, no, | don't, Mrs. Hadden" He
loo. led at her now-he had been looking down
at Els and her feet.
cob, Arthur Fletcher hope you aren't
now Nothing!" and her voice was like
CRY of sudden pain.
Sim sorry lift troubles you; but am" He
sait.. it with a look of manly concern, that made
Mr.. MADDEN like him better than ever, in that
moment, which evinced how wide apart they
we, 9 in their convictions.
sWell," sighed she, after pause, during
which tears gathered in her eyes, I" our God
KIN WIS what is right and best You may think
one. thing, another; you may do one thing,
anE l another. 1t is Gods will that is done,
aftsr all our thinking and trying. There isn't,
in III Shakespeare, another so true thing as
thi.:
- "sIet M know
Oar indscrelion sometimes serves us we'll.
When deep plots do fall and that should teach
Ihere's Divinity that shapes our ends,
Erous h-hew them Will
VI think of this-I know this; but do pray
that our son may never be Know Nothing. 1t
wCNld grieve me inexpressibly. For, don't you
SET that this Know Nothingism is turning one
m. re Of our hallowed designations into a term
of mere mockery and reproach? Pve been
as5 famed, for years, whenever / have heard our
country praised as the land of the free! What
ca we say, after this, when it is called las it
ha, so often been, and with truth, until now
refuge for the oppressed and the starving
of all nations p"
They can come now, Mrs. Hadden"
: Yes, to be suspected, to be hooted at and in
suited in the streets, at the railroad stations,
and everywhere. Now, when my husband was
at Concord, last week, he saw specimen of
what no doubt goes on at many places. He
WIS at the station, waiting for the train to come
heme.~ When the train came in, an Irish family,
soer, ho wildered looking Irish family, got out
tok-the cars to stop there. There were husband,
wife, and several children; among them, two
Buys of about eight and ten, think, from what
my husband said about them. Well, what do
yeu think was done to them, almost as soon as
they set their feet down upon this earth, that is
n+ither one man'sno another mans, but God's q?
Tsey were beset, poor creatures! by rowdyish
ss0of Know Nothings, or by a set, at any rate,
wlo had the essential retexion of Know Moth
irgism upon them; were pushed about hustled
against the walls; their caps were knocked off,
II cir noses were cuffed up; they were called
"oaddies," "beggars," catholics" "toads. -
AID told to ego home to Ireland, where they
aad all their race belonged" And the poor
c.eatures didn't it at all, Arthur Fletcher.
The mother cried, the children cried, the little
b,be with the rest, for the poor thing read the
tess in its mothers face and took up its
| e. ,rly wall Of fear and trouble. The father was
Very pale. He kept continually jabbering in
his poor way, trying to demonstrate with the
young men who were tormenting them, and to
comfort his wife and children. He tried to
| keep himself between those ruffians and his
| children; but he couldn't. They were too
srtive and quick for him, with his heavy heart.
| l4hile this went on, of course others laughed,
CT, at the least, smiled, for the faint of Know
| l!othingism was upon them all, or upon nearly
al. And now, what can enc who loves his
ountry Ito say nothing of humanity and mercy
,sylto these things? Oh, Arthur Fletcher, 1
| am so sorry you are Know Nothingl"
ave will talk it all over, when come over,
some time; and then, perhaps, you will feel
etter about it," answered he, smile coming
| yer his features as he spoke.
| az may feel better satisfied with your act of
e,ining them, after have listened to your mo-
tves, your views of the matter. which I haven't
the least doubt must be sincere and worthy.
.But can never think any better of the prin-
eiples of the organization than do now, un-
| less they essentially better themselves. Think
tow much fault all you Free Soiiers found with
| she platforms of the Wing and Democratic par
lies, before the last Presidential election. Think
| hat a hue and cry you raised land l, for one,
slidn't blame you) over the negotiation resou-
| Fionl How much better, would like to know,
yas the 'no-agitation' clause of the late National
Council of Know Nothings?"
| "See whether-wait little, aHd Gee whether
! We all set our feet upon that platform of the
National Council, as the Wings and Democrats
| Aid upon those old Baltimore platforms"
Mercy on Freedom, if you do; if you stay
here until after the next President is chosen.
She'll have no refuge, or resting place, for her
eur laad Of the noble free She'll have TO
AXE the underground railroad for the Canadas,
is such numbers of her disciples and followers
nave done before her. / wonder if this wouldn't
De shame do think, sometimes, that 1t
will come to this at last she added, her face
growing every moment sadder. "We've no
'eason to believe that our country Is the pure,
he perfect, the model nation, that is to live on,
and on, without Reorganization or decay. Do
you think we have"
"No, l do not, Mrs. Haddep." He shook
his head, and looked as anxious as herself.
"No, for Freedom and Slavery are both here.
Freedom, with a bright face, full of peaceful
promise, tries to get an unjostled foothold. Sla-
very, scowling like demon, as she is, hunts
her, threatens her, lays traps for her feet tries
TO drive her out of the land. sometimes be-
lieve that she will do it, some day and that it
lis in this way we are to fall. But, then, shan't
talk about this any more, this time; for it
makes my heart sick with sorrow and fear for
my country. / shall 90 now, for suppose I've
.been here quite too long, already. Do you go
out to the bow-window, where my plants are /;
there's century plant there, more than q
quarter of century old. Go and see what q
noble plant 1t is 1.-THE lady in the dark. green
silk is there, ask her about the plants. Ask her,
I'm the blunt, odd way you have with ali un-
married ladies everywhere"