Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-04-16
THE STIGMA
BYFRAScIs DE HAEs JASvIER.

On an oval oaken table, from their
silver stands they shone,
Where, about them, in disorder, books
and manuscripts were strown;
Where, before them sot statesman,
silent, thoughtful and alone
Suddenly, a stranger entered-enter-
ed with a serious air,
And, with steady step advancing, near
the table drew q chair
Folded in an ample mantle, carefully
concealed from sight,
There he sat and his companion watch
ed him through the wavering light,
Wondering ut his bold intrusion, un-
announced, and in the night
Wondering at his staid demeanor,
wondering that no word he spoke,
Wondering that he veiled his visage
in the volume Of his cloak
Till, as though unwilling, longer, sat
isfaction to postpone,
aSenator from Carolina"-said he in
q solemn tone
"What are you engaged in writing,
here, at midnight, and alone 2"
Then, the statesman answered prompt
fy, s'Tis plan which consnmmates,
When complete, the dissolution of
the Union of the States"
Whereupon, rejoined the stranger, in
an accent of command,
"Senator from Carolina, let me look
at your right hand !"
And the statesman had no power that
calm dictate to withstand
Slowly, then, uprose the stranger, and
the startled statesman saw,
From the falling cloak emerging, one
from whom he shrunk with awe!
Stern and stately stood before him
Freedoms first and favorite son
He whose patriotic valor universal
homage won
He who gave the world the Union
the immortal WASHINGTON
And he thrilled with strange emotion,
in the patriots steadfast gaze,
As he held the hand he protfered held
1t near the tapers blaze
As he thoughtfuily proceeded, sThen
you would, with this ght hand,
Senator from Carolina, desolate your
native land,-
You would sign Declaration, this
tair Union to disband 2"
And the Senator responded eyes,
should chance such service claim,
To an Act of Dissolution would free
ly sign my name."
But, the words were scarcely spoken,
when, amazed, he saw expand,
Dim OF frst, then deeper, darker, an
unsightly blackened brand,
Like Q loathesome, leprous plague.
spot, on the back of his right hand
"What Is that :" he cried, with hor.
ror, as the dreadful stigma spread
And, the Patriots grasp relaxing, ,un.
disturbed, he gravely said
"That black blotch your hand o'rspread.
ing is the mark by which they know
One who, honored by his country,
basely sought its overthrow
That detested traitor, Arnold, in the
dismal world below %
Pausing then, he from his mantl.
drew an object toward the light,
Placed it on the oaken table, in the
shuddcring statesman's sight
Placed it on the very writing which
that traitorous hand had done
Still, and stark, and grim, and ghast-
ly-'twas a human skeleton
There it lay--and then he added,
calmly, as he had begun
"Here. behold the sacred relics of a
man who, long ago,
Died, at Charleston, on bibbet, MUIR
dered by ruthless foe.-
Isaac HAYNE, who fell martyr, lay
ing down his life with joy,
To confirm this noble Union, whic h
you wantonly employ
Powers, for virtuous ends intended, +,
treacherously to destroy
When you sign a solemn compact,
this blest bond to disunite,
Lying hero, upon your table, you
should have his bones in sight.
He was born in Carolina,-so were
you,-but, all in vain
Will you look for Treason's stigma
will you seek the slightest stain
On the hand of that pure patriot, the
right haDd of Isaac Hayne :"
Saying this, the stranger vanished,
but the skeleton remained,
And the black and blasting stigma
still that traitorous hand retained
Sinking in their silver sockets, faint
or still the tapers CLEANED
Suddenly ,athwart the chamber IN orn-
ing's rosy radiance streamed,
And the statesman, wan and weary, won.
dering, woke-for he had dreamed,
He had dreamed--but,p ,pause and pond
er, you who would the Union rend-
Ponder, at the bare beginning, on the
foul and fatal end.
Ponder on dark desoIation sweeping
through this cherished land
Heavy hearts. .forsake en- firesides, waste
and woe, wild Wars demand
Ponder on the Traitors Stigma
pause, and look at your right hand
Washington, D. C..
Col. E. Magoffin, Missouri rebel,
(whose brother is Governor of Ky,.l
and who was convicted of violating
his parole and sentenced to be shot.
has been respited by the President.