The Cecil Whig., 1862-04-19
5elett Poetry.
The Stigma.
BY FRANCIS DE HAES JANviER.


It is related that. some thirty years ago.
John {. Calhoun, senator OF the United
States from the State of South Carolina, and
at that time employed in perfecting the great
hulliication scheme of which he was the
author, was, one night at late hour, seated
in his room. alone. and engaged in writing,
when, falling asleep, he had dream, the
incidents of which are here woyen into
verse.
Between the acting of dreadful thing
And the first motion, all the interim is
Like phanlusma, or hideous dream.
SHAKsPEARE.
Tn chamber grand and gloomy, in the
shadow of the night,
Two wax tapers flaming family, burned with
sepulchral light
On an oval oakcn table, from their silver
stands they shone,
Where, about them, in disorder, books and
manuscripts were strewn;
Where, before them, sat statesman, silent,
thoughtful, and alone!
Suddenly, stranger cntered-cntcred, with
serious air,
And, with steady step advancing, near the
table drew chair!
Folded in an ample mantle, carefully con-
ccalcd from sight,
There he sat, and his companion watched
him through the wavering light,
Wandering at his bold intrusion, unan.
nounced, and in the night!
Wandering at his staid demeanor, wonder.
ing that no word he spoke,
Wondering that he veiled his visage in the
volume of his cloak
Till as though unwilling longer satisfaction
to postpone,
"Senator from Carolina" said he, in a
solemn tone,
"What are you engaged in writing here at
midnight and alone?
Then the statesman answered promptly
"'Tis plan which consumates
When complete, the dissolution of the
Union of the States"
Whcrcupon, rcjoined the stranger, in an
accent of command,
"Scnator from Crrolina, 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 be .hrunk with awe!
Stern and stately stood before him Free
dom's first and favoritc son-
He whose patriotic valor universal homage
lie who gave the world the Union-the
immortal Washington!
And he thrilled with strange emotion in the
patriots stcadfast gaze,
AS he held the hand he proflered, held it
near the taper's blaze
AS he thoughtlully proceeded" Then you
would, with his right hand,
Sppator from fnroliua daSnlntn your not;va
You would sign a Declaration this fair
Union to dsband ?"
And the senator responded: Yes. should
chance such service claim,
TO an Act of Dissolution would freely sign
my name
But the words were scarcely spoken, when,
amazed he saw expand,
Dim at first, then deeper, darker, an
unsightly, blackened brand,
Like loathsome, lerrous plaguc-spot, on
the back of his right hand!
"What is that he cried, with horror, as
the dreadful stigma spread
And the patriots grasp relaxing, unds-
turbed he gravely said:
"1hat black bloch your hand o'sprcading
is the mark by which they know
One who, honorcd by his country, basely
sought Its overthrow
That detested traitor, Arnold, In the dismal
world below!''
Pausing then, he from his mantle drew an
object toward the light,
Placed il on the oaken table in the shud
dering statesman's sight
Placed it on the very writing which that
traitorous hand had done
Still, and dark, and grim, and ghastly-
twas a human skeleton
There it lay-ard then he added camly as
he had begun.
'IIerc behold the sarred relics Of man
who, long ago,
Died at Charleston, on a gibbct, murdered
by ruthless foe
Isaac Hayne, who fell martyr, laying
=. down his life with joy,
To confirm this NOZZLE Union, which you
wantonly employ
Powers, for virtuous ends intended, treach-
erously to destroy!
When you sign a solemn compact, this blcst
bond to disunite,
Lying here, upon your table, YOU should
have his bones in sight.
He was born in Carolna-sO were you
but, all in vain
VIII you look for treason's stigma-will you
seek the slightest stain
On the hand Of that pure patriot, the right
hand of lsauc Haync!''
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, fainter still
the tapers cleaned;
Suddenly, athwart the chamber, morning S
rosy radiance streamed,
And the statesman, wan and weary, won.
dering woke-for he had dreamed
He had dreamed-pause and ponder, you
who would the Union rend-
Ponder at the bare beginning on the foul
and fatal end.
Ponder on dark dcsolation sweeping through
this cherished land
Heavy hearts, forsaken fresides, waste and
woe, wild war s demand
Ponder on the Traitors Stigma-pausc and
look at your right hand!
Washington, d. G.