The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1877-01-19
"rHE SPIRITS OF sETESTT.sIx."
BY ABIGAIL SCOTT DUNTwAY.

From the Chicago Evening Journal
1 sat me down in old Carpenters Hall,
In the city of Brotherly Love,
In the quaint, high chair in which Washington
Presided, when Randolph and Jefferson,
And Adams and Lee and clergyman,
Bowed low in the haze of the twilighrs fall
And invoked the great Father above.
AS I unused in the depths of the gathering
gloom
ofthe twilight, chilly and gray,
Recalling the deeds of the days agone,
Before me, like spectres and one after one,
Came the Spirits Of Seventy-Six, who run
Through the CHASTITY shades OF the silent room
Whenever the night holds sway.
The city was full Of the guests of the world,
For twas the Centennial year,
And the Orient bowed to the Occident,
And an Emperor met with President,
And a Congress greeted Parliament,
While banners Of China and India were un-
fGrled
Beside ensigns of Old Tangier.
The shadows around me grew gloomy and deep,
And the night, in her draping OF clouds,
Filled the room with chill that envelOped my
heart;
And a grief that o'erpowered my soul, took
part
With a thought that transcribed the Muses.
fine art;
And the heavens began in their sorrow to weep
And the gnomes paused and bowed in their
shrouds
"Good evening"" said l. as mastery ghost,
WIN eyes OF q radiant blue,
Stopped short in his march and with Chester
field bow,
Exclaimed, Madame, who are you? and
what would you know?
Why disturb us and why is that frown on
your brow q?
The chair you have taken is Liberty's post,
Give it ME, and Well bid you adieu."
Indeed, sir, you're kind but I'll yield not the
chair
Till the spectral performance is DER:
TIL you tell me why men, e'en as ghosts, have
more right
To this room than 1? What's your name by
Do you claim the sole use of this old chair to-
Why assume such proud, dictatorial air?
Have you been here, good spirit, before ,"
az belong to the days of the Past" he cried,
ERE the Goddess of Freedom was born;
When Columbia, in travail, bit back the keen
thrOes
That were frowned at and sneered at by Liber.
Who pity had none for her pains or her woes
Twas called the monster of War to preside
Ger her destinies, great, but forlOrn."
"And does Liberty live?" ] replied, in surprise
As gazed on the phantom so bright;
"She does, but in bondage!" he said, and a teal
Stole athwart his pale cheek, as with listening
ear,
He gave quiet heed while I, auaking with fear
Unfolded a tale that wide opened his eyes,
While they flashed with a cavernous light.
AOu nave tstuB HI Us LLlttb li66uOLn Is hcdNGL
decree,
Yet your precepts you fail to enforce;
And marvel not much that, like Banquo, yoJ
stalk
Through this gloomy old Hall; that wher
night comes, you walk
In a fitful unrest, while with mOrtals you tall
OF poor Liberty's fate; for till woman is free
Confusion confounded grows worse
"And now, as sit in your old chair of state,
At the end of a hundred years,
And look back on the work that cen yet is un
done,
Pm astonished. good sir, that you ghosts, ever!
one,
Shrink not from my gaze, as from blaze of tn
sun
For the mothers, to-day, are in bondage a
great
AS caused all of your bloodshed and tears I!
George Washington sighed, and each listening
ghost
Waved his hand in the eavernous air.
And the old Hall grew bright with radian
light,
As Liberty, robed in a raiment of white,
Approached ME and said, with smile Of de
light,
ain the next hundred years will fill my owl
post.
Goodbye, George ~ I gave her the cnair
CHICAGO, December Z, 1876.