The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1878-11-14

derfuI Events ForetcId by Mrs.
Abby Narsh-'sThe Smoke OF Hat
| tle,, 80 Follow the Next Presidcn-
| tiaI Campaign.
| New York Star.1
The family of DIR. Marsh, i'll Albany
avenue, Brooklyn, have in their pos
session e remarkable old document,
which has been preserved with great
care ever since the father of the pres
ent head OF the family came,tc reside
in that city. The paper is g dilapi
dated bit of parchment containing
written verses on both sides. but the
ink has become so faded that careful
study is required to decipier the
words. Around the edges p rude at
tempt at binding has resulted in max
ing the parchment more fragmentary
than before. Several years ago a
copy of the verses was made which is
still in good condition, and is shown
to friends of the family. The verses
contain prophecy, ard were written
by Mrs. Abby Marsh, in the year 1887,
at her home in Sherbrook, Canada.
Her immediate descendants claimed
that Mrs. Marsh was possessed of ex-
traordinary powers of foresight, and
instanced an occasion when she awoke
from dream in time to save the life
OF child. Like all other prophetic
effusions, however, it received but lit
tie attention until several of its asser-
tions had become things of the past,
and public attention was called to their
apparent fu!filment. Fragmentary
portions of the rhyme, which Mrs:
Marsh called "Columbia's Destiny
found their way into the Canadian
newspapers, some of the extracts be-
ing now in the possession of DIR.
Marsh.
A reporter obtained permission to
copy the old document for the benefit
of the readers of the Star, and they
are herewith given, together with the
explanation which reference to the
history of the last century suggests.
Thus it runs:
Columbia home of libertie.
Shall not twenty rulers see,
Ere there shall be battle smoke,
Ere peace shall seem to be broke,
And in waves of peril tost,
The ancient order shall be deemed lost.
1t is significant fact, when taken in
this connection, that r. Z. Hayes is the
nineteenth ruler of the United States,
as will be seen by reference to the or
der in which the Presidents succeed
ed each other.
The strange chronicler continues.
The first shall. too, the second be.
II the Fates tell Truth as even he;
Where sits the sire shall SIT the son.
But not the sons son,
And ere the son shall ruler be
One place shall send three;
Three with ono shall make her four ~,
And there shall be more,
RefereDce is undoubtedly made to
General Washington's proverbial truth
telling, in the second lire, and to the
succession OF John Quincy Adams to
the place of his father, in the third.
But not his sons son. seems to point
| to Mr.. Charles Francis Adams, who
has universally failed in his aspira-
tions to become President. Between
the Adamses did come three from sone
place. (Virginia), who, with the acci-
dental John Tyler, made the fourth !;
nor has the Mother of Presidents
since born a son distinguished by even
nomination to the Chief Magistracy.
The prophecy proceeds:
The first sprung from these fecund loins
In death his predecessor joins:
| Who beneath his son shall pass
And in house that different was.
The next one shall have peace and war;
The third shall brook no kingly star;
| When the quarter century's run,
| Where sat the sire shall sit the son,
IL is difficult to inturpret a portion
of this extract. Jefferson and John
Adams, it is we'll known, died ON the
4th day of July, 1926, their simulta-
neous death forming one of the most
remarkable condolences in history
but the meaning of the clause, 'And
in a house that different was,' is rath-
er vague. The venerable Ex-Presi-
dent died on the floor OF the Capitol,
but that latter building was part of the
original one erected at the seat of Gov
! ernment. Mr.. Madison's Admins
tration witnessed both the war with
England and the period Of peace and
prosperity which followed it; while
the quarter century, reckoned from
$500, saw the inaugural ceremonies Of
| the younger Adams.
Here several lines in the paper are
so obliterated or defaced that they are
unreadabe.
There comes who should have been before.
| \ soldier. who shall not have any war.
sOld Hickory's' record seems to
| bear this ont, especially the last line.
The vigorous manner in which he sat
down upon the Nullifers OF that day
'deferTe6,' SO Mr.. Bancroft says, 'the
approaching civil war for many years
The prophecy continues:
| II, 81 After the fox the lion shall
lie lortiy ruler oyer all;
| But death shall in the mansion wio'd
Sword surar than in the tented field.
| III After him there come anon
one who had friends, hut shall have none.
| IA The hickory shall sprout again;
! n soldier come from battle plain.
But shall not long remain,
Nor shall his heir bear sway gain.
81 Then youth shall follow, who (s!c)
All shall know, though mono knew.
Taken in their successive order, the
above lines ought 10 apply first, 10
Martin Van Bnren (bpt why should ne
De called a foXt) second, to Gener;
! Harrison, who died almost iinm ediate-
/ ly after his inauguration third, to I'y
| Ter, whose conduct caused \ rupture in
his party fourth. 10 Polk, WHO was
I popularity known as Young Hickory.