The Broken Sword

esence and perhaps forty-five years of age. The lady was not attractive, a little patronizing in her manners, and perhaps thirty-five years of age. Their patois was that of English people; to an artis

rces the most exhaustive information about the negro in his gradations from the savage to the citizen; and he took occasion to say that his principals had been greatly astonished because of the alarming strides the negro had made in a country that, less than a century ago, made the British power tremble in its very strong-holds. He would

ore exploiting a field untried and perhaps dangerous; and he would be gr

at he would communicate his knowledge of the matters as far as he could, but feared it would not be of much value, as he was under suspicion by the Federal authoriti

nfederate soldier?" i

Appomattox," sententiou

interest me; may I inquire your

lonel of ca

at Gettysb

d as we were falling

ly; "this battle was quite disastrous to the South, I b

earth have they not claimed?"

I doubt not they claimed victories they never won. You of

ight. We never resorted to hostilities

rs in England who deplored its downfall; indeed, the president of our society was an active sympathizer with your country, and the bank in which he was a director, upon his private account emitted bills of credit that

ndeed

reasonable to oppose the policy of the governm

esitate in respect to my duty in the premises

and I fully appreciate your feelings. I suspect that you do not think that a strongly

ilate these differences by legislation. We cannot conquer nature. Other differences have been introduced by human laws and adventitious circumstances, very difficult, if

u cannot conscientiously support the reconstr

priety, yea, its necessity, but who denounced those reactionary measures that were crystalized and enforced with cruelty against the South. In our judgment these measures were not only extra-hazardous, but inherently oppressive. It would have been a pernicious power in the hands of an intelligent, conservative, law-abiding people, but most deadly in the hands of ignorant, unscrupu

e been the energies of your peopl

r they hailed the return of peace with satisfaction; they acknowledged defeat; accepted the situation, and went to work to rebuild their waste places and to cultivate their crops. The men who composed the union armies, found on their return home, a healthy, prosperous, peaceable and well organized society; while the government with a prodigal hand freely distributed pay, pensions, and bounties. It was not so in the south; society here was disorganized; the strain upon the people to supply the armies in the fields had exhausted their resources; labor was absolutely demoralized; the negroes being freed, in their ignorance and delusion were not slow to understand their changed condition, and became aggressive, riotous and lawless. Under such circumstances it was impossible to restore harmony in the civil government without the utmost confusion; yet so earnestly did our people struggle to return to their allegiance and thus entitle them to the protection which had been promised, that

interval before t

on of great educational value and I sincerely hope I may hea

aid to the stranger. That possibly at some f

leaving, for the courtesy you have shown. I sh

n Englishman who was delightfully entertaining and who represents certain humanitarian interests.

re has very much happiness in store for you; but I am suspicious of strangers who seem to have no other business with you, than to obtain your views upon the unhappy

he sick lady

rms of the old mansion. But how could a southern gentleman withhold knowledge when sought under such a disguise. He spoke as he felt; and if the weapons that he used to punctuate his expressions were boomerangs that impaled him on its points, he could not help it. Anywhere, everywhere, he would hav

ontinued, handing the old man an official requisition bearing the broad seal of the department of justice upon it "you will pe

with all the suavity possible, "but you w

"but I must see that you do no

y your presence," cried the old ma

you are," gruffly repl

ere the forerunner of the plague. When the Colonel arrived in the village he saw the white-haired governor with his overcoat upon his arms, and

here governor?" as

going to Washington sir. May I ask your des

u not," answered the Col

route shall we?" answered the governor lugubriously. "I presume we shall

e currency in my pocket," replied the Governor in irony. "By the way Colonel," continued the Governor, "did you have an elegant gentleman and h

tial toward this man?"

im so agreeable and so intelligent withal, that I told him all t

, "that the Englishman has given us free transportation

ou alarm me. Is it possible we are the dupes o

nion, sir," rep

ulated, and sank back in the upholste

at their traditions were treasonable, their principles insurrectionary; to be badgered into compliance; to be scourged into submission; men who believe

1858. The recognition was mutual, and the distinguished chairman descending from the dais, demonstratively grasped the old Governor's hand, exclaiming, "My dear sir, what has brought you here?" The excess

ntain within itself the germ of an arbitrary prerogative. No man, however bitter may be his opinions shall be condem

you will. You shall be safeguarded while you remain in the city, and we shall exert our utmost to protect you and your interests at ho

able commission, whose judicial fairness was so praise-worthy; and turned their faces homewa

onel in a startled tone, "What an opportune momen

efer to sir?" asked th

e deputized to visit the authorities in Washingt

ly believe, sir, if peace is not speedily restored t

l of the authorities in Washington, we should see that they are our friends; I am sure that the sentiment of the Northern people is in favor of the restoration of

tory of human suffering. It is the incentive alike to the burglar who breaks and enters your house at night and the highwayman who waylays your path and takes your life; that, rising from individuals to multitudes, it is the impelling motive to all the plunderings and desolations of military conquests; it forces the gates of cities; plund

to-morrow, if there are no English s

hen," replied the Colonel, a

ory strowed er roun' him, steppin l