Article #54 - Undefined Title

            For the Journall [sic]

            Friend Editress

            If I understand the rules of your lyceum all persons wether [sic] members or not have the privilege of writing communications for it, and it is upon these considerations that I consent to send a few lines for the journal.

            As I chanced to pass along the great thoroughfare some few weeks ago I heard indistinctly a sound in the distance, my attention was aroused to such a degree that no other course could I pursue but in the direction of the sound which led me through a b[ea]utiful wood. After walking some distance I beheld still further on a slope which led to a small stream below. What caused me to wander out of my course, to my astonishment I found to be a group of Gentlemen and Ladies who had assembled under some large oak trees. They had no platform for a speaker but what I could desern [sic] being located at a distance they were all speakers. But aroused my curiosity the most was, one sitting out from among the rest on natures own platform a large stump. This I concluded must be their president. I could not comprehend the subject before the meeting, they all appeared to be deeply interested in it. They spoke, one, two, and even three at a time. One individual in peticular [sic] attracted my attention. The subject appeared to have taken great hold on him he looked bold and firm spoke with great emphasis, and made various jestures [sic] laying it off with his hand &c. and at times causing some sensation from the audience. I believe every person there had som[e]thing to say on the subject those that did not speak read som[e]thing as I suppose bearing on it. The meeting appeared to be quiet and orderly, harmony appeared to prevail amongst them. Misses Editress I solicit you to publish your next meeting in the journal. So that others may feel a freedom to attend. I for one would like to have been a participator in it, but was not invited and felt diffident about it. But indeed it was a curiosity to me for I had not been accustomed to see such large gatherings where all participated in the business. The sun was fast declining in the horizon. I abruptly left and the probability is I was not recognised by any one of the actors.

                                    An Observer

            Henry Clay’s Advice to

                        Young Men

Two years ago, during Mr. Clay’s address to the students of the New York State and National Law School, in Ballston Spa, one object of which is to train young men in the art of extemporaneous speaking, he said, When commenting on the advantages of the institution, I owe my success in life to one single fact, viz.: That at the age of twenty seven I commenced and continued for years the process of daily reading and speaking upon the contents of some historical or scientific book. These off-hand efforts were made sometimes in a corn field, at others in the forest, and not unfrequently in some distant barn, with the horse and the ox for my auditors. It is to this early practice of the great art of all hearts, that I am indebted for the primary and leading impulses that stimulated me forward and have shaped and moulded my entire subsequent destiny. Improve, then young gentlemen the superior advantages you here enjoy. Let not a day pass without exercising your powers of speech. There is no power like that of an oratory. Caesar controlled men by exciting their fears; Cicero by captivating their affections and swaying their passions. The influence of the oneperished with its Author; That of the other continues to this day.

                        News

Norwithstanding the heavy loss sustained in the central city of the township of Pocopson by the abdication of many of its most gifted and enterprising inhabitants; which spread the curtain of gloom and sadness on all that great Metropolis. There are still evidences of thrift and progress calculated to cheer and enliven all its scenery, 1st though its chief Burguess[sic] has returned to the city of brotherly love, his successor has proved a Solomon in his place. He is now engaged in endeavoring for a Post Office, that a Post shall carry and bring our tremendous budget of letters and periodicals to and from our very doors. Can you believe for a moment that this wondrous town has been all this time without a P. Office in its midst, yet they say it is a fact. Friend Editress please speak favourably of the prospect and let circulate through all the length and bre[a]dth of the circle of your readers and my word for it help will flow from all quarters to encourage our Burguess in his laudable undertaking. And 2ndly though our wholesalae and retail merchant is not among us now his place is supplied by others and Ladies too of the first order grace the merchants room and waits upon his customers, filling up the blank of his non-residence, and the pleasure of his company, but Miss Editress (I will tell you a secret and dont mention it for the world) they say if he dont live in the town he often passes through it. 3rd The accomplished and finished female teacher that won the esteem of all of this great city and vicinity for years tis true is not among us. But we have a valient [sic] in the cause of Education in her place that bids fair to compeet [sic] with her in the great cause of the education of the youth. 4th The taylor [sic] of the town tis true is missing. From Parts unknown a voice has assured us he still exists and rejoices in his Location. Miss Editress your ear a minute and I will whisper another secret. Miss Rumour has just informed me that such a youth is a perfect pattern for the neighborhood. That the formation of this great lyceum that has astonished all creation is mainly accredited to him. But she is a long tongued woman and you must receive her sermons with a large share of allowance and though his place is vacant his profession is monopolized by some of the female order who believe in equality of rights and profits too and calculate ere long to claim some other of the Lucrative professions now monopolized by the assuming Lords of creation. Yours in Haste

                                                G

News clipping: Story for Boys (Persian mother)

            The cry of the Fugitive

From where Niagara’s water flows

  And echoing from the rocky shore

Is heard the cry of human wo[e]

  That mingled with the cataract’s roar.

That sound is constant, deep & loud

  But we Columbians will not hear,

Yet high above the rainbow’s cloud

  It strikes upon the list’ning ear.

God of the fugitive how long

  Shall Afric’s exiled sons complain

Without a crime endure the wrong

  And supplicate redress in vain?

Must they no more their kindred see

  No more behold their fathers’ grave

Shame to the land miscall’d the free

  That make her guiltless children slaves.

God of the Fugitive how long

  Ere freedom on Columbia’s shore

Shall burst the fetters of the strong

  And Slavery’s iron reign be o’er?

Above Niagara’s glittering crest,

  Far, far above the rainbow cloud,

God of the Fugitive! thou hear’st

  And thy strong arm can bend the proud.

Descendants of the Pilgrim sires,

  Whose patriot hearts to freedom cling,

Who keep alive her altar fires

  And make her vaulted temples ring,

With shouts of fealty and love,

  Will you behold with careless eye

While Slavery lifts her flag above

  And plants it in our Northern sky?

Shade of the gallant Warren here,

  Shall Slavery here erect her throne

So near old Bunker’s chief, so near

  God of our sires! so near his bones?

No! by the blood of the hero, shed

  For freedom, we will guard her ??fanes

And by the ashes of the dead

  Oppose the power of whips and chains.

                                    F. M. A.