Fort Lafayette or, Love and Secession

of the city of New York, toward the close of April, a social party

n to an attentive audience of two or three elderly business men, with a ponderous earnestness that proved him, in his own estimation, as much au fait in political affairs as in the routine of his counting-room. An individual of midd

ed, unconsciously rattling the coin in his breeches pocket, "that settles every question at the present day, and our money will bring these beggarl

the operations of the same cause?" inq

he country in our pockets. They can't figh

t against money, and

great principles

Southerners may have to fight in rags, as insurgents generally do: witness the struggle of your Revolution; but until you lay wa

g of our great institutions; you know nothing of the

of declamation at your popular gatherings. But as I journeyed northwa

ween the frenzy of treason and

at treason seemed more

s of an Englishman-of one h

ng and good sense which I have noted and admired. I think your quarrel is one of foibles-one conceived in the spirit of petulance, and about to be prosecuted in the spirit of exaltation. I believe the professed mutual hatred of the sections to be superfic

g! Can we parley with traitors? Can we negotiate with armed rebellion? Is

any provision of the contract. In your case, the employers have dismissed their agent, who seeks to reinstate the office by force of arms. As justly might my lawyer, when I no longer need his services, attempt to coerce me into a continuance of business relations, by invading my residence with a loaded pistol. The States, without extinguishing their sovereignty, created the Federal Government; it is th

y of public property, the occupation of Federal strongholds and t

ses where a distribution of common property is required. It may have been a wrong and an insult to bombard Fort Sumter and haul down the Federal flag, but that does not establis

fulfilled. We have the money to

at and a bilious complexion, approached t

tion and to humanity, in that it will cleanse the land from its curse of slavery. It is an invitation from God to wipe away the record of our past tardiness and tolerance, by striking at the great sin with fire and sword. The blood of millions is nothing-the woe, the lamentation, the ruin of the land is nothing-the ove

undress replied with

ot arm if abolition is to be the watchword. I for one will not strike a blow

tters little what becomes of the negro, but the government must be sustained. Ot

"Our beloved Union must and shall be preserved. The fabric that our fathers reared for us must not be allowed to crum

he military gentleman. "The honor of the glorious

ns," said another, "and prove our supre

and exultation of European powers, and show them that we have

r there appears to be much diversity of opinion. However, if you are determined to cut each

earle. She had known him in Richmond, and had become much attached to him, but his habits and character were such, that her friends, and Beverly chiefly, had earnestly discouraged their intimacy. Philip left for the North, and Miranda, who at the date of our story was the guest of Mrs. Pursely, her relative, met him in New York, after a separation of two ye

lone I cared to live for, what marvel if I sought oblivion in the wine-cup and the dice-box? Give me one chance,

ng to win you from evil. Go with me to Richmond. We will speak with Beverly, who is kind and tru

e to visit Richmond. I have identified myself with the Northern cause, and although, for your sake, I might refrain from bea

the land of your birth-t

appy in each other's love, and forget that madmen are at war around us. Why will you not trust me, Miranda-why do you thus withhold from me my only hope of redemption from the

my friends, my dear country

the North, and fling away my life in battle against my native

the gloom of the recess, he could see

ht in a card for Miss Ayleff. Following i

, somewhat surprised at

ms," said Arthur. "At his request, I have ventured to call in person,

ur marked her changing color; and then, lifting his eyes lest his scrutiny might be rude, observed Philip's dark eye fixed upon her with a suspicious and searching expression. Then Philip lo

ilip appeared restless and uneasy, and rose to ta

said, as she gave her hand

for a second; but he pressed her hand, and,

da was pensive and absent, he bade her good evening, ac