PS 3061 .T4 Y6 Copy 1 /^x. YOUNG iffilllSll ilMffi OR, A DISCOURSORY INTERYIEW BETWEEN THE SPIRITS OF LIBERTY, TYRANNY AND A CITIZEN OF THE WORLD. AN ALLEGORY. BY PROF. PHILIP THORR NEW YORK: ABBE & YATES, 22 BEEKMAN STREET. 1854. .^ Y^^ YOUNG 9m uMl^MiL^ u OR, A DISCOURSORY INTERVIEW BETWEEN THE SPIRITS OF LIBERTY, TYRANNY AND A CITIZEN OF THE WORLD. AN ALLEGORY — i^ BY PROF. PHILIP THORP fo)^' COPY- NEW YORK: ABBE & YATES, 22 BEEKMAN STREET. 1854. P&..3.«4l r^ % Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1854, by PROF. PHILIP THORP, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, for the Southera Di.sti-ict of New York. INTRODUCTORY REMARKS. The author of Young America's Deeam has published it at the re- quest of many friends ; and not because he flattered himself that he was giving to the world a multitude of new ideas ; for he believes the play to be a true pulsation of the " world's heart ;" and that he has acted only in the humble capacity of an Amanuensis, in transcribing that pulsation to paper. Of the critic, he has only one favor to ask. Their scapal may be sharp- ened to as keen an edge as their surgical abilities will enable them to hone it. And that one favor is that their lance may be "sharp ;" for of all pain that of being stabbed with a " dull" knife is most torturing. It may not, however, be out of the author's province to suggest a word for those " carpenters" who live by " razing." Let no man abstract a sin- gle " stone, rafter," or part of my little " cottage," who cannot fill its place by a better one, that will add to its strength and perfection. If he cannot " mend" — and still persists in " sawing," he must content himself by having his " music" for his pains — and always the good nature of THE AUTHOR. CHARACTERS. ACT FIRST Scene First.— Citizen of the World and Tyranny. Scene Second. — Tyranny and his Secretary. Scene Third.— Citizen of the World, Tyranny, and Liberty. SECOND ACT. Scene FzV^^— Libertus, Hope, Minerva, Goddess of Plenty^ Apollo, and Vulcan. Citizen and Band of Citizens. Scene Second. — Libertus and the Citizen of the World. Scene Third. — Libertus and Citizen. Band of Citizens, and Tyranny, and the Owl. Leading Characters.— Citizen of the World, Libertus, and Tyranny. EXITS AND ENTRANCES. R., signifies Right ; L., Uft ; C, Centre. RELATIVE POSITIONS, Are denoted by the same letters that exits and entrances are. YOTJIG AMERICA'S DREAM. ACT I. Scene I. — A beautiful evening twilight ; a gtbhous moon, and a few twin/ding stars. An Arbor of mnes in the rear of which is a grove of dark foliage, and at the right a Forest of heavy oaks half hiding a distant city from view. On the left and in front of the Arbor is seated, in refieded attitude a Citizen of the world. The Citizen arises from his gro- tesque seat, and after musingly and alternately walking in front of the chair he has just vacated ; apparently unconscious that near him stands or hovers a spirit of air or earth, save his God ; casts a glance over the scene of Man and Nature just relapsing into repose, and thus soliloquises : Citizen. Nature I gladly would I dwell with thee, And bury myself in thy deep solitude — Far — far away from the haunts of men ; Holding sweet communion with thy good voice ; — There join the general anthems of thy creaturps. The natural instincts of all living kind Are good ; but man, alone, is most unhappy. Now all Nature seems wrapp'd in sweet repose ; 10 And yon city's din, with all its strifes, its fears And tears, is hushed in sleep. Yet all this is but a signal for another Land's awakening. And while calmness here drives memoff From the wrongs of life, the East becomes alive ; Then, fired by ambition, the mareh of war And fell destruction receives new impulse. Columbia I fair land ; Blessed by a most bounteous hand. Home of the Pilgrims I Land where Liberty sought, and struggled well, To build her Temple ; and rear a people Who might laugh unto scorn gray monarch Europe. She reared her house — called down the Pleadies, And stamped the milky-way upon her banner : Floating o'er the land where her pure spirit dwells. Her sons were guided by her hand, And seemed so well and true that she Pronounced them good. So God, pronounced all Nature good : — Had not Evil been. Earth would still bear The impress of its Creator's hand. Thus, Were Tyranny not stalking, with giant strides — Seeking to foil, and drive from earth his foe — Columbia would to-day rejoice, And resound that strain which when first she broke The iron chain of Despotism, vibrated From heaven to heavens and brought back the voice YOUNG America's dream. H^.. Of encouragement and aid of Gods. But Having been blessed — aided by a high hand, — Rewarded with peace, hixury and strength, She, nearly, now forgets the secret of her Superior force. And rushing headlong, Encourages her most insidious foes. Fair Liberty ! Thy cherished spirit, held most dear, save God, In every American's heart, How sorry hast been thy grievances ; How thou hast wept, when passed from earth Those noble souls who first caught the feeble Ray of thy glim'ring lamp and light'd a pile Whose flame illumin'd the heavens, and made visible The black dens of Tyranny ; and drove his Bat-like offsprings to fearful dread that day Would henceforth reign. With what solicitude, fair Liberty, Hast thou watched with guardian care, That germ of thine own life, whose dignity, Virtue, and beautiful examples Might give to the world true wisdom And the " Rights of Man." As the Arch-Fiend surveyed the newly-formed Earth of good, and planned his entrance there — Has Tyranny viewed thy " Child of the World." His plots have been deeply laid. Even Rome, Where resides his highest aid, has wreathed And severely struggled for thy fall. 12 YOUNG America's dream. But onward shall be thy march ! And more beautiful and strong thy growth — Thine enemy's far-reaching eye, long ere first Thy voice was sounded on Columbia's shore, Saw, faintly saw, thy distant light. And, calling council in his secret arves, Debated long and well thy course. 'Twas seen that once thy spirit 'roused, Like fire upon the prairies' tindered grass, 'Twould sweep along with furious speed, 'Till every fragment of its wrath disolved And lost itself in air. Among the plans resolved upon To quench the feeble spark of thy first light, Was one more fell than all the rest — Deep as it was black ; and far-reaching As Lucifer could see. 'Twas on Virginia's soil to sow the seed Of bondage slavery : which, when all other Means had failed to drive thee from our shore, This seed would take its root ; and spreading O'er thy chosen land, crowd out the choicest plants Of thy kindliest care, as industry And man's equality. This was a well laid scheme ; for 'twas founded On deep and strongly interwoven principles Of artificial man. 'Twas therefore hoped That if all other instruments should fail, The growth of this foul'd weed 13 Would strengthen with your age, 'Till those infused by Liberty's good cause Would find a foe at home ; which might Create intestine wars, and a union Of itself explode. Wliile Tyranny — Gathering up the fragments of Columbia's Last hopes — would exult in final triumph. This plot has jarred the vitals of her life, And with each threatened convulsion, A hearty laugh goes up from Tyranny And his hosts. He laughs as the burning cauldron, He has heated up, alarms his hopes for victims. His fiendish grin, and complacent dance, Are renewed in the dark recesses Of his dominions, with every fearful Apprehension of Liberty's true sons. But laugh old fiend ! Dance thy merry dance 1 Revel and fatten on impoverished millions. Whose empty stomachs and crippled limbs, Prostrate their spirits, and make them coward- dwarfs — Daring not to cast from off their shoulders The iron yoke of Despotism and superstition — America can never know thy rule ! Her chosen champions in halls o' debate May wax warm and please thy hopes, for a moment, But show thy hated foot-steps on her land. And ye will find them brothers in one band — 14 Held by ties more strong to each than life — Ready to retrace the bloody paths, Marked by their sires, o'er frost and snow, To haunt you from their homer. Rome ! seven hilled Rome ! How various Have been thy changiugs, and sad the last. Once to exclaim, " I am a Roman Citizen I" Was to awe respect ] but now brings back con- tempt ; For there pollutes the moral atmosphere By his foul breath the Jesuit king — Second only to the Fiend of fiends. This Foe, whose lightest breath is poison To Liberty's good hopes, stands watching, Plotting for Columbia's fall. His wary nets are set in every hamlet Of her land. His secret spies stand watching, With jealous eye. And o'er each village Of her vast domain frowns his hated cowl ; While cities, heated by every strife. Swarm with his numbers and treasons 'gainst Her life. This is a fearful flood of Tyranny's Last hope. 0, that the spirit voices Of those who have suffered by inquisition, Could speak in tones of Jove I Their voice would jar the earth. And halls where Jesuits plan Their secret subtle schemes, Would tremble : and scattered fragments, YOUNG America's dream. 15 Of their grand piles, mark the tomb Of Liberty's great foe. Enter Tyranny from out of the Arhor — arrayed in scarlet a-nd glittery. On his Imd a Polish Cap, bordered, by a crown. In his hand a sceptre befitting the symbols of his Cap. His whole costume denotes the union of Regal and Popish rule. Advances toward the Citizen by slow and measured strides. Tyranny. (■&.) Good Citizen Citizen, (l.) Nay I prefix no adjectives To my name. I know thee well — What thou pronouncest good, Should be of Hell : Thou art Tyranny — Hated of my life, Father of hell,— and Satan's angry strife, Get thee hence, — Hide thy hated form, And find thine wonted sphere midst Europe's raging storms ; There wilt thou find fitting emblems of thine hands, Low, prowling instincts, waving o'er thy lands. • Here stay'st thy steps, and our stars will cease to shine ; Or the stripes upon our banner-would lash thee to the brine Of Ocean's angry wave ; which spurning so foul a load, 16 Would cast thee on its sands for eagle's beak to goad I Tyranny. Hold 1 impulsive man ; ye liave much wisdom yet to learn. But I must hence. My subjects await my presence — to-morrow, at high noon, while sleep my armies in the Eastern World, I'll visit here, and tell thee more than thou hast thought. [Exit Tyranny, b. Citizen. (Alone.) Tell me more than I have thought : We'll unto this great sage and learn What he calls wisdom. [Exit, l. Scene II. — Within a Roman Castle. Massive columns hung with rich tapestry, through which are seen the spires of Ro- man Cathedrals and other indications of Papal wealth and power. Enter Tyranny, and his Confidential Secretary, l., and seat themselves at Table, on which are scrolls and writing imple- ments. Secretary. My Father, there are troubles here, at home; every hour marks some miscreant from you ranks ; who joins the heretics, and utters blasphemy 'gainst thy name and Church. Where all this will end I have fearful apprehen- sions. There are none to trust. Those fostered by your care, and charged with most secret missions, become charmed of Goddess Liberty, forswear your rule and turn your dead- ly foes. There's np calculating who will next carry to her bands — perhaps our heads. Some new force must be devised to awe these servants and regain your power. Tyranny, Who has now turn'd traitor ? YOUNG America's dream. It Sec. A Father I Tyranny. Let him be brought before the Sacred Coun- cil. Sec. " Let him he brought .'" Father, we are alone. He otdy, who said " Let there he light .'" and there was light, can thus ceramand. You remind me of Canute, who placed his seat upon the ocean's beach, and presumed the tides would cease their roll. That Father is now on Liberty's chosen land — a vast domain ; whose weight in gi'avitation's scale ballances the whole Eastern Continent, and thereby produces day and night and all the seasons of the year. This is the office her country fills in Nature's universal laws. Now, as well attempt to float that whole vast land, through Gibral- ter's Straits, as bring one soul, fired by Liberty's enclianting spirit, before your altar. — 'Tis said, too, there's a fierce gray bird that watches o'er her lands, and carries her messages of all your secret plans. A bird that soars on high above the thunder's roll, And screams the voice of Liberty that rings from pole to pole I Tyranny. Such stories may be well in a young enthusiast's attempt at poetry : so long as her gray birds keep above the thunders, they will do me little harm. That, however, the false views of the people in regard to the true character of Liberty must be corrected, or my influence's destroyed, is true. But I do not clearly see what means can be employed other than those in use. — I early entered her dominions un- der the guise of Bondage — Negro servitude ; and caused within her first Congress to be enacted a compromise, which 18 I ]iavo 110 idle liopes, v/ill break lier bands, and render her scattered forces easy of attack — and doubtless desertion to my ranks. — I have entered her dominions niider the guise of corporated bedies — which is another name for monopoly — and have frequently, apparently, coincided with her views to gain an influence 'niong her people, that may hasten forward my final triumph. No invention has been neglected, calcu- lated to further my interest. Religion, the most powerful le- ver for either cause, is actively employed. — My Cathedrals of adamantine structure frown over many millions — and awe them of my power ; while Colleges for instructing the ri- sing 3^outh in principles of my good cause are multiplied in every metropolis. — My secret Unions, whose spies are vigilant in every* family, are established in each hamlet throughout her lands. — These form not the least of my gigantic machinery, I am at home on her cotton fields — in her 'factories — in her mines — caring not for the name I am known by, 'till my uni- versal reign is fixed. My course is gradual, and my schemes far-laid ; for a w\ary lass is not to be caught by boisterous advances ; but by slow approach. — What new force can be devised ? Will I not eventually succeed in subduing much talked of Liberty ? — Notwithstanding these positions and my hopes, it is true that there are strange forebodings cross- ing my mind — a kind of unutterable sense of ruin. — Were Liberty to succeed in discovering all my plans ;. and in dis- concerting them ; there is no telling where next she may wave her magic wand. Perhaps Rome itself ; this old lamp of the world will be lighted by her fires ; but it is midnight; I must lecture one of these Citizens of Liberty. Good night. [Exit, Tyranny, l. YOUNG America's dream. 19 •Sec, I fear the Old Fellow's in his second childhood ; — much behind the age. He'd better scheme some way of re- volving the earth contrawise, and thereby turn back to the leaf of Time to when people thought not I Gray as he is in years, and deeply school'd in human nature, he has his weak- nesses. Bible-burning is of these. He should have seen that every volume of that sacred book thrown on flames would only serve to rekindle the fire of Liberty. — Impost duties would be borne, when a single touch of his finger on the basis of her government, and guard of her perpetuity, would arouse to highest action every child of her care. — This seems little like slow approach. The truth is, old Ty- ranny has more zeal than discretion. [JExit, Secretary, l. Scene III. — Same as Scene I. — TYRAUi^Y discovered near Ta- ble — advances to c. Citizen seated, l. Tyranny. I meet thee Citizen for thy good. Listen — consider well Ye have rebelled against that head, divined by the hand of God— the author of thy being, to wisely rule. I overheard ye last evening, soliloquising upon the harmony of Nature's work, and alluding to the WTongs of men, and that man alone is most unhappy. — Ye have heard of a certain Arch-angel, who chose to rule, even in hell, rather than serve in Heaven ; and who conspired against his God, found, with all his hosts, a place to revel in his discon- tent. And as ^^wcontent can never be content, he sought for and found an earth of harmony, where each inferior bowed in reverence to all above it — up to Man, whom God had pronounced, by making him superior to every other living 20 YOUNG America's dream. kind, a ruler over all. — To God, alone, bowed man. Satan came and tempted him to discontent for knowledge equal to that of his God. Then followed violation of God's law, confusion and death. Satan, by contagion, produced in Ad- am and his mate, a spirit of discontent. It was sin — the fountain from which spring all the rivulets and swollen tides of evil. God gave man dominion over every living kind. But did he not create among each class a ruler — a body which every other reverenced and obeyed ? There were the king of beasts ; the emperor insects ; without which har- mony could not have been. Thus, as in the wisdom of the universal plan of the spheres, there are the great luminaries around which every other body moves in fearful obeyance. Then each of these in its turn has sattelites whose every movement is governed by its course. And these again have their dependants. God has therefore created rulers, and in- vested them with Divine Will and Power, which no subject has a right to question ; for this is aspiring to equal God in wisdow. The people never made a ruler. The experiment has been tried, but never with success. A ruler is a being who springs from royal lineage at Divine command. Citizen. We have learned that God is goodness ; and all His works exhibit His beauty, wisdom and justness. — Detpotism is not of this ; therefore it is not divine. But this sylogism applied to the devil and despotism, and a con- clusion was never more obvious and true. Tyranny. D-e-s-p-o-t-i-s-m ! This is a term of your inven- tion. Of whom do you speak when you name Despotism! . Citizen. Doth man make language ? Is not language a YOUNG America's dream. 21 natural product of conditions beyond his reach? Tyranny. Grant it to be so. What then ? Citizen. Despotism, then, is a name which no man can claim as his invention. It had birth in hell, and came to earth with its favorite child, now Arch-Despot, Jr., in the Infernal Realms of darkness. When I speak of despotism, I speak of doctrines exercised by the offspring of this junior prince. Tyranny. Who taught ye such wisdom of this spirit and its geuaology ? Citizen. A volume called Revealed and Natural Histo- ry. Tyranny. That volume must be a ponderous book. Citizen. Yes. Its pages are the seven ages. Its chap- ters arc first, Asia ; second, Egypt ; third, Europe ; fourth, America. Its parchment is called Earth. Its binding of material called Oceans. The scribe is Nature's God. Tyranny. (Aside.) I am spending my time with a crazy man. I know not how to approach him. This is the result of those foolish, impracticable ideas, taught by that high- soaring spirit Liberty. — My lands and all the social pleas- ures thereon ; with titles, good Citizen, shall magic-hke arise your property ; and generation to generation shall bear your name, and bless the sire whose wisdom gave them birth - -if you choose im your friend. Citizen. And if I do not ? Tyranny. Time must teach ye. Citizen. Then time shall be my teacher. Tyranny. You refuse my proffer ? 22 YOUNG America's drean. Citizen. I do ; once, twice, thrice, and forever I [A distant rumbling is heard, and a doud falls between the fore- ground and scenery ; and then, on half-arising, discovers to view a Guillontine, a Victim on the rack of Inquisition, and armies of warriors. The Citizen looks upon the scene of torture, while Tyranny extends his hands towards it, a7id studies the countenance of him he would drive to submis- sion}. — while firmness is marked on his lips and a demonic glare is on his eye. — The cloud again descends, and on arising all is quiet, and th£ Citizen again finds himself before the accustomed scene of his resort for meditation. — Tyranny draws his sword and elevates it over the head of the Citizen. Tyranny. (Authoritivdy.) Do you still persist ? [ TTie spirit of Liberty enters at this moment, bearing a wand, with which she strikes, with arrow-like velocity, the sword from the hand of Tyranny. It falls to the earth, broken. Tyranny, with an expression of awe, then retreats to the back-ground, and the wand, in the hand of Liberty, in- stantly changes to the stars and stripes of the American Flog, which she waves between the Citizen and his assailant. [Exit Tyranny, r. [ The flag again resumes it wand-like appearance. Liberty raises a Shidd from her side, and motions the Citizen to buckle it on, which he does. She then presents him with a sword and trumpet. They being accepted, she waves the wand, and while music is heard^ a beautiful doud descends, and af- YOUNG AMERICA'S DREAM. 23 tcr resting a moment arises and reveals to the glad Citizen, Justista and Virgo. Liberty then presents the Citizen with a small banner, on which is gilded TRI URIBUS UNUM. JUSTUS, VIRTUS ET HOMO. United, we stand. Divided we fall. END ACT I. 24 YOUNG AMERICA'S DREAM. ACT II. Scene I. — Time — Morning — a few moments hefore sunrise. A rosy east rejitcts its light over the surface, of water -^ and lights up an elevated grove of fresh verdure and flowery bloom, beneath the branches of which are assembled- Liber- ty, Plenty, Hope, Minerva, Apollo, aiid Yulcan. On the left of this group stand a band of Freemen, or citizens of the world, dressed after the style of the old Continentals, ex- cepting in the place of tlie black felt hats, they ivear white, (wide-awakes.) Each mail is provided with a shield ; and at their sides are suspended trumpets. Glistening in the ro- sy light are their swords, Hhough the points of these are on the ground. Apollo lifts his flute and sounds three notes, lohich are a signal for the band who unitedly sing. [by the band of citizens.] First. Let us join in one united band forever, 'Gainst tyrannic schemes that our union would sever; Let's swear, freemen, to stand by our Constitution. And Liberty's free spirit conspir'd Revolution, When despoctic rule weighed down our fathers' heads. Liberty. Will wave her stars and stripes o'er the graves of the illustrious dead — All. Ever I Ever I Ever I BY CITIZENS. Second. Let us join, brothers, join in one united band ; A guard of Liberty, on this our native land ; To watch with jealous eye what e'er may dare be foe, YOUNG AMERICANS DREAM. 25 And Goddess of Plenty who blessed us long ago ; When Liberty o'er Columbia first waved her wand, Plenty. Will extend her blessings, with a bountiful hand, All. Ever I Ever I Ever ! BY CITIZENS. Third Let us join in one united band of freemen, Republicans by birth,— all trades — yeomen — seamen, To boldly speak our cause, on land or rolling deep, Minerva, who 'roused our sires, " wide-awake from sleep — Who guided them in wisdom to gifts we enjoy, Minerva. Will lead you onward! onward, your partial envoy, All. Ever 1 Ever I Ever I BY CITIZENS. Fmtrth. We will join, brothers, join as did our fathers bold — Unmoved by influence from bribes of foreign gold ; We'll protect institutions for which our sires bled. The gods who have blessed us, by whom we will be led. All. Will watch your interest and schemes your joes de- vise, Ever I Ever I Ever I \^A Shield now arises from the waters, o,n which are inscribed the letters O. of U. A. The American Eagle ajpjproaches and havers over the shield. At this Tnoment the sun arises and sheds its dazzling rays over the waters and lights up the whole Tableau. Hope now sings. YOUN,. AMERICA'S DREAM. BY HOPE. Fifth. Hope now beams upon the world, Freedom is regain'd ! Columbia's safe, and Liberty shall henceforth reign ; The people shall ever rule on Columbia's soil — Heros bold and strong — sons of noble, honest sires ; Always ready at the call of thy country's voice to aid, All. Will maintain Institution their sires well laid, Ever 1 Ever I Ever ! Exeunt All, r. and l. Scene II. — Same as Scene I, Act I. The Citizen has arisen from his seat ; and the Goddess Liberty stands at his side. Liberty. Good Citizen. The star of Liberty has arisen ; its horizon is as clear and cloudless as that of the first morn — when fair Yenus beamed on Earth newly formed — fresh from the hand of God, and bade all Nature to harmony and love. May the heaven of its half-noon, and its noon, be as free from shadows as that of its glorious morn. And where Minerva's Temple is reared, for the people's use ; and free to all — there will Liberty, as known by fathers of Republi- canism on Columbia's fair land have a cloiidless heaven. Citizen. AVould that that heaven were as cloudless one. But dark vapors came from a far off swamp of Despotism ; and sweeping with the force of a tornado, and rising in its columns high in air, and threatened disolution to our peace- ful hamlet — and all we deem' republic. Liberty. This was so ; but now no more. That was an approaching winter ; but a warmer sun arose and illuminated YOUNG America's dream. 27 the shaded vallies where those vapors had settled ; and by the warmer rays dispersed the cloud— and now His lost, or at least has found another land to check in its rising growth. . But that land is not where the American Flag has waved, or Liberty had ever visited. Kor is that land of Europe ; for she has risen, and imitated Columbia's example ! Re- publicanisBa has driven Popes and Emperors and Kings amazed I Assembled populace in armies grand ; demand- ing their rights I Jesuit temples tottered and fell to earth; for their walls were to old, and too deeply stained with blood for republican use I Regal thrones were converted to Protestant pulpits ; and halls where aristocrats once held their wanton revels, became institutions of benevolence and intellectual improvement. Citizen. How, when, and from whence came these revo- lutions ? It was not from Rome ? Yet, what a wonderful word is Rome 1 She has twice truly known liberty. But a dark pall was thrown over her ; and long it was before despotic rule could be subdued. But more brilliant should be her light, than when her sages — now long passed from scenes of Earth — first proclaimed the principles she now so proudly calls her own.—How was it that while the impulses of men have ever been so good ; and common sense did dic- tate true and lasting forms of government, as those of general participation in rights of legislation, such despots obtain in the homely guise of deformed and meagre men — could gain their sought for ends ? By what secret springs of human action did these Liberty devouring drones possess 28 YOUNG America's dream. themselves of power ; ruling people of whole geographical divisions of the Globe ? Liberty, l^he problem is tedious and complicated, but simple in its parts. I'll tell the in a Falle : *' Once upon a time the inferior gods assembled in con- vention for discourse on universal works ; as systems and nebulae of systems ; their formations and general govern- ment. Last, and when all other business was closed, a mes- senger arrived in haste, and on the table placed a scroll, which being opened, read in purpose to the amount of this : That among the infinite atoms of inferior worlds, was one called harmony, peopled by beings of most mysterious form, who claim themselves to be in image that of their God I These people (read the MS.) transform the beauty and lux- urious covering of thy work into barren deserts. The for- ests of thy care, where ye have placed enchanting song, and birds of beauty's plumage, have fallen ; and the natural ele- ments combined by thy wisdom, have been substituted often to uses most fell of demons. If these thing progress, and no superior hand of integral benevolence, intervene, your petitioner humbly enquires if one world in the universal plan will not have been created in vain ? — Then enquired the gods for the part of space and the identification of the little world ; which being given, they forthwith appointed an am- bassadress to visit the self destroying world, who through the jEterial realms of infinitude made search for the object of her mission. On returning to the godly spheres, and when court again convened, she read to the attentive gods a report which in amount was this : — That she had visited the little YOUNG America's dream. 29 sphere to whose misgivings their attention had been called, and learned that that which seemed so wrong was of most deep and sound meditation of the major ruler of all plans. She learned by observations there, that so constituted were the people, that to enjoy the harmony of their world, its beautiful organism, and bountiful gifts, were to be once de- prived of them. The superior god had therefore let them ravish tlie choice gardens of his creation, that they might kiiOiV the pangs of hunger, and all the fearful pains of dis- cord : and when fully repen^^ant, and kneeling at his shrine with staid hands of destruction, he would renew their work of their undoing, and bid them to ever after rever- ence that which is well." Citizen. Then wolves — yea, worse than wolves, have been sent into the fold that we may know the value of true friends ? Liberty. Yea, this is so. Had there not been many Ju- lius Ceesars and Popish despots, there never would have been a Washington. Citizen. Which might be rendered : Had there not been a Satan and many devils, there never would have been a Saviour. Liberty. The World has known enough of hardships to truly welcome Liberty. And should it ever again droop in- to unwariness of its enemies, history of the past would, with every drowsy lethargy, speak a word too frightening for that quiet slumber which enables its wiley foes to destroy its on-* ly hopes of peace, and infinite progression in happiness and 30 YOUNG America's dream. wisdom. Let the past be for our future welfare ; atid eartli shall now rejoice with two-fold gladness. [Exit Liberty. Citizen. Then Tyranny is beggared — driven to the abode of beasts, and haunts where enlightened man has not yet stood. There may he erect his guillotines and ra,cks of inquisitions for bats and owls to roost upon, and moan his funeral requiem. He ne'er was human, and therefore hath no human sympathy. [Exit Citizen, r. Scene III. — The same, as Scen£ II. Act I., excepting in place of scarlet tapestry, is suspended Flags of all Notions, woven into one banner, and surmounted by a cap of Liberty. Enter Liberty aTid Citizen, and stand where previously was seen Tyranny and Secretary. Liberty. This was once the Grand Temple of tyrnanic rule. Within these walls have been planned the death of more men, women, children and nations, than could stand on Italy's soil. Lengthy scrolls, wherein were scribed bloody massacres of innocence — and wherein were written of rivers of blood in terms of jocularity — were here opened, and looked to with the satisfaction of a tradesman, who reads the morning news of the rise of stocks. Thus dealt the former occupant of this grand pile in human life. Wars were here concocted, Emperors crowned, compromises eflfectedj and whole Governments bought and sold for gold ; v/hile the people acted through compulsion as mere automatons ; moved to war or peace at the will of him who sat in yonder chair. YOUNG America's dream. 31 Citizen. Yea. His works were most horribly grand, and despicably small. Not only were general governments objects of his wrath, but the family altar was an object of his vengeance. Husbands were made jealous of their wives ; and wives to hate their consorts, to enhance his power. Or- phans were confined in convents that their robbery might not be known to the people. And his sleek headed Attorneys, alias Priests, ravished them in their cells, and mocked their victims with blasphemous translations of Holy Scripture. I cannot dwell upon the past ; my blood boils, and madness drives me to sin, of invoking the wrath of God on these low Fiends, when Heaven knows they suffer punishment— if pos- sible — equal to their guilt. [Enter the band of Citizens, l., and arrange themselves in columns on either side of Liberty. Liberty. Citizens of the world, you have experienced the calamities and misfortunes attending an unbridled am- bition and prodigality. Let the past be for future good. Raise high upon the Banner foremost in your ranks, this motto. Diffusion of Useful Knowledge among THE Masses. Let the first lessons taught in your schools, be self-government and civil independence. Drive from your midst useless professions — such as feed on discord, and lead their practices to scheming inclinations for political influence and power. Choose for your leaders, such as have been bred to industry by virtuous examples. And often change these officers, that you may not create by a physical law, another school of despotism. o'ij YOUNG America's dream. Baud of Citizens. This shall be our zealous care, \_Lileiiy waves her wand and the Temple of despotism falls ^ leaving the hand of Citizens on an elevated stagt or platform from which they view, with amazement, the scene, wkidi walls and massive columns had previously hidden from view. --The scene is that of the death of Tyranny in a gloomy fort*-, wild with beasts, only for attendants. Breathlessly the bat. listen to his dying soliloquy, which is repeated as follows : Tyranny. Alas I how changing are the ways of earth [ Man, as 1 am, whom millions have obeyed and feared — whose word caused Empires to tremble with dread — and around whose flowery and golden couch, the fairest daugh- ters knelt — now scorned of Earth, and hannted from the scenes of men, to die a hated outcast 'mong beasts, that make merry over an expectant meal. Thus will thg flesh of my poor frame know no burial. Owl. And the past will seem to the world as a night- mare, of hideous visions. \_A cloud descends between the audience and the whole scene ; and on arising discovers a Temple of Liberty, U7ider the arches of which are assembled the band of Citizens, with Liberty in the centre. THE END. LIBRftRY OF CONGRESS 000 853 553 P