Part 29 (1/2)
”I never read my own reports. They are printed in mola.s.ses to catch flies.
The Southern legislatures played into my hands by copying the laws of New England relating to Servants, Masters, Apprentices, and Vagrants. But even these were repealed at the first breath of criticism. Neither the Freedman's Bureau nor the army has ever loosed its grip on the throat of the South for a moment. These disturbances and 'atrocities' are dangerous only when printed on campaign fly-paper.”
”And how will you master and control these ten great Southern States?”
”Through my Reconstruction Acts by means of the Union League. As a secret between us, I am the soul of this order. I organized it in 1863 to secure my plan of confiscation. We pressed it on Lincoln. He repudiated it. We nominated Fremont at Cleveland against Lincoln in '64, and tried to split the party or force Lincoln to retire. Fremont, a conceited a.s.s, went back on this plank in our platform, and we dropped him and helped elect Lincoln again.”
”I thought the Union League a patriotic and social organization?” said the doctor in surprise.
”It has these features, but its sole aim as a secret order is to confiscate the property of the South. I will perfect this mighty organization until every negro stands drilled in serried line beneath its banners, send a solid delegation here to do my bidding, and return at the end of two years with a majority so overwhelming that my word will be law.
I will pa.s.s my Confiscation Bill. If Ulysses S. Grant, the coming idol, falters, my second bill of Impeachment will only need the change of a name.”
The doctor shook his head.
”Give up this madness. Your life is hanging by a thread. The Southern people even in their despair will never drink this black broth you are pressing to their lips.”
”They've got to drink it.”
”Your decision is unalterable?”
”Absolutely. It's the breath I breathe. As my physician you may select the place to which I shall be banished. It must be reached by rail and wire. I care not its name or size. I'll make it the capital of the Nation.
There'll be poetic justice in setting up my establishment in a fallen slaveholder's mansion.”
The doctor looked intently at the old man:
”The study of men has become a sort of pa.s.sion with me, but you are the deepest mystery I've yet encountered in this land of surprises.”
”And why?” asked the cynic.
”Because the secret of personality resides in motives, and I can't find yours either in your actions or words.”
Stoneman glanced at him sharply from beneath his wrinkled brows and snapped.
”Keep on guessing.”
”I will. In the meantime I'm going to send you to the village of Piedmont, South Carolina. Your son and daughter both seem enthusiastic over this spot.”
”Good; that settles it. And now that mine own have been conspiring against me,” said Stoneman confidentially, ”a little guile on my part. Not a word of what has pa.s.sed between us to my children. Tell them I agree with your plans and give up my work. I'll give the same story to the press--I wish nothing to mar their happiness while in the South. My secret burdens need not cloud their young lives.”
Dr. Barnes took the old man by the hand:
”I promise. My a.s.sistant has agreed to go with you. I'll say good-bye.
It's an inspiration to look into a face like yours, lit by the splendour of an unconquerable will! But I want to say something to you before you set out on this journey.”
”Out with it,” said the Commoner.
”The breed to which the Southern white man belongs has conquered every foot of soil on this earth their feet have pressed for a thousand years. A handful of them hold in subjection three hundred millions in India. Place a dozen of them in the heart of Africa, and they will rule the continent unless you kill them----”