Page:The Atlantic Monthly Volume 1.djvu/384

376 fore wriggles and shuffles, with an absurd and transparent inconsistency, to defeat the popular will, and yet mouth it bravely about "the great principle of Popular Sovereignty." The President thinks that it is time that these troubles in Kansas were at an end, and we cordially agree with him in the sentiment; but he needs scarcely to be reminded that they never will be at an end, until the wicked schemes, which have been so long persisted in, to override the convictions and hopes and interests of a large majority of the Kansas settlers, are utterly abandoned by those who are in power.

Of the remaining and mostly routine topics of the Message we have no occasion to speak; and we only regret that the deficiencies of the most important parts are so glaring as to oblige us to treat them with undisguised severity.

, when I brought her veil, Her white veil, on her wedding-night, Threw o'er my thin brown hair its folds, And, laughing, turned me to the light.

"See, Bessie, see! you wear for once The bridal veil, forsworn for years!" She saw my face,—her laugh was hushed, Her happy eyes were filled with tears.

With kindly haste and trembling hand She drew away the gauzy mist; "Forgive, dear heart!"—her sweet voice said; Her loving lips my forehead kissed.

We passed from out the searching light; The summer night was calm and fair: I did not see her pitying eyes, I felt her soft hand smooth my hair.

Her tender love unlocked my heart; 'Mid falling tears, at last I said, "Forsworn indeed to me that veil, Because I only love the dead!"

She stood one moment statue-still, And, musing, spake in under-tone, "The living love may colder grow; The dead is safe with God alone!"