FAMILY HISTORY: POETRY Collection written by Elsie Strawn ARMSTRONG
  
  File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Les Howard Strawn
  
  Copyright 2006.  All rights reserved.
  http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
  http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/somerset/
  ________________________________________________
  
         Brookfield, May 10, 1864
  
  Mrs. Potts
  Dear Friend,
    I received the paper in good time and thought I would acknowledge it 
  immediately, but have been busy, piecing quilts and tying comforts and our folks 
  have been so busy they could not read it all to me sooner.  I was truly pleased 
  on receiving the paper, it seemed to say you had not forgotten me.  I very often 
  think of you while wearing the caps you made me and using the handkerchiefs you 
  so kindly hemmed me, and the pleasant hours I spent with you.
    I staid at Williams' three weeks and pieced her eight covers, tied three in 
  comforts, and quilted one and then she sent me home in style.  William came home 
  on the 16th of February, and she had a daughter on the 20th, and on the 24th he 
  left for Chicago, and then he wrote me a very complimentary, pretty letter, 
  thanking me for my visit to his wife, and said she appreciated it so much.
    There is much good reading on the paper.  The sermon on the Web is very good 
  with the exception of that foolish, spiteful nickname "Copperhead" the 
  Abolitionists gave the Democrats, like silly spiteful children.  When they have 
  no argument they take to calling names, that way their spite to vent; but among 
  common, decent people nicknames and bywords are considered too mean to be 
  indulged in.  In Mr. Adams' letter to his friend I think there are some 
  inconsistencies.  He wants a strong Republican government.  Geography says, "In 
  a republic the chief magistrate or president is chosen by the people."  
  Democratic rule, with very little exception, and no country ever improved or 
  prospered to equal it, till the Abolitionists got the power to make war.  And 
  how is he to prevent the "damning doctrine of state rights' if he has a 
  Republican government when the people are the sovereigns?
    Our president Lincoln admitted three territories into the Union with "State 
  rights" the first thing he did; and was ever a monarch more promptly obeyed than 
  President Lincoln - Mr. Adams seem to think that God is about to make a display 
  of the Negroes as of ancient Israel, but hopes a few of the whites will be saved 
  for the benefit of the Negro.  He seems to forget that the Israelites were sent 
  to destroy the children of Canaan or to take them for bondman and maid.  "And 
  they shall be an inheritance to you and your seed forever.  We are of Japheth 
  family of gentiles."  Mr. Adam's ideas are the same as the man I met at 
  William's.  I will give you the conversation in rhyme.
      
  One of the those fanatics,
      I heard him tell his friend,
  Till the Negroes all were free
      This war will never end.
  
  Both the North and South
      Are just entering the Red Sea,
  And when the Negroes get across,
      Drowned the whites will be.
  
  With only a few exceptions
      Of the smartest and the best,
  Preserved for meanest servitude
      But the Negroes then possessed.
  
  Then this continent will flourish
      And be the whole world's admiration,
  The greatest and the richest
      Of every other nation.
  
  And they'll build the greatest city
      That ever yet was known,
  Surpassing every other
      Since first the world began.
  
  I said, this man's insane
      On that subject, lost his reason;
  If all that could be done for them
      "Twould last but a short season.
  
  I said, why, you must tend to them
      And get them all red breeches,
  To strut and feel their consequence,
      But the unfaithful wretches,
  
  They strutted off and left him
      And took with them their plunder,
  New muskets and bright bayonets,
      A Negro trick, now wonder.
  
  In less than six short months
      Would pass the glory of their breeches,
  In less than seven years
      Would pass the glory of their riches.
  
  For farms are on the retrograde
      Unless they are well cared,
  With rails and gates and stakes
      Frequently repaired.
  
  And houses in the city
      As well as on plantations,
  If in Negroes hands would be
      Soon in dilapidation.
  
  For the Negro is no use
      But in the far distant South,
  Where he needs but little clothing
      And enough to fill his mouth.
  
  A Dutchman or in Irishman
      Will do more work in a day,
  Than a Negro will in three,
      It is a common say.
  
  To let alone the Negro
      We ought all to agree,
  And stop this sore contention,
      For it's very bad, you see.