north america-1-第96章
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d as saying that republican institutions； or what may more properly be called democratic institutions； have been broken down in the States of America。 I am far from thinking that they have broken down。 Taking them and their work as a whole； I think that they have shown and still show vitality of the best order。 But the written Constitution of the United States and of the several States； as bearing upon each other； are not equal to the requirements made upon them。 That； I think； is the conclusion to which a spectator should come。 It is in that doctrine of finality that our friends have broken downa doctrine not expressed in their constitutions； and indeed expressly denied in the Constitution of the United States； which provides the mode in which amendments shall be madebut appearing plainly enough in every word of self…gratulation which comes from them。 Political finality has ever proved a delusionas has the idea of finality in all human institutions。 I do not doubt but that the republican form of government will remain and make progress in North America； but such prolonged existence and progress must be based on an acknowledgment of the necessity for change； and must much depend on the facilities for change which shall be afforded。 I have described the condition of Baltimore as it was early in May； 1861。 I reached that city just seven months later； and its condition was considerably altered。 There was no question then whether troops should pass through Baltimore； or by an awkward round through Annapolis； or not pass at all through Maryland。 General Dix； who had succeeded General Banks； was holding the city in his grip； and martial law prevailed。 In such times as those； it was bootless to inquire as to that promise that no troops should pass southward through Baltimore。 What have such assurances ever been worth in such days？ Baltimore was now a military depot in the hands of the Northern army； and General Dix was not a man to stand any trifling。 He did me the honor to take me to the top of Federal Hill； a suburb of the city； on which he had raised great earthworks and planted mighty cannons； and built tents and barracks for his soldiery； and to show me how instantaneously he could destroy the town from his exalted position。 〃This hill was made for the very purpose；〃 said General Dix； and no doubt he thought so。 Generals； when they have fine positions and big guns and prostrate people lying under their thumbs； are inclined to think that God's providence has specially ordained them and their points of vantage。 It is a good thing in the mind of a general so circumstanced that 200；000 men should be made subject to a dozen big guns。 I confess that to me； having had no military education； the matter appeared in a different light； and I could not work up my enthusiasm to a pitch which would have been suitable to the general's courtesy。 That hill； on which many of the poor of Baltimore had lived； was desecrated in my eyes by those columbiads。 The neat earth…works were ugly； as looked upon by me； and though I regarded General Dix as energetic； and no doubt skillful in the work assigned to him； I could not sympathize with his exultation。 Previously to the days of secession Baltimore had been guarded by Fort McHenry； which lies on a spit of land running out into the bay just below the town。 Hither I went with General Dix； and he explained to me how the cannon had heretofore been pointed solely toward the sea； that； however； now was all changed； and the mouths of his bombs and great artillery were turned all the other way。 The commandant of the fort was with us； and other officers； and they all spoke of this martial tenure as a great blessing。 Hearing them； one could hardly fail to suppose that they had lived their forty； fifty； or sixty years of life in full reliance on the powers of a military despotism。 But not the less were they American republicans； who； twelve months since； would have dilated on the all…sufficiency of their republican institutions； and on the absence of any military restraint in their country； with that peculiar pride which characterizes the citizens of the States。 There are； however； some lessons which may be learned with singular rapidity！ Such was the state of Baltimore when I visited that city。 I found； nevertheless； that cakes and ale still prevailed there。 I am inclined to think that cakes and ale prevail most freely in times that are perilous； and when sources of sorrow abound。 I have seen more reckless joviality in a town stricken by pestilence than I ever encountered elsewhere。 There was General Dix seated on Federal Hill with his cannon； and there； beneath his artillery； were gentlemen hotly professing themselves to be secessionists； men whose sons and brothers were in the Southern army； and women； alas！ whose brothers would be in one army； and their sons in another。 That was the part of it which was most heartrending in this border land。 In New England and New York men's minds at any rate were bent all in the same directionas doubtless they were also in Georgia and Alabama。 But here fathers were divided from sons； and mothers from daughters。 Terrible tales were told of threats uttered by one member of a family against another。 Old ties of friendship were broken up。 Society had so divided itself that one side could hold no terms of courtesy with the other。 〃When this is over；〃 one gentleman said to me； 〃every man in Baltimore will have a quarrel to the death on his hands with some friend whom he used to love。〃 The complaints made on both sides were eager and open… mouthed against the other。 Late in the autumn an election for a new legislature of the State had taken place； and the members returned were all supposed to be Unionists。 That they were prepared to support the government is certain。 But no known or presumed secessionist was allowed to vote without first taking the oath of allegiance。 The election； therefore； even if the numbers were true； cannot be looked upon as a free election。 Voters were stopped at the poll and not allowed to vote unless they would take an oath which would； on their parts； undoubtedly have been false。 It was also declared in Baltimore that men engaged to promote the Northern party were permitted to vote five or six times over； and the enormous number of votes polled on the government side gave some coloring to the statement。 At any rate； an election carried under General Dix's guns cannot be regarded as an open election。 It was out of the question that any election taken under such circumstances should be worth anything as expressing the minds of the people。 Red and white had been declared to be the colors of the Confederates； and red and white had of course become the favorite colors of the Baltimore ladies。 Then it was given out that red and white would not be allowed in the streets。 Ladies wearing red and white were requested to return home。 Children decorated with red and white ribbons were stripped of their bits of finerymuch to their infantile disgust and dismay。 Ladies would put red and white ornaments in their windows； and the police would insist on the withdrawal of the colors。 Such was the condition of Baltimore during the past winter。 Nevertheless cakes and ale abounded； and though there was deep grief in the city； and wailing in the recesses of many houses； and a feeling that the good times were gone； never to return within the days of many of them； still there existed an excitement and a consciousness of the importance of the crisis which was not altogether unsatisfactory。 Men and women can endure to be ruined； to be torn from their friends； to be overwhelmed with avalanches of misfortune； better than they can endure to be dull。 Baltimore is； or at any rate was； an aspiring city； proud of its commerce and proud of its society。 It has regarded itself as the New York of the South； and to some extent has forced others so to regard it also。 In many respects it is more like an English town than most of its Transatlantic brethren； and the ways of its inhabitants are English。 In old days a pack of fox hounds was kept hereor indeed in days that are not yet very old； for I was told of their doings by a gentleman who had long been a membe
