tune of “The World is Upside Down,” Cornwallis’ army marches out of
Yorktown and surrenders. Freedom dominates the whole scene in her
exultation. “The World is Upside Down” becomes a triumphal march
and all the multitude of the people prance into the scene. Then
dissonance creeps into the music and discord into the movement of the
crowd. The Chronicler rises._]
THE CHRONICLER
Chaos succeeds revolt and triumph gives way to greed and hatred and
what was harmony in war becomes jealousy and faction, for the faith of
the people is dead and the united colonies break asunder, each one for
itself.
[_Loyalists are singled out, perhaps, and stoned and jostled from
the scene. Cheers become snarls. The multitude separates into small
units, thirteen of them. These seem to wrangle among themselves,
then, like so many socks, to turn inside out so that each menaces the
other. The light over the multitude is murky. The music subsides to a
low, ominous sound._
_All this time Washington has stood imperturbably upon the stair,
looking grimly down with the eloquence and understanding of a great
fatalism. Freedom, however, is amazed. She wrings her hands in
despair. She cries out in anguish._]
FREEDOM
Sowing salvation, do I reap
Havoc for harvest?
THE CHRONICLER
Upon the human tempest descends, once more, the calm of leadership. A
marvelous boy emerges. The word is Hamilton’s.
FREEDOM
Ah!
[_She watches anxiously as Hamilton steps out of the gloom and
comes up into the light about herself and Washington. Hope revives
in her. She reaches her arms out toward him. Light shines upon the
Spokesmen._]
HAMILTON
The business of America’s happiness is yet to be done.
(_The crowd snarls more loudly than ever._)
There is something noble and magnificent in the perspective of a great
Federal Republic.... There is something proportionally diminutive and
contemptible in the prospect of petty states with the appearance only
of union.
THE FIRST SPOKESMAN
(_To Freedom, speaking Hamilton’s words._)
Happy America, if those to whom thou hast entrusted the guardianship of
thy infancy know how to provide for thy future repose!
[_From the people, a mocking laugh._]
THE SECOND SPOKESMAN
(_Also speaking Hamilton’s words._)
Miserable and undone if their negligence or ignorance permits the
spirit of discord to erect her banner on the ruins of your tranquillity!
[_Again the laughter of the people._
_Washington looks toward Hamilton who comes up nearer his chief.
Freedom blesses him. The crowd shake their fists at him and turn away
their faces. The laughter develops into a horrible jeer. Then Freedom
speaks and the groups gather more closely together. But from each one
of them, during her words, certain individuals detach themselves and
move hesitantly until they stand about Hamilton’s feet._]
FREEDOM
Will you hear me, People?
I understand you, People, as none other can,
I serve you, People, as none other can;
I tell you, here is your proving time.
I bid you cast envy out from your hearts.
For none will work you injustice, now, save only yourselves,
And no folly will lead you astray now, but your own folly,
Therefore, bestir you, People!
You may not deny your leaders or your cause or me!
You cannot, People, for we are your life!
HAMILTON
(_To Freedom._)
Tell them this Convention shall never rise until the Constitution is
adopted!
FREEDOM
Marvelous Boy,
Do you speak, now.
HAMILTON
(_Swinging to the people._)
Here, my countrymen, let us make a firm stand for our safety, our
tranquillity, our dignity, our reputation. It belongs to us to
vindicate the honor of the human race. Union will enable us to do
it.... The necessity of a constitution is imminent. A nation without a
national government is an awful spectacle. Why, then, do you hesitate?
The fabric of American empire ought to rest on the solid basis of
the consent of the people. The stream of national power ought to
flow immediately from that pure original fountain of all legitimate
authority. Let the thirteen states, bound together in an indissoluble
union, concur in erecting one great American system, consecrated to
the steady administration of the laws, dedicated to the protection of
liberty against the enterprises and assaults of ambition, of faction,
of anarchy, able to dictate the terms of connection between the old
world and the new!
[_Gradually as he spoke, the groups have merged, slowly and
diffidently, but surely. At the end they stand all together about his
feet, looking up into his face. And the music crashes superbly out
and light blazes upon the Spokesmen. And, as they begin to speak, the
crowd joins hands and lifts linked arms high, as if to take an oath._]
THE FIRST SPOKESMAN AND FOUR VOICES
We, the people of the United States....
THE SECOND SPOKESMAN AND EIGHT VOICES
In order to form a more perfect union...
THE FIRST SPOKESMAN AND TWELVE VOICES
Establish justice...
THE SECOND SPOKESMAN AND SIXTEEN VOICES
Ensure domestic tranquillity...
THE FIRST SPOKESMAN AND TWENTY VOICES
Provide for the common defense...
THE SECOND SPOKESMAN AND TWENTY-FOUR VOICES
Promote the general welfare...
THE FIRST SPOKESMAN AND TWENTY-EIGHT VOICES
And secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity...
THE SECOND SPOKESMAN AND FULL CHOIR
Do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of
America.
[_The triumphant music again and a shout of joy from all the people
and Freedom lifts grateful hands to heaven._]
FOUR VOICES OF THE CHOIR
(_Intoning upon a high note._)
No law respecting an established religion or prohibiting the free
exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech or of the press;
or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and to petition the
government for a redress of grievance.
THE FULL CHOIR
(_Sotto voce upon a higher note._)
Liberty and Union, now and forever, one and inseparable!
FREEDOM
We here highly resolve that government of the people, by the people,
for the people shall not perish from the earth.
[_Then the music bursts forth again and the first president is
inaugurated. The scene is best described in the words of Lear’s
diary. “All the churches in the city were opened and prayers offered
up to the Great Ruler of the Universe for the preservation of the
President. The troops of the city paraded.... The procession moved
forward, the troops marching in front with all the ensigns of
military parade. Next came the committees and heads of departments
in their carriages, the foreign ministers and a long train of
citizens.... About two hundred yards before we reached the hall
we descended from our carriages and passed through the troops who
were drawn up on either side, into the hall and the Senate Chamber
where we found the Vice-President and the House of Representatives
assembled. They received the President in a most respectful manner
and the Vice-President conducted him to a balcony. The oath was
administered in public by Chancellor Livingstone who proclaimed him
President of the United States.”_]
WASHINGTON
My station is new. I walk on untrodden ground. With God’s help, I
readily engage with you in the task of making a nation happy.
THE PEOPLE
God save our Washington! Long live our beloved President!
[_The celebration of Washington’s inauguration is then enacted with
a torchlight procession, lanterns and transparencies and the frantic
joy of the crowd and much singing of “Yankee Doodle.”_
_The scene darkens with the dying of the jubilation._
_The Chronicler rises._]
THE CHRONICLER
The eight years of administration pass. The faith of the people again
grows cold. New voices speak flattery and falsehood and sow the seed of
disaster to come. But the leaders are steadfast, always, and, even in
farewell, the end of their leadership is wisdom.
[_The only light, now, shines upon the group of Freedom, Washington
and Hamilton. The people stand, in the shadow, absolutely still and
unresponsive._]
WASHINGTON
The time has come for me to return to retirement. Choice and prudence
invite me to quit the scene. But a solicitude for your welfare which
cannot end but with my life prompts me to offer to your solemn
contemplation some sentiments which appear to me all important to the
permanency of your felicity as a people.
FREEDOM
This is the warning word.
WASHINGTON
The power and right to establish government presuppose the duty to obey
government. Providence connects the permanent felicity of a nation with
its virtue. Avoid the necessity of overgrown military establishments!
Be warned against the baneful effects of the spirit of party! Promote
institutions for the general diffusion of knowledge. Observe good
faith and justice toward all nations. Cultivate peace and harmony with
all. It is folly for one nation to look for disinterested favors from
another. It is our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances
with any portion of the foreign world.
THE CHRONICLER
The counsel is spoken. The farewell remains.
WASHINGTON
I shall carry with me the hope that my country will never cease to
view my errors with indulgence and that, after forty-five years of
my life dedicated to its service with an upright zeal, the faults of
incompetent abilities will be consigned to oblivion as myself must soon
be to the mansions of rest.
[_There is an instant of silence. Then Freedom puts her hands on the
shoulders of Washington and Hamilton and looks into their eyes and
the distant Chorus sings._]
THE CHORUS
And in regions far
Such heroes bring ye forth
As those from whom we came
And plant our name
Under that star
Not known unto our north.
FREEDOM
(_Speaking above the Chorus._)
Ever and ever more,
Under the western stars,
Over the western lands,
My leaders,
Your names,
Your words,
Your dreams!
[_She turns with the two men and goes a few steps with them into the
darkness above them. Then they go up and she is last seen looking
after them. Darkness takes the entire scene._]
THE CHORUS
And in regions far,
Such heroes bring ye forth,
As those from whom we came....
_Part Three_
[Illustration]
“_Social Freedom_”
THE CHRONICLER
The nation being established conceives the empire. The race, born of
the romance of empire and nourished upon the adventure of freedom,
turns to the wilderness.
THE CHOIR
Pioneers! O Pioneers!
THE CHRONICLER
Beyond these eastern mountains, the adventure of freedom is resumed,
and the romance of empire lives anew!
THE CHOIR
Pioneers! O Pioneers!
[_Freedom turns at the shout and the music begins a soft, wild
march theme. Suddenly possessed again, Freedom evokes the Western
migration. As she begins to speak the first of it begins: a few
timorous stragglers who appear from the trees at the left of the
stage and peer up at her. Her gestures sweep them across the scene
and they come, stopping here and there to build their camp fires. At
the end of her harangue, five or six groups have spaced themselves
along the line of the forestage, and from each group and its camp
fire rises a thin column of smoke so that the varied and splendid
processional of adventure which is to come will be seen behind this
delicate colonnade._]
FREEDOM
Out of the east,
Into the west,
A vision of empire, my people,
A vision of rivers and prairies,
Of western mountains and a western ocean.
And of a wider Freedom!
New cities sleep unborn
On the shores of the lakes and the rivers,
Cities to be erected
In a loftier image of Freedom,
Cities, whence new generations,
Forgetful of all save courage,
Shall in their turn set out
Into further western regions,
Building cities and cities,
Building always for Freedom,
Building, renewing, creating....
Westward, westward, and westward,
Over the walls of the mountains,
Over the blight of the desert,
To the urgent, star-scattered horizon,
Where the stars and the sun and the moon
Rise into the wind and the heavens,
Out of the western ocean,
Out of the west and the east,
People, my people, set forward,
For Freedom! For Freedom! For Freedom!
THE CHOIR
(_Shouting._)
Pioneers! O Pioneers!
[_With this, the musical accompaniment to Freedom’s words resolves
itself into a triumphal march and the full bulk of the procession
appears crossing from left to right of the stage. First are small
wagons, so light you might almost carry them, as Birkbeck said of
them, “yet strong enough to bear a good load of bedding, utensils and
provisions and a swarm of young citizens.” Others have two horses
and, sometimes, a cow or so. Other wagons are covered with canvas
and blankets. There are Conestoga wagons and prairie schooners with
herds of stock and sheep and the crowd of emigrants is gaily dressed
as any gang of gipsies, red-shirted men, blue and yellow-skirted
women, bright clothes for the children and bright blankets. And
a great light grows up on the right of the stage into which this
procession moves and all the while the circuit riders and hunters
scatter through the crowd on their respective, mimed businesses. At
the same time, shouting over the music, the two Spokesmen and the
Choir have maintained a steady crescendo comment from the “Pioneers,
O Pioneers!” of Walt Whitman._]
THE FIRST SPOKESMAN
(_With the end of Freedom’s speech._)
Come, my tan-faced children,
Follow well in order, get your weapons ready,
Have you your pistols, have you your sharp-edged axes?
Pioneers!
THE CHOIR
O Pioneers!
THE SECOND SPOKESMAN
Have the elder races halted?
Do they droop and end their lesson wearied over there beyond the seas?
We take up the task eternal and the burden and the lesson,
Pioneers!
THE CHOIR
O Pioneers!
THE FIRST SPOKESMAN
All the past we leave behind,
We debouch upon a newer, mightier world, varied world,
Fresh and strong the world we seize, world of labor and the march,
Pioneers!
THE CHOIR
O Pioneers!
THE SECOND SPOKESMAN
We detachments steady throwing,
Down the edges, through the passes, up the mountains steep,
Conquering, holding, daring, venturing as we go the unknown ways,
Pioneers!
THE CHOIR
O Pioneers!
THE FIRST SPOKESMAN
We primeval forests felling,
We the rivers stemming, vexing we and piercing the deep mines within,
We the surface broad surveying, we the virgin soil upheaving,
Pioneers!
THE CHOIR
O Pioneers!
THE SECOND SPOKESMAN
All the pulses of the world,
Falling in they beat for us, with the Western movement beat,
Holding single or together, steady moving to the front, all for us,
Pioneers!
THE CHOIR
O Pioneers!
THE FIRST SPOKESMAN
Has the night descended?
Was the road of late so toilsome? Did we stop discouraged, nodding on
our way?
Yet a passing hour I yield you in your tracks to pause oblivious,
Pioneers!
THE CHOIR
O Pioneers!
FREEDOM
Till with sound of trumpet,
Far, far off the daybreak call--hark! how loud I hear it wind,
Swift! to the head of the army!--swift! spring to your places,
Pioneers!
THE CHOIR
O Pioneers!
[_At the final shout of the Choir, the western light turns suddenly
bloody and the procession hurries off into murk and portent. At the
same time a new light breaks over the forestage upon a sinister line
of men which has come in between the thrones of the two Spokesmen._
_These men are negroes, naked, save for loin cloths and girdles,
twenty-one in number, and all singers. The hands of each one are
chained to the girdle of the one behind and they move up the slope
toward Freedom in a slow, melancholy “V.”_
_As they move, they sing. Their song should, indeed, have scattered
the echoes of the farewell acclamation of the pioneers. The strain
of it is despair that takes refuge in worship. It is one of the old
spirituals, “Go Down Moses.” They move, singing, up to Freedom and
she comes sorrowfully down to meet them and the Chronicler rises._
_As the negroes finish their song, they kneel at Freedom’s feet and
she bends over them._]
FREEDOM
While you suffer, I am nothing.
THE CHRONICLER
The trial of the race comes with the attainment of its empire.
In the west the factions meet already and the issue is the slave.
FREEDOM
God alone knows the end
Yet God understands!
[_The Chronicler sits and a blare of madness comes upon the music and
a new group is upon the forestage. The center of this is an old man,
white bearded, with a bloody head and a halter about his neck. Other
figures stand about a gibbet. The music subsides softly into “John
Brown’s Body” and continues to weave variations upon this until the
final moment when the chorus of Union Soldiers takes it up. In the
meanwhile, this old man, John Brown, speaks._]
JOHN BROWN
I, John Brown, am now quite certain that the crimes of this land will
never be purged away but with blood. For God has given the strength of
the hills to Freedom. No man sent me here. I acknowledge no master in
human form. I pity the poor in bondage that have none to help them.
That is why I am here. You may dispose of me very easily. I am nearly
disposed of now. But this negro question is still to be settled. The
end of that is not yet. I am ready. Do not keep me waiting. In no other
possible way could I be used to so much advantage to the cause of God
and of humanity.
[_He moves toward the gibbet and the scene goes into darkness with
the pounding of a drum._]
FOUR VOICES
A house divided against itself cannot stand.
[_A pause and the drum again, tapped twice._]
EIGHT VOICES
(_Upon a higher note._)
This government cannot endure permanently half slave and half free.
[_Then light upon Freedom._]
FREEDOM
(_The light only upon her face._)
The day attends the sun and the event
Attends the purpose of a steadfast mind.
Always in all upheaval man must find
The purpose of a master’s government.
Now in the darkling of calamity,
The purpose and the character of one
Called to a generation’s mastery
Come as the sun,
Come and are known and spend
Their powers hardily,
And, in the end,
Leave to the issue clarity again,
And wisdom to the memories of men.
[_The light spreading about her discloses the figure of Abraham
Lincoln standing at her feet. People gather at the sides of the
stage._]
THE CHOIR
Lincoln ... Lincoln ... Lincoln....
LINCOLN
In your hands, my dissatisfied fellow countrymen, and not in mine is
the momentous issue of civil war. The government will not assail you.
You can have no conflict without being yourselves the aggressors. You
have no oath registered in heaven to destroy the government, while I
shall have the most solemn one to preserve, protect and defend it.
THE PEOPLE
(_Crescendo._)
Lincoln ... Lincoln ... Lincoln....
[_Freedom bends her head upon Lincoln. The negroes look up to him.
The people come a little closer, moving restlessly among themselves
with disturbed, though soundless, gestures._]
LINCOLN
I would save the Union.... If there be those who would not save the
Union unless they could, at the same time, save slavery, I do not agree
with them. If there be those who would not save the Union unless they
could, at the same time, destroy slavery, I do not agree with them. If
I could save the Union without freeing any slave, I would do it; and
if I could save it by freeing all the slaves, I would do it; and if I
could save it by freeing some and leaving others alone, I would also do
that.
[_Suddenly, as Lincoln’s voice concludes, the people divide
impetuously, and draw back, in two great bodies, to either side of
the stage._
_A cannon crashes out and all the people are aghast._
_Darkness obscures the two multitudes and the Spokesmen, in the
light, strike antiphonally into the beautiful words which Mr. John
Drinkwater wrote for the characters in his play, “Robert E. Lee.”_]
THE FIRST SPOKESMAN
The strain comes and men’s wits break under it and fighting is the only
way out.
THE SECOND SPOKESMAN
War is the anger of bewildered peoples in front of questions that they
can’t answer.
THE FIRST SPOKESMAN
The quarrel is so little beside the desolation that is coming.
THE SECOND SPOKESMAN
One year ... two ... three ... perhaps four! Then there will be just
graves and a story and America.
[_Suddenly a pool of bloody light explodes upon the right of the
stage and shows a knoll of gray uniforms about the flag of the
Confederacy and the men in the light burst into the wild abandon of
“Dixie.”_
_Then another pool of bloody light shows blue uniforms and the men
and all the Chorus behind sing “John Brown’s Body” again, full voice._
_Then the light upon Lincoln is white and includes the group of
slaves and the figure of Freedom._]
LINCOLN
All persons held as slaves are and, henceforward, shall be free. And
upon this act, sincerely believed to be an act of justice, I invoke the
considerate judgment of mankind and the gracious favor of Almighty God.
[_His hands bless the negroes and all the people look gratefully up
to him and the armies turn their heads toward him._
_Two figures detach themselves from the two armies. One is Grant. The
other is Lee. They walk toward each other and the armies fall back in
great weariness. When they meet, the two generals speak._]
GRANT
Sir, you have given me occasion to be proud of my opponent.
LEE
I have not spared my strength. I acknowledge its defeat.
GRANT
You have come--
LEE
To ask upon what terms you will accept surrender.
GRANT
(_Presents a slip of paper._)
They are simple. I hope you will not find them ungenerous.
LEE
(_Having read them._)
You are magnanimous, sir. May I make one submission?
GRANT
It would be a privilege if I could consider it.
LEE
You allow our officers to keep their horses. That is gracious. Our
cavalry troopers’ horses are also their own.
GRANT
I understand. They will be needed for the plowing. Of course, the
officers of the Confederacy will also retain their side arms.
LEE
I thank you. It will do much toward conciliating our people. I accept
your terms.
[_He offers his sword._]
GRANT
No, no! I should have included that. It has but one rightful place.
[_They salute and each returns to his army._]
LEE
(_Speaking the close of Lee’s final orders._)
Valor and devotion can accomplish nothing that will compensate for the
loss that must attend the continuance of the conflict. You may take
with you the satisfaction of duty faithfully performed, and I earnestly
pray that a merciful God will extend to you his blessing and protection.
GRANT
(_Speaking the close of Grant’s last message._)
All that it was possible for men to do in battle they have done. Let
us hope for perpetual peace and harmony with that enemy whose manhood,
however mistaken the cause, drew forth such Herculean deeds of valor.
[_The bloody light fades and the two armies spread out into the
crowds which now slowly close in._]
LINCOLN
With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the
right as God gives us to see the right; let us strive on to finish
the work we are in; to bind up the nation’s wounds; to care for him
who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow and his orphan--to
do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among
ourselves and with all nations.
[_The darkness has gradually closed in upon the scene except for
Freedom’s face._
_A great toll of the kettledrums and a voice of a man that cries out
desperately in the darkness._]
THE VOICE
Sic semper tyrannis!
[_The answer is a wail of women._]
A SECOND VOICE
(_Again a man’s; more calm and tragic._)
Now he belongs to the ages.
[_Again the wail of women._]
FREEDOM
O Lincoln! Lincoln! Lincoln!
[_With this, a shaft of light strikes the stair and shows Freedom
bending over a bier upon which Lincoln lies dead._
_A great cry of mourning rises from the crowd, both men and women._
_The Choir comments, speaking Walt Whitman’s verse and noble words._]
THE CHOIR
This dust was once the man,
Gentle, plain, just and resolute, under whose cautious hand,
Against the foulest crime in history known in any land or age,
Was saved the Union of these States.
[_Gradually, during these lines, a cold light has spread over the
mourning multitude. Every vestige of war is gone. The people stand
with drooping heads facing the stair, every hand holding a spray
of lilac. The freed negroes kneel about the lower steps. A funeral
march, gentle as a song of spring, begins. Men lift up the bier
and carry it up the steps to the second landing. Freedom leads the
cortege; the girls come after. The crowd closes in. At the second
landing, the bier is set down and all the people go past it, filing
out into the darkness which closes in again upon either side. In the
meanwhile, over the music, Freedom and the two Spokesmen speak from
Walt Whitman’s great song of mourning._]
FREEDOM