“Very likely, indeed,” the Boone side cried, “that rebels like the Atterburys would receive true Unionists into their house, and treat them as friends!  A real Unionist would have refused hospitality from the enemies of his country.”  There was talk among the more zealous patriots of having the Sprague family expelled from Acredale.  Loyal zealots looked up the law on expatriation and attainder, and complained bitterly that no applicable provisions were found in the statutes.  Stirring addresses were sent to the member from Warchester, imploring him to have laws enacted that would enable the patriots to deal summarily with covert treason.  It was true that the Spragues had contributed many thousand dollars toward the equipment of the Caribees, had endowed twenty beds in one of the city hospitals for the wounded—­but this was when Jack expected high command in the regiment.  Failing in that ignoble self-seeking, he had gone where his heart was, while the family, to retain their property, remained among the loyal, to insult their woe and gloat over their misfortunes.

At a great “war meeting” in the town-hall, over which Boone presided, one thrilling orator hinted that fire, if not the law, could “relieve a loyal community of the Copperhead’s nest!” “It was an insult, as well as a menace, to have the patrician palace of disloyalty flaunting its grandeurs among a people loyal and devoted, whose sons and brothers were battling for the Union.  Every rebel sympathizer driven from the North would strengthen the Union cause; ashes and salt sowed on the ground their insolent homes had desecrated, would be a holy reminder to the loyal, a warning to the secret foes of the Union.”

There were loud expressions of approval, and a solemn “Amen” to this intrepid plan of campaign.  Lawyer Brodie, who was present, arose under a thunder of discordant notes—­“Copperhead!” “Traitor!” “Dough-face!” “We don’t want to hear from rebel sympathizers!  Out with him!” and other more opprobrious taunts.  Now, Brodie was Boone’s counsel, and had been identified with him in some very difficult litigation.  It would not do to have him discredited.  The chairman rapped loudly for order.

“I can vouch, my friends, for Mr. Brodie’s patriotism.  He is a Democrat, it is true; but he loves the Union.  I know that to be a fact.  You can do the Union no better service than listening to what he has to say.”

Brodie, who had held his place, calmly smiled as Boone sat down, and, surveying the audience from side to side, began: 

“Free speech was one of the cries that aroused the North in the late campaign, I believe in free speech.  I have done my share toward securing it, but I never was refused it before.  I look among the men here and see among you neighbors whom I have known since boyhood, neighbors who have known me since boyhood, and when I arise here to take a citizen’s part, in a meeting called to aid and comfort the cause of the Union, I am permitted to speak only by the personal request of one man.  If that is your idea of free speech, if that is your notion of aiding the Union cause, and strengthening the hands of the Administration, I don’t need to be in the confidence of the rebel authorities to tell you that they could ask no more powerful allies than you! [Sensation.]