re preparing for war; and so Mr. Smooth,
as soon as he reached Constantinople, where everybody seemed surprised
to see such a description of citizen, called a meeting of those whose
feelings were so finely up in fighting trim, to whom he stated in most
emphatic language that, inasmuch as Turkey had ennobled herself by her
noble defence of Kossuth, whose asylum in her domain was held sacred
at the price of the kingdom, he had great respect for her, but could
not think of fighting. But they didn't seem to understand square
Yankee talk; the consequence of which, in Mr. Smooth's opinion, would
be the Bear getting his cubs in motion, to do some first-rate
fighting. In this fighting Mr. Smooth would not have the least
objection to taking a hand, provided always that there was some coin
to be made at it. However, before entering upon the fighting business,
Mr. Smooth would especially stipulate that all Austrian notes and
Prussian protocols be used up in a bonfire, Austria be turned adrift
as an inconsistent huckster without principles, the diplomatic donkeys
be driven into the Danube, and all constitutional governments bound by
arbitrary yokes set free. In that case freedom and constitutionalism
would fight its own battles and constitutionalism would bid defiance
to Czarism. When the battle of liberty against barbarism became the
issue, then Young America would join with a bounding heart, a glowing
soul, and a firm hand. We can whip all creation, build more churches,
blow up more steamboats, lay down more railroads, and absorb more
Mexican territory, than any other nation breathing; but, in this case,
where liberty was at stake, hold me back if we wouldn't fight! At the
same time we would pay a premium for the privilege of whipping Austria
single-handed. Young America owes her a debt he stands ready to pay at
the shortest notice and cheapest price. 'Mr. Smooth,' said I, 'is here
before you, a free and independent citizen of the United States, ready
to chalk down the items of fighting to be done, say about how much we
can do it for, and get General Pierce, whose fighting diplomatists
will be thrown in, to stand security.' Not comprehending this generous
proposition I left them to their own stupid way; and as every American
conceived he had a right to his own opinions I hoped they would become
a reflex of the example.

"Seeing nothing, in Constantinople I could turn to account--the allies
were undermining the foundation of Musla