“Greeley had an article about it the other day.”
“Well, Greeley’s a donkey.”
“The ‘Independent’ yesterday had a leader of a column and a half about it.”
“Well, Beecher is no better,” said Bennett. “They’re all asses. But what did he say about it?”
“Oh, he rather indorsed it.”
“Well, I’ll read the article,” said Bennett. “And perhaps I’ll have an article written ridiculing Beecher.”
“It will make a very good handle against the radicals,” said the other.
“Oh, I don’t know,” said Bennett. “Let them marry together, if they want to, with all my heart.”
For some days, the “Herald” said nothing about it, but the occasion of the departure of a colored regiment from New York City having called forth a flattering address to them from the ladies of the “Loyal League,” the “Herald,” saw a chance to make a point against Mr. Charles King and others; and the next day it contained a terrific article, introducing miscegenation in the most violent and offensive manner, and saying that the ladies of the “Loyal League” had offered to marry the colored soldiers on their return! After that, the “Herald” kept up a regular fusillade against the supposed miscegenic proclivities of the Republicans. And thus, after all, Bennett swallowed the “critter” horns, hoofs, tail, and all.
The authors even had the impudence to attempt to entrap Mr. Lincoln into an indorsement of the work, and asked permission to dedicate a new work, on a kindred subject, “Melaleukation,” to him. Honest Old Abe however, who can see a joke, was not to be taken in so easily.