The Man With the Branded Hand - An Authentic Sketch of the Life and Services of Capt. Jonathan Walker #223934

Whittier has immortalized in verse the Man with the Branded Hand. Thousands have read this soul-stirring poem, which first appeared in 1846,and have been moved to deep feeling by its sentiment, without any knowledge Of the circumstances which called it out, or even Of the name of the man to whom it alludes. Yet there is an interesting history connected with this brave man, the unnamed hero of the poet's verse, which is well worth recording, and which the younger generation, especially, needs to learn in order better to understand and more fully to appreciate the nature of the services rendered to the cause Of freedom by those charter members Of the Old anti-slavery society, who, with a courage which recognized no defeat, and with a firm reliance on the everlasting justice of their princi ples, pressed forward undismayed amid obloquy and scorn to hasten the coming of humanity's brighter day. N 0 complete history of the causes which gradually led up to the Civil War can be written, without according to such fearless agitators as Jonathan Walker their; full meed Of praise. These men were heroes of the fibre Of which martyrs are made. The world owes them a debt Of gratitude none the less because their deeds were unaccompanied by the pomp and circumstance of war, but were performed in a humble way.