Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1822-09-21

| and wicked authors oft, to condign pun,
| ishment
Yes, fellow citizens, all this has hap
pened. Two free young men of color
have been thus kidnapped in Edwards
vile, carried TO Alabama, and sold as
slaves. The despicablc wretches who
perpetrated these fagitious crimes, are
well known. They have not only passed
with impunity, but openly glory in their
shame. The consequence has been, two
recent attempts to kidnap worthy, well
behaved, industrious family OF eight or
ten persons, on Wood river, in Madison
county. and another family in ST. Clair.
The latter attempt was defeated by the
energy and vigilance of Mr.. Ogle, who
owes it to the public to state the circum-
stances of tie case, and give the names
of the persons engaged in it, that, they
may, at least be held up TO the scorn
and detestalion Of virtuous communi-
ty--if no more.
This combination Of villains is increas-
ing. Those unfortunate, and helpless
negroes, unable to resist, will ultimately
become the victims of unprincipled,
abominab!e, shocking cupidity, unless
you will efficiently interpose, as duty to
God, and man, both require. Will you
then, be content to sit with folded arms
venting useless imprecations en- those
abandoned kitnappers, or irui,less
wishes, in favoi of the objects OF their
avarce and rapacity Day by day are
you a1mouishcd of the vicissitudes OF all
human affairs. Auspicious as may be
your present prospects, You may soon
stand IN need of such assistance as be-
nevolence and religion now demand at
your hands, though not in precisely the
same kind of case. Many Of you are
fathers who know the tender ties thai,
bind parent TO his Offspring, and the
pain of separation when God calls them
to part in the ordinary course of his pro-
whence. How infinitely more affecting
must be a separation effected by ruthless
violence, which dooms the child to all
the cruelies of slavery in distant land
and the parent to those dreadful fore
bodings which admi, not OF a single
cheering ray of consolation. Let every
man make the case his own, and | con-
jnre you, for the sake Of your temporal,
as well as eterna! happiness, not to dis
regard that holy command of doing as
you would be done BY Desperate
cases require correspondent remedies.
Courage i'll good deeds must be accepla-
bic in the sight of God himself. LIE, all
do the work required of them +" faithful
ly.' larry not, to count the cost in this
world--your reward will, be in Heav en-.
Let it not be seen in this happy land of
civil and religious liberty, that the law
less arm Of violence shall triumph in
such wicked deeds !. !! The combination
is too strong. and composed Of characters
too desperate and wicked for individual
opposition. A union of the benevolent,
humane, and religions, is necessary,-
Let it commence with the religious So
cieties, the cooperation of the humane
and honorable OF all classes may be safe
ly counted on.
One thing, at least, can be done. The
guilty offenders may be seized and car
ried to Alabama, where they can be tried
tor these crimes; and witnesses who can
identify the negroes may be prevailed Oh
10 attend the trial. But for this purpose
fund sufficient to defray the necessary
expenses must be raised by voluntary
subscription. This can doubtless be ef-
fected. 1t only requires that individuals
of character should make the attempt.
have taken the a,vice OF a good lawyer,
who states "that at common law, every
man has a right to apprehend a fv'on.'
No process therefore is necessary for ar
resting those men-if men they deserve
to be called. But even fprocess we're
necessary, who would not be willing to
run some risque in such case? Who
would refuse to unite in the responsible
~ of'such measure Let all who are
in favor of it agree to bear their Just pro-
portion of any damages that might result
from it," many hands make light
work"-the loss, fany loss there should
be, would fall very lightly, upon any one
person. But there is no danger of da-
images being recovered, for, besides the
law referred to, public sentiment would
be sufficient security against such con-
sequences.
BENEvOLENCE.
September l6, 1922.