The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1831-1858, 1831-11-02


CnERoKEr MISSIONARIES. The following ar
ticle, from the Washington Spectator, will be
read with interest by all who love the great
cause of human liberty, and admire the moral |
courage exhibited by its assertcIs in every age |
Ii is from no n-glorious ambition of appear !
inv in the characters of martyrs, that these |
ministers of the gospel Of peace are now en-
during the lot appointed for ielons, but which
casts no shade Of ignominy upon them. They
must else have yielded the point, and with II
abandoned. for the sake Of stunning personal
prvaton and suffering, the cause in which they
enlisted, and which honor, philanthropy, and
religion forbade them to desert.
THE CoSvIcrs. The Rev Mr.. Potter,
Missionary TO the Cherokees, who recently pas
sed throush this city, informs us that he saw
Messrs. Worcester and Butler, few days ago,
in the penitentiary at Allledgeville. lie says
they are cheerful and happy. This we expect
cd We have often read of others devoted to
the Same pursuits, and inspired with the same
sentiments, singing and rejoicing amidst the
flame that devoured them. We are glad, how
ever, 10 learn that they are treated with even
the respect due to convicts, though they were
denied that which is due to citizens and cler-
gymen. They were equipped in the coarse
uniform of the prison, with the usual badges of
criminals attached. One Of them is emoloved
in making Bedsteads, and the other in turning
large wheel-grinding, like Sampson, in lis
prison house. We propose that they shonld
furnish each of the leaders in this disgraceful
drama, with ground razor and lettering
bedstead, so that their midnight reflections, the
fear Of their threats, may bring them to repent
ance.
Putting them TO the hardest labor in the Pris.
on, accords with the instruction Of Gov Gil.
mer, TO intlict upon them the penalty of the
law, in its utmost severity But it should DO
remembered that these subjects Of Epyptian
oppression have been mostly accustomed to
sedentary pursuits. Their minds II is true are
trained to severe labor and strenuous exertion
but their bodies, and even the health OF one
OF them, are or that account comparatively del.
icate and feeble. To the barbarity of their
treatment, under such circumstances, must be
added the violent deprivation Of their liberty
their CONTINENT within the narrow limits, and
foul, gloomy PRECINCTS of prison; their being
associated with thieves, robbers and murderers
and the wicked attempt 10 brand their memo
ries for ever with the name and infamy of Grim.
inal convcts. On the latter point, however
Georgia is mistaken. She has got in her own
hand the hot end of the branding r IN, and her
mad cupidity is inflcting on herselfa mark oil
disgrace which will disonor her name till the
| sun itself shall be blotted from the heavens
! Already is public Indignation stamping its ban
| upon her conduct; we had almost said upon
! her forehead.
We rejoice TO perceive that the papers
throughout the country advert to the persecu.
ton Of the Missionaries in the severest terms
Interpretation. Even the leading adminstra
ton papers, which have heretofore upheld the
course that the Georgians have TAKEN on &C
count of the part which the administration has
acted in aiding and abettng them, are struck
dumb and one of them has even ventured to
quote some severe anmadversions upon Geor
gia. We learn, too, that in the immediate vi
entity of Georgia, in Alabama and Tennessee
the mass Of the people very much excited
At this we are not surprised. We are persuad
ed that still greater Indignation animates the
breasts of those more distant, though it is no,
likely 10 be manifested by the exhibition of mil
itary proves.