The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1839-12-14
From the Emancipator,
Kentucky.

Mr.. Birney, whose business called him twice 10
revisit his native State, during the last summer,
has furnished US the following:
NV first visit being intended chiefly for my ia
Their and the near relatives with whom he resided
two miles out of Louisvlle-the weather being IN
usually warm, and the dust almost sufocating TO
n person on the road--and the time had allowed
myself being very limited did not see many Of
the citizens with whom was acquainted. Such
OF my old acquaintances, however, as did see,
appeared as cordial in their salutaions as had
been usual with them-and several gentlemen, to
whom | was, for the first time, introduced cheer
fully extended to me offers of hospitality. This
however, | may attribute, in a good degree to the
respect entertained by my late father, and for
Judge Marshall, my brother-in-aw, and his fam
ily.
soon felt that need have no more apprehen-
sion O! personal insult or molestation in Louisville
than in Cincinnati or Columbus | felt the same
security on my route from Louisville to Frankfort
travelling IN private carriage in company with
my sister and her little daughter and servants.
set out intending 10 go on as far as Lexington
but was stopped at Frankfort by severe attack
Of fever During my confinement to my room,
which was for several days, received from po-
lite landlord, who had removed from Western N.
FORK, and from others, every attention which could
minister to my own comfort.
Owing to the violence of the attack, and to my
short stay at Frankfort, Oor thought it necessa-
ry TO return TO Louisville, soon as | could leave
my room and bear the motion OF the carriagc,)-I
saw but few Of my acquaintance in this Capital.
| was, by no MEANS in favorable condition du-
ring any part Of my visit, to ascertain, with mach
precision, the true posture of the slavery question
in Kentucky. Yet was not without making some
i0OuirI IhnSn with ,Vhntn
versed were of opinion,
l. That, fogging is not so much res0rtcd TO- or
so cruelty inflicted, as it formerly was. Indeed, il
was said that It was not knowN that any one in
Frankfort logged his slaves-thal, although it
might be done to some extent, yet it was looked
Oh as so disrepuable that whatever Of it was done
was kept out of sight. What then, you are rea.
dy to ask. is substituted for Jogging ?-inasmuch
as there must be some means of coercng men to
work quietly all their lives without wages. | re-
plv,-it is the fear fleeing sod-in case Of DISC
bedence-to the slave trader to be carried to the
South. Although it is probable that fogging-
owing to the efficacy OF the subsltute-may have
diminished generally throughout the State, yet
suppose the remark applies more particularly to
domestic slaves in cities and villages than to the
" field hands"
2. Emancipatohs are becoming more fire.
quent.
3. The claim of persons, illegally held in sla-
very, to their freedom, is entertained by the Judi
cal Tribunals without prejudce-and if, by the
slave code, they are entitled to freedom, they do
not fail to have il awarded to them.
And here, whilst | am on the subject of judi
cial tribunals, permit me to remark, that il | were
to be prosecuted criminaliter for any matter con-
nected with slavery, would decidedly prefer ia
king my chance TOR chance at best it would beg
with Kentucky court and jury, than with the
same tribunal in Ohio. This say, without in
tending any compliment to slaveholding Kentucky
for, as 10 the punishment Of crimes of a violent
character,--such as strike most directly at the
well-being of society,--her laws are in the main
but miserab|y executed. But what have just
said is from thorough conviction that should,
in the case supposed, receive more of Justice in
Kentucky than in Ohio-anG | say it, too, after
having resided in them both, and having my at
tention particularly directed to the two States in
reference to the influence which slavery has exer-
ted on their respective character. This opinion
may, perhaps, at first view occasion surprise with
many. But may it not be supported by all expe-
rience and observation Of the human character 81
Has it not always been true that the pr0cidcy-I
the poader-the pimp-is more malignant and
mean than those for whosepaSslons and appetlteS
he hires himself to cater? The remark holds good
even in regard to brute natare, The Jackal is
called the Lions procider because (as it is sup
posed) he goes before him to hunt and rout up
his nrev. Now, how this little animal will COM
pare with his iGrdly and voracous follower, we
NAV learn from B,ijTon, who tells US, "the jackal
withthe imnudence Of the dog unites the coward