The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1842-09-23
ID o Initial.
THE ABDUCTION" LETTER,


An extraordinary letter appeared in the 'Jthig
last week from John llampden Peasants Esq
former editor OF the "Uhig," and since Of the
late independent. This letter unco, era a con
spHacy OF three persons, (Mi Pleasanis, we pre-.
snme' beng one Of the trio,) in case Mr. Van Blu.
rem had been returned as elected in 1910, TO can
lnre hun and "ABDUCT" HIM, to the interior Of
North Carolina, where these worthy gentlemen
and Their coadjutors were to issue manifesto cal.
ling Tor new election! The pretext alleged for
this step, Is some supposed fraudulent voting IN
some counties in Western Virginia! We insert The
letter o! Mr. Peasants entire, together with nm
anonymous communication addressed TO him
through the post office, which appears to have
drawn cut this discovery of the plot.
The eSlravagant lemerly, the Outrageous enor-
nifty. of this "abductcn" plot, will, perhnps, to
many readers, at first render the whole story in
credible They may look upon it as a quiz
hoax. Unfortunately, however, we are cons,rain-
cd to believe that there is nothing fabulous in the
story. Iii be true, as is presumed, that Mr. Pleas
ants himself was one of the three cohspirators in
the "abdncon" plot, the affair assumes more
serious aspect. AS the editor Of the metropolitan
organ OF the Wing party in Virginia, Mr. PIeasans
was person Of great weight and authority with
that party, not only in Virginia, but throughout the
Union, We shall, not, however, believe, without
the most incOnesllblc evidence, that more than n
handful Of the Wings Of Virginia would have lent
their councnance TO this detes,abe plot Yet we
cannot but be reminded by this "abduction" de-
yelopment, of the many threats thrown out by sew
eral of the leading Wings during the Presidential
campaign, Of IN ultimate resort TO force of arms
in case Of n failure at the polls.
This plot was cOncocd among members of n
party always claiming to be the peculiar patrons of
order and extensive guardians of the laws. This
trio OF conspaors, constituting themselves su-
preme tribunal, assumed TO determine, without
testimony, without law, without trial. the merits of
The Presidential election and having so de,crmn-
ed, It was their plan, by means of fraud and force
combined, TO SEIZE THE PERSON Of the chief
magistrate elected, aud thus holding co ordinate
department of the Government in durcss Of
ronment, to revOluioniZe the Government.
Had the cOnspirators succeeded in this their
monstrous reasonable plan, so far rs to have made
way with the person Of the President elect, what
depIornble scenes Of civil war and bloodshed miyh,
have ensued, may readily be conceived.
II is n serious matter of consideration, whether
such outbreaks are not the natural fruits of that
settled hostility 10 the Executive that has for years
characterized the Wing party, which for many
yeas has directed its efforts to insult, degrade and
outrage the Executive department of the Govern.
men'. 1t is the duty Fall patriots and good ci-
zens, OF whatever party, 10 sustain the dignity of
our republican Government and the supremacy of
the laws, and to lrown with whitening Indignation
upon this secre, conspiracy to invade the majesty
Of the people in the person ofthcr chief magistrate.
Petersburg Statesman.
From The Richmond Uhic.
GOOCIILAND, Aug, 25, 1912.
ALEXANDER MosELEY, ESQ.
Dear Sir-The enclosed letter reached me Nv
the last mall having been in the first place address
ed to Richmond, and thence forwarded. If YOU
can find the room. after Congress adourns, You
will obligc me by publishing j, IN the Wing with
the ,acco mpanying reply TO it,
With great respect,
Your friend and oht scrv't,
JOHN. II. PLEASANTS.