The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1844-12-19
AN INCIDENT.


Some five or six years since a gentle,
man and his wife were passing down the
Mississippi river. on their way 10 New
Orleans. Their fellow passengers were
nearly all shareholders or citizens of slave.
holding states, and the conversation, in
the intervals of card playing was mainIy
directed against northern aboi,ionists -
While they were sitting on deck, gazing
at the strange and gloomy scenery of the
"FalheE of Waters" they were accosted
by one OF the passengers, "Is your name
G--?' ut is" said the gentleman
"Are you from---,Ohio2" II am -
"Are you secretary ofthe anti,slavery So
ciety in that place?" 81 am" The in.
terrogator turned away, and soon the
news spread over the boat: An abolition
ist aboard" They were at once surroun.
ded by az angry and furious crowd-ma-
ny of them fearfuly excited by liquor
Pistols were fourished and Bowie knives
drawn. Some of the more cool and de.
llberate proposed that Lynch court
should be held; and with some difficulty
a ring was formed, and red faced slave
driver proclaimed judge. A committee of
twelve was selected 10 uct as iurymen.
G--was then questioned. He avowed
himself an abolilionist, and requested per-
mission to explain his principles. He
was listened TO with manifest impotence;
and the committee were ordered 10 retire
before he had concluded his defence
They soon returned and pronounced their
verdict. They found him guilty of being
an aboIljonisl, and recommended that he
should have the alternative of quietly
walking overheard, or of signing COM
plete recantaion of his anti slavery doc
lrines. In conformity with this merciful
decision paper was drawn up and pre-
sented for his signature. with the threat OF
Immediate death in case of his refusal
Ii was trying moment Tor the aboli.
zionist. Thoughts Ct home, and its old
familiar faces, crowded upon his BRAIN
Life is always sweet, and especially is it
so to the young and heaIthlu, happy in
lhei: unchilled affections and glad hopes.
His young wife was at his side, horror
stricken by the danger which menaced
her husband. Before him were fierce and
stern faces and brandished weapons, be.
meath him rolled the black waters of the
river. Sign this, and you are SAFE" said
the spokesman of the mob. His hu.
man spirit wavered for an instant as he
turned his agonized gaze upon his wife
But, his better nature triumphed. "Take
il back" he answered, "and do your worst
| cannot make slavery right, even to save
my life"
THANK God! my husband,' exclaimed
his wife. clasping him in her arms,"let
US die together" The words and manner
the noble woman overa wed the assassins.
One OF the most violent of them sprang
forward, and threatened to blow out the
brains of the first who should venture to
lay hands on her or her husband. The
wives and daughters of the shareholders
who had hitherto KEEP, silence now inter.
fered; the Lynch court was dissolved; and
during the remainder OF the voyage, the
Two abolirionists were treated with marked
respect. The story, substantially as we
have given it, was related TO a friend OF
ours by one of the passengers, who had
himself participated in the Lynch Court.
MiddLps,r STAN