Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1847-09-10
Illustrations of Slavery.

The extracts below are from the narrative
of Work, Thompson, and Burr, who were
confined in the Missouri Penitentiary, on a
charge of aiding in the escape of slaves
The following is a des cription of their arrest
was bound, and marched barefoot, over
hubs, roots and stones. Host after host came
with all speed TO meet us, and the earth
rang again" with their fendish yells. 1t
seemed almost as if the internal regions had
been uncapped, and had vomited forth their
legions to hail our approach-ls if some long
dreaded monster had been captured. But
oh how sweet it was 10 feel that they could
not go beyond what my Father should kind
ly and wisely permit. This kept me in
peace.
After they had eaten supper, they march,
ed us some miles through the wood 10 anoth-
er house. They made the slaves lead us by
a rope, and sing " corn-songs." Those who
have lived in a slave State will know what
is meant. 1t seemed as if the very forests
themselves were moved at the bursts Of such
unearthly sounds-and If there were any wild
beasts in the region, they must have fled for
their lives to their caverns, or dens, or more
distant forests. When we came to the house,
we were marched round it time and again;
and when we halted in front of the piazza,
the old grandfather and mother, and children
old and ~young-male and female, came
out in their night dresses 10 gaze upon the
wonderful monsters. The old grandfather,
lettering Just on the verge of the grave, gave
a little vent TO his boiling soul in the excla-
nation" All! you gallows-looking devils "
After their curiosity was somewhat gratifed,
we laid us down upon a feather-bed, on the
loor-all tied together-and slept sweetly
| all pnnra,.- NJ op.,l-. r,E.o.I.l a-I
strengthened to endure the reproaches and
suflerings which were before us, with pa
thence, fortitude, and ! trust submission
That morning a man came in to see us, who
asked many questions, and made threats OF
shooting us on the spot. He was a profess
or Of religion-seemed very much excited, and
had hard struggles to keep from drawing his
pistols on us, but "the good hand of our
God upon u.s." saved US from his burning
fury.
At the breakfast table, we asked a bless
ing on our food, while the landlady and 9TH
ers stood by. She seemed almost horror
struck that such wretches as we would pray !
for she looked upon US as monsters Of mi
guilty. The poor woman seemed to have
some idea of the numerical strength of the
abolitionists-for, said she, "They are as
thick down there in the bottoms, as Inaggots
in a dead horse, watching for slaves" And
so terrified was she at the thought. that she
had not been able to sleep soundly for two
weeks Poor woman! Who can help
plying one who is obliged to live in such
constant fear.
After breakfast, a crowd gathered round,
who questioned us in many things, and gave
vent 10 their raging bosoms, In sneers and
reproaches. We were then tied together,
and led by the slaves Ito moriify us) five
miles, TO Palmyra. The city was moved at
our approach, many saying, " who are these !
well, you've made a fine haul" sc. In the
court house we had a mock trial before a
magistrate, and were " thrust into prison" to
await the sitting of the court, two and a half
+ months from that time. After they had left
r us, we knelt down and committed ourselves
f to God, imploring his guidance and protec-
ton, feeling that he had wise purposes to ac-
f complish by this unintelligible dispensation.
Referring to the lying assertion, that the
slaves are contented and happy, Mr.. Thomp-
son says -
"The slaves are contented and happy, and
! could not be hired to run away {" So say
l the Shareholders TO aboliiionists. But what
=, Is their testimony in a crowded court house,
t when trying to condemn these aboliiioniSts :
: The States Attorney compared slaves to
t sheep, and liberty TO salt. Said he, "They
t would as readily follow a man who held out
. liberty before them, as sheep would follow a
!, man who gave them salt. And who does
not know the readiness of sheep TO follow
: salt, and the strength of their appetite for it,
o Thomas Anderson, a lawyer and slave,
o holder, testified, at is only necessary 10
e give them any hope of liberty, and they are
e ready to escape. They love liberty more
than sheep love SALT" &c. Glover testified
TO their love of liberty, and how they often
t show this love by the ~fleetness Of their feet,
t Wright, a lawyer and stakeholder, commended
t that they were men-were rational and i'm
mortal beings-that the love of liberty was,
e by the Deity, implanted in their hearts, and
could not be got out; and many other such
d things which | do not now call 10 mind.
If the slaves do not love liberty, then why
so much effort to keep them down l-why
such severe laws and punishments against
them, to keep them from running away l.
why so much terror, alarm, excitement, and
rage, because an abolitionist is found on this
side of the rivers All they are afraid The
slaves will hear a word about liberty and
o Canada, and that then it will be impossible
o TO keep Them. Their only way to hold them
: is to keep them in the darkest ignorance, and
this is done by legislation.
Why are we sentenced twelve years to the
: penitentiaryl Because the slaves love liber
I ty. Why so many advertisements and re-
> wards in the papers-so much effort anc
= pains to find the ~slavesl If they do notlovC
y liberty, surely they will ooms back. Why