Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1848-12-06

and the real humanity Of his soul, led hit
to investigate by actual observation tn
condition of American Slaves. For thi
purpose he made the tour OF the slavehold
ing States. The peculiar. institution thu
. suddenly and for the first time, spread be
fore him, with oil its various evils, made
0 most powerful impression upon his mind
0 He could not ramble over their extende,
plantations, and behold the miserable vic
!. Tins doomed to incessant toll, with no hop.
: of reprieve but death, without feeling deef
indignation, mingled with the keenest sor
row. He could not lock upon he-oppres
ser surrounded BY every luxury, and as be
thought dead to all the impulses Of human.
ity, without feeling his blood boil, and his
arm insiinctively nerve itself for COMBAT
Sill he passed on, from one slave mart to
another, cleaning by unwearied industry
a vast amount of practical information
which was stored up in his capacious mind
as witnesses against the mortal sin Of hu.
man serv.tude.
But a change came over him. The un.
redressed wrongs Of three millions of hu.
man sufferers, called aloud for retribution.
He could not be silent. The restraint i'm.
posed upon tho freedom Of speech was
idisregarded and with courage which
knew no danger, and shrunk from no con
aict, he poured from the deep chambers OF
his soul bitter curses upon the institution.
The impatient spirits of the south would
not brook his stern reproois; and though lie
violated no law, it was soon evident that
tho most summary measures would be a.
dopted to rid themselves Of SO bold visit
ant. These indications would have appall-
! ed one less courageous-they would have
driven many who prefer denouncing sla-
very at respectful distance, forever from
their territories, with silent tongues, and
besee ching looks but with John Moir, they
only added bitterness 10 his nvcctves, and
scorn to his defiance. 1t may be such dar-
t ing had its influence possibly they felt
some oemiration, for the noble heroism
which he manifested. Be that as it may,
he should not pay the forfeit by swinging
upon a gibbet. A distinguished duelis, ta-
king the matter personally, ent Mr.. Moir
a challenge to meet him in mortal combat
AS the challenged party has the choice of
weapons according to the code Of the duel
ist, our Scotchma availed himself Of this
advantage by choosing the broad sword,
which gave him decided superiority over
his tagonist, who was only familiar with
The use Of the pistol A thousand eyes
were looking on with intense interest rs
i-the4t twas coaahasta .atkair~ stand,,zs.
For 4 time Moir merely stood upon the DE-
iiensive, parrying the thrus:s of his usseil-
ant, and completely foiling him in every
attempt TO give decided blow. Exasper-
ated and maddened beyond control, the
naughty Sou.hron, used all the art he was
master of and all tho violence Of strong
arm, nerved by towering passion, but to
no effect. Once, indeed, his sword passed
the very breast Of his antagonis', who only
saved himself by skllful and unexpected
movement. This did not dsconcert the
cool bravery of Moir. who thinking the
lime had come for action gave his adversa-
ry heavy blow which felled him TO the
earth, and in few hours ended lis misera.
BILE existence. The stormy passions Of the
multitude around now broke forth with ur-
restrained fury. Moir was instantly seized,
and after n mock trial. he was sentenced to
be hung by the neck I'll be was dead-dead.
The execution of this horrible sentence was
for some unknown reason postponed to the
following day.
The sun was now setting in the clear
placid west. Not solitary cloud was to
be seen. Not even passing breeze shook
the tender blossoms Of the surrounding
trees. There was an awful stiffness as if
natures pulses had ceased to beat: as ifthe
wheels Of the great universe, had made a
solemn pause, that man might look upon
his deeds. AS evening came on, the swift
night birds passing to and fro through the
heavy air, screaming wildly and anon ca
reering madly toward the distant woods, did
not pass unnoticed by many who that night
slept their last sleep.
And yet there was no cause Of alarm. -
| Tornadoes even in that latitude are too un-
/ frequent TO excite serious apprehension.--
Besides the human heart is so lost in the
whirl Of excitement, and in the tumult Of
! life, that it does not see warnings which e.
ven the brutes understand and heed. Two
sentinels had already taken their stations at
the only door which led to the apartment
in which the unfortunate NOR was now
confined. By the decision of his merciless
foes that night was to be his last.
1t is, indeed, an awful moment when one
feels that his hours are numbered; and the
soul involuntarily starts back and recoils
from the severing knife which divides mat
ter and spirit, and memory, with the speed
of lightning, traverses the forgotten past,
and the doings of a whole lifetime crowd
into the poor retrospect Of a single hour.
But reflections far different from those nat
urally inspired by the apprehension Of
death, appeared TO occupy the mind ol
Moir. The guards observed him frequent
ly upon his kness, and heard him murmur
something concerning the weapon with
which he had slain his antagonist. They
noticed that for time his language was
wild and incoherent, and that he finally
sank into moody silence. Several hours
thus passed on, when the atmosphere sud.
denly became thick with vapor, the stars
which had shone brightly were obscured
, and there was heard afnr off the low
moans Of rising storm. Then huge mass
es of blackened CLOUDS, the wheeling min
ions Of the wind, came rushing athwa the
heavens. The strong oak Of the fores
bent before that tempest as the fragile
J flower bends before a passing breeze.-