The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1848-05-04
Correspondence Of the Boston Wing.
WASHINGTON, April %, 1913.
AN AFFECTING SCENE.

AN AFFECTING SCENE.
Last evening as I was passing the railroad
depot, l saw quite large number Of coIored
people gathered round one of the cars, and
from manifestations of grief among some Of
them, was induced to draw near and ascer-
tain the cause of it. | found in the car to-
wards which they were so eagerly gazing,
fifty colored people, some OF whom were near
ly as white as myself A majority of them
were of the number who attempted to gain
their liberty last week. About half Of them
were females, a few Of whom had but a slight
tinge Of African blood in their veins, and
were finely formed and beautiful The men
were ironcd together and tie whole group
looked sad and detected. AT each end Of the
car stood two rutIiany locking pcrsonagcs
with large canes in their hands, and if their
! countcnanCcs were an index of their hearts,
they were the very impcrsonation Of harden
cd villainy itself
In the middle Of the car stood the notorious
slave dealer Of Baltimore, Slater, who learn
is member ofthc Methodist Church, Gin good
and regular Standing He had purchased the
men and women around him, and was taking
lis departure for Georgia. While observing
this old grey headed villain-this dealer in
the bodies and souls Of mcn,--the chaplain Of
the Senate entered the cara Methodist
brother and took his brother Slater by the
hand chattcd with him for some time. and
seemed to view the heart-rending scene be-
fore him with as little concern az VIC should
look upon cattle. / knew not whether he
came with a view to sanctify the act and pro-
nouncc the parting blessing, but this | do
know, that lie justified slavery and Genounc-
ed antislavery efforts as bitterly as do the
most hardened slave dealers.
A Presbyterian minister who owned one Of
the fugitivcs, was the first to strike bargain
with Slater, and make merchandise Of Gods
image and many OF these poor victims, thus
manaclcd and destined for the Southern
market, are regular members Of the African
Methodist Church Of this city, Ibid not hear
whether they were permitted to get letters
of dismission from the Church, and Of ere
commentator to any Church where God, in
his providence, might cast their lot" Proba
Div certificate from Slater to the effect that
thev are Christians, will answer every pur-
pose. No doubt he will demand a good price
for slaves of this character. Perhaps brother
Sliccr furnished him with testimonials Of their
religious character, to help the sale in Geor-
cia. ! understand lac waS accustomed TO
preach to them here, and especially to urge
upon them an obedience 10 their masters.
Some of the colored people outside, as well
as in the car, we're weeping most bitterly
! learned that many families we're separated.
Wives were there TO take leave of their hus-
bands, and husbands Of their wives children
of their parents, brothers and sisters shaking
hands, perhaps for the last time, friends part
ing with friends, and the tendcrcst ties Of
humanity sundnrcd at single bid Of the
inhuman slave broker before them. A hus-
band in the meridian of life begged to see
the partner Of his bosom. lie protested that
she WAS free--that she had free papers, and
WAS "torn away from him and Shut tip in the
ial' lie clambcred up 10 one Of the win
dows of the car to see lis wife, and as she
was reaching forward her hand to him, the
black hearted villain, Slater, ordered him
down; he did not obey. The husband and
wife, with tears streaming down their checks,
besought him to let them converse for q nc
mont. But no o monster more hldcnus,
hardened and savage, than the blacklist spirit
of the pit, knocked him down from the car,
and ordered him away. Tic bye-standers
could hardly restrain themselves from laying
violent hands upon the brutcs. This is but
faint description Of that scene, which took
place within few rods Of the Capitol, and
under cuactmcntS recognized by Congress.
Oh what revolving scene to feeling hearts,
and what n 1ctributon awaits the actors
Will not these waings Of anguish reach the
ears Of the Most High Vengeance is mine,
will rcpay, saith the Lord" NORTH