The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1849-10-06
Freedom OF opinion an n slave state.

II has long been notorious that neither prop
erty, personal liberty, OF life, are protected IN
South Carolina, either b. the courts Of Justice
onby public opinion. Many Of their laws are
in violation OF the personal liberty Of the eiti-
zens Of other States, aud Of the constitution OF
the Republic. To this the North has always
submitted with degrading patience.
One OF the most respected citizens and law
yers of Massachusetts,, only few years since,
was uTts.. To- ch--l--tss. st The F4ril Of his
life, for presenting himself to contest, before
the courts OF the State, the eOnstitu tiOnalty OF
law by which a citizen Of Massachusetts, had
been deprived Of his freedom and shut up in
their city Jail. A respected citizen Of Indiana,
Mr.. Barrett, has been lying nearly three months
in prison ia Charleston, for having in his pos
session, for distribution, pamphlet, ritIen
with great ability, in defence Of opinions enter
tanned almos, unanimously by the population
OF every free State In the Union.
But a few days since We published an account
OF a clergyman who was obliged TO flee the
State for having innocently, in the discharge Of
bis DUTY. addressed to his congregation some
remarks IN condemnation of the social influence
Of slavery. Some Of these enormities have
been perpetrated under the sanction Of the
State laws. and all under the sanction Of
thoroughly depraved public sentiment.
The impunity with which they have been
citizens Of other States, has emboldened the
Lynch law-givers Of South Carolina finally, 10
defy the General Government. Presumiog
upon the Acknowledged pro-slavery symPathies
OF the President and majority Of his cabinet,
and upon the weakness of the minority Of Il,
they now claim and are exercising the right of
opening the mails by violence, and purgiBg the
post office Of the State Of all communications
which contain sentiments Of which they do not
approve.
Some two months since, an effort was made
to procure from one Of their pOstmasters the
surrender Of suspected letter, but the officer
fortunately entertained too correct a sense OF
his dnty, and of the outrage he was required TO
connive at, TO submit TO their request, and was
compelled TO 90 10 prison or give bail, in cOnss-
quence. A submission Of any question Of per-
sonal right TO the laws Of their country, how
ever, is too tedious a process for the ''ardsnt
Carolinians," and accordingly, upon the next
provocation, which occurred at Pendleton. a
few days since, they did not wait TO ask the
postmaster TO give up the "incendiary matter"
but deliberately violated the Office. We learn
ed the fact first from Mr.. Calhoun's organ, the
Charleston Mercury of last week, W here il was
announced as an event Of which the State has
reason to be proud. The particulars Of the
outrage are thus detailed by the Washington
correspondent Of the Baltimore Clipper:
1--WE have been privately informed that, a few
days ago, a disturbance occurred at Pendleton.
South Carolina. IL appears that upwards of
forty circulars or pamphlets, signed 'Brutus,'
containing arguments in favor Of the abolition
OF slavery, were sent thither. One of them
was taken out Of the post-office by the gentle.
man to whom il was addressed, and he read il TO
an assembly Of the people. So incenssd were
they, that they demanded Of the postmaster the
Aforesaid documents. He expressed his willing
ness TO deliver them, severally, to the proper in.
dlviinais, whose names were written on the
Wrappers, and to no others. But this did no,
appase the clamor. A rush was made into the
office; the Objectionable printed matter brought
into the street, and there DESTROYED! This .cbiv.
airous feat having been accomplished, the re-
spectacle gentlemen separated TO their homes.
IL Is question whether the proceeding was not
IN 'act, robbery Of the mail. The law does not,
TO constitute the offence, state when or where
tne crime must be committed. An Effort 10 bring
ihs ,oroHg-dOsrs TO justice rould, hopever, prope
frNitisss; and IL is not likely that any judicial
action riH Be taken in the premises"
ls II possible that the general government can
submit TO thisf Is the post Office department, so
impotent, as TO permit such an outrage to 90 un-
punishedl And are the mails and correspop-
dence Of the American people henceforth to be
left to the caprices Of the mobi II seems 10 h.
a iha.ter OF course with our government at
w ashington, to overlook, or to connive at every
violation oil law, or OF ProPrety. which NAV be-
perpetrated In defence of slavery. Thew allow
no prescriptions in favor of freedom, or in ia
vor Of the slave. II seems to be the common
law OF all the 'slaveholding States, and the in
sunctive impulse Of all Shareholders, to support
or justify any proceeding, however lawiess,
which Is necessary to strengthen or tighten the |
letters Of their bondmen.
Only three days ago q sad illustration Of this |
occurred In Baltimore. A petition for freedom |
was hied in the county court, on behalf Of |
black man, named Isaac DORIS, who had been 1
arrested by Arthur McCourt, who alleged thai |
ne purchased him from his master, La6an Pur- |
due, Of Baltimore county. The negro alleged |
nat he purchased himself from Nj. Purdue, |
,ome years since. and produced q receipt from |
Mr. Purdue, acknowledging him free man.
The court required ample security from Mr.
MeCourt, TO produce the man when required, |