The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1849-10-06
From the Canton { Miss. } Gre,



Mr.. Editor:-Permit me through the medium
Of the Creole, to call the attention of our Hon
ora5le Police Court to the subject Of patrols in
our county. AT this tlme--when there is such
alarming agitation on the slave question-every
prudential measure that will contribute TO our
internal quiet, should be adopted. That an eff
cient system of patrols will do this, l imagine
few will question.
On the generally conceded fact of exclusive
jurisdiction by the Police Court over this Ques-
tion-under the constitutional term Of County
Police lpurpose remark upon the necessity
Of some action on the subject.
The fearful agitation row threatening the
Union, on the slave question, should be sufici-
ent cause for the utmost vigilance on our part.
Add TO this the more alarming fact Of the grow
ing characterization among the slaves in the
South, and it appears 10 me criminal in us
TO neglect any-even the least-measure Of se-
curity.
am aware that there are some who oppose
any system Of patrol, on the ground tina, il is
the duty OF every man to patrol his own prem
ises; and in community Of large plantations,
this plan may do; for there the owners are I'M
der the two-fOld obligation Of economy and In
terest 10 Keep strict watch. But those who
own but few slaves are not under the same ne
cessity, and, indeed, cannot afford 10 "mount
guard" The result is, that after nightfall near
half the negroes in the county are literally sat
LARGE" and no more called for by their owners
until the next days work commences. What
better opportunity could be asked for organizing
a deadly plot1 This county has probably never
been free from the presence of abolition incen-
diaries and emissares, and but few such are re-
CURED to corrupt the whole slave population
And probably at no time in our history has so
many suspicious vagrant characters been OBJ
served among US, as within the last twelve OF
eighteen months. The late startling case in
South Carolina affords fresh demonstration of
their efforts.
Looking at all these facts, it seems TO me
strange that there is such general apathy In the
public mind on this subject. Having every civ
iIized nation Of the earth clamoring against our
peculiar institution, and more than half our
own citizens denouncing il as "great moral
and political evil" We should feel that we SUM
bered on a volcano when we are Careless on this
subject
The history of our country will show that
every instruction among the slaves, from that
OF 1875 on the coast Of Louisiana, to that of
1855 In Madison county, has occurred at a time
when there was the most profound security, to
all appearance. Aud although no record is
made of the fact, have no doubt but il is 60 ua-
ly true, that Immediately prior to each, there
was no patrol organisation, or If any, a very in
efficient system. Many citizens Of this county
can remember that in "a and '35 there was
scarcely such thing known as patrol in the
county, until the people were aroused to sense
of their danger by accident only, in time to save
themselves from massacre.
Scarcely a week passes now, but some later
evidence Of the characterization among the
slaves occurs In our State. Where is to be the
end Of this, without some system to enforce or
der among them1 | see none more probable
than anathar oufhraak IiSh;n inn a., da.,L
Of thousa nds of our citizens, and desolating the
country.
But ! have already said more than there is
any necessity for, perhaps, as my object is only
to call the attention Of our worthy policemen TO
the subject, believing they will give it the atten-
ton due to its importance. when consulting the
PUBLIC ETY.