Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1849-08-18
Selection
From the New York Tribune.
Law in South Carolina.

A man named John M. Barrett is now in
iail al Spartanburg, S. G. on suspicion of be-
ing an Abolitionisi, and is quite likely to sui
fer smartly, under the Code Lynch 1t some
provision in the bloody statute-book OF Caro-
lima cannot be stretched to reach his case
Yet il is not pretended that he has been en-
paped in melting the Slaves to lnsurrectlon
or flight, nor even that he has approached
them in any manner whatever. But he is ac-
cused of having had an agency in what is far
more dangerous-in enlightenina the lthne
Non-Slaveholders of South-Carollna with re-
gard to the glazing expressions to when meg
are subjected by reason oil the dominance OF
Slavery-the Inequality OF representation
between the strong Slaveholdlng and compar-
atively non-Slaveholding portions OF the
Sta,ey,he rioid monopoly of Office by the
prea, Slaveholders-the degraded condition
and gloomy prospect of the White F1eemen
of South. Carolina who do not own Slaves,
&c. The letters which fully though briefly
exhibit this subject in its true light were
written by a native of South arolina, him
self formerlya Shareholder and thoroughly &C.
ouainted with his subiect. There is no such
thing as answering him-the only safety OF
the Aristocracy is 10 be found in keeping all
knowledge Of his letters from those he adj
dresses. OF course the South-C Carolina jour.
nails are guiltless Of any such 'incendlarlsm
as would be involved in their publication.
Somebody out of the State has strongly
desired 10 bring these letters (signed 'BIu-
tus') to the knowledge OF the class to which
thew are addressed, and, knowing that MI
barrett was about TO travel through the upper
mart of South Carolina, has requested him to
drop packages of letters (pTinIed) into some
specifed post-ofices, addressed to various
citizens of the State. AS yet, no particle OF
evidence has appeared showing that Mr.. Bar
ret knew what was in the letters, or that they
were obnoxious 10 any party IN Calollna.-
Yet The Spartan Of a late date says;
uThe charge under which he was arrested
Is punishable by twelve months imprison
ment and one thousand dollars fine. But ht
NAV be indicted under the arrest for any crime
of which the State Attorney may think him
self able, by competent testimony, TO convlc
the missioner. There is more Than a posi-
bility that Barrett may be indicted for an oil
fence, the penalty of which is death, wI'hou
benefit of clergy and assuredly, If convic
ted, all the abolitionists in the United State
cannot save him."
Butt is not SO easy to convict a man le
oallv of crime as TO threaten it, even l
South Carolina, and Slavery has taken ano
ther step in its own direction al SPartanbure
There Is in the Post Office at that place
letter directed to .sJohn Edward Thompson
which the accusers Of Mr.. Barrett assert wa
iotended for him, or that Re has authority
take il from the Office. He respectfully d.
clines 10 have anything 10 do with 1t. The
then summon the Postmaster 10 appear !
Court as a witness against Barrett, and bTln
this letter to be broken open and used in ev
dence against him. The Spartan says:
"Mr. Legg was arrested and brought b
fore the Magistrate. He said in his deient
that he was a sworn officer of the Cover
ment, and had given his bond and securl
for the faithful discharge OF his duty; III
he was not authorized 10 deliver the letter
any one but the party or his agents; that b
fore the next Court Of Sessions he was bouI
20 forward the letter to the Department
Washington that he was as willing as al
one to discharge his duty TO the State as
good citizen: that with due Difference 10 u
distinguished authority under which the MA
islrate was acting, he felt himself conPell
10 decline delivering up the letter, or 10 EN-
into recognizance except for his personal a
pearance. This defense, though strictly &C
rect was not deemed satisfactory by the Ma
istrate, who thought that the posi'ofice W
moi intended TO enable criminals to perie
their schemes of crime with IMMUNITY, al
that. upon a reasonable showing, If The POI
office contained the evidence OF some crlr
perpelIated, or about to be perpetra'eo' l
postmaster, like any private individual "
bound, upon the requislilon OF The S'ale d
thorities, 10 produce The evidence.
"Mr. Legg was therefore committed to ia
until he shall have given bond and securI
for his own appearance at Court, and The P
duc,ion of the John Edward Thompson lett
By the advice of Counsel, and in order to
lieye himself from his painful and disagree
BILE position, Mr.. Legg finally complied W