Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1849-05-25
SGZ~VNESNSGN
SELMA, Clark Coo, May 5, 1919.

SELMA, Clark Coo, May 5, 1919.
DEAR BENJAMIN AMI ELIZABETH:
| perceive you have published a notice of
the conviction and sentence Of Richard Dill
bingham (you have it Dillingham; for aid
ing in the escape Of slaves from Tennessee.
On being made acquainted with the case, I
had written out a condensed account Of it for
the "Bugle,' but will not now send it, as
you have given the substance. Returning
from our half years meeting in Logan coun-
ty, we spent a night with an uncle Of the
young man, who had just returned from at
tending his trial, which occurred in Nash
Vile, Tennessee. His mother was present
with him, and seated by his side in the Grim
malls box. 1t appears the conduct of Rich
ard has been SO ingenious that he has won
upon the feelings OF those who have been
about him. He was allowed to make a short
address in open Court, in which he stated
distinctly that he expected to receive no
emolument for what he had done. He was
actuated solely by compassion for the slaves;
that his education had been among the Soci-
ETY. of Friends, where he had imbibed these
feelings Of philanthropy, &c. The Court
was evidently disposed kindly toward him.
The States Attorney made no speech against
him the jury returned almost Immediately
after retiring, and his sentence for three long
years in the penitentiary was the shortest Pc
Rod the law would allow. Yet when the
sentence was pronounced, many were moved
TO tears.
When | listened to the story, my feelings
were deeply enlisted for the poor fellow, and
this part Of the history was truly a source of
comfort, and contrasts wondrously with an
other feature in the marathon. Soon after
Richard had gone to his lonely cell, William
Askew, Of St. Clairsville, Belmont Co., o.,
happened TO be in Nashville, and taking up
the " Gazette,'' read the substance of his ad-
dress in which he alluded to his connection
with the Society Of Friends, &c. William
repaired to the prison. How must the bleed
ing heart Of the young man leaped for joy
TO see one approaching him, habited in tho
garb of Woolman and Benezeit! But who
a EVEN iildSlit AiO o'i' 'hus ~
The chambers Of his soul, when insteld of re-
ceiving the tide Of manly sympathy from the
stranger, he endured a severe reprimand for
bringing the Society of Friends into discred-
it in the South by the statements he had
made on his trial! "Thou hast slandered
Society" Sc. Here stood the keeper in as
tonishment! GAS an evidence that we DO
not approve such conduct" said William,
''Joseph Dugdale and others have been ex-
communicated ; DO | understand thee 10
say" queried Richard, " that Joseph Dug
dale was disowned for aiding f%ugitives ~
ooh, no." replied this ignorant pharisee;
"but for being so jealous in the Anti Slave
ry cause" And this declaration in a South
crn prison.house ! !! What a biting satire is
this upon the present altitude of too many
claiming to have Woolman and Benezett TO
their fathers! 1t is enough to make a SEN
s%itive, conscientious, benevolent mind weep
tears Of blood,
With mingled emotions that | cannot de-
scribe, | am yours for the overthrow of all
despotisms,