Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1850-11-15
An "AbolI1,oncro In the PoImc

The following amusing story appears in the last
Charleston Mercury:
Ness's. Editors-Northern aggression has SO long
excited and exaSperaed the people of this section Of
the country; that many an innocent may sufer-as
for example,
Not long since was travelling through a certain
portion OF this district pursuing my avocation peace
fully and diligently. carried pair of saddle bags,
and had my blanks &c. swung upon my back.
am willing to allow may have resembled :sus-
picious character" About the hour of u reached
house, and the door was written in large let
ters, Best Liquors." wherein were congregated
several persons of the surrounding neighborhood
Thinks | to myself, g. will not only escape the
scorching rays of the sun, but will add many names
to my list" hitched my horse, and as anpeared
heard one of them say-'s There comes one of the
ID rascnls now" ! knew not at that time what
he meant, but, to my COST soon discovered.
Mister, | spose you Abotioner, amt
you O. said onc as they all gathered around me-
lperceived they had been drinking, and were pref
ty much how come you so," or & half seas over
or what might be termed neither drunk nor sober =;
in fact, they were in that state that might be consd
cred most dangerous to man whose appearance did
not please them. stated my business in very sub
missive manner for l saw that mischief was afoot
still they doubted me. then showed them my COM
mission, signed by the United States Marshal
It's all a forgery, boys, let's search him. He's
regular Abolitioner, | tell by his looks let's
search him. and then tar and feather or hang him"
began to feel uneasy. knew not of them
They were all half drunk, and appeared determined
In vain stated to them that was prominent Off
of the United States-they only wished it was
Fillmore himself instead of me - and while most
strenuously denied, they insisted upon the Rights
of Search" Their will at the time was law-mght
right, and resistance useless. They gave
my pockets, saddlebags, and books, thorough in
veStigatiOn.
' He amt got cent" said one. ''Thats the way
all them Yankee rascals travel"
/ ''Tar and feathers said all.
Perspiration flowed freely. looked at my
horse, but there was no chance to reach him. was
surrounded completely hemmed in. Thinks l. this
bangs creation.
/ "Gentlemen," said I, II am no Abolitionist
am native of this District-never was out of the
State in my life.' Ct had been in Augusta once, but
thought it better not to mention it, elf you tar
and feather me, you will degrade an innocent n
not only the United States but the State of South
Carolina will suffer in my person."
INTENDED to make few more remarks, and mi ht
have reached climax of eloquence that would have
deferred them but just at this moment detachment
of eighteen twenty candidates arrived and, altho
they somewhat gratifed at the proceedings
(not liking former letter, wrote to the Mercury,
they kindly rescued me, and, after while, went
on my way rejoicing.
| have numbered on my list about 10000, and have
; not found single maiden lady over thirty years.
They can't live in this country beyond that wher
they either die or get married.
. | have been invited to preach upon two occasions
and, although do not wear peculiarly sanctimo
f NOUS expression. have been called upon to pray
frequently. As you have seen, l have been taker
f up for an aboltOnist have been requested to mar
r ~ couple. have killed one fine horse and broke
. buggy into atoms. have rode more, asked more
questions oftener and slept sounder at nights, thar
: any living man. Further, deponent sayeth not.
# Your old friend,