Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1850-11-28
Elwood Fishers Anti-sIavery views.

It seems that Gen. Foote, ina speech at Canton, Mis-
sssipp stated that Fisher 'four five years ago.
an Abolitionst" In reply to this Mr.. Fisher says:
Since 1892 long before Abolition began, the senior
editor has been uniform and decided political friend of
Mr. Calhoun, and for than Five years. In
innate personal one And has invariably written voted,
spoken and acted in opposition the Aboltonists since
that sect arose.
1t seems that his denial only reaches back to 1892,
when he became convert to CaIhounsm. That con-
version certain knowledge, first confnd to
Mr.. Cahoun's views on the subject of Currency and
Protection but he afterwards gradually slid into all Mr..
Caihoun's views on the question of slavery. We have
long known Mr. Fisher. As private citizen, he is
gentleman Asa writer of political essays, and as
debatcr he has few equals in the country We do
believe that Mr. Fisher Abolitionis accord
ing to understanding Of the But according
Mr.. Fishers definition Of the term, he
tainly once an Aboitionist He opposed to slave
II. he member of the Society of Friends, or
Quakors, who all opposed to that Institution. In
1899, Elvood Fisher was member of the Indiana Leg
isIaturc He presented the singular anomaly of Dem
ocrat, speaking the plain LANGUAGE aud wearing the
plain garb of a Quaker That numerous and respecta-
be denomination of Christians this State being almost
entirely members of the Wing party. At that time the
general impression prevailed that he strongly anti
slavery in bis views. This impression confirmed by
his course question which caused much excitement
during the session.
A family, bearing the outward appearance Of much
responsibility reached the city of indianapolis from
Boston, bringing with them testimonials Of their goa
standing The family consisted of widow and .er two
daughters. The daughters well cdacated and pro-
fessed to teach music Attachc, 10 the family was a
Of this Boston .,ly, the orderly and quiet citizens Of
os were aroused by the and start
ling intelligence that one Of the accomplished and high
" educated girls had been married this negro man.
The fury Of the populace knew no bounds the negro and
his bride fed for safety. They followed some two
three miles into the country, and when the chase be-
came hot the negro left his beloved and in the dark
ness OF the night made his escape The wife was
placed upon horse and returned to her mother in
shame and disgrace The Statutes searched for
the purpose of prosecuting the clerk who granted the
license, the magistrate who married tae pares-but
there was no law be found On the meeting Of the
Legislature mornings bill introduced making
il penal offence, punishable by fine and imprisonment,
for white persons and negroes muIattoes having
eighth negro blood, ntermarry, &c. The passage of
this bill was violently opposed by Mr. Fisher; urging.
among other reasons, that public opinion and not law,
must regulate and control such marriages The Legs.
lature however, thought otherwise and passed the bill
;by large majority, Mr.. Fisher and five six others
voting against it. This happening in time of much
excitement gave rise to the impression that he
AboIitionist as all the Abotonsts in the Legislature,
and the citizens of that political faith occupied the
position Of opposition to this law. Whatever were the
opinions of Elood Fisher that time, it is certain
they have since undergone change This was since
1892