The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-12-20

to kidnap some men in Newport, Wayne county.
A company from Kentucky entered the town ut
midnight,-led on by n citizen Of the place.
The people had news of their coming, and were
collected, prepared to receive them. They rode
up to the people assembled, one of whom was
pointed out AS slave-a strong, resolute, des-
perate man. The leader of the kidnappers, with
drawn pistol, rode up to seize him. The man
stepped back, cooked and drew his gun to shoot
the monster dead. He was prevented by All
Abolitionist from shedding blood The kid
nappers were warned that not one would leave
that town alive if they fired pistol, struck u
blow, or attempted to aeize any one. Their
slaves were present, but not one should be ar.
rested. The slave-hunters appealed to the sym
pathieS Of the whites present. 1t was in vain.
They looked about them and saw themselves
surrounded by determined men, with arms ready
for the work of death. They turned and fled
back to the dens of nfamy whence they came.
To day came to this place. A meeting to
consider the Fugitive law had been appoinced in
the urt-house-this being the county town
| found the court in session. The Judge ad-
Journed the court at 2 P. NJ, TO allow US to hold
our meeting; and Judge, lawyers, sheriff, depu-
ties, ind constables, were present to hear
Strong resolutions were passed one pledged
resistance to the Fugitive law, because it makes
escape aud aiding escape from slavery a crime,
punishable as felony. lsit come to this This
nation, as n NATION, has declared it to be FELONY
to escape from slavery, or to aid men to escape.
1t seems incredible Yet, so it is there in that
law, is the nations solemn declaration that it is
crime, to be punished by fines and dungeons,
to aid or abel an escape from slavery! Oliver.
where are We What are we! OH blush
that belong to such nation. Better be IL can
n'bat than M American A crime to escape
from slavery! Felony to aspire to rise from
the condition of brute to that of man -
Felony to aid men to rise from slaves to free
mem! So say Daniel Webster, Henry Clay,
and Moses Stuart; so says this Model O. Re
public-"the land Of the free--and home Of the
brave"
Well, we are having n precious rout over it
in this region. Some of the local papers will
have it | am traitor to the Constitution and
Government. | should be deserving an eternal
hell, Gf any mortal could deserve it, were any
other than that. None can be friend Of God
or man and not be 4 traitor to this Kidnapping
Union. The negro's portion is my portion
this government is to the what it is to him. He
cannot be other than n traitor to this govern
ment. Nor will |; and by all such means as |
think right will seek its overthrow.
Would you think it Men como forward
here to prove from the Bible that slaves have no
right to escape from slavery; and that we do
wrong to help them to escape! My only answer
is-if the Bible teaches that, the Bible utters n
falsehood ; and leave to priests and dcacons to
decide if it does. The God that speaks in my
soul, commands Inc to aid slaves to escape, and
I'll do it, without any regard to what any book
law, church or government says about it.
The political tinkers of Indiana are at work
on the Constitution at indianapolis. They have
decided to exclude negroes, mulattoes and Ind
ians from suffrage; from coming into the State
nd from holding real estate Will the people
ratify it ! Doubtful. Bright is canvassing tur
reelection 1t is said he has no chance. Good
HENRY c. WRIGHT.