Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1851-01-18
Political Corruption.

Certnin late developments in New Hnmp-
shire illustrate very well the shameless ty-
ranny 10 which the people submit under par
" nnnies. Each State has its little clan OF
oversccrs who play Nicholas" over presses
and balloi-boxes, but they rarely get SO full
~ exposed as IN the following case:
Rev. John Atwood, of New Boston, was
Nominated iOr Governor by the democratic
pariy. He was afterwards addressed by let.
ter TO learn his views on the extension o.
slavery, aud the fugitive law. Af,er severa
weeks he answered NOV. 20) in carefully
written and excellent letter. IN the Language
of 1870, he is firmly aud undlterdbiy oppos.
ed 10 the further extension of slavery oveI
any portion of the American soil now
free.p Respecting the fugitive law, he says
"Inasmuch us the present law denies this
right (tru by iury) TO all persons claimed as
ftIgilves from service aud also imposes
obligations and services upon the people of
tic free States, which in my judgment, nei-
ther the Constitution, nor Conscience re-
quires at their hands, | cannot give the
measure my support. Regarding many Of
its pfovisions as unprecedented, Oppressive,
Firl-.shic to he perverted 10 the euslnvenicnt
of free citizens, ] shall, whatever station
may occupy, favor all proper, peaceful and
constitutional measures for Its repeal or cs-
sential modification"
About Dec. I, this letter was placed in
the hands OF the editor of the Manchester
Democrat, aud Dec. q MIR. Atwood wrote to
him to forward it TO Col. White, another
signer, Which was done. A copy was taken,
the original returned. On the l3h the Con
cord clique got news of the correspondence,
despatched a messenger To n. Boston-some
20 miles, we ilink-who returned, and the
same night nIade the trip again TO notify Mr..
Atwood 10 meet the overseers next day ut
Manchester. There. after long aud severe
ly disciplinary process under Frank Pierce
aud others, lac was induced 10 destroy the
letter, not knowing il had been copied.
But on the 18th the original letter appear
ed in the Meredith Democrat, and Indepen-
dent Democrat. Forthwith another tool
starts again for N. Boston, aud the same night
Mr.. Atwood arrived in Concord. There,
utter undergoing process similar TO an al
lodged Masonic induction, he was forced TO
sign another letter. iUritten for him, repudiGting
his former letter as not containing his opinions
TO lie about il as being 4" unfinished" and
surrepiiiiously obtained, and ayowing his firm
adherence to all the peace measures "!
The next day the letter appeared in the
Patriot. Mr.. Atwood went directly TO Man
chester aud there declared, in presence of
many, that his first letter contained bis true
sentiments, but he, in an evil, excited hour,
had been "beset and importuned" TO sign
another, sho,en TO be Of anoiher's hand tcriting,
disowning his true sentiments, which he
deeply regretted.
What picture is here of despicable ar:s,
tricks, sham pretensions, petty tyranny, and
duplicity! Aud yet there is nothing very
strange about it except the exposure. The
rest of it is common enough. We gather
these facts from the Concord and Manches-
ter Democrats