The Ohio star. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1830-1854, 1853-08-03

And I'll whisper there,
To the cool night air,
What dare not in broad daylight.
e The following appeared in the columns
of The New York Independent and is from the
pen of Rev, Henry Ward Beecher one of the
Editors of that paper:
The Minister Hunting his Slave.
About fifteen years ago there came 10 Indian
apolis, Indiana, colored man named John
Freeman. He brought with him some few hun
dred dollars, part of which he invested in real
estate: He was painter, Whitewater, and
man Of all work. He married young woman
who was servna, in our family. His deport-
ment won for him general respect and conf
dence. He rapidly increased in property and
is now worth about six thousand dollars, which,
| for that community, is very handsome proper
ty. No mans word was better than Freeman's.
He was honest, punctunl, and reliable. He be-
came an active member of the colored Baptist
Church, and conscien'iously discharged his du-
ties MS a church member. He has family of
named Pleasant Ellington, formerly from Ken
lucky, now Of Missouri, who is we understand
a Methodist preacher, appeared in Indian npolir,
and found miscreants base enough 10 assist him
in nrresting Freeman, upon the claim that hs
was a slave. Freeman claims that he is free
man, and shows many papers recognizing that
fact. The Judge has granted nine weeks for
Freedom to procure further evidence of his
freedom.
There arc. some facts that have come to our
knowledge, which it will be edifying 10 know.
When Freeinan's arrest was known, the
whole community was moved. One hundred
men, Of all parties, and of the first standing in
the place, such as Judge Blackford, Judge Wick,
N. B. Palmer, Calvin Fletcher, Esq, and many
other such, signed bond for bail in the sum
of sixteen hundred dollars. The amount in
gold was brought into court, 10 be deposited for
the preacher Ellington, in case Freeman prov
ed save,should not appear, or for his freedom,
in any event. The bail was refused. Rev. Mr..
Ellington refused to ngree 10 take any price
should he get possession of him, but determined
to take him to Missouri. .---..
Under pretence that he feared rescue, the
marshal was about 10 remove Freeman 10 Madi-
son Jail on the Ohio river:-but has consented
to IeaR him in the Jail at Indianapolis on condi-
ion that Freeman pays three dollars a day for
guard TO watch over himself!
We have some good but dull men in New
York, who have denied that Christian men and
families were subjected 10 separation and sale,
under the system of Slavery. 1t is said that TO
represent such scenes as Uncle Tom'sseparat:d
from his family, and his wife, is a slander.
Yet here is preacher of the gospel, max
ing pilgrimage of more than half q thousand
miles, 10 find and arrest member of q Chris
ian church. in q free state, and drag him into
slavery! He finds him settled down in home
which his own industry has secured, with a
wife md three children, useful and greatly
respected citizen, One would think that man
with particle of humanity, even if Freeman.
scere his slave upon seeing such state of facts;
would refuse to break up and desolnte family,
and blight the prospects of man and fellow
Christian. But so deeply has this fellow drank
Of the spirit of patriotism that he determines to
make the mischief. Bonds and security were of.
fered him the most ample, for any price ,hat he
''A6"' w ot'o, -" SeSS i9ShioH SttouIu ue prov
ed his slave. He refused every thing. He de-
manded the Nan; and declared that he would
remove him to slave state and 10 slavery!
A man .hat can read such state OF facts.
and not feel his heart rising with Indignation
against this scoundrel clergyman, ought TO re-
gard himself as having sinned away his day
of grace, and as sealed over 10 reprobation.
And yet, is this man any worse than the law
allows? Has he done anything illegal2 This
American people have laws within which he
may violate every sentiment Of humanity, smotlf-
er every breath oil Christianity, outrage the
feelings of whole community crush an innocent
and helpless family, reduce citizen of univer
sal respect and proved integrity to The level of
brute, carry him to the sham5les, sell him fo:-
ever away from his church, his children and
wife; all this may be done without violating the
laws of the land-nay, By the laws, and under
the direction of magistrates
And SO deadening has been the influence of
slavery upon the public mind, that religious
teachers, and religious editors. will find not
lsingewerdto say agains, this utter abomlnatIon,
and rnenS pious words viii they utter in favor
of this execruble statute.
Meanwhile, that same God who permits the
existence of tarantulas, scorpions. and other Cd
ious vernn, suffers also the existence Of such
creatures as this Rev. Mr. Ellng.av r, a,o,.
serve good purpose i. closing. umid. ~,