The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1854-10-19
From the New York Daily Times.
A GREAT ESCAPE.

vincas men that there is experimenting
Providence was vouchsafed the good people OF
Jackson, Mississippi, last week. BY tho yeri-
est accident, the o. ching OF letter Dy Mr.
| Meek, the Postmaster, it was discovered that
one of the schoolmasters in Jackson thought
that men who are Graded in New England,
| and ON going South become spologists for Sla-
very. are contemplate! OF course he was
hustled off in grea. haste, and tho Jackson
press REQUESTS us to pass him around. We do
so with pleasure. We trust that our folks will
be on their guard. The following from the
Jackson Miss Mercury, Of Sept. 10th, tells us
bow it happened:
ga short time since, a MIR. P. Smellcc, who
he's been teaching school on Dry Creek, in Gov
ington county, for some two years past, was
elected Principal of the Public Schools in this
city. Night before last, letter was deposited
in our post Office without any direction what
ever MIR. Meek, the Deputy Postmaster, open
ed the letter to ascertain to whom it belonged.
He was not acquainted with the writer, and
in the presence of others proceeded to read it,
TO ascertain his whereabouts. 1t was from this
Smelleo, who had been employed to instruct
our youth, addressed to friend in the North,
and was found to contain tho most infamous
abolition sentiments! The writer called ear
ly yesterday morning. as soon as apprsed OF
his omission, aud directed it,
AT the suggestion of our energetic Post
MASTER the Mayor very properly obtained a
copy Of the letter. Or the material portion Of it,
and laid il before the Board of Trustees. The
Board very properly discharged Mr.. Smcllce,
and advised him forthwith to leave this Sec
ton CT the country. He left on tho eastern
cars for Brandon yesterday evening. Much in
dgnation was felt in our community when the
matter was divulged.
q xofI slrk Oh
years old, tall, with black hair and whiskers,
of fair complexion and modest demeanor, and
that he halls from Connecticut CT New York.
We deem it cur duty to make this publication,
and to esk our brethren Of the press to notice
it, that ho may be watched wherever he goes
in the South"
Mr.. Meek deserves something for his vigil
anoe We fear that other postmasscrs are not
equally watchfu,. We know men in this State
who, under the circumstances, would have
passed on that undirected letter to the dead
letter Office. But Mr.. Meek has read that
" the price Of liberty is eternal vigilance" and
be pays tho price, even if it is so high as the
opening of scaled letters. Bat toe MisstSSp-
pan of Sept. 10Th goes farther into particu-
lars. The following is its account of the mat
ter
"a short time since a vacancy of Principal
in the public schools of jackson was supplied
by the election Of o Mr.. P. Smallee. He was
born and educated in the North bat had taught
school two years at Dry Creek, Cogingson
county, in this State and came highly recon.
mended as O teacher. On Thursday Re depos-
tied in the post Office letter, which by acct
dent, and as good luck would have it, he neg
lected to address, and the postmaster, in ma
king up the mail, was under tho necessity of
looking into it to learn where to forward it.
Nlc doing this duty, he sscertained the fact
that it contained the most vile Anti-Slavery
sentiments, and that its author was rabid
Abolisionist. The letter, by the consent of
Smellee hineolf, as we learn, was laid before
the Board of Trustees, and they at once dis
charged him. Smellec, in the mean time,
gathered up his eff; cts and left town in double
quick time. A report was circulated on the
evening Of the day he left, that he was still in
the vicinity and sharp lookout was kept for
him during the night, but no trace of him was
detected
"As good deal Of interest has been ava
kened To the pgec;s, contents of the letter, we
have obtained that portion of it which relates
to Slavery, aud herewith insert it. Writing to
Northern acquaintance, and speaking OF
college mate Who had removed 80 the South,
he said:
c. talks as if Mississippi is to be
| thing5-Slsvery not excepted. In my oDiniou,
ne Is one of shose men Tor going TO bel who,
GRADED in the land of liberty, come here to
| give up thcir principles, and become the warm
eat apologists and advocates of the cursed sYs-
| tom of Slavery. For Southern men, born and
nurtured in the midst of Slavery, and even
taught to believe it rs right, and to uphold il,
| have the deepest sympathy and respect; but
for that Northern mao, whom education, con-
science, and experience, all teach him better,
and Jet who comes here aud becomes the apol-
ogist for and uses his influence in favor OF Sla-
| very, | have the most unmitigated contempt.
| Is is the basest saerifoe of principle to selfish
ends, and proving recreant to that which every
| Northern freeman, especially, must feel and
know is the vitality of our RepubGo-the safe
| guard to society--the clement of national pros
perity to every Institution that teads to elevate
and dignity men.
"'He who thus acts, with eyes open, and
conscience goading him willingly steps upon
and brushes boncsth his feet the poor and
helpless masses, that he may rise aad be a lord
of the earth. There arc thousands of this very
class Of Northern men In this country, and
they have done more to perpetuate slavery than
Southcrners themselves
Thus did the base wretch play the assassin
on those who supported hiu-cherishing and
propagating sentiments at war with their
rights-fanning the famo of fansticism while
living in the South, and enjoying her means
and hospitality. OF course, jackson was lit
tie too hot place for him, and he at once alb
sented himself. We hope our brethren Of the
press sDiA pass him around. He is described as
man about twenty-five years of age tall, with
fair complexion and black whiskers.
at may be proper to mention, in view of re-
marks we have heard on the streets that none
of our citizens ara mentioned in connection
with this subject in this letter.
We cannot but hold up the vigilance of our
Southern brethren for Northern imitation. II
may not be improper to say thus publicly that
we heard well dressed, middle aged man, al
the Astor House, say that he doubted whether
our New York freedom was any better for col.
ored folks than Virginia slavery. That man
we suspect is plotting against our peculiar in.
stitution, freedom for black and white. Lei
the Postmaster keep an eye on his letters.
i A WoRp IN SEAsoE-Never be cast dowr
by triAes. If spider breaks bis thread twenty
times twenty times win he mend it again. Make
up your minds to DO thing in compass anc
} you will do it. Fear not if trouble comes upor
you; keep up your spirits though the day be q
! dark one.