Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1855-08-01
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR.

PHILADELPHIA, July IS, 1855.
The incidents of a trip to Philadelphia are so
inform and in these days of universal travel so
ommon, that l find nothing of interest, scarcely,
detail. We had a very pleasant time, except on
he Bay, a considerable squall prevailing nearly all
he night Of our passage. On our arrival in Phil
-delphia we learned that the storm prevailed here
With even more violence, the rain fell in tor
,ents, Illuminating the streets two and three feet
leep, uprooting trees, and filling some basement
stores on Market street with water and completely /
ruining thousands upon thousands of dollars worth
of goods.
Hon. DAVID Outlaw of BERTHE, had his pocket
of about seven hundred dollars on board the
North Carolina, between Baltimore and
Norfolk, on the night of the 21st. We saw him
next day, but no clue had been obtained for its re-
covery.
Philadelphia is rather dull at present, a large
number of the citizens being absent at Cape May
and other watering places. The only excitement
we have heard Of since our arrival, is the villain
Gus kidnapping of Col. John H. Wheeler's slaves
from the steamer, en- route for Central America, the
particulars of which our readers will have seen in
the papers. 1t was not.only a ruthless invasion of
private rights, but a gross interference with the
wishes and wills of the servants themselves. They
did not desire to leave their master, and so told
those who violently tore them away from him:
but all would not do-they were thrust into a hack
and driven off at a furious rate.
Jusii bef2TA tbs, b0 % fr Was 5 t9 ste2 TtiH On m ls60ii ta;d
to the female servant, "you are in a free State,
and are now free-come on shore and have your
liberty" The woman held back and exclaimed.
" want to go with my MASTER and burst into
tears. The two boys also began to cry, and ex-
pressed q desire to go with their master" The
inturiated gang of lawless negroes who had accom-
panied their companion, Williamson, on board the
boat, now surrounded the servants of Mr.. Wheeler,
andas the latter stepped forward to interfere, as
they were forcing them on Shore, a black rascal
belonging to the gang thrust himself before him
and said, with a threatening gesture, off you in
~tertere, will cut your throat on the spot, from ear
to ear" Several gentlemen offered to assist Mr..
Wheeler in retaining his property and furnishing
G his assailants; but he declined their ~profered SER
vices, which might have led to a general outbreak,
= and remarked, that "he lived in a land of laws,
and would seek whatever redress he might have
+, in a court of Justice"
Upon trial of the case Williamson became quite
rude and insolent to the Judge and will be arraign-
1 ed for contempt of Court. He will also be indicted
I for perjury, and the general opinion is that a ten
! years residence in the Penitentiary will be the re-
ward of his lawless acts. Another trial is set for
the 27th, at which Col. Wheeler tells us he expects
his slaves to be produced. He seems to be quite
e ~sanguine of this.
e There seems to be a regular systematic arrange
y mment, in tampering and interfering with colored
9 persons supposed to be slaves, as soon as they ar
d rive in this City. We saw a colored woman ar
rive at the. Depot Of the Philadelphia Cars, and as
ts-soon as she stepped out she was aecosted by a fell
= low asking if she did not live in Baltimore? The
d servant promptly replied" No; lam from North
If kCarolina+but am free as you are, if that is what
d you want to find out" Theseoundrel then very
d quietly turned away, 'regretting; doubtless, the
n loss OF what appeared so fair an opportunity o.
ID stealing a thousand dollars from a i" slave driving
20 southerner.''
: Wedo not believe the mean, sneaking looking
- scoundrel just spoken of, cared a red cent about th'
= woman or her being a slave-we believe he. wa
q some hired pimp who is paid to hang about th'
ID Depots and carry out the thievish practices Of 9th
I'd ers protesting more respectability. And we hav,
ed no doubt the abolition rogues have their pimps ant
ed tools to do their dirty work, they furnishing tn
a means and money by which to carry on their rob
r. bing, thieving schemes.
u Another case has come under our observation
~ where a servant from the South has had to dis
~ claim her place of residence, to avoid the i'm portu
- mites and interference of intermeddlerswith whor
wv she-i is brought in contact.
We have occupied the greater part of this lettt
Iy upon the subject of slave-catching here. Wei
he perhaps it is well enough-in the first place W
could find little else to talk about, and in the ne,
he the people of the South should have the plai
I'M truth told them about these things, SO that the
eo may know what toiexpect when they visit the Cit
u IN of Philadelphia. Ha foreign nation had treated a
- American Minister with the contempt, disrespe
f.J and injustice Col. w. received here in PhiIade
re- phia, indemnity and an apology-or a war-woul
/ I have been the alternatives. But for such iniusti,
of from a " sister" State there is no redress. III;
nix we not better get out of the family, II things a
me thus to continue?
ia The weather has been quite cool and pleasal
NJ since the storm of Saturday night-but old Sol
u out to-day in full power, and we find his reflection
- on brick, mortar and pave are so severe, that v
mo hope to bid them farewell In a few days.