Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1856-12-26
Southern security,

The Slave States are, just now, alive with
rumors of insurrection; and feeling of
alarm and CONSERVATION has seized on the
ruling class in nearly all the States where
despotism and oppression constitutes the
base idea of the government. The Louis
vile Journal says:
We were shown a letter from La Fayette,
Christian CO., which states that six negroes
were to be hung there on the day the letter
was written.
Tennessee is alive with rumors of revolt
on the part of the slaves. The Nashville
Gazette of the 10th has the following:
A gentleman Just arrived from Gallatin
informs US that four male negroes are to be
hung at that place to-day, on account of
their connection with the slave revolt. A
good many are still in custody there, await
ing examination. 1t is hoped that no vio-
lence will be done to any, unless their guilt
is clearly proven.
In another part of the same State at a
place called Dover, six negroes were lately
hung, and q white man, named Taylor, was
also hung, on prcsumptive evidence of hav-
ing been engaged in exciting the slaves to
revolt, and the people of the town were on
the track of two other white men who were
suspected of tampering with the negroes.
If found they were to be hung on the near
est tree. In Virginia, South Carolina,
Georgia, Texas, &c, the same scenes are be-
ing enacted, and the white population are
establishing regular guards, writing to their
Governors for arms, adopting strict police
regulations for the slaves, and like the
Egyptians of old, when the Isrealites got
freedom in their heads, the task-masters are
exacting a double portion of service from
their poor oppressed and over-burdened
victims.
This bad state of Southern property" is
by some attributed to the intermeddling of
Abolitionists; but more generally, it is re-
garded as having roots in other causes
The more sagacious see that the general
discomfort of the negro population has
sprung out of psrlor conversations and po-
litical discussions in regard to the effect of
Fremont's election. That there is universal
discomfort among the negroes seems to be
everywhere conceded. It is not however
quite certain that there has been any thought
of insurrection, much less any concerted
plan of action.
In the South men are fogged on suspic-
ion; branded on suspicion; imprisoned on
suspicion; insulted on suspicion; and hung
on suspicion. A poor, ignorant, AFFECTED
slave who wants to make himself of conse-
quence, or ingratiate himself with his mas
ter, raises story of intended revolt, and the
lash, the halter, or the faggot follows. In
all the cases of negro executions which are
reported, there is not one in which the proof
of guilt is clear. But the tyrant-rnasters
intend to strike terror by severity, and thus
deter the apprehended rising.
1t was not to this, however, but to anoth-
er view of this subject, that we wished to
call particular attention. The slave holders
have been filling the ears of the public for
months and years with ideas of their prodig-
ious strength. They have proclaimed their
ability to separate from the Union; to seize
on the government; to make successful wal
against the free North; and to trample the
dastardly mechanics and operatives of the
free State beneath their feet. And yet what
n pittiful exhibition do they make, when
now, in time of general peace, with the
power of the government in their hands
they hear these rumors of insurrection!-
The women and children flying from theil
plantations to the cities; the men are call
ing on the Executive arm for support; the
Courts are invoked to deal summary ven.
geance on the supposed culprits; and the
halter is resorted to without judge or jury
What figure, we ask would these braga
docio despots cut in contest with the free
States, while such mine WAS ready to be
sprung at any moment beneath their feet
Toledo Blade.