Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1856-07-09
Rev. T. w. ArK1N, Editor of News.

ABOLITION PHnANTHRoPY.-Among the records of
the courts of district many interesting cases,
and not the least so is the celebrated of Pel
Ball. This fingered in the Court of Chancery for
many years it evoked the highest talent of the
Charleston bar; it hung upon the lips of the people,
and at its close gave rise to exhibition of abol-
ton philanthropy which entities it to still further
notice.
The facts of the case were simple. Mr.. and Mrs.
Swin.on Ball of the passengers on the illfated
steamer Pulaski when it was wrecked and both per-
shed but in the distribution of the property left
behind them it was of Importance to determine who
was the survivor The sum depending upon this
question amounted to near $780, 900. Excessive in
genuity was exercised-facts family to be traced
amid the scenes of that perilous occasion were ex-
amincd, and it was finally decided that Mrs. Ball
was alive ut period when there was no proof OF
the existence of the husband and the property be-
came distributable among her heirs-at-law. There
were two distributes, both residents of the free
States. portion of the property consisted slaves,
whom they could not consent to hold in that condi-
ton, and it was determined, therefore, that they
should be sold, and the proceeds divided, and in
carrying this determination into effect, one very
hard case was presented Among these slaves was
a body servant Of Mr.. Ball, who much esteemed,
and who had wife and seven children As is usual
here the entire family put up for sale together,
but there for the inference that this man
would not sell for so much, with so many irefciens,
he would sell for by himself and one of the lega
tees required that they should be sold separately
The requisiton inspired feeling of Indignation and
disgust, but to no purpose. The sale went on; the
legatee himself became the purchaser of this favorte
slave. lie held him for an advance in value, and
only consented to dispose of him to the purchaser Of
his bereaved family, upon the payment Of what he
considered sufficient profit upon the bargain
That legatce who so held to small profit upon
the favored slave of the man whose estate he was
about to share, was Albert Sumner, brother Of the
Charles Sumner who has lately been rendered SO
distinguished in the Senate of the United States.
Now, we do not enter a. criminal prosecution
against Mr. Sumner for the conduct of his brother
but speaking from the centre of society and a
family who arc capable of an act like this, it may
be surely questioned whether he is proper person
to arraign the "harot slavery" and whether there
is not something like retributive justice in his meet
ing some little expiatory martyrdom in the cause OF
human freedom.
1t may be objected to society that such an act
is possible; but in every form of society there
necessary evils, and if families separated here.
SO they elsewhere, under the mpcrious necessi-
ties of common life, while this is to be remembered
In free States, families are torn apart by countless
causes but here there is but one to disturb the do
nestle relations of the negro, and that is the order
of master. 1t is also to be remembered that mas
tiers seldom have an interest in such an order. He
who owns husband will also find it to his interest
to own the wife; who sells the one against his wish,
will also find it to his interest to sell the other, and
hence it happens under the natural equities of this
institution, that this evil most excepted to is of less
frequent occurrence than among almost any other
people known to history and that it is left for the
philanthropy of of the free States to exhibit one
of the few instances upon record, in which a man
has found interest of from fifty to one hundred
dollars in separating negro husband from his fami-
~, and who for small sum has had the heart to
perpetrate the act.
Charleston Standard.