The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1858-03-25
ON E s TIC.

THE LEXINGTON SLAVE CAsE.-An article publish
ed in Yesterdays Gazette relating to the sale three
slave girls in Lexington, Kentucky, by gentleman
of this city, has, presume attracted very general
notice. The is of that peculiar character,
which excites the sympathies of the community in
behalf of the unfortunate slaves, and their indig-
nation towards the principals or agents in the
transaction. The idea of selling three interest
ing girls, who have been carried away from
their homes, their churches and their friends,
to detestable slave trader, is revolving to the
feelings OF every man and woman possessing the
instincts of humanity. This is true of the citizens
of the South, well as those of the North Every
where the slavetrader is despised and in those por
tions of the Slave States where the institution ex-
lists in its mder forms, transactions of the charac-
ter to which we refer, are condemned in most un-
measured terms. Under such circumstances, the
severity the letter from Lexington did surprise
US. 1t was written by Southern man, whose sym.
pathies are on the side of slavery but he was
moved by the tears of the poor girls who were abou
to be committed to the tender mercies of vlanous
slave trader Their virtue and their happiness were
probably to be placed in the hands of one who would
sacrifice both at the shrine Of the God of Mammon
W no would not be moved by such spectacle Fol
the severity OF our correspondent, therefore, the
reader will make due allowance; and even for q
slight exaggeration he will not be condemned
though the tone of his remarks might be character
lied as malicious. Such is opinion of the trans
action as we understand it, and as the matter ap
pears to US, no further defence of the Lexington
correspondent will be deemed necessary.
We were, of course, aware that the Cincinnati
gentleman referred to was Mr.. Charles Bodmann
but we were not prepared to believe that he had
become party to such transaction, and we there
fore intimated the probability of satisfactory ex-
planaton the part of our fellow-ctizen. We
have received from Mr. Bodmann, communica-
tion the subject, which will be found in another
places and it is with feeling of the deepest regret
we feel constrained to say, that he has failed to
meet the case.
Mr.. Bodmann is now at the bar of public opin-
ion, and he must either bear the of his el
low-citizens, or explain the matter more fully
and satisfactorily than he has done in the COM
munication presented herewith. Mr.. Bodmann
says he has pecuniary interest in this mat
ter, and we certainly not disposed to sus-
pect that a ready to do such noble acts as
those recently noted in these columns, could be
governed in this last transaction by money
consideration. But it remains to be explained why,
if the girls to be sold, market not sought
in Baltimore?-why they were taken to Lexington
to be disposed of to slave-trader ?-and why, il
Mr.. Bodmann desired no profit to himself from the
sale, the girls were not emancpated? This certain
ly would have been more benevolent, than any
disposition that could be made of the proceeds of
the sale.
1t is to be hoped that matters have not progressed
SO far as to prevent Mr.. Bodmann from regaining
possession of the girls and trust he will at once
see the proprety of exerting himsefto correct the
error that has been committed.-Cincinndti Gazette