Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1859-01-15
For the Tribune.
TERRIBLY FRIGHTENED.


born Yankee who get his own living. and
never in his life appropriated without considera'
tion dollar of another mans wages, is, of course,
incapable OF apprehendng what it is to be zone
of the Chivalry," and member of First Family.
But we nevertheless take the liberty Of believing
that it must sometimes be the most unhappy OF
conditions. The number Of realities in this life Of
which sensitive man may have some legitimate
apprehension is so great that he is in very pitt
able circumstances who is compelled to be afraid
of things which plebian northern boy, not out of
bis petticoats, would face. with wooden sword,
without wincng. Here comes to us, for instance,
a Virginia Democratic newspaper. The Blue Ridge
Republican, with it leading article headed Fire
brands Ahoat," and it is evident that the whole |
county OCulpepper is in alarming state Of panic
seeing visions of outrage and arson, and dreaming
dreams of throats cut from to ear. Perhaps it
ID our distance from the of distress, perhaps
want of proper sensitivness and chivalric senti
ment which naturally attends those who have not
in their veins single drop Of that blood which
has flowed through an unbroken line af Virginia
cheyaliers but we cannot help suggesting the in
quiry, whether a "fre, brand" that was "ahoat"
would rot be likely to DO what the negroes called
squenched," and whether the apprehension that
the river would be set on FIRE by that means
not slightly premature. At any rate We confess,
without the slightest blush Of shame. that did we
live in q community where floating fre.brands ex-
posed US to such terrors, we should fee at once
like the wicked man, whom one pursueth, to
the nearest depot Of the Underground Railroad, if
no better refuge were offered US, and escape to o
country where we could have the blessed privilege
of becoming "mud'sill" and enjoying an undis-
turbed belief that any combus.ible which is well
overheard is past all mischief.
The particular fre'brand which has recently
spread its ga;risb, and frightful, and porentous
light through the Culpepper region Of Virginia,
came through the Pos;.Offce, and "the wrapping
being paper accidentally came open," which, con-
sdering the nature of the inclosure, was not
strange. Such accidents, however to Northern
packages not uncommon in Southern post
ufices and can only be looked upon providen.ia
The package in question was addressed to Maria
G. Underwood the wife of Mr.. John G. Underwood
now of this city, bus formerly Of Virginia. though
that, of course, could have nothing to do with the
accident" which happened to it. Bu. having
happened, 'several gentlemen"-of course, gem
tlemen, being Virginians the triaing act of tam.
pering with the mails being excusable under the
circumstances. the package belonging only to o
woman, "several gentlemen "gave it careful ex.
animation. 1t was found to contain few pamph.
lets. entitled Views of American Slavery, Taken
Century Ago" and bearing the print of The
Association Of Friends for the Diffusion of Relig'
ious and Useful Knowledge" of Philadelphia
The book, copy of which happens to be before
us, seems as harmless as the Declaration Of In.
dependence. The Congressional Globe, Black
stones Commentaries, or tho Discipline of
together unknown in Virginia. and all quoted from
in this little pamphlet 1t contains, moreover, the
sentiments of Washington, of Jefferson, of Henry
of Randolp lph-gentemen of the Virginia Of His
tory-and of host of others Of this and other
countries, none of whom are now alive. and par.
,iculsrly Benezet's Account of Africa" and
Wesleys Thoughts on Slavery. This alarming
ly incendiary documentsome well meaning Friend
in Philadsl phia had sent to Mrs Underwood, ss be
might have sent her reprint, were there one of
"Jeferson's Notes on Virginia." for her own edi
fcation; and the gentlemen" who sat in alarmed
and solemn conclave over it, like pale and quam
ish "Crowner's quest" over an unpleasant body.
only permitted her to have it after imposing upon
it a very high charge" as she herself says in a
calm and dgnifed letter to the Republican. ex.
planning how the package came to be sent to her.
The jury however, reserved to themselves the right
and conferred upon the editor of the paper the duty
of acquainsng their fellow-ctizens Of Culpepper
County Of the dangers which menaced them,
though haply averted, it might be- by these high
minded men, before the fire Of whose patriotism
postal laws were as tow, when ailbags smelt Of
fre'brands. And the editor of the Blue Ridge
Republican, as faithful conservator Of the pub
lio morals and safety, has performed his task in
way that shows him true son of the prolific Moth
er of Great Men. "Firebrands." he declares, "are
not suitable paJulpm for Southern youths" which
an abstract propositop,is ,is unquestionably true,
though we had always supposed that live Goals
were the commonest diet Of the sons OF Virginia
Families. Washington and Jefferson he evidently
regards as we'll meaning persons. who would have
known more If they had lived longer, but who IN
fortunately diedbefore the Institution was claimed
to be established not only as Of egal,not only as