Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1860-12-06
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South Carolina Despotism.


A Southern gentleman recently employ
ed William G.. Wood as a teacher for his
children, and entered into an agreement
that be was to come to South Carolina in
the beginning of November. Mr.. Wood
was but little of party man, having de-
voted his whole time to his own business,
but all this did not avail as soon as he fell
into the hands of set of men who seem
to regard neither law nor Justice He
makes the following statement in Boston
paper:
noticed in your paper of last evening
an article on my return home from South
Carolina. The impression left by it was
mainly correct One or two inaccuracies
| might notice l should prefer, however,
if one case out Of SO many is sufficiently
interesting to your readers, to give them a
more detailed account of the treatment |
received. l shall thus answer questions
which viii be asked me thousand times
once for all, and more correctly than ru-
NOR would do it.
| arrived at Blackyille, 90 miles from
Charleston, at o'clock on Monday even
ing, November 5. Stepping upon the plat
form, | was almost Immediately surround
| ed by a group of young men. Finding
that they,,were Vigilance Committee, I an
swered their questions until they asked,
What are your political opinions? Are
you in favor of Mr.. Lincoln's election
Ny answer was, | Deg your pardon, gentle
men, | have nothing to say to you on po-
litical matters. They asked me to stop,
examining my trunk and chest contain
| ing my library, until late Monday night,
and for an hour or two Tuesday morning.
| The examination was conducted with polite
ness and delicacy. They found little
against me-nothing, as they told me
which materially changed their impress
slons. However, | was Northern man
| that was sufficient The chief of the Wig
lance Committee told me privately that
such was the feeling that, were it not for
several circumstances, | should not have
been let go with a whole skin However,
they would send me home safe, pay my pas
| sage, and keep my books until the money
was refunded
This feeling, so strong then, gradually
changed. A feeling sprung mp and gain
ed ground that should be sent out to my
employer The meeting broke up without
being able to agree. | was informed of
this by one of the members, who advised
me to proceed. | told him no I'm not go
ing to run away, | was stopped officially,
and | must have official notice that [ may
leave. This | presently received Thus
the storm, thought, had passed away.
At Barnwell, ten miles distant, enjoy
ed the hospitality of the Baptist minister
In the afternoon, my employer (from
neighboring town. called While CONVEX
sing with him, vas unexpectedly waited
upon by gentlemen who wished my atten-
dance in the village We proceeded to
the Court House. [ shall not be likely to
forget that occasion; many circumstances
invested it with interest. 1t was Barnwell
Court House, from which, years ago, un-
der memorable circumstances, they sent
away the venerable Judge Hoar. 1t was
an assembly composed of the most respec-
table men Of the place There were edu-
Gated men, one minister Cat least) and the
physicians of the town. There were the
principal shareholders, a large planter own
ing 5000 acres having the chair
The proceedings were parliamentary and
courteous throughout. [ stood at the ia
BILE "a little Massachusetts man, the short
est, | believe, in my class at Harvard) and
interrogatories were put me one by one.
What we're my sentiments on slavery, its
extension, Mr.. Lincoln's election, the high
er law, irrepressible conflict, &c, &C. |
answered them fairly When l could re-
ply with effect, [ did so; when could not,
declined to answer Speeches were
made-for and against All expressed
their admiration at the able and honest
manner in which I had borne myself
throughout. Many who did so said that
convictions of duty compelled them to vote
against my stay. The vote stood 22 to 9.
The Vigilance Committee generously rails
ed the money on the spot to pay my ex-
penses home.
Thus far | had met only courteous and
considerate treatment. After day spent
under the roof of Rev. Mr.. Perry-him-
self slaveholder-I returned to Black
vile. On the train [ was insulted by a
.telloao, who dragged me into the negro car
(there was no one to say nay), and persist
ed in sitting by my side, threatened me
with whipping, padding and hanging, and