Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1860-01-20
From the Cincinnati COMMERCIAL Dec. o.
CITIZENS OF KENTUCKY EXPELLED
FOR ENTERTAINING FREE
STATE SENTIMENTS

CITIZENS OF KENTUCKY EXPELLED
FOR ENTERTAINING FREE
STATE SENTIMENTS.
Thirty-six persons arrived in this city from
kentucky yesterday, having been warned to
leave the State, for the crime Of holding sla-
very TO be sin. They are from Barea and
vicinity Madison county. Kentucky, where
they were living industrious, sober and peace
ful lives Most OF these persons are stopping
at the Dennison House. though a portion
have been received at private houses.
They are inofensive persons, men Of peace,
and would not have been driven from any
community in the world except one oppressed
and benighted by the slave system They
were neighbours friends and co-workers of the
Rev. John G. Fee whose reputation as an
earnest and quiet opponent of slavery is well
known to the country. Among the exiles are
Rev. J. II. Rogers, principal of Aourishing
school at Berea. and his famly j. ID Reed
and family John S. Hanson and family Mr..
Hanson is a native of Kentucky, and bard
working, thrifty man. lie had recently erect
ed steam saw-mil. and owns five hundred
acres vt land in Madison county. The Rev.
J. +. Boughton; r. r. Hayes and S. Life,
carpenters A. @. w. Parker. a native Of s.
Carolina - Toney, a native of Tennessee;
John Smith, native Of Ohio, farmer, who
has lived in Kentucky some years. Mr. Smith
is described by Mr.. Fee as a gray-haired ia
, Their, man of prayer, indeed Of eminent pie
ty and usefulness Aud there are others
! whose names we have not procured. More
than half Of the exiles are natives of Southern
States, and several are native Kentuckians
The only offence charged against any Of them
is that of entertaining abolition sentiments.
/ The movement for expelng these persons
originated in the excitement occasioned by
the larpor's Ferry ioray Of John Brown.
The unoasincss growing ont Of that event ex-
tended, Il seems. into Madison county, and
! produced great agitation there. The fact that
there was settlement OF freesoilers in their
, midst. gave the citizens Of the county great
trouble Of mind. They held several meetings
on the subject. at the courthouse in Rich
mond, the county seat. The report of one Of
those meetings is before us in the Mountain
Messenger paper published in Richmond
The paper says 1.-THE Court House was
filled the oldest, most respectable and law
abiding citizens we're in attendance" long
address was adopted by this meeting, in
which there was much said about the right Of
all communities to "selfpreseryation," aud
the dangers to slaveholding communities, of
Aboltionism. II was resolved that a COM
mitiee Of "sixty-fve discreet, sensible men
be appointed To remove from among ns, j.
G. Fee, J. a. r. Rogers, and so many Of their
associates as in their best judgment, the peace
and safety Of society may require The COM
mttee was instructed TO perform this duty
deliberately and humanely as may be. but
most eifectually." The committee was an
pointed accordingly. The following resolu-
tons we're adopted by the meeting
R.so'red J. That the committee which ha, been ap.
pointed hy this meeting do. within ten dsv from ma
time wait upon iohn @ Fee. j A. r. Rogers and an
others that the said committee may think nmcal and
dangerous 20 our institutions, our interests aud our pub
hc safety and tranquility and inform them that they must
quit Obi. county and State and that they must be with
ONT ht limits or this county within ten DAYS after receive
ing SAID notice and that said committee are directed hv
tnl, m'onH 20 lake such steps they deem right
aud proper IN removing the said Pee Rogers Sc from
time specified hasrun out Wv
? That the said committee meet in this place wedne,
Gay, the 4lt instant a. 10 O'Clock A. NJ 20 consult as
70 NE manner Of their proceedings in carrying out these
resolutions.
Rogers and others Fec being at the time
out Of the State were waited upon according
ly. Mr.. Rogers describes the warning that
he received quite graphically. lie was in his
cottage when summons for him 10 appear
was heard. On going 10 the door. he discoy-
cred an imposing cavlcade, sixty-ive well
mounted men being drawn up in battle array.
He was informed tina, he lad ten DAYS in
which to leave the State This was on the
23d December. He told them that he had not
consciously violated any law Of the Common
wealth, and that if he had uuconsciously done
So he would be most happy to be tried nc
eording to law. lie was informed that they
did not know that be had violated any law,
but that his principles were incompatible with
the public peace, and that he must GO The
charge against him was abolitionism-tho
penalty, expulsion from the State.
The persons warned To leave the State an
pealed to Gov. Magofiin for protection. Tie
Governor received the bearers Reed and
Hayes courteously, and advised them. for
the sake Of preserving the State. to leave il.
lie said that the public mind was dceply
moved by the events in Virginia and that un-
til the excitement subsidized. their presence in
the state would be dangerous, and he could
not engage to protect them from their fellow
citizens, who had resolved that thew must 90.
lie promised them security while taking their
departure, and that their property should be
protected