Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1860-01-04
Expulsion Of Thirty-six Citizens from Ken.
lucky, for Entertaining Abolition Senti.


ments.
The Cincinnati Commercial Of the 31st ult
says that thirty-sx persons arrived In that city
on the day before, from Kentucky, having been
warned to leave the State for entertaining anti.
slavary sentiments The movement for expelling
these persons originated in the excitement occa-
stoned by the Harpers Ferry fotay of John Brown
The uneasiness growing out Of that event extend.
ed. 1t seems. into Madison county, and produced
great agitation there. The fact that there was
settlement Of free-soiers In their midst, gave the
citizens Of the county great trouble Of mind They
held several meetings the subject, at the court
house in Richmond, the county seat
At these meetings the court house was filled.
the oldest, most respectable and lawabiding citi.
zens Were In attendance. IT was resolved, THAT
committee Of sixty-dve discreet, sensible men
be appointed to remove from among u.s. j G. Fee
J. A. r. Rogers, and many Of their associates
as in their best Judgment the peace and safety Of
structed TO perform this duty deliberately an
humanely as may be, but most efectually. The
committee was appointed accordingly.
letter was read from the Rev. J. 4. r. Rog-
ers OF which the following is the substance: LAS
citizen Of Berea the writer would most respect
fully and cordially invite any gentleman OF the
county who, thforgh rumof or otherwise. has
formed an Unfayorahle opinion Of this community
to visit it at its convenience and learn its charac-
ter. We do not profess TO be faultless but hope
that the compliments for industry, probity and
SOOu-CttlZenSDlp tndt nave Oeen paid us by those
of the first rank in the county for wealth and in.
huence, who have made our acquaintance, may
be more and more deserved.
1t is universally known that most Of u.s. in
common with washington and host of Others
whom we all delight 10 honor, believe that slavery
is moral and political evil; that 1t is the duty
and privilege of those holding slaves to free them
at the earliest consistent moment and I'm such
way as to promote the general good; aud that
complexion Is not the true test for the regard or
privileges that should be extended to a man We
believe too, that moral and political means only
should be used to remove slavery. Insurrection
finds no favor here. Brother Fee never has ard
if his true words be known, doubt not does not
now give the least countenance to the Of force
in fastening the end Of slavery"
After the reading Of this letter the following
resolution was adopted
Rssotrcd, That the committee which has been
appointed by this meeting do. within ten DAYS
from this time wait upon John ID. Fee. J. A. r.
Rogers. ard all Others that the said committee
may think lnimicai and dangerous to our institu-
| tons, our interests. and our public safety and
tranquility, and inform them that they must Quit
this county and State: and that they must be with
ont the limits Of this county within ten DAYS after
the time of receiving said notice; and that said
committee are directed by this meeting to take
such STEPS as they may deem right and proper IN
| removing the said Fee, Rogers, &c, from the
county if they found within its limits after
the time specified has run out
Rogers and Others # &c bsinT at the time out Of
the State) were waited upon accordingly. MI
Rogers was Informed that he had ten DAYS in
which to leave the State This Was on the Did
December. He told them that he had not con
sclously violated any law of the Ccumonwealth
and that, IL he had unconsCiOusly done SO, he
would be most happy to be tred according to law
He was informed that they did not know that he
had violated any law, but that his principles
Incompatible with the public peace, and that he
must 20. The charge against him was abolition
isIu--the penalty, expulsion from the State. No
harsh or personally disrespectful language was
used. He was even told, with much courtesy OF
word and manner, that lie esteemed as gem
tieinan, bat his presence was offensive account
of his principles. They laid it down axiom
that Such sentiments as he entertained were not to
be tolerated by slavehOldn2 peuple-that abe
lition doctrines and sitveholding were rot to be
permitted tolether-that one or the other must go
under, and that they Were resolved he and his
friends must 90. They warned him peaceably
but any amount OF force necessary to carry out the
objects of the Richmond meeting would be unhes
itatlngly employed They appeared now in peace
but if he did not heed the warning, they would
reappcar for war. The committee represented the
wealth and responsibility of Madison county and
was sustained for the most part by public senti-
ment.
The persons warned to leave the State appealed
to Governor Magotin for protection, committee
OF them pres n 10 Ii II petition 10 tina end
Governor Mag o1in received the bearers OF The pc
ttl"n (Rced and Hayes courteously. ard advised
them for the sake Of preserving the peace Of the
State. to leave il. He said that the public mind
was deeply moved by the events in Virginia, and
that until the excitement subsidized, their presence
in the State world be dangerous, and he could
not engage to protect them from their fellow cit-
zens who had resolved that they must 60. He
promised them security while taking their de-
parture and that their property should be protect
ed. They say that for the most part they were
treated politely by these who have driven them
from their homes. and they have hopes that pres.
entity the people Of Kentucky will take sober
thought and allow them to return 10 their several
places Of abode and accustomed avocations The
e,i!ts seem in good spirits. They 70 :,a d.
ylded In opinion as to their course in future.
They all hope to 20 back TO Old Kentucky and
I've. labor and die on her soil. Some fear they
cannot GO back, and think Of looking out FOR en-.
ployment in the free States; and they have vague
ideas of appealing for protection in their rig at.
and fmmunitirs as citizens TO the Federal trov-
ern.nent