Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1860-03-12
THE REFUGEES IN CANADA.

1t has been stated in most of the newspapers
that man named C. J. Brown has opened an
agency in Detroit to assist the return of flu
gitive slaves to their masters" This state
ment is likely to have some foundation in
truth, for the Detroit Free Press has invented
and circulated so many falsehoods in regard to
the fugitives in Canada West, that, not only
the Shareholders, but the professional kidnap-
pers also, have been misled. In consequence
of the circulation of these falsehoods, 1t is be-
ieved by many that nearly all the fugltlVes IN
Canada are anxious to return to their masters,
and that most of them are in a very destitute,
degraded, miserable condition. That unscru-
pulous Detroit paper has accomplished more
than it meant and deceived the shareholders to
their cost, when it only intended to serve
slavery and the democratic party.
Most readers watched the rise, progress, and
exposure of the exciting story of school out
RACES perpetrated in Canada by the fugitives.
This, and all other lies and libels of the sort,
that appear in the Detroit Free Press, are the
work of a reporter of that paper who is hired
to perform such service. An intelligent and
reliable citizen of Windsor, Canada, has given
us some account of this fellow. Usually, his
stories are invented and nothing in the way
of falsehood can be too atrocious, or have in it
too much scoundrcsm, for his purpose. 1t is
said that his conduct is becoming unbearable,
and that neither the white nor the colored in
habitants of that part of Canada can be per-
suaded to endure it much longer. Some four
or five weeks since, public meeting was held
at Windsor to consider what measures could
be taken against such assaults. The mayor
presided and most of the leading citizens were
present; but the proceedings were conducted
chiefly by the colored men. The fellow was
present at this meeting, but left on the appear
ance of a resolution declaring that if the nui-
sance could not be suppressed by law, they
would try the effect of little gospel"
The condition Of these people appeals to us
strongly for help and fair play, rather than
hindrance The man who can be willing to
pursue them with such inscriptions falsifca-
ton and abuse, has most unenviable state of
mind. He is very despicable creature.
Those who arrive in Canada, after a long and
weary flight from slavery, are, of course,
destitute of every thing. But the help they
receive comes chiefly from those who preceded
them and who have at length worked their way
to comfortable circumstances Many of them
are white, or nearly SO, and most of them are
capable and full of resolution. Rev. C. C.
Foot of Detroit, who takes great interest in
the fugitives at Windsor, says,-"full one half |
of the arrivals from the south are children of
white fathers. l have known whole families
to arrive in Canada wi Ii scarcely particle of
African blood in their faces" If kept in the
south, these resoute runaways would be TO-
mentors of instruction. All things consider
ed, they have succeeded remarkably in their
place of refuge, quite as well as auy other class
of men would have done under the same cir
cumstances. 1t is very certain that they have
no desire to be slaves again, and that of G.. j.
Browns agency is nowise likely to approach
them nearer than Detroit.
1t should be generally understood, that the
Detroit Free Press seldom speaks the truth of
these people, that it pursues them systemati-
cally with falsehood and malice, and that its
llbellous stories should not gain credit any
where. No cause can prosper which employs
or tolerates such methods of support, for they
can not be used where there is reliance on
reason and justice. The false statements in
that journal have led professional kidnappers
to prowl around Canada, in hope of enlisting
companies of volunteers who could be sold
probably in the far south. And slave-hunters
have been drawn to Canada to meet disap
polntment. Spies and adventures, of both
sorts, find themselves deceived in regard to
the state of affairs, and sometimes narrowly
escaped lynching. Last summer, in belief OF
these stories, considerable money was sent to
many of the fugitives, to pay the expenses Of
their return; but those who sent it were very
soon undeceived.
While the spirit that stimulates such un-
scrupulous Justification, guides the pro-slavery
press of the country, and finds the most AFRO
giant expression in Congress, we are not likely
to forget the ''irrepressible conflict between
freedom and slavery.