The Portage County Democrat. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1860-01-04


scenes at Harpers Ferry by an Eye Witness.
re- A gentleman Of this County has furnished
us an extract of private letter from cor
responpent who actually saw that Of which
! be writes. The letter relates to Hon. s.
Edgerton our member of Congress. We ex.
tract as follows: So
: Mr.. Edgertoa went to Virginia on an
errand of mercy, to take to that brave old
man, % Ohm Brown the last words of his reia.
) tiyes in summit County. and to receive his
farewell blessing for them. All the way thro
Yirginia, We found soldiers at every station
and at Harper's Ferry. where we took the carr
for Uharlestown. We found large number. OF
I, troops. The cars were filed with them on
g their way 70 Charlesiown- Mr.. Edgerton was
. introduced to Mr. Boieler, member Of Con
gress from the Harpers Ferry District. who
was also going to Charlestown. Mr.. Blake
the member of Congress from the Medina
{ District, and gentleman from Philadelphia
prepared to accompany Us. We vert into
the cars and took our seats. Soon Mr. Bote.
! Ter was called out. In few moments be re.
turned and said, Gentlemen, my friends tell
me ! ana assuming greater responsibility
than have right to do. and do not wish
to be answerable for consequences, and l ad
wise You not to 60.
~ Mr.. Blake and the other gentleman left, ant
were escorted to the other cars, about fv'
rods distant. Mr.. E lgerton told Mr.. Botele
that he did not wish to embarrass him, in tt,
1 least, but that he felt inclined to go through
unless forcibly prevented. Whereupon Mr.
7 Bote ler kindly proffered Mr.. Edgertoa hi
assistance and introduced Him. safely. to th
> military headquarters, at Charlestown. wher
! he made known his wishes The Commando
/ said TO Mr.. Edgerton, thar he was sorry to SO,
that he could not let him see Brown
saI suppose he was fearful that Edgerto
would release Brown, as they had only abou
three hundred troops on duty that day!
Finding that be could not see Brown, Nj
8 Edgerton requested pass, in order that
might take the next train for Washington
It seems that white men, members of Cor
8 gress not excepted, need passes on virgini
: soil, to insure them personal safety, and to pr,
vent detention, as much as do plantation nj
groesl What q free eountryl What equ,
rights and just reciprocity between Mort
and South Eds. Dem
s The Commander shook his head what q
II Olympus nod--Eds. Dem and said he woul
send him, Edgerten, back by escort. So, a
g ter rundown, Edgerton was mounted on q
old lumber wagon, with two guards befo
him with drawn swords, and two behind hi
pistols in hand ready to do execution, and
this way eur Member of Congress YVES CO
Quoted back to Harpers Ferry, by Virgins
chiyalrous heroesl where be arrived betwet
eight and nine o'clock at night. Such is Il
ehivalry of the "O!d Dominion" Such
- boasted "Southern hospitality"
~ Some Of the soldiers at Oharlestevn to
the editor of the Cincinnati Commercial vi
was there, that they thought Mr. Edeertc
was too independent
1t ia to be hoped that this charge of beir
IT independent may always be truthful
brought against our Northern men, and {
e pecially our members of Congress. VIII
Mr.. Edgertons conduct was entirely chars
tsrized by dignity and respectful bearing, )
be showed 40 obsequious cringing to the D,
ty tyrannies aud annoyances that prevailed
Unblench;-g Yankee manhood surprises, ys
alarms the F. f. VS.. They have, evidentl
underrated Yankee pluck