New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-02-24
THE REIGN OF TERROR IN VIRGINIA.

To The Editor Of The ~ y Tribune
SIR Az observe that your statements as to the risk
of travelling at the South doubted by your neigh
bors of The Times and Herald, permit me TO relate q
fact in my experience Of very recent occurrence
For fifteen years past have been in the habit Of Wis
ting The South having certain interests in Tennessee
which require my personal attention. In the latter
part Of January, was my way to Tennessee, with
Judge Plat of Yonkers and Mr. Lewis Edwards Of
Orient L. 1. When passing through Virginia, fell
into conversation, somewhere between Lynchburg and
Bristol, with a fellow passenger. After come talk
upon Indifferent matters, this person asked me II
New-York merchants did not feel the with
drawal of Southern trade" i replied that
it was too early in the season a. yet
to Judge whether there had been any dimnution Of
trade from such Z" / am he continued " in
terested in two mercantile firms and have given
orders to both that they shall purchase goods north
of Baltimore, and no. there except Of direct i'm
portaticn." 90 You have" answered ga perfect
constitutional right to buy your goods where you
please. We are however glad to deal with you as
long as you pay your notes. The South" remarked
further aluson on his part to Northern SYM
pathy for John Brown, "does not understand the
feeling Of the North in regard TO that affair. Not
hundred people among us knew Of Browns intention,
or approved of his acts when known, however much
they might admire the character Of the man. And on
hat point, ADDED, " no one has paid him higher
compliment than Gov. Wise, who said he was the
pluckiest man ne ever saw"
"sir," said my interrogation with good deal ofem-
phasis before having any farther conversation with
you, wish to know what you think of Helpers
book"
~ have never read it, replied.
L. 90 ~
its contents But viii tell you what it adviSes: sd
vses observation-disclosures to all intercourse with
shareholders; not to employ them either ply
scians or lawyers trade with them to go to
communion with them NOT, <hat do yOu think ofit!"
Have you ever read that work yourpehl' asked.
81 have not, said he.
"Tben said l. 81 think that you are not the proper
person to iaterrogate me upon this work. nor am I
the proper person to criticize it, when we have neither
of us read Il
But this did not satisfy bin. Hewanted and insisted
upon having mere positive Atlength said:
" acknowledge that Virginia has a perfect conritu-
ona right to continue to abolish Slavery as she
shall see fit and that Of the North have nothing to
do with it. This shoud satisfy you as to my opinion
Of the Helper book"
But this was not enough. He wanted more posi-
tive expression of opinion tho book itself:
II seems to me- said l. I" that the question is one
that belongs to you alone. II is simply quarrel
among cousins. The book was written by the Sooth,
in the South and for the South, and we commercia'
men at the North very little about the matter sny
way
He burst out here with great violence aud vehe-
mence "Sir, believe you are a ID 'snAee Aoo-
ltionistl lam member of the Vigilance Committee
and will have you arrested and examined
clam answered. ga merchant OF New-York,
..;ur, ,brorob the State on nv way further South
.b.,a have large interests, and am on my lawfi Il
business
He continued his abuse, rsiteratisg "You are a
I'D Abolitic mist l will have you arrested aud
examined"
Presently he asked me for my address, which gave
him without hesitation. 81, said he Gam r. Lye!te
McAiulen. have been for eight years mer aber Of
Congress from this State and two years the overuor
of Warrington Territory. And you be spsated.
are id Yankee sbolitionist and no ger l,leman'
Here turned my back upon him and took u a news
paper Then be left me- but going through the car be-
pointed out TO number of persons as IN Abolition
ist My feiow-passengerswe some of faem Southern
men, and Northern. with many III these passsa-
gers had Travelled from washington, md we had bsen
together for -four and tweay hours. IL was to this
circumstance, perhaps, that owed ID tkat Mr. MsSul
lens attempt to get up excitement against re
q failure. There were some mutN.red remarks, il Is
true, undoubtedly intended for Us such as "thal any
AbOlitonis going through the south ough,o be tArea
and feathered" but ! WIS not otherwise molssisd.
Ny assailant went through the other of the rain'
with the amisbe intention, presume, of having mo
mobbed. He failed. however there aso. and finally
returned to bis seat near me and weot % sleep amor
his laboTs. ,. C. uAzELTos'
Nes- Ysvs, Feb. o. 1850.