The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-01-05
FAILURE OF THE PAILANTmppIc SCHEMES.
Confessions Of Ministers and
Guardians.

Opposition Of the Canadians to Free
Negrod0m,
&e., &e., As.
Special Report for the New York Herald
ON the Condition and Prospects OF tho
Negroes i'm the British Provinces.
While the fanatca abolition agtators carrying on
the nefarous system Of running slaves ato Canada and
endangerng the highest interests Of the country with their
raids upon the seuh few Of the real condition
Of abandonment, desdtution and misery In which tho
negroes, entced from the South, exist IN their
northern residence Public attention has lately been
called TO this state Of things by the letter Of COL Prince
and discussions the subject in the Canadian Par
lament which aid open their shiessncss the evils they
bnct upon the surrounding localities and their utter
fitness for self control
II H with . view Of investigating these points,
Of so much interest at tho present moment, and
for the purpose Of laying before i1 readers all
the information which be obtained bearing upon
the questions agitating the country, that The
HERALD details special correspondent 10 Canada 70
examine the practical working Of the underground rail-
road system, the prospects and condition OF the negro
the Province the influence Of the importation OF fugitive
slaves upon property and upon the public morals and
the character Of tho various schemes in operation pro-
fcsscdly the "improvcment" and "ameHoration Of
the condition of the black race.
In all the principal cities In the State OF New York-in
New York, Albany UtIOh Syracuse Rochester, Buffalo
and other paces-reguar agents located. and sub
scrpuons solicited and collected all the yer round,
to help "poor fugves from the south" their road TO
Canada and freedom. The amount thus accumulated is
almost incredible, and tho of the charitable
donors, IT, published, would astonish the world.
Governors, Senators, editors, lawyers. merchants,
and Of course politicians, swell the capital stock
Of the underground railroad. Scarcely . week
passes without witnessing band Of negroes OF from
hree to dozen, paraded quietly OF cities by
the agent Of the aboioniss and shown those from
whom subscriptions are solicited "iresh impora-
ton" The negroes always badly clad and apparent
ly in suffering condition; and sympathy being thus ex-
cited for them, contribution follows matter OF
course 1t is probable that in every instance the money
is misappHed. The "agent" Is always man who with.
out any visible means Of support, makes himself well off,
Half dozen idle hangers nd living out Of the funds
But the poor slave for whom the charity B craved re-
ceives barely enough to carry him 10 the of his Jour-
ney and set down, half clad, half starved beggar in
strange nhospitable country, and congratulated on
having achieved his "freedom."
large proportion Of the money contributed to the uu
derground railroad is given under misapprehenson Of
facts believed by the donors TO be act of huma
W Detterng
condition. The little Of that honestly expended on the
fugitive from slavery only helps TO remove him from
home where he ia well provided for and happy plunge
him INTO suffering and crime The greater portion Of It
finds It's way into the pockets Of the idle scamps who are
prominent agents and collectors. Yet owing 10 the
liberal contributions Of the North and OF British abolition
ss Of late years. the stealing Of negroes from the border
States has increased to alarming degree, until has
eliminated Ia Browns bold attempt to nce servile In
surrecton in an entire State
has been Justly remarked that the most offensive ea
ture Of the pecent wicked and murderous attack upon
Virginia. hs connection Of British aboluonsn in Cana-
da with the principal actors in the crime unques
totaby true that these foreigners aware Of and
abeted Browns treason. No conceament Of the fact 10
attempted by them. At Chatham the first meeting was
held at which the plot arranged and with the money
p Canadian abolionists In his pocket Brown went into
Ohio 70 obtain recruits for the service half breed
named Shadd, who publishes . paper at Chatham,
was prominent accomplice OF Brown In tho
scton prior 70 the Harper's Ferry attack, al
though he was careful TO keep q whole skin
In Canada, while the fighting was progressing in vir.
gnia- Within week two, Canadian reported 10
have boasted n meeting in Philadelphia that he had
been an agent Of Brown for ths rscspon Of fugitive
slaves in Canada The few men, a Browns party who
escaped with their lives the present moment in
people, should they be demanded OF the governnsnt a
escaped murdersrs. Merriam, whitS, and . negro
whose name do not know, both Of whom engaged
IN ths HaSpsr's Ferry Affair." II the present moment
II Shadd's house. Merriam . young looking man, ap-
psrenty not twenty-five years Of age, short and
slightly built, with thin haschety face, very
pale, and no beard. He looks more like consumptive
,choolboy than oouspiraaer The negro is, believes
Canadian, and tall, spare wry black Of the deepest
dye They keep very quiet, and could learn paxtsca
Of their escape except that they had bean passed from
house 70 house by the ends until they reached Onsds.
Coppe, IL d sAid u at present II house few miles
from Toronto One might we'll believe that this avowed
cooperation and sympathy Of British aboluonss with
attempt spread servile nsurrecon with all ts horrors
through portion Of tho States Of the Union, would of
itself open the eyes Of patriotic Americans To the danger
ous tendency Of the underground railroad system and
deter them from ardins any aid, direct indirect 70
those who arc instrumental in operating IT,
The Harpcrs Ferry affair but the natural result OF
that Of which has Of late prevailed
In the Northern Saes and which, ostered BY the incen
diary doctrines Of political sgtators has accustomed the
mars OF the people look with indifference the dcprc
dators committed upon the property and the rights Of
the citizens OF shyehoding States. Every man
who contributes money 10 aid In robbing the
South directly Indirectly, Of its slaves 10 responsible
for such swess acts for the fatal consequences they
may entail upon the Union.
But Independent OF these considerations, the question
must present itself every rejecting mind does the
gro himself derive any real benefit from being sedaced
from his Southern home and his Southern master aud
made free NAM at the North-ffom bein- stolen
snloea from Of servitude, and len 70 shin for h
sell strange and uncongenal country Is society in
,----' --~-c ,ui'sn- -n-,iiv nv tho Introduce