The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1872-04-16
Alleged Revival in the Slave
Trade.
THE CUSTOM HOUSE RING IM-
PLECATED,
South Carolina Again Invaded.
Terrible Tales OF Military Op.
preston.
Jails and Warehouses Overlooking.

New YORK, April 6.-The newspapers
have begun an investigation of the ru-
more0 revival of the slave trade already
noticed in these dispatches. Of course
no positive proof is found, but the New
York Custom House records show that
suspected vessels cleared for Aspinwall,
ostensibly to become carriers in the cat
tie trade, and that they loaded here with
champagne, sardines, brandy, Dutch
cheese, pork, scrap iron and water casks.
Furthe rmore, it mas been proved that they
really sailed for Truxillo. The number
known to have sailed from this port
within three months is siX-one steam
er. Grants Custom House officers could
not have been innocent, for every tug
boat in the harbor knew the craft and
duly blackmailed them. Indeed it was
the refusal of one of the slavers to be
black mailed that let the secret out. Said
tug master to rakish schooner which
he was towing down the bay not long
ago: "Come down, Captain; know
what you are" "rll see you id first"
was the shippers reply. Then the facts
were blown to Marshal Murray & Co.,
the tugman supposing the Marshal still
to he power in New York harbor as he
was under Iincoln's administration.
sotfH CAROLINA WAR REoPENED.
The SUMS South Carolina correspond
ent says that Grants army of occupa-
ton has begun a new war in Lsurens
and New5etne Counties. Last Sunday,
just before dawn, a company Of cavalry
rode into the town of Laurens, and hav-
ing previously pcketed the roads lead
ing into the village, began an onslaught
upon the citizens Every house was en-
tered, the inmates aroused from their
slumbels, and the males hurried off to
camp under guard. No house was ex-
empt The aged were carried along the
streets with their white hairs flowing, land
the young, beardless boys of eighteen,
were alike arrested White and colored
citizens, old and young, we'll and infirm,
were hurried off to prison by the boys
in blue. The process OF arrest was very
simple. No warrants and no legal pro-
cess. A squad of cavalry merely poun-
ded at the doors, and the male portion
of the quarters were peremptorily or.
dered to jump out of their beds and
come along, this command being occa-
sienally emphasized with an oath, and
occasionally with revolver demonstra-
ton The scene in the streets was simi-
lar t. that of the sacking Of town in
the time of war. Crowds of weeping
women and children ran after the SOL
diers who bore off their husbands and
fathers, and in every direction the men
who could escape fed. The result is
that to-day the town and county is al-
most depopulated. The fields are aban.
doned alike by blacks and whites, and
the crops which have jast been put in
the ground are left to take care of them:
selves. A courier from Newberne Coun-
ty reports similar state Of things there.
Arrests are made in all the counties de-
elared under martial law by Grants
proclamation, and the whites who can
escape are flying by hundreds. 1t is q
reign of terror. Thirty eight prisoners
were sent from Laurens yesterday to
Charleston, where the United States
Court is in session, and as many more
were sent to day. The Charleston Jail
and warehouses are filed with these I'M
fortunates, and one batch of forty pris-
oners was refused admission in the CO.
lumbia Jail, there being no room for
them.