Wilmington daily commercial. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1866-1877, 1872-03-23
saturday Afternoon, March az


Democrats have lost ground, IN tine munioipAi
elections. Wherever the people have voted,
since the downfall Of Tammany, they have de-
elared their distrust OF those candidates who
bore the party mark that Tammany did.
But, in thus condemning Democratic rule in
municipal Affairs, the people expect, Of course,
that the Republican management will be more
pure, and free from suspicion. II Republican
officials do not meet this expectation, fully,
honestly, and frankly they will be put under
foot, as Tammany was. Aud herein is a lesson
The Story Of the Underground Railroad.
Everybody who knew the inside OF the old
a Anti.slayery Office" in Philadelphia, for
number of years preceding the happy close OF
It's existence, knew William Still, colored man
who acted as clerk therein. Williams duties,
however, included more than would have been
anparent to the casual visitor. He was, in reality
General SUPERINTENDENT, for Philadelphia, OF the
onerations Of that secret, undeteeted, but most
efficient and successful railway system, known
as q The Underground" by which thousands OF
colored people, mon, women and children, VINO
had fed from slavery, were forwarded promptly
and with mysterious secrecy, to aplace Of safety,
zometimes going as far as Canada, but often
stopping on this side of the English line.
William Still, for number of years, dating
from about 1850 down to the opening of the Re-
belion, kept copious notes of the transactions OF
his Bureau and made memoranda OF the adyen-
lures Of the fugitiyes who passed through, and he
has now made these the basis of large volume
which is Just published by Porter 4 Coates, OF
Philadelphia. under the title of The Underground
Railroad.
1t hardly needs to be said that such volume
is exceedingly interesting 1t is quaint and
altogether unique publication. Descriptions are
given Of hundreds of escaping fugitiyes, who
were held to service, in all parts OF Delaware,
from New Castle down to the Southern line, and
in almost every county of the Eastern Shore OF
Maryland. The adventures Of these persons in
their fight to Freedom are Of lively interest, and
the detailed accounts, Though these are not SC
particular and exact, as we could wish) OF th'
means employed by the agents OF the " Under
ground - to forward them safely and quickly, arr
disclosures for the first time made to the world
OF course, in such a work, the figure OF
Thomas Garrett appears prominently. A larg'
number of his letters, written to Still, announc-
ing the sending forward of fugitiyes, are nov
printed, and they disclose at once, not only tn
extraordinary intrepidity and resolution of tn
man, but the wonderful extent Of his services
When he used to speak Of having forwarde
thousands Of fugitiyes, the statement SCENE
exaggerated, butthe Official data here furn.sl
ed show that the numbers fleeing from bondae
were very great. They were passing throue
Wilmington, continually, and what is more sill
gular, they came in companies, of from two
ten, fifteen, and twenty. One party, from Il
Eastern Shore of Maryland, numbered tlcent
eight
In the light of freedom, after the experience
OF the last ten years these disclosures read lii
romance. and we peruse them with feelings
thankfulness to God, that they are now becou
possible, without endaugering the lives or Il
property of those who served the escaping pc
pie With the passage Of time, though but
few years, has come an opening Of the people
eyes, and the birth of a fresher, nobler sph
among them, The slaves are not only freed, b
enfrsnchised They were bondnen, in Delawa
ten years ago ; to-day, they are voters Acql
escing in this, if not approving it, the most co
sentative of those who propped the Slave syste
can read, now, the secrets Of the Underground
without displeasure. Mr.. Stills narrative
written in a manner void Of unnecessary Offend
and it will be perused, no doubt, with eagerne,
The work is sold only by subscription, a
Porter 4 Co., Of this city, advertise for canvsi
ing agents.