The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-12-08
IA UNSUITABLE 7STRATAGEM.
A "Reminiscences of the Career of the
Late Sojourner Truth.
How the Aged Negress Was Protected in the
Right of Free Speech In This State
More Than Twenty Years Ago.
" ritten for the Indianapolis Journal.

WIitten for the Indianapolis Journal.
The recent death of Sojourner Truth, the
old colored lecturer, calls to mind an Incl
dent in her life which came under the per-
sonal observation of the writer, and which
may interest the readers of the Journal. AS
many of the actors are still alive names of
persons and particular localities are omitted,
although there are many who, if they read
this sketch, will wildly remember and at
test to the truth of the matters here stated.
In the early spring of 1851, when treason
was loudly threatened in South Carolina and
otEer parts of the South, Sojourner visited
one of the northeastern counties of Indiana,
where she had many acquaintance. and
made an appointment to give lecture in
the courthouse to the women upon their
duty in the crisis of the rebellion. This
courthouse was dilapidated old wooden
building, which was used freely by the citi-
zens for all kinds of lectures meetings and
gatherings when not occupied for court pur-
poses. 1t has long since been removed and
an elegant brick structure erected in its
place.
Several years before the occurrence
here related, several of the prominent
citizens of the county had been
arrested, tried and convicted in
the United States Court at indianapolis, for
violation of the fugitive slave law, in help
ing slaves on their way to Canada, and this
with the Kansas troubles and the burning
speeches of those old anti-slavery wheel
horses, Stephen Foster and his wife, Abby
Kelly, had made the county so intensely
Republican that at the time we speak of the
township in which the county-seat was
located and one other township adjoining,
were the only towns in the county that had
any Democratic officers
On the appointed evening the old court
room was diInly lighted by tallow candles,
and a moderate-siZed audience, almost ex-
clusively women, assembled to hear the lee
ture.
Soiourner, even then an extremely aged
woman had hardly begun her lecture in her
broken, simple language, which all who
have heard her so well remember, before
party of men, some of whom claimed to be
respectable citizens, rushed into the room,
and ordered her to desist, declaring that mo
niger should disgrace the courthouse
by speaking in it." The women were fright
ened, but some of the older ones, with no
avail, protested against the outrage.
The meeting was broken up and Sojourner
ordered to leave the room, which she
did, 1t was early evening, ami as the
report spread upon the streets groups of ex-
cited men loudly vented their indignation at
the lawless proceedings, while others as
strenuously upheld and justified them. The
news spread throughout the county like
wild-fre and the next day leading Republic
ans from different townships assembled and
resolved that another meeting should be
appointed in the courthouse for the old
woman. and mutually pledged themselves to
defend her and the rights of free speech.
All the county officers and the prosecuting
attorney of the Circuit Court were Republic
ans and the sheriff promised to open the
courthouse at the appointed time for the
use of the meeting. The pro-slavery negro
baters were highly incensed at this. and
swore great oaths that they would spill their
hearts blood before such a disgrace should
be placed upon the county. The rickety old
courthouse had suddenly become a sacred
temple of justice, to be polluted by no mig
ger lecturer" They would fight and burn
the building if necessary to prevent it.
They appealed to the county officers, but all
ing the role of peace-makers,
made personal appeals to the
Republican leaders, picturing in direful
colors the terrible results that were inevIta-
BILE if the purpose to let her speak in the
courthouse was persisted in. She might
speak in the courthouse grounds or IN any
public or private hall; but, in the fair temple
of justice-never no, never. The simple
answer was, that the motto of Republicans
was free speech, and that the meeting would
be held. Still, the excitement ran so high
that some timid Republicans wavered, but
the great majority remained determined and
resolute.
As the appointed day approached, groups
of Democrats gathered in the Streets in Sc
cret consultation, and it was soon whispered
around that Sojourner was to be arrested at
the Beginning of the meeting, for violating
the provisions of the law then in force max
ing il misdemeanor for any negro or mu-
-latto to come into the State. warrant was
TO be issued by the Democratic justice, and,
when she attempted to speak it was proposed
TO arrest her, and thus prevent her from so
doing.
In the meantime old Sojourner was stay
at the house of friend in an adjoining
township, the most Indifferent appar-
entity. of any concerned. She said
she wasn't afraid of Democrats, or
prison, and that she would be
on hand. Her friends. however, began
Contemplating and on the Saturday before
the day of the meeting all affidavit charging
her with unlawfully coming into the State
was filed with justice of the peace, who
was an old-time Western Reserve Ohio Abo-
litionist He issued his warrant to a consta-
bile who had an inkling of the plan, and she
was immediately arrested and brought before
the justice for trial. A friend appeared in
her behalf, who asked for continuance until
the succeeding Monday, in order to prepare
a proper defense. The request was readily
= granted, and, as she could not give bail, the
constable was ordered to keep her in custody
until the time for trial. On Saturday even
ing word was received that a company of
rangers armed with rifles, would be on hand
TO assist the sheriff in preserving order. AS
this catne from one of the most radical Re
publican towns in the county, it was readily
understood on which side they were en-
listed.
On the eventful Sunday morning the sun
rose as usual and when the nervous and
anxious citizens of the county-seat stepped
TO their doors they beheld upon the flagstaff
on the cupola of the old courthouse n black
flag waving in the breeze and on the public
square was what appeared to be a large
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