The National tribune., 1884-06-26
SAVING THE NATION.
TCbnfinuef from Isf Daoe.1

NJ INV Ill ls4l INV
lC5ntinued from LIST page.l
differing in opinion from my commanding off,
GERS. TO whom am ready at all times to render
strict military obedience; but (the colonel raised
his voice. reuersc the Kentucky policy i hold
that the regiment stands precisely as though
there were no slavery in Kentucky. We came
here as free men, from n free State at the call
of the President TO uphold a free government.
We have nothing to do with slavery. The 22d
Wisconsin, while have the honor to command
il, will never be a regiment Of niger catchers.
will not allow civilians to enter my lines at
pleasure; il is unmilitary. Were / to permit
it, should be justly amenab,e to a court mar
tial. Were i to do il, spies might enter my
lines at all times and depart at pleasure"
There was silence. But Judge Robertson was
loath TO 60 away without Joe. He made one
more effort.
Colonel. did not come to your lines as a
spy, but with an order from your general. Are
you willing that should go and get my boy ?"
The colonel reflected moment.
Yes, sir; and will remain here / told
you before that should have nothing to do
with it."
DO you think that the men will permit me
to take him?"
al have no orders to issue to them in the
matter; they will do just as they please"
Will you send the boy intosome other regi-
ment?"
This was too much for the colonel. He
could no longer restrain his indignation. Look
ing the Judge squarely in the face, he vented
his anger in scathing words.
The Judge departed, and at the next session
Of the court Colonel Utley was indicted for
man-stealing. Twenty-Five years have passed
since then, but he has not yet been brought to
trial. Tie case is postponed till the day of
Judgment.
The judge returned to Lexington, called a
public meeting, at which he made a speech
denouncing the 22d Wisconsin as an abolition
regiment and introducing resolutions declaring
that the Union never could be restored if the
laws of the State of kentucky were thus set at
defiance. This from the judge, while his son
was in the Confederate service fighting against
the Union.
THE PLANTERS LAST CHANCE.
But the matter was not yet over. A few
days later, the division containing the 22d
Wisconsin, commanded now by General Baird,
was ordered down the river. 1t went to Louis
vile, followed by the slave hunters, who were
determined to have their negroes.
Orders were issued to the colonies not to
take any contrabands ON board the boats, and
most Of them obeyed. Colonel Utley issued
no orders.
A citizen called upon him and said: Colonel
you viii have trouble in going through the
city unless you give up the negroes in your
lines"
The regiment was then on its march to The
wharf.
They have taken all the negroes from the
ranks Of the other regiments, and they intend
20 take yours"
The colonel turned to his men and said
quietly. Fix bayonets."
The regiment moved on through the streets
md reached the Gault House, where the slave.
holders had congregated. A half dozen ap
preached the regiment rather cautiously, but
one holder than the rest sprang into the rank,
and seized a negro by the collar.
A dozen bayonets came down around him and
some not very gently He let 20 bis hold and
sprang back again as quickly as he entered the
lines
There was shaking of fists and muttered
curses, but the regiment passed ON TO the land
ing just as IL nothing had happened.
General Granger, who had charge of the
transportation, had issued orders that no Negro
should be allowed on the boats without free
papers
General Baird saw the negroes on the steamer
and approaching Colonel Utley, said: Why
Colonel, how is this? Have all Of these negroes
free-papersf"
Perhaps not all. but those who haven
have declared their intentions" said til,
colonel
The 22d took transportation on the steame
Commercial. The captain of the boat was
great trepidation, saying: Colonel. ! cam
start till those negroes are put on shore.
shall be held responsible. My boat viii b
seized and lbelled under the laws of the State
4 can't help that, sir; the boat is under tn
control and ia the employ of the United State
Government am commander on board, ant
you have nothing TO do but TO steam up ant
60 where you are directed. Otherwise ! shall
be under the necessity of-arresting you"
The captain departed and began his prepare
tons But now came the sheriff of Jefferson
county with writ. He wanted the bodies @
George, Abraham, John and Dick, who wer
with the 22d Wisconsin. They were the run
away property of a fellow named Hogan, VIII
a few days before had figured in convention
held at Frankfort in which he introduced
series Of secession resolutions.
Il have writ for your arrest. but / an
willing 10 waive all action on condition of you
giving up the fugitives. which you are harbor
I ing contrary to the peace and dignity of tn
State" said the sheriff
Il have other business to attend to just now
i am under orders from my superiors in CON
mand to proceed down the river without an,
4 delay and must get the boat under way" sal
! the colonel, bowling politely.
But, Colonel, you are aware Of the conse
quences of deliberately setting at defiance tn
laws of a sovereign State? ?" said the sheriff
"Are you ready there?" shouted the colone
TO the officer in charge of shipping the quarter
master and commissary supplies.
Yes, sir"
Then cast off,
The warp which held the Commercial to tn
shore was thrown loose, the swiftly -runnin
current sweeping under the keel lifted til
bow, and the boat began TO swing from til
shore.
The game was finished. Colonel Utley an
the - Wisconsin had won.
REVOLUTION.
Revolutions never go backward The cor
fiict of ideas was sweeping the Nation to
higher and loftier appreciation of the meanin
Of this government Of the people. The pas
the old system, the conception that the Go,
eminent was for white men alone was givin
place to the idea that every man, irrespectiy
/ of r1ep lineage cnor or condition ,rae anfif1a