Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1919-04-07


When vas 20 years old was
teaching school and boarding. around.
Any one who ever did this job ought
tc have n pension, The slavery aaes-
ton was agitatins tho people, Article
1, Section 2, OF the constitution OF the
United states was heing actually en-
forced. and the fugitive slave law was
enacted about this time, 1852.
This law made 4 obligatory for any
person called upon to turn out and
help the officers hunt fugitive slaves.
The law was vigorously supported by
the democratic party, and M Vtgor-
ously denounced by the anti slavery
pcopict Some negroes we're caught in
Michigan and brought to South Bend.
Ind on their way 10 Kentucky. The
people interfered, n riot eWsued, ana
the groes were liberated The slave
owners sued for damages, and collect
ed large snms The Dred Scott de-
cIsion came. Judge Taney declaring
that negroes were not and could not
come citizens. This was construed
that n black man had no rights that
white man was bound to respect"
A storm Of Indignation was aroused
by the anti slavery people. was
teaching in ~. Joseph county, Indi-
ana took occasion TO express my
indignation at the attitude OF the abo-
litionist The lady at whose house ]
vas boarding asked me some ques-
tons.
Suppose" said she, that some ma
ton of people more powerful than we
are should come here and take you
prisoner. carry YOU to some other
country. and sell YOU as a slave.
Would you think that you owed them
anv labor"
answered. Il certainly would not"
We'll. then. what would you do?
Would YOU try to escape" asked my
lie ndlCdy.
~ certainly would" said
And suppose" she continued. "to
gain your liberty. II became necessary
to take human life, would you DO it,"
Il certainly would" was my answer
Well. suppose you were trying to
gain your liberty. tramping. footsore.
hungry. thirsty. and cold: YOU should
call at a house and ask for food and
shelter and the people would refuse
10 relieve you, what would you think
of them
From that evening I was an aholi-
zionist From this time on no slave
was ever carried back over the soil OF
Trdiana. The underground railroad
was in fun operation, and IL any slaves
got across the Ohio river--man. wo-
r,an or chHd-they were never seen
till they got to Canada. In 1a4S the
free soil party came on. They sang:
- Lee,
Cass and Taylor.
They both agree with slavery. O come,
come away"
The free soilers nominated Martin
Van Buren,. who received 200 900 votes.
hut no electoral votes. The election
showed the r. Didly rising anti slavery
sentiment in the north.
The conductors on the underground
railroad sang the following song 10
tho tune OF 20 susanna
I'm on my road TO Canada. that
cold and dreary land.
The dire effects OF slavery can no
longer stand
Ny so"i Is vexed within ne SC. TO
think | am slave
I've now resolved to strike the blow
for freedom or the grave
o righteous Father, wilt thou not pity
me-
And aid me onto Canada. where color
ed men are free?
Tve heard that Queen Victoria said If
we would all forsake
Our native land OF slavery and come
across the lake
That she was standing on the shore,
with arms extended wide,
To give us all peaceful home beyond
the rolling tide. ....g
So fare you well. old master that's
enough for me.
I'm doing all I can to reach the land
Of liberty.
Il heard old master pray last night.
heard him pray for me,