Newport Slavery

We copy the following from The Morning Star,  the paper of our American brethren. It speaks for itself.

Cincinnati, July 22nd, 1851.

Mr. Burr,—In looking over a late number of the Star, I noticed fan article on the condition of slaves in Kentucky. It is undoubtedly a true picture. But the following incident, which occurred on the other side of the river, back of Newport, Ky., a few days since very well represents what may take place even in sight of our free happy Ohio.

Mr. ----- who had held a negro woman in his possession for many years, recently made sale of her for the Southern market. She was a faithful servant, and on account of the death of her mistress, had the principal raising of her master's children. She was married to a free man, and had raised quite a family of children. After the sale, which was unknown to her, or her husband, the oldest son of the master undertook the satanic task of the separation. He brought her over the river under the pretence that some of her friends were on a boat on this side, and wished to see her. But no sooner was she on board than she found the sad reality—that she was already separated from her family and bound for a Southern plantation, Her cries and entreaties even to bid her family a last adieu were unheeded, and she was left to no hope.

Could I stop here our holy religion might he spared a pang. This brute of a master was a class leader, and his victim a member of his class !

Can this be christianity ? No. If such a spirit as that man possesses ever enters heaven, the throne of God will cease to exist —and that holy, happy place will become a den of fiends. This is a statement of facts, and they are at your disposal. J. F. W.

from The General Baptist Repository and Missionary Observer, published in London, in 1851