The Belmont Chronicle, And Farmers, Mechanics And Manufacturers Advocate

"Infernal Agitation" quoth the Wheeling Intelligencer, in speaking of the honest indignation of certain Northern men to the proposed violation of our "plighted faith" in the Nebraska bill.

"Infernal Agitation," forsooth! Cannot freemen express themselves honestly, when their character is in jeopardy? If the South see fit to resign all claim to a character for honor, is the North to sing mum, for fear of incurring the displeasure of the slave-holding aristocrats? Who is to blame for the present agitation, that is convulsing the whole country, and which threatens a return of the stormy times of 1820, and of 1850?

If there is such a thing as "infernal agitation" on this slavery question, we think the following may be properly placed in that rank:

The Natchez Free Trader, a southern witness, by the way, relates the story of a slave who, possessing sufficient of that spirit of self-defence which his maker implanted in his breast when he made him in his own image, struck a white man who was oppressing him. This act, instead of securing him immunity from further assault, drew upon him the demoniacal rage of his persecutors. They chained him to a stake—piled faggots around him, and set them on fire. The slave in the agony of suffering, wrenched himself loose from his toils, and dashed from the flames. But a rifle bullet, more merciful than the blazing faggots, made him a free man. What paper south of Mason's & Dixon's line dare say infernal agitation after this disgraceful transaction?