Canton (MO) North-East Reporter, "Runaway Negroes," October 4, 1849

             RUNAWAY NEGROES.

    We notice that three negroe men recently ran away from Shelby county. We may look out for a renewal of the scenes, on a larger scale, which some time ago spread alarm and terror through Lewis, Marion, and the surrounding counties, in North-East Missouri, and threatened with extinction, the whole slave property of the country. We fondly hoped that the fanatic spirit wich [sic] stirred the storm of that period; had been quenched forever; and that peace and harmony would hereafter characterize our border relations; but we much fear the hope was in vain. Recent events portend no good––coming events cast their dark and frowning shadows across our pathway, while int he gloomy distance the haggard form of ABOLITION, in "FREE-SOIL" DISGUISE stalks along, holding in one hand the dark lantern of robbery and plunder and in the other, the torch of civil war, disunion, and death. 

   While Missouri was united and determined in her opposition––while no man could be found bold and reckless enough to raise his voice in support of this doctrine, directly or indirectly––the mad fanatics were alarmed and deterred from further encroachments upon our property and constitutional rights––we then had peace––we then had smoe guarantee for our safety; and could even lay down on our pillows and rest with some assurances that we would not be robbed and ruined before the light of another day. The abolitionists, who for a while sowed broadcast the seeds of dissatisfaction among our slaves, and even ran them off to Canada and other places, finding that we were united to a man, and determined at every hazzard to defend our rights, abandoned their unholy crusade, and fled with alarm from among us. But, alas! at an evil hour, a powerful voice––a voice once trusted––sounded again the tocsin of alarm from the very [illegible]––the very capitol of the State. In the language of Jefferson, it fell upon our ears like a fire bell in the night, filling us with alarm & terror. That united and determined opposition which heretofore marked the councils and opinions of Missourians, and constituted their strongest shield of protection, was dissolved––its moral force destroyed––its olive branch of peace withered and blasted. What else could we expect, when the leading men of our State for 30 years––trusted and revered with all the confidence that a noble and generous people could bestow, deserts unexpectedly to the enemy, and breaks down the moral barriers erected for our defence?––When such a man as Col. Benton records his vote in the Senate of the nation with abolitionists of the deepest dye, to strike out "free white," so as to let negroes vote and hold office, and thus raise them to political and social equality with white men, can we expect safety to our property, or respect for our constitutional rights? When our Captains and Generals turn traitors, can we hope the enemy will not invade us? No sir! No! Such hopes would be delusive––would be vain and evanescent. We must strike down the traitors––we must make an example long to be remembered––an example that shall operate thro' all time as a warning to beware!––We should purge our ranks, and present again to the plunderers of our property, and invaders of our sacred, constitutional rights, a firm, and invincible front. 

    Will any one say that this is a mere fancy sketch? Let him turn his eyes to the north––what does he see? At the head of every abolition and free-soil newspaper, the name of Thomas H. Benton for President in 1852––upon every abolition and free soil banner that name is inscribed––with all the abolition mottoes and inscriptions which Benton pretended to see in a vision in 1830-1, when he was a friend to the South––a friend to Calhoun––and which he then tauntingly applied to Webster, in 1849, so forcibly applies, in all its force and circumstances, to himself. 

   We repeat, that when such a man as Benton gives abolition votes, and is daily traversing the State defending the north––abusing and vilifying the south––making free soil and abolition speeches, we are truly alarmed, and deem it our sacred duty as a faithful sentinel to warn the people of their danger. Keep a vigilant eye over your negroes. You know not at what hour the robber may despoil you of your property––he may at this very. moment be concocting his hellish schemes and persuading your negroes to leave you. They have already made a bold start in Shelby––look out for Lewis and other counties. We will notice hereafter, the political and social effects of Col. Benton's votes and speeches.