Woodsville (MS) Republican, "Slave Stampede," June 3, 1851

   NEGRO STAMPEDE--The Maysville (Ky.) Post Boy of the 2nd inst. says:

   "During the last week a leave-taking fever has prevailed among the slaves in this section. On Sunday night a woman and three children, the property of F.M. Wheeden of our city, left. On Wednesday night, nineteen in one gang left their owners in Lewis; eight belonging to Mrs. Eliza Shepperd, two to Charles Wood, and the remainder, owners names not ascertained. From Nicholas, several have also departed for freedom during the past few days."

   If the compromise bill, and the determination of the North to restrict slavery to its present area, are to be carried out and rigidly observed, the above quotation presents the only hope of safety to the South. Our contracted area, the rapid increase of the black population, and the probable decrease of the white population, will, in a few years, give the negro such preponderance over us, that they will become discontented with their condition, and seek to change it. In this event, it is revolting to contemplate the result. We pray God, in His infinite mercy, to so ordain, that if the compromise is to be the perpetuated law of this land, we may be relieved from a redundant black population by some such process as the above. It is ht only way we can be relieved from it. 

   Ohio will not let a southerner liberate his slave and send him to that State to reside; but, if the southerner carries his negro there, Ohio will steal him, or, if she gets a chance, she will induce the negro to stampede. We do not wish any man to loose his property, but we believe that Southern people will find it to be their interest not to attempt to reclaim their slaves, when they stampede. To say nothing of the pecuniary objection to such an attempt, strong objections could be raised, on political grounds.