Rensselaer Gazette, Volume 3, Number 38, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 January 1860 — More Freedom of Opinion. [ARTICLE]

More Freedom of Opinion.

Twelve families, embracing thirty-nine persons, were ordered out of Ky., last week on account of their “abolition” opinions. They came to Cincinnati, and were at the Dennison House on Saturday. The Gazette thus describes their appearances: Calling on the party at their rooms at the Dennison House, we found them quietly seated together. Among their number were seven or eight young men, from eighteen to thirty years of age, about an equal number of ladies, several children, two or three of whom were babies in arms, and Mr. John Smith, a native of Kentucky, a patriarch of nearly four score, and his equally aged wife. They seemed neither joyous nor disconsolate, believing that they had acted in accordance with the laws of religion and humanity, they were ready to suffer all things, and await the future without fear, though ignorant of what it might bring forth. They are from the humble walks of life, and the most of their property has been left behind them, as in their hurried departure, they had hardly opportunity to collect their wearing apparel. The expulsion of this band of exiles was ordered by a committee of sixty-four slaveholders appointed by a public meeting of the citizens of the county. The committee, though they acted as courteously as possible, insisted that the “suspected” must leave their homes and property, and go out of the State. The exiles petitioned Gov. McGoffin against such an outrage, but he advisad them to leave. Their offence was admitted by the committee to be no violation of law, no improper conduct, but simply obnoxious opinions. The following are the names of the heads df the families: J. A. R. Rogers, John Smith, Jonn G. Hanson, T. E. Hayes, Jas. S. Davis, G. VV . Parker,John F. Boughton, W. F. Tony, Swinglehurst Life, C. W. Griffin, T. D. Reed. They were living at Beres, where they had .established schools, and made great improvements. Rev. John G. Free, widely known as an anti-slavery Kentuckian, was an active assistant in this enterprise. A large portion of them were native Kentuckians. We have no comment to make on the exhibition of Kentucky toleration.