NAWSA SUBJECT FILE GARRISON, William Lloyd 21 Ashmont St. Melrose 76, Mam. April 22nd Dear Mr. Garrison: You will remember that I wrote you directly after Miss Blackwell died to report a conversation with her when she urged me to have the LIBERATOR microfilmed for the Library of Congress and for the Radcliffe collection. She felt strongly that the importance of the LIBERATOR to the Suffrage Movement would warrant an appropriation from the Sewall-Church funds. I wrote to Mr. Grace in the Harvard College Library to ask him for an estimate of a microfilm of the copies we had at the Radcliffe Woman's Rights Room. I have heard from him today that Harvard has a complete set of the 35 volumes. Instead of quoting fron his letter I am enclosing a copy of It. I think I told Mrs. Garrison over the telephone that I had found a report of the first Worcester Convention in the 1850 volume of THE LIBERATOR. We had been looking for information about that Convention to supplement a few brlef sketches In our flies. I realized then that Miss Blackwell knew what complete reports were contained In the LIBERATOR. When you decide about the matter, and if you do decide to have the work done, I shall be glad to take care of It for you. We have had a letter this week from the Library of Congress requesting the Blackwell Family papers, and I am delighted to know that they want them enough to ask for them. Our fund Is coming In slowly, but I think we shall reach our goal ultimately. We are certainly grateful to you for the wonderful help you gave us. Greetings to you and Mr . Garrison, Copy Harvard College Library Cambridge 39, Mass. 20 April 1950 Mrs. Guy W. Stantial 21 Ashmont Street Melrose 76, Mass. Dear Mrs.Stantial: I have checked Harvard's holdings of the Liberator and find that we have a complete set of 35 volumes. This was Garrison's own copy. The price I quoted on the telephone was for the 19 volumes at Radoliffe, the remaining 16 volumes necessary to complete the file would Increase the estimate by $118. We estimate that there are 211 pages to each volume: In the 35 volumes there would be 7385 frames at .035, a total of $258.00 for a negative microfilm. On an order of this size, we would grant a discount of twelve nercent. The positive film would cost approximately $125. with the same discount applicable. Our set of this weekly newsoaper is in the Houghton Rare Book Library but we can use this set to fill In the gaps in the Radcllffe set. Very truly yours, (signed Charles L. Grace The Liberator. Vol. 1 - 35. Jan. 1, 1831 to Dec. 29, 1865. Boston. W.L. Garrison and I. Knapp. Weekly [NOTE: 2nd letter is a duplicate of the 1st one] P. S. When I wrote to Mr. Grace I told him that we would probably be interested in the cost of a negative film to go to the Library of Congress, and a positive copy to keep at Harvard or Radcliffe. That was the procedure in the case of the film of the Woman's Journal. That is why he gave us the two quotations in the third paragraph of his letter. I have decided to send you the original letter and I am keeping a copy of it in my file here. [*?*] HARVARD · COLLEGE · LIBRARY CAMBRIDGE 38 · MASSACHUSETTS 28 March 1950 Mrs. Guy W. Stantial 21 Ashmont Street Melrose 76, Mass. Dear Mrs. Stantial: Thank you for your Inquiry of March 20th. A negative microfilm copy of the 19 volumes of the LIBERATOR will cost approximately $159.00. A positive microfilm from this negative will cost $50.00. I have noted below the names of three bookdealers who supply backnumbers of newspapers and periodicals. Very truly yours, Charles L Grace Charles L. Grace Adminis. Asst. F. W. Faxon & Co 83 Francis St Roxbury, Mass. H.W. Wilson Co 950 University Ave New York 52 [*Copied*] [*E?s*] G.E. Stechert & Co 31-33 East 10th Street New York City. [*159.*] [*50*] [*209.*] Little in this world endures yet the sunlight heals and cures, William Lloyd Garrison [*1942*] [*W L Garrison*] I have read with deep interest and sympathy Mrs. Dargan's drama of "the Shepherd." I think the literary form & expression admirable. It is graphic and full of insight. Aside from agreement with the sentiment that pervades the play, I was interested in the story & the style. The author is not only a woman of high moral nature, but possess taste & Garrison on "The Shepherd" [*1906*] ≪ ≪ GOOD NEWS FOR THIS WEEK ≫ ≫ REMEMBER FOUNDER’S DAY — March 7 at Morgan Memorial! We will hold “Open House” and many of our friends will be with us. This is your opportunity to invite your acquaintances to visit this institution. Guides will be furnished and interesting programs have been arranged. THE SPEAKERS AT THE RADIO CHAPEL service this next week will be: Monday, Dr. J. F. Knotts; Tuesday, Miss Muriel Moore; Wednesday, Rev. N. Notarpasquale; Thursday, Dr. E. J. Helms; Friday, Rev. W. Harold Snape; Saturday, Request Program. THERE ARE GREAT DAYS AHEAD! The High Tide of the Church Year is flowing in. The Easter time is just around the corner. Let us get our hearts ready for this great period of constant prayer, thought about the sacrifice and death of Christ, by doing some definite service for Him through our own church. Let us make this year a great spiritual year of victory for the Church of All Nations! THE MEN’S GOODWILL BIBLE CLASS this noon will have as its speaker the Rev. N. Notarpasquale who will present the subject “First Things First.” All men are cordially invited. MR. ALBERT P. HOWARD REPORTS that there is an enthusiastic attendance at the study classes being held in Lynn on the new manual. Wednesday evenings are the nights, and representatives from the Beverly, Chelsea, Salem and Revere Stores are present. Mr. P. J. Trevethan and Mr. Edward C. Cunningham have led the classes together with Mr. Howard. THE NEWLY ESTABLISHED SEAVEY BIBLE STUDY FORUM is rapidly growing in numbers and interest. With 20 in the group at first, there are now 52 men who enter into intelligent discussions concerning the Bible. This is held each week on Wednesday evening in the Cafeteria and starts with supper. It is thought that Saturday night may prove a better time, and the coming week will see this forum meeting at that time. EPWORTH LEAGUE THIS EVENING AT 6 P.M. You are invited to attend and enjoy the fellowship of a grand bunch of Young People. Climb the steps to the Parlors on the fourth floor of the Children's Settlement Building and enjoy a worthwhile hour. "FOOLS IN CHAOS” the play written by our Gabriel Ruscitti continues to gain commendation. Church leaders find it “timely," and added to the names of Dr. Helms and Dr. Stidger who have publicly praised the work is that of Bishop Samuel G. Babcock of the Episcopal Church who says: "The characters in the play speak in a natural and convincing way and the lessons to be drawn from it will contribute to the moral and spiritual uplift of those who are fortunate as to attend its performance.” If you would like to read “Fools in Chaos", a limited number of copies are available at fifty cents each. Practise the Christian Life—Join the Church Morgan Memorial Press ▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲ Church of All Nations 81 SHAWMUT AVENUE, BOSTON, MASS. SUNDAY, MARCH 3, 1935 THE LIBERATOR Bv Robert Whitaker Out from his attic room---his common press--- He flashed the lightning of his wrath abroad; The child of poverty, contemned, outlawed, Daring the hangman's rope, the mob's duress He flamed with passion of such humanness Against the common cowardice and fraud, His would-be murderers were over-awed, And they who cursed him learned at last to bless. Is there not need of equal wrath today At the foul slaveries which hold mankind? Need of the fearless heart, the steadfast mind To put our compromising cant away? Where is the Garrison who shall awake A war-mad world its madness to forsake? NOTE: The author of this poem, Dr. Robert Whitaker, who writes of our Boston Garrison, was himself put in jail during the World War hysteria, for his Pacifistic views. His plea here is a timely one for these trying times. ▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲ ▲ Sunday Morning Worship at 10:45 O'clock ▲ Organ Prelude Processional, Hymn No. 66 The Lord's Prayer (In Unison, Congregation Standing) Anthem, "Sun of My Soul" Chadwick The Choir (Brief Pause for Seating) Scripture Lesson Pastoral Prayer (Brief Pause for Seating) Offering, “Come Unto Me" Reinecke Junior Carollers Anthem, “The Earth Is the Lord's" Steane The Choir Sermon—“Projecting Personality" Dr. William L. Stidger Recessional, Hymn No. 71 Silent Prayer Benediction Postlude Other Services 8.45 A. M. Radio Devotions—Station WHDH 9.45 A. M. Holy Communion 10.45 A. M. Italian Service, Goodwill Hall (Worship in Italian) Communion Service Mr. Argentino Palmieri, Speaker 12.00 M. Church School. Classes for all ages Miss Edith McDowell, Superintendent 4.00 P. M. Vesper Service- Colored Department Communion Service Rev. Thomas F. Benbury 5.00 P. M. Christian Endeavor Miss Grace Hall, President 5.30 P. M. Children's Community Service—Children’s Auditorium 5.30 P. M. Syrian Service—(Conducted in Arabic) Sermon— Rev. Shibly D. Malouf 6.00 P. M. Epworth League— ▲ Sunday Evening Service, 7.00 P. M. ▲ PRELUDE—Selected Hebrew Melody—"Eli, Eli” Orchestra CALL TO WORSHIP HYMN––No. 25 RESPONSIVE READING—Page 563 HYMN––No. 424 PRAYER MUSICAL READING—The Twenty-third Psalm Miss Margaret Moore SERMONETTE—“Friendship” Rev. Alva Mullins OFFERING—A Selected Hebrew Melody—"Kol Nidre" Orchestra DRAMA—"The King's Son" Dorothy Clarke Wilson BENEDICTION POSTLUDE—Hebrew Melody—"God of Abraham Praise" Orchestra ≪ ≪ GOOD NEWS FOR THIS WEEK ≫ ≫ WE ARE HAPPY TO WELCOME Dr. Helms, who is expected today or tomorrow. This year, on Founder’s Day, we joyfully celebrate Dr. Helms’ 40 years of continuous service. What changes have been wrought! What a mighty work has been accomplished for the underprivileged and handicapped! Spread the word! NEXT SUNDAY MORNING, in the series of sermons on “The Development of Personality," Dr. Stidger will speak on the theme “The Growth of Personal Power.” This series of Pre-Easter Sermons has as its objective the actual attainment, on the part of all of us of a Resurrection in our own souls — a re-birth of self-confidence, self-assurance and self-respect. Hear the series through to the end. God made us just a little lower than the angels, to have dominion over ourselves, the sea and sky and earth. That is our right. We are made in His own Image. Let us act like It! TONIGHT WE WILL ENJOY an "Old Testament Program” which will include the religious play "The King’s Son” written by Dorothy C. Wilson. The All Nations Orchestra is assisting and will play several ancient Hebrew compositions. Mr. Ralph Lindsey is in charge of this program and the cast of characters in the play includes Mrs. Ross Culpepper, Mrs. Alva Mullins, Miss Martha Lobeck, Mr. Lloyd Watt, Mr. Lewis Schultz and Mr. Nicholas Teebagy. THAT WAS A GLORIOUS FELLOWSHIP, a fine dinner and an interesting program that our Italian brothers gave us Thursday evening. Rev. N. Notarpasquale is to be congratulated on that evening’s showing and on the fine work that he is doing with his people in this city. We are all proud to be a part of an institution which recognizes the supreme fact that we are of God's family in this, the "Church of All Nations.’’ CONSTITUTION OF THE AMERICAN WOMAN SUFFRAGE ASSOCIATION AND THE HISTORY OF ITS FORMATION WITH THE TIMES AND PLACES IN WHICH THE ASSOCIATION HAS HELD MEETINGS UP TO 1880 BOSTON PRESS OF GEORGE H. ELLIS, 141 FRANKLIN STREET. 1881. . CONSTITUTION. ––––––––– PREAMBLE: The undersigned friends of Woman Suffrage, assembled in delegate convention, in Cleveland, Ohio, November 24 and 25, 1869, in response to a call widely signed and after public notice duly given, believing that a truly representative national organization is needed for the orderly and efficient prosecution of the Woman Suffrage movement in America, which shall embody the deliberate action of the State and local organizations, and shall carry with it their united weight, do hereby form the American Woman Suffrage Association. ARTICLE I.––NAME. This Association shall be known as the American Woman Suffrage Association. ARTICLE II.––OBJECT. Its object shall be to concentrate the efforts of all the advocates of Woman Suffrage in the United States. SECTION I. To form auxiliary State Associations in every State where none such now exist, and to co-operate with those already existing which shall declare themselves auxiliary before the first day of March next, the authority of the auxiliary societies being recognized in their respective localities, and their plans being promoted by every means in our power. SECT. 2. To hold an annual meeting of delegates for the transaction of business and the election of officers for the ensuing year; also, one or more national conventions for the advocacy of Woman Suffrage. SECT. 3. To publish tracts, documents, and other printed matter for the supply of State and local societies and individuals at actual cost. SECT. 4. To prepare and circulate petitions to State and Territorial Legislatures, to Congress, or to Constitutional Conventions in behalf of the legal and political equality of women; to employ lecturers and agents; and to take any measures the Executive Committee may think fit to forward the objects of the Association. . 4 ARTICLE III.— ORGANIZATION. SECTION I. The officers of this Association shall be a President, eight Vice-Presidents at large, Chairman of the Executive Committee, Foreign Corresponding Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, two Recording Secretaries and a Treasurer, all of whom shall be ex officio members of the Executive Committee; also, one Vice-President and one member of the Executive Committee from each State and Territory and from the District of Columbia, as afterward provided. SECT. 2. Every President of an auxiliary State or Territorial Society shall be ex officio a Vice-President of this Association. SECT. 3. Every Chairman of the Executive Committee of an auxiliary State Society shall be ex officio a member of the Executive Committee of this Association. SECT. 4. In cases where no auxiliary State Association exists, a suitable person may be selected by the annual meeting or by the Executive Committee, as Vice-President or member of the Executive Committee from said State, to serve only until the organization of said State Association. SECT. 5. The Executive Committee may fill all vacancies that may occur prior to the next annual meeting. SECT. 6. All officers shall be elected annually at an annual meeting of delegates, on the basis of the Congressional representation of the respective States and Territories, except as above provided. SECT. 7. No distinction on account of sex shall ever be made in the membership or in the selection of officers of this Society. SECT. 8. No money shall be paid by the Treasurer except under such restrictions as the Executive Committee may provide. SECT. 9. Five members of the Executive Committee, when convened by the Chairman, after fifteen days' written notice previously mailed to each of its members, shall constitute a quorum. But no action thus taken shall be final, until such proceedings shall have been ratified in writing by at least fifteen members of the Committee. SECT. 10. The Chairman shall convene a meeting whenever requested to do so by five members of the Executive Committee. ARTICLE IV. The Association shall have a branch office in every State and Territory, in connection with the office of the auxiliary State Society therein, and shall have a central office at such place as the Executive Committee may determine. ARTICLE V. This Constitution may be amended at any annual meeting by a vote of three-fifths of the delegates present therein. 5 ADDITIONAL CLAUSES. Any person may become a member of the American Woman Suffrage Association by signing the Constitution and paying the sum of $1.00 annually, or a life member by paying the sum of $10, which shall entitle such person to attend the business meetings of delegates and participate in their deliberations. Honorary members may be appointed by the annual meeting, or by the Executive Committee, in consideration of services rendered. –––––––– OFFICERS. President. HENRY WARD BEECHER. Vice-Presidents at Large. T W. HIGGINSON, R. I. WILLIAM LLOYD GARRISON, Mass. Mrs. W T. HAZARD, Mo. CELIA BURLEIGH, N. Y. MARY A LIVERMORE, Ill. GEORGE W. JULIAN, Ind. MARGARET V. LONGLEY, Ohio. GEORGE WILLIAM CURTIS, N. Y. Chairman Executive Committee. LUCY STONE, N. J. Foreign Corresponding Secretary. JULIA WARD HOWE, Mass. Corresponding Secretary. MYRA BRADWELL, Ill. Recording Secretaries. HENRY B. BLACKWELL, N J. AMANDA WAY, Ind. Treasurer. FRANK B. SANBORN, Mass. Vice-Presidents. Rev. Amory Battles, Me. Rev. H. Eddy, Wis. Armenia S. White, N. H. Moses Coit Tyler, Mich. Hon. C. W. Willard, Vt. Mrs. A. Knight, Minn. Caroline M. Severance, Mass. A. K. P. Safford, Ari. Rowland G. Hazard, R. l. Charles Robinson, Kan. Seth Rogers, Conn. Amelia Bloomer, la. Oliver Johnson, N. Y. Isaac H. Sturgeon, Mo. Antoinette B. Blackwell, N. J. Hon. Guy W. Wines, Tenn. Robert Purvis, Penn. Alfred Purdie, Fla. Mrs. Hanson Robinson, Del. Mrs. Gen. Rufus Saxton, Ore. Mrs. Tracy Cutler, Ohio. Rev. Charles G. Ames, Cal. Lizzie M. Boynton, Ind. Hon. J. C. Underwood, Va. Hon. C. B. Waite, III. Hon. Rufus Leighton, Washington Ter. . 6 Executive Committee. Mrs. Oliver Dennett, Me. Rev. Charles Marshall, Ind. Hon. Nathaniel White, N. H. Hon. J. B. Bradwell, Ill. Mrs. James Hutchinson, Jr., Vt. Lily Peckham, Wis. Rev. Rowland Connor, Mass Lucinda H. Stone, Mich. Elizabeth B. Chace, R. l. Abby J. Spaulding, Minn. Rev. Olympia Brown, Conn. Mrs. C. I. H. Nichols, Kan. Anna C. Field, N. Y. Belle Mansfield, la. Mary F. Davis, N. J. Rev. Charles J. Woodbury, Tenn. Mary Grew, Penn. Mrs. Dr. Hawkes, Fla Dr. John Cameron, Del. Mary E. Ames, Cal. A. J. Boyer, Ohio. Hon. A. M. Fretz, Va. Grace Greenwood, D.C. The movement for the formation of The American Woman Suffrage Association originated in the following circular: — Boston, Aug, 5, 1869. Dear Many friends of the cause of Woman Suffrage desire that its interests may be promoted by the assembling and action of a Convention, devised on a truly national and representative basis, for the organization of an AMERICAN WOMAN SUFFRAGE ASSOCIATION. Without depreciating the value of Associations already existing, it is yet deemed that an organization at once more comprehensive and more widely representative than any of these is urgently called for. In this view, the Executive Committee of the New England Woman Suffrage Association has appointed the undersigned a Committee of Correspondence to confer, by letter, with the friends of Woman Suffrage throughout the country, on the subject of the promised Convention. We ask to hear from you, in reply, at your earliest convenience. Our present plan is that the authority of the Convention shall be vested in delegates, to be chosen and accredited by the Woman Suffrage Associations existing, or about to be formed, in the several States of the Union. The number of delegates to be sent by each Association, and the precise time of the meeting of the Convention, can be determined as soon as we shall have received such answer to our present application as shall assure us of an active and generous co-operation in the measure proposed, on the part of those addressed. LUCY STONE. JULIA WARD HOWE. CAROLINE M. SEVERANCE. T. W. HIGGINSON. GEORGE H. VIBBERT. ––––––––––– In response to the above circular, and by the express authority of the signers, was issued the following WOMAN SUFFRAGE CALL. The undersigned, being convinced of the necessity of an AMERICAN WOMAN SUFFRAGE ASSOCIATION, which shall embody the deliberate action of the State organizations, and shall carry with it 7 their united weight, do hereby respectfully invite such organizations to be represented in a Delegate Convention to be held in Cleveland, Ohio, Nov. 24 and 25, A.D. 1869. The proposed basis of this Convention is as follows: — The delegates appointed by existing State organizations shall be admitted, provided their number does not exceed, in each case, that of the Congressional delegation of the State. Should it fall short of that number, additional delegates may be admitted from local organizations, or from no organization whatever, provided the applicants be actual residents of the States they claim to represent. But no votes shall be counted in the convention except of those actually admitted as delegates. John Neal ................................ Me. Nathaniel White ....................... N. H. Armenia S. White ..................... " William T. Savage .................... " Jame Hutchinson, Jr. .............. Vt. C. W. Willard ............................ " Wm. Lloyd Garrison ................. Mass. Lydia Maria Child ..................... " David Lee Child ....................... " George F. Hoar ........................ " Julia Ward Howe ...................... " Gilbert Haven ........................... " Caroline M. Severance ............ " James Freeman Clarke ............ " Abby Kelly Foster ..................... " Stephen S Foster ..................... " Frank B. Sanborn ..................... " Phebe A. Hanaford .................. " Elizabeth B. Chace .................. R. I. T. W. Higginson ........................ " Rowland G. Hazard .................. " H. M. Rogers ............................ Conn. Seth Rogers ............................. " Marianna Stanton .................... " George Wm. Curtis .................. N. Y. Lydia Mott ................................ " Henry Ward Beecher ............... " Frances D. Gage ...................... " Samuel J. May .......................... " Celia Burleigh ........................... " Wm. H. Burleigh ....................... " Aaron M. Powell ....................... " Anna C. Field ............................ " Gerrit Smith .............................. " E. S. Bunker .............................. " Lucy Stone ............................... N. J. Henry B. Blackwell ................... " John Gage ................................ " Portia Gage .............................. " Antoinette B. Blackwell ............ " A. J. Davis ................................ " Mary F Davis ............................ " Mary Grew ................................ Penn. Robert Purvis ........................... " Thomas Garrett ........................ Del. Fielder Israel ............................. " Hannah M. Tracy Cutler ........... Ohio. A. J. Boyer ................................ " Mary V. Longley ....................... " J. J. Bellville .............................. " Miriam M. Cole ......................... " S. Boltin .................................... " Amanda Way ............................ Ind. George W. Julian ...................... " Laura Giddings Julian .............. " Lizzie M. Boynton ..................... " Mary A. Livermore .................... Ill. C. B. Waite ............................... " Myra Bradwell .......................... " James B. Bradwell .................... " Sharon Tyndale ........................ " J. P. Weston .............................. " Robert Collyer .......................... " Joseph Haven .......................... " Moses Coit Tyler ...................... Mich. James A. B. Stone .................... " Lucinda H. Stone ...................... " Augusta A. Chapin ................... Wis. H. Eddy ..................................... " Amelia Bloomer ........................ Iowa. . 8 CHARLES ROBINSON ........... Kan. Mrs. C. I. H. NICHOLS ........... " JOHN EKIN, D.D. ................... " J. P. ROOT ............................. " Mrs. S. BURGER STEARNS ... Minn. Mrs W. T. HAZARD ................ Mo. ISAAC H. STURGEON ............ " Mrs. BEVERLY ALLEN ............ " JAMES E. YEATMAN ............. " MARY E. BEEDY .................... " J. C. ORRICK .......................... Mo. Mrs. GEORGE D. Hall ............. " GUY W. WINES ...................... Tenn. CHARLES J. WOODBURY ..... " MARY ATKINS LYNCH ........... La. GRACE GREENWOOD ........... D.C. A. K. SAFFORD ...................... Ari. J. A. BREWSTER .................... Cal. In addition to the above names, the following were received to late for publication:- EDNAH D. CHENEY ............... Mass. SAMUEL MAY, Jr. .................. " OLIVER JOHNSON ................ N.Y. WM. P, TOMLINSON .............. " FREDERICK DOUGLASS ........ " Mrs. AUSTIN ADAMS ............ Iowa EDNA T. SNELL ..................... " MATTIE E. GRIFFITHS ............ " BELLE MANSFIELD ................ " T. M. MILLS ............................ " B. F. GUE ................................ " Hon. Mr POMEROY ................ Iowa. Mrs. J. C. BURBANK .............. Minn. Mrs. SMITH ............................ " Rev. J. Marvin ........................ " Capt. RUSSELL BLAKELY ...... " Mrs. ELLIOTT ......................... " Mr. A. KNIGHT ....................... " Hon. G. C. JONES .................. Mich. Hon. WM. S. FARMER ............ " Hon. T. W. FERRY ................... " Rev. J. STRAUB ...................... " S. H. BRIGHAM ...................... " In compliance with the above call, a large Convention of delegates and friends of Woman Suffrage from twenty-one States assembled in Cleveland, Ohio, Nov. 24 and 25, 1869, adopted the preceding Constitution, elected officers, and organized THE AMERICAN WOMAN SUFFRAGE ASSOCIATION. The first annual meeting of the Association was held in Cleveland, Ohio, November, 1870: Mrs. H. M. Tracy Cutler was chosen President. The second was held in Philadelphia, November, 1871: Lucy Stone was chosen President. The third was held in St. Louis, November, 1872: Col. T. W. Higginson was chosen President. The fourth was held in Brooklyn, N. Y., Oct. 14, 1873: Julia Ward Howe was chosen President. The Association held a large meeting the preceding day in Cooper Institute, New York. The fifth was held in Detroit, Mich., October, 1874: Bishop Gilbert Haven was chosen President. The sixth was held in Steinway Hall, New York City, November, 1875: Mary A. Livermore was chosen President. The seventh was held in Philadelphia, October, 1876: William Lloyd Garrison was chosen President. No annual meeting was held in 1877. All the effort of the Association was that year concentrated on Colorado where an amendment to the Constitution to secure suffrage to women was pending. The ninth meeting was held in Indianapolis, November, 1878: Rebecca N. Hazard was chosen President. The tenth meeting was held in Cincinnati, November, 1879: Henry B. Blackwell was chosen President. Garrison Centennial To celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Founding of The Liberator by William Lloyd Garrison A NOTABLE MEETING will be held in Park Street Church, Boston Thursday Evening, January 1, 1931 at 8 o'clock SHERWOOD EDDY 20th Century Prophet and Inspiring Orator, will speak on "William Lloyd Garrison and the Garrison Spirit Today" MISS ALICE STONE BLACKWELL daughter of Lucy Stone, of Abolitionist fame, will speak on Garrison and the Crusade against Slavery. STIRRING NEGRO MUSIC by some of the best Negro Singers BUTLER R. WILSON will preside A great Inter-racial Meeting in Honor of a Great Apostle of Human Freedom, with a Message for Our Times. Distinguished official guests are expected. All Invited << >> Pass the Word Along! Marianne SLAVERY RHYMES. SLAVERY RHYMES, ADDRESSED TO THE FRIENDS OF LIBERTY THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES. BY A LOOKER ON. NEW-YORK: PUBLISHED BY JOHN S. TAYLOR, BRICK CHURCH CHAPEL. 1837. WM.S. DORR, PRINTER, No. 123 Fulton Street. TO THE ABOLITIONISTS OF THE UNITED STATES, A band of moral heroes of whom their country is not worthy, THE FOLLOWING LINES Referring to some of the subjects of their arduous labors, AND Embodying many of their Principles in the form of rhyme, ARE MOST RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED. INTRODUCTION. No reflecting mind can have carefully watched the progress of events in the United States, or have mingled intimately with its social, political, or religious circles, without clearly perceiving a rapid deterioration of morals during the last few years; nor can a dispassionate observer, intent on tracing the sad change to its true source, fail to perceive that American slavery is the overflowing fountain of American pollution and crime. Its pestilential streams are daily spreading— conveying moral disease and death to every portion of this republic. Its powers of mischief are so subtile and all-pervading, that every individual member of this community begins to feel its approach to his own business and bosom.* The assertion so often made by the true friends of freedom, that slavery and liberty cannot co-exist in the same commonwealth, is ratified as true, and is most powerfully enforced *An assertion strikingly exemplified in the case of a citizen of New-York when visiting Savannah, just brought before the public. See Appendix. A vi INTRODUCTION. upon the hearts and consciences of all honest unbiassed observers, by the events of every day and hour. Each human being, therefore, within the sphere of this awful and wide spreading plague, is bound by the most sacred obligations to himself and to his race, to use every possible effort to stay its progress. In view of such an evil, indifference and inaction are crimes. In the mortal strife now raging between liberty and despotism, every man must choose his side. This choice should be made with deliberation, intelligence, and inflexible decision. Despots are always decided, and so must be the free. It is deeply to be regretted that many have taken their stand in this great controversy under the influence of prejudice, passion, and self-interest. Hence thousands, who claim high consideration as humane and religious persons, have really, and to all intents and purposes, enrolled themselves among the enemies of God and man, to the great scandal of the christian faith, and to the deep injury of the human race; and hence, too, (oh tell it not in Gath!) in this enlightened age, and in this far-famed land of religious light and perfection, the Bible is conspicuously held up in the hands of christian Doctors and flaming christian professors, and unblushingly proclaimed by them to be the manstealer's warrant! the slaveholder's charter! Thousands upon thousands of renewed hearts and holy hands are constantly employed in whitewashing the vilest, blackest system of iniquity the world ever saw. Troops of spiritual persons of every sect INTRODUCTION. vii and degree — "Ambassadors of Jesus Christ," "Bishops," "Priests," "Deacons," "Elders," "Evangelists," "Pastors," "Teachers," &c. &c. are all firmly banded, and skilfully drilled as the body guard of American slavery — and, shut out, as they necessarily must be, from all hope of succor from above, in their blindness and desperation loudly invoke it from beneath. And truly "legion," in great power and wrath, hath come at their bidding — sits enthroned on all the high places of the Christian church — rules her children with a rod of iron — until, at length, the "faithful" in her midst, after long mourning and sighing over these abominations in vain, have been compelled to commence a NEW REFORMATION, which may the Almighty, in his great mercy, abundantly confirm and prosper! And how do we stand in regard to our civil affairs? Is not the same pestilence blighting the fairest inheritance of freemen? Into all our cherished institutions does not slavery "eat as doth a canker?" Hath it not preyed voraciously upon the very heart and core of freedom; threatening to leave us the mere crust and shell robbed of its precious substance? Is it not come to pass that a public man spurning the fear and service of slavery, is looked upon as a political phenomenon of ill omen, and avoided as a sort of rabid animal? Would not an aspirant to public trust and honor, refusing to sing the praises of slavery and slaveholders, be deemed an enemy to the republic, and be almost universally denounced? Let answers to these questions be sought at the lips of our viii INTRODUCTION. present race of Presidents, whether of the southern or northern breed; in those copious effusions of gubernatorial wisdom, patriotism, and benignity, with which we are annually inflicted; in those revelations of sentiment and spirit vouchsafed by southern patriots in our halls of Congress, and suitably expounded by gladiatorial exhibitions in their committee rooms; in the ferocity and impunity of mobs in all parts of the Union; in the outrages and butcherings of Judge Lynch; in the rampant and bloody spirit of revenge and assassination stalking fearlessly abroad; in the gross corruption and prostitution of the political press; in the dastardly subserviency of American authors and publishers to southern sentiment and censorship; in the merciless spirit of prejudice, and in the manifold oppressions, universally and systematically exercised towards the Indian and colored man; and in the perfect ruffianism of political parties towards each other from Maine to Mississippi. Inquirers at these oracles will receive a response of no uncertain sound. With trumpet tongue they one and all proclaim slavery to be fatal to liberty; and more than this, they declare that, under its influence, even now little of American liberty remains except its forms; and that those will be tolerated only until the slaveholder shall have wrought and rivetted the last link of that chain, with which he seeks to bind this once free and glorious republic. The despised and denounced abolitionists of the United States are leading the greatest moral enterprize of the age. INTRODUCTION. ix They have given to the contest between liberty and despotism a distinct and substantive form. They do not deal in abstractions, nor fight with shadows. The slaveholder keeps one sixth part of the native born men, women, and children of this republic, in brutal bondage. He buys, sells, works and feeds them just as he does his horses or oxen. He not only claims and exercises the right of binding and brutalizing two and a half millions of human beings and their descendants for ever, but sternly interdicts his fellow citizens from questioning or canvassing that right; and denounces even the exercise of sympathy, or the expression of pity towards these unhappy slaves, as incendiary and treasonable. These arrogant assumptions the abolitionists disallow and resist. They hold them to be as inconsistent with the liberties of the whites as of the blacks; and, if submitted to, as equally fatal to both. They do, therefore, resist them at all hazards. Clothed in the "armor of righteousness," and wielding the "sword of the spirit," they throw themselves into the breach, wherein they mean to conquer or die. By their writings they demonstrate that opposition to the practices and claims of slavery is the imperative duty of every christian who wishes to maintain his consistency and integrity; of every man who desires the amelioration and happiness of his species; of every American who means to be free. These conclusions and convictions must universally prevail, simply because they are true; and because they are enforced by right reason, by right feeling, and by true religion. Hence it is invariably the x INTRODUCTION. case that men influenced by truth and right alone (however deeply prejudiced and strongly opposed before) when they bring the subject to the test of Scripture, feel a "necessity laid upon them" to adopt the faith of abolitionism –– and, like the Apostle Paul, usually become the most strenuous defenders and successful propagators of the faith they once sought to destroy. Thus the cause is progressing –– gathering increasing impetus from every triumph, until even now, in its early infancy, amidst bitter reproaches and persecutions, exposed to demoniac violence and wrong, it is overleaping the strong entrenchments raised by a nation's prejudices, and consolidated by a nation's power –– is scaling the barriers of ecclesiastical domination, treachery and pride; and forcing the truth upon the attention of the church through all her sections and divisions, the furious efforts of General Assemblies, Convocations, Conventions, and Conferences to the contrary notwithstanding. In a word, nearly one thousand organized societies, the fruit of a very few years vigorous toil, place the actual success of the glorious doctrine of immediate abolition beyond all doubt; and give the most cheering assurance of a speedy, perfect, and universal triumph. Animated by so large a measure of actual success, and having before them the heroic example of the European reformers who, though few and despised, triumphed gloriously over the spiritual slaveholders of a former age –– and of the puritans of their father land who, (amidst a storm of contu[mely] INTRODUCTION. xi mely and persecution unequalled in modern history, except by that which assails the abolitionists in the present day) rescued the ark of liberty from the grasp of a tyrant race, and through their sufferings and writings transmitted the precious seeds of civil and religious freedom to all succeeding generations; and above all, fixing their eyes upon the glorious issue of the long protracted struggles of the British abolitionists, they will doubtless persevere; and, as certainly as they persevere, they will ultimately triumph. The clouds of obloquy and prejudice under which they now labor will pass away, and their holy cause emerge in perfect purity and splendor. The historian of a future age will mark the period of their labors and triumphs, as one of those memorable epochs in the world's annals for ever distinguished by the settlement of great principles; and as permanently and beneficially affecting the destinies of mankind. And as regards the immediate theatre of their toils, their noble work will be recorded as a SECOND REVOLUTION, in which the errors of the FIRST were obliterated, and its brightest glories totally eclipsed. The following lines are designed as a mite of encouragement and assistance from one who has nothing better to offer. They are simply what their title imports, viz. Slavery Rhymes. To authorship, in the ordinary sense of the term, or for ordinary ends, the writer makes no pretensions. Feeling strongly on the subject of slavery, and peculiarly abhoring that form of it prevailing in the Southern States of this Union, he expresses those feelings honestly and ardently. He is xii INTRODUCTION. aware that the sentiments put forth are new in the form of expression rather than in substance. But thinking that well known and oft repeated truth when embodied in rhyme, would probably strike some minds more forcibly than when conveyed in prose, he has ventured to throw this small contribution into the common stock. For this he expects the bitter scorn and vituperation of all slaveholders and their abettors, whose eyes may chance to fall upon these lines. Be it so: much as he prizes the good will of every reputable individual of his species, he wishes neither the smiles nor fellowship of menstealers, nor of their accessories before or after the fact. But he does hope to receive the welcome of the friends of humanity and equal rights as a sincere, though humble an unknown co-worker in their glorious cause. If he obtains this –– or if he succeeds in arousing one mind to consider and succor the cause of the oppressed; or if he be the means of enlisting one heart and hand on the side of justice and mercy; or of strengthening and encouraging one individual already engaged therein –– he will have reaped an ample reward. New York, } April 10, 1837. } SLAVERY RHYMES. ––––––––––––– How large the chapter is of human guilt! How vast the monument that crime hath built! Founded in Paradise, its base extends, Deep laid and broad, to earth's remotest ends: Upward, through every age, the pile hath risen, Until its impious height aspires to heaven! Ponder its deep inscriptions. First, you see The record of fair Eden's fatal tree: Cain's deed of blood is there –– oh! fearful sign Of grace departed from man's ancient line! And sad presage of dark and deepening wo, Destined o'er every land and race to flow! Those early seeds of human guilt and blood Brought forth a harvest which provoked the flood, Whose angry waters swept away the race, But fail'd their guilty records to efface. B 14 SLAVERY RHYMES. Another race succeeds: before their eyes A world for sin destroy'd in ruin lies, Whose beacon light in mercy streams abroad, O'er every downward path that leads from God–– But streams in vain! not past nor present wrath Restrains from sin––men crowd its devious path; Still higher raise the pile their fathers built, And ceaseless swell the chronicles of guilt! Of all Protean shapes by sin assumed, Since to its sway this groaning earth was doom'd, Thy form, O Slavery! is the most abhorr'd–– Loathed of men––accursed of the Lord! Made up of the bloodiest crimes, thy annals show Man's deepest guilt in man's extremest wo!* * Slavery, as it exists in modern times, and especially in the United States, is not simply a sin, but a cluster of sins. Its nucleus, or beginning, is the act which robs a human being of the most precious jewel of humanity––Liberty. " 'Tis Liberty alone that gives the flower Of fleeting life its lustre and perfume; And we are weeds without it." Around and upon the original wrong there accumulates, in the case of every bondman, an unbroken series of acts of injustice––the most flagrant violations conceivable of those golden rules of the Gospel, "Love your neighbor as yourself"––"Whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, do ye even so unto them." Despotism, pure and unmixed––robbery and wrong the most atrocious––are the household deities (or rather demons) of every hearth trodden by the foot of a slave. SLAVERY RHYMES. 15 Slavery! foul child of cruelty and vice, Cherish'd and nursed by grinding avarice–– Guarded by brutal violence, that spurns Truth, justice, mercy––heaven and earth by turns; Its emblems, torturing whips, the galling chain, Brands, racks, and gibbets, in an endless train; Pregnant with every ill––devoid of good, Its stands complete all guilt, all tears, all blood! Mark well the monster's course: beneath his tread All human virtue, joy, and hope are dead. Where'er he breathes, the pestilential air Is fill'd with groans and echoes of despair; Whene'er he speaks, 'tis in the withering tone Of tyrants, utter'd from a heart of stone; Where'er he moves, his track is stain'd with blood, Deep human misery forms his daily food! Thou modern Moloch! at thy impious shrine, Lust, tyranny, and avarice, combine In fearful orgies; millions of victims bleed, Whilst Christian voices justify the deed; And bring God's sacred Book to feed the fire On which they human hecatombs expire. Black is the record which, in every age, Slavery hath writ upon the historic page: 16 SLAVERY RHYMES. Grecian and Roman story both disclose, In colors deep and dark, its tragic woes; Its stream of misery, steadfast in its course, Gathering with growing length increasing force, Swept o'er one hemisphere––then cross'd the flood, And steep'd this Western world in tears and blood. Before high heaven this giant sin hath pass'd In varying phase; transcending each the last In deeper hues of guilt, till rolling time Cull'd through six thousand years each blackest crime, And gave them form and substance, fierce and rife, When unbless'd Negro Slavery sprang to life. How foul was its beginning! brutal force, Urged on by lust of gain, first mark'd its course; Whilst base hypocrisy, to hide the deed, In Virtue's name and guise stood by to plead: Pretending mercy to a darken'd race, It spoke of heavenly light, of Christian grace, And threw its mantle o'er the destined prey, Whilst savage pirates bore their prize away! That was a fatal day, whose fav'ring gales Sped the first ship to Afric's peaceful vales, SLAVERY RHYMES. 17 Laden with demons in the form of man, Whose felon hearts and hands this work began: More fatal still the hour which saw that ship Freighted with human flesh first tempt the deep, And heard, o'er ocean's solitudes arise, The fearful burst of human agonies: And when that bark, in awful judgment, bore Its guilty load to Western India's shore, Vocal with shrieks, and groans, and wild despair, And pour'd its living victims writhing there–– Fever's malignant train––tornadoes dire–– The sweeping hurricane––heaven's scathing fire, All rush'd with fury from the Almighty's hand, And fix'd their empire o'er the fated land: Swift messengers of wrath! they represent The white man's awful guilt and punishment! The Slave Trade who can paint? what pen portray The countless horrors scatter'd in its way? By treachery vile, by midnight fire and sword, By brutal force, its floating hells are stored. Nor age nor sex is spared: the ruffian band Sweeps like a pestilence o'er Afric's land. Ruthless as death, they sunder every tie–– But, worse than death, their victims do not die! B* 18 SLAVERY RHYMES. Doom'd to a wretched life of toil and wo, To distant lands and endless bonds they go. And whence their sufferings? from their crimes–– or skins–– Or fate––or fortune? No; the white man's sins, Cool, callous, Heaven-defying––thence have sprung A storm of human griefs, whose notes have rung Through earth and heaven, and echoing back to hell, Have fill'd with joy malign each demon cell! Eternal infamy attends the name Of those who first pursued this path of shame; Who, moved by avarice foul, first bought and sold Africa's defenceless race for worthless gold. A blight from heaven has sear'd their guilty land; Freedom, with horror struck, abhors its strand; Arts, Science, Learning, following in her train, Consigns the race to priestcraft's withering reign: So Lusitania stands––so ever be The fate of those who murder Liberty!* * Portugal, the first of modern nations in this guilt, and among the last in renouncing it, stands a fearful warning of the debasing, soul- destroying influence of slavery upon the perpetrators of it. The bonds which the Portuguese have, with unflinching cruelty and per[tinacity] SLAVERY RHYMES. 19 High on the list, swift in the guilty race, Proud England reap'd pre-eminent disgrace. As the bright sun of freedom first arose O'er her horizon, Britain joined its foes, And, struggling for her rights, with maniac hands Forged chains and manacles for other lands: Freedom, with blighted hope and gathering frown, Withdrew her cheering beams––her sun went down; Whilst coming ills their lengthening shadows threw, And tyranny's dark night commenced anew. Amidst the fiendish scourges of their race, The name of Hawkins holds conspicuous place, Basely enroll'd the first of England's sons Leading the van of Slavery's myrmidons: tinacity, imposed upon the limbs of the African race, are scarcely more galling than those forged and rivetted upon themselves by their own rulers; to which is superadded a mental and spiritual bondage more awful than all the rattling chains and bloody scourges that ever bound and lacerated the Negro race. Portugal and Spain, the great leaders in the chivalric enterprises of men-stealing in Africa, and Indian oppression and murder in America, exhibit to the world striking and fearful examples of retributive justice. Truly, God is just. Let all who are in the same guilt tremble; lest, if they repent not, they also fall into the same unfathomable gulph of ruin. 20 SLAVERY RHYMES. Cut-throat and pirate-murderer-despot-all Combined, condensed, sublimed, that can appal The stout heart, or make the tenderest bleed- All ages execrate his name and deed! Man's better nature startled for a time, Rebuked the atrocious act, denounced the crime: Humanity, all bleeding and distress'd, Wept o'er her children, kidnapp'd and oppress'd, And plead for sufferers' cause with fervent zeal, That made e'en hearts of stone their wrongs to feel : But Mammon, bold, insatiate, grasp'd his prize- Held forth large golden baits-recoin'd his lies- Moved earth and hell to draw within his toils The opposing elements, and keep his spoils : Complete was his success : the public mind First wink'd at guilt, soon became stone-blind; Slurr'd o'er the felon wrong, then shared its gains, Till mighty Britain stood herself in chains, And Slavery stretch'd his desolating wand O'er freedom's grave, in freemen's chosen land ! As when foul leprosy man's frame invades, Swift through his veins the circling poison speeds, SLAVERY RHYMES. 21 Transforming beauty, health, and gracefulness, To hopeless sickness-loathsome rottenness ; So nations, smit by Slavery's poisonous breath, By sure transitions pass to moral death : All honor, justice, purity, and peace, Beneath its reptile touch must ever cease. There never has, there never will be found True Liberty where slaves and chains abound : Perish the monstrous thought! darkness with light- Water with fire-can easier far unite, Than Freedom's pure, benign, and holy reign, Acceptance meet in Slavery's foul domain. "Twas thus with Britain : Slavery struck its roots Deeply, and fill'd her land with noxious fruits. Ridden by kings and priests, what scenes of wo, Through long and dreary years, her annals show! Religion, clad in pure and heavenly grace- Philosophy, in grave and serious face ; Science, with piercing eye-and law divine, And human too, all bent at Slavery's shrine : Each race of men, the polish'd and the rude, By its seductive wiles alike subdued, Nurtured and guarded with a jealous eye This sin of sins-Hell's foulest progeny! 22 SLAVERY RHYMES Recreant to freedom, heavin in justice sent With base apostacy due punishment : Shadows of tyranny portentous gloom'd, Whose gath'ring blackness spoke a nation doom'd, Whilst Britons, Samson-like, were shorn of might, To smite the oppressor, and maintain the right. In vain her patriots toil'd and strove to raise The noble spirit of her earlier days, When Magna Charta's glorious roll appear'd, (A splendid monument to freedom rear'd!) Speaking a tyrant's fears, a people's might, Wrought out and raised in England's deepest night ; In vain the glorious scenes of Eight-eight Revived the waning fortunes of the state, Radiant with cheering hopes of liberty, To England's millions, panting to be free : The spirit of Slavery, like malignant fate, Chased every generous purpose from the state,- Through every rank diffused its loathsome leaven, With'ring and wasting like a blight from heaven,- Fell like a canker on the nation's heart, Spreading corruption vile through every part, Till Britain's boasted freedom gasp'd for breath, And struggled in the agonies of death. SLAVERY RHYMES. 23 In that dark hour of England's gloom and shame, There shone in glory bright one honor'd name, Raised, qualified, and led by heavenly grace, That gloom to dissipate, that shame to efface. On Britain's soil, Sharp heard the clanking chain Of Negro servitude-nor heard in vain. The hapless bondman in that brother found Warm sympathy, as though himself were bound. His country's honor and his brother's good He nobly pleaded, and his foes withstood ; Nor ceased, until he spread the blessed sound From Britain's sea-grit shores through earth around, That ev'ry slave was free who touch'd her hal- low'd ground! O blessed era! hope's bright jubilee! Thenceforth one spot of earth at least was free! One place of refuge stands, wherein the oppress'd Of every caste and clime may safely rest ; One sacred nook, where bond and free can raise Altars to Liberty, and chaunt her praise! Amidst thy sons, Philanthropy benign! Two kindred sainted spirits brightly shine- 24 SLAVERY RHYMES. Howard and Sharp undying honors claim, Embalm'd in purest, holiest, endless fame. One age produced them both-their bosoms fired To noblest deeds-the purest zeal inspired. The poor, oppress'd forsake, and forlorn, Bereft of all of earth except its scorn, Whom priests and pharisees swept proudly by, To rescue such these Christian heroes fly. Howard the white man's prison-house explored, Which law, divorced from mercy, thickly stored ; the abyss of human suffering deeply guaged, Its sorrows lighten'd, and its woes assuaged ; Whilst Sharp his sable brethren sought to win From deeper ills-their only crime their skin ! Chain'd, hunted, brutified, o'erwhelm'd with grief, He mourn'd their cruel wrongs, and brought relief. Fragrant are their memorials-ne'er to die, Their faith and toils are register'd on high ! Theirs are the triumphs that illume the page Of history, and shed glory on [?] age : They are a nation's treasures, rich in gain, For Heaven's best blessings follow in their train. And such are England's glories-such the salt Which purifies her state-her hopes exalt. SLAVERY RHYMES 25. Hey days of guilt are past, and now we see Fruits of repentance crowd her history. Slavery and priestctaft long had weigh'd her down, Robb'd her of half her glory, dimm'd her crown ; Repress'd her nobles energies, and threw O'er all her rising hopes a gloomy hue. Those shadows all are gone ! with quicken'd pace, Worthy the free, she runs a glorious race ; Breaks every fetter through her wide domains. And cheers both hemispheres with Freedom's strains ; For whips, and manacles, and mental night, Gives equal laws, and pours instruction's light ; Transforming slaves to freemen, foes to friends, And curses into praise, where'er her realm extends. Enshrined in glory is each patriot's name, Who to the rescue of his country came ; Who, spurning ease, and wealth, and courtly smiles, The mob's opprobrium, and the devil's wiles, Enter'd the field of strife-defied the foe- And struck at Slavery's root a mortal blow ; Tore off the monster's law-perverted guise- Chased him from all his refuges of lies- [?] 26 SLAVERY RHYMES. Dash'd tyranny's proud fabric to the dust, And forced reluctant senates to be just. In vain the combined hosts of hell opposed-- The conflict, long and fierce, was nobly closed: Oppression, fraud, hypocrisy, vile lust, (Slavery's allies and props,) all bit the dust; All fled before truth's penetrating light, And sought concealment in congenial night. Most blessed consummation! worthy to bring Angels to earth again, its joys to sing; Worthy of note on mercy's roll above-- Bright midst the splendors of those deeds of love! O'er Slavery, hunted from its fav'rite lair, Demoniac lamentations rent the air; All hell was moved this scourge of earth to shield From threat'ning death, and keep it in the field; But moved in vain--the powers of darkness quail'd, Truth in its might and majesty prevail'd; One might empire, disenthrall'd, set free, Was lost to Satan--gain'd to Liberty!* *The Abolition contest and triumph in England, taken in all its parts and bearings, is second in importance only to those mighty conflicts which attended the first introduction of Christianity into our world, and its subsequent deliverance from the corruptions and thraldom of Popery. In studying that thrilling drama, the Abolitionists of America may obtain instruction of inestimable value. The actors on one side present examples of pure, self-denying, ardent, persevering philanthropy, never exceeded in any age or nation, and worthy of all acceptation as models and guides in similar enterprises; and on the other we see. perfect types of the dealers in"slaves and souls of men" of our day and nation. In the tactics of the slave-holders and slave-traders of England, we are introduced to the original armory from which those of our land draw all their munitions of war and treacherous wiles; whilst, in the hands of their opponents, those weapons of heavenly temper are displayed, against which the "gates of hell" never have, nor ever will prevail. In the soul-stirring incidents of that long protracted struggle, we have before us, portrayed to the life, all the deceits and stratagems--the doublings and windings of the most insidious and treacherous of foes; and we also see the persevering and fearless assaults of those modern Ithuriels, beneath whose touch the deepest disguise was instantly detected, and the deceivers exposed to the gaze and execration of mankind. And, in the triumphant issue of this great controversy on the other side of the Atlantic, we have the most convincing, because the most recent proof, of the omnipotence of truth. Guided by this new beacon-light--cheered by the sounds of victory actually ringing in our ears--it behooves the Abolitionists of the United States to thank God and take courage, and rush with renewed ardor and confidence to their own great enterprise. 27 SLAVERY RHYMES. Banish'd from England's realm where, long enthroned Beneath their cruel sceptre, millions groan'd-- Abash'd before the effulgent light of day Pour'd on their deeds--foul Slavery's legions lay, Mourning their broken spells--cursing the hour Which loosed imperial Britain from their power-- 28 SLAVERY RHYMES. Yielding to furious rage and deep despair – Gnashing at blessings they could never share. The prince of darkness then address'd his crew: "Arise! dismiss your fears! your zeal renew! Though much indeed is lost, all is not gone: Far in the West fresh triumphs may be won. Thither direct your steps – there glory leads – Our triumphs there shall shame all former deeds: There shall the standard of the pit be rear'd, Amidst a people for our sway prepared; Deep in that soil each plant of hell shall grow, And bear on earth the fruits matured below!" The Angel of Mercy heard – nor heard in vain: Swiftly to heaven he bore the impious strain: Low at the Almighty's footstool bent to plead, For millions yet unborn to intercede; Implored a respite for Columbia's race – A space for penitence – a day of grace! The Accusing Angel Mercy's suit withstood: He spake of light abused – of slighted good – Of tyrants, trampling millions in the dust – Of rulers, partial, prejudiced, unjust; Of priests, perverting truth, upholding guilt; Of churches, by unrighteous mammon built; SLAVERY RHYMES. 29 Of heavenly truth, by man from man withheld; Of men by men, to unpaid toil impelled; God's image rudely spoil'd– immortals driv'n And bought and sold like beasts before high heav'n; Of fiendish passion's bearing direful sway – Grim murder stalking in the face of day; Deep tragedies of wrong by millions done; Foul revellings of lust before the sun; Hand joined in hand, in fierce confederacy, To crush the rising foes of Slavery – To bind afresh his adamantine chains, And urge the monster on by cheering strains! He ceased, and silence reigned– then from the throne The solemn fiat came – Let them alone To reap the harvest which in guilt they've sown! The angelic pleaders bowed with awe profound: Amen! amen! in solemn cadence round Rose through all heaven: – then burst a song of praise, Holy art thou, O Lord, in all thy ways! Thy grace abounding hath thy mercy shown; Thy awful judgments make thy justice known! 30 SLAVERY RHYMES. The listening demons heard the fateful strain, And Slavery's legions rushed across the main–– Where Lust, Hypocrisy, Oppression, Fraud, Stretched their vile wings and spread themselves abroad–– Blighting all grace and virtue––quickening vice, In monstrous forms––not Egypt's plague of lice, Nor frogs, nor murrain, nor the avenger's rod, Gave signs so fearful of an angry God! Oh fatal advent of the powers of hell, To guard and garnish Slavery's citadel! Whilst Satan triumphs, and his hosts prevail, Columbia's fortunes tremble in the scale! Columbia––hear stern truth's unwelcome sound–– Weighed in the balance, thou art wanting found! The mystic writing flashes on thy walls–– "Glory departing," rings amid thy halls–– Throughout thy Church and State, the fruitful seeds Of fiercest despotism Slavery breeds–– Which thickly sown, matured by Southern skies, O'er every generous plant malignant rise, A Upas forest––shedding poisons round–– Eden transforms to pestilential ground–– SLAVERY RHYMES. 31 And moral desolations mark the scene Where peace, and purity, and grace have been! Oh that some prophet, as of old, inspired By heavenly grace––with holy ardor fired, Would seize the sacred lyre and loud proclaim, In thrilling notes, Columbia's guilt and shame: Force on her callous heart, and heavy ear, The danger and destruction lurking near: Show to this nation, madly bent on sin, The yawning gulf, and raging fires within–– Proclaim in Sodom's fate, sin's just award–– A nation's madness, and its sure reward! Already retribution hath begun Its fearful course, and onward it will run. The hand of ruthless tyranny that binds A suffering race, a swift avenger finds–– And many a despot's heart is doomed to feel Deep plunged, a fellow despot's murdering steel. Whilst all who pander to a tyrant's lust, Themselves enslaved, shall own the judgement just. "Land of the brave, and refuge of the free," How art thou fallen from thy high degree! 32 SLAVERY RHYMES. A swelling horde of slaves thy guilt attest, Thy "glorying in thy shame" reveals the rest. From south to north, from west to east these states, With despots swarm, or despot's advocates. A thousand pens record that slavery binds This "Union"––fires its patriots' ardent minds–– Forms the cement that holds the "only free"–– The tie of transatlantic Liberty! Our fathers did not so:––with solemn face, They dealt with Slavery as a foul disgrace; And when, by dangers pressed, in compact bold With those who clutched it with a miser's hold They gulped the giant Sin––they changed its name, And Slavery "Service" in their creed became! The trade in Afric's sons, on Afric's coast, They all denounced inhuman and unjust, And doomed its certain death:––'tis true they gave Twenty-one years to dig the monster's grave; And then (fit offering to the unhonored dead) Left a domestic slave trade in its stead: But still to virtue's form they paid respect, Nor dared a fair appearance to neglect. They said "all men" were born to equal rights, Which, to themselves explained, means all the whites! SLAVERY RHYMES. 33 Their banner thus inscribed, and wide unfurled, Splendid deception! cheats one half the world–– Abroad 'tis freedom's sign––at home it waves Its spangled folds o'er truth and freedom's graves! Columbia's present race, inured to crime, Disdains those guises of the olden time; The world's approaching voice no longer woos, But virtue's self and semblance both eschews! To mammon wedded, and by mammon led, To every charm but gold their souls are dead. For that they scour the earth, explore the sea, Tax patience, cunning, ingenuity; Chace smallest "notions," or mature that plan Ferocious, which enslaves their fellow man: Spurn every wholesome check of law or grace; Landmarks remove, and ancient lights efface; Christen their charter's sacred verities, "Fanfaronades!" "splendid absurdities!" For gold and slavery, heedless of disgrace, Rush forth in one grand, reckless steeple-chase! "When nations are to perish in their sins, 'Tis in the church the leprosy begins:"* This sign of doom breaks forth throughout this land, So plain that he who runs may understand. *Cowper. 34 SLAVERY RHYMES. In ancient times, the church oppressed with grief, Fled to this western world, and sought relief. Her God and Saviour heard her anxious prayer, And wrought deliverance for his servants here. The vine transplanted on a heathen shore, Took root, and precious fruits luxuriant bore; Grapes, rich as Eschol's, cheered the gloomy wild, And Sharon's fairest roses bloomed and smiled: Then blessed with purity, enrobed in grace, Her good report was heard in every place: In vain the "gates of hell" her peace assailed, Strong in her "power with God," the church prevailed. How is the fine gold changed! its glory gone! How robbed and spoiled the church we look upon! Strange gods are worshipped now -- strange fires ascend, And priests unsanctified her shrines attend: Mammon and Moloch's hated rites appear, And Baal's worshippers assemble there! And whence this change -- this desecration dire, Of Zion's temple, and her sacred fire? The watchmen on her walls have faithless been -- In evil hour they let foul slavery in! SLAVERY RHYMES. 35 They rashly parleyed with the hateful fiend, And "Legion" entered in sheep's clothing screened. Where'er they tread, defilement marks the place, Glory departs, and wrath succeeds to grace; Altars are overthrown -- the voice of prayer No more ascends to bring down mercies there: Deep muttering thunders down the "still small voice;" Demoniacs rave where saints did once rejoice; Unerring signs proclaim an absent God; Unearthly hands have written -- Ichabod! Amidst divisions infinite, we see One rallying point, where all the sects agree. The churches leave their high and holy ground, And stoop where earthly pride and pelf abound: Their pure celestial robes no more display, But in the world's adornings flaunt away -- Open their arms and clasp in warm embrace, Those satires on humanity and grace, Servants of Baal, and Jehovah too, A base slave holding--driving--dealing crew! Those are the men who fill the chairs of state, Where Christians meet and churches congregate; 36 SLAVERY RHYMES. Who guide our youth in academic halls, And stand, chief sentinels, on Zion's walls -- Those cherished Achans every camp infest, Most mischievous, and yet the most carest! Those modern Judases have basely sold Christ and his Truth, for Slavery and Gold! Once Zion's "wisdom" coming from above Was "pure," the offspring of eternal love; 'Twas "peaceable," as far removed from strife, As that blest region whence it drew its life; 'Twas "gentle" as the pure celestial dove, True harbinger and sign of grace above; 'Twas "full of mercy," gushing fresh and free; Full of "good fruit," borne for eternity; "Impartial" as the gracious gifts of heaven-- "Without hypocrisy" those gifts to leaven: NOW earth born wisdom governs and prevails; Truth stands hoodwinked-- expedience holds the scales; At Dagon's feet the Christian virtues fall; Slave-holding heathen ethics banish Paul. To slavery bound and pledged, all who oppose Its dire dominion, she esteems her foes; Her gentle virtues hold precarious sway-- Touch Slavery and you scare them all away! SLAVERY RHYMES. 37 Harsh sounds of anger through her temples rise; Whirlwinds of fury sweep her sanctuaries-- The serpent's hiss drives off the peaceful dove, And wrath's full ebbless tide rolls over love! Behold our Zion's mercy and its fruits, In man, immortal man, transformed to brutes! See it in her philanthropy, which can Weep o'er the woes of China or Japan, Yet treat with heartless tyranny and scorn Millions on millions in her bosom born! See it in that o'erflowing vaunted zeal To spread the book of life--unloose its seal; To shed its glorious light on all mankind, And yet consents her colored poor to blind! Behold her heralds--see how wide they roam To banish ills abroad, she shields at home! Or go on mad crusades to Britain's Isle To check the mercy that on all would smile; Or failing, basely to vituperate Virtues they dare not praise nor imitate!* *Rev. R.J. Breckenridge, to wit: an accomplished reviler, and full blown specimen of clerical chicanery. Any one who knows, from actual observation and experience, the real position and feelings of the great body of the clergy and people of the United States, in regard to Slavery, and compares therewith the statements made D 38 SLAVERY RHYMES. In this impartial wisdom? Is it free From base, degrading, black hypocrisy? Ye reverend Slaveites who this course assume, These questions wait you in the day of doom! Truth on her glowing canvas justly paints As less than human, those pretended saints, Who fix their rule of Christian sanctity, Below the standard of humanity; And illustrate--not Christian piety, But its base counterfeit--hypocrisy! Like ancient Pharisees, they seek to win Converts without, when all is wrong within; They compass sea and land to proselyte, But leave the poor at home in pagan night! Preach these repentance to a guilty world? Physician heal thy self! must back be hurled; Pluck from your clouded eyes the fatal beam, E'er of the worldling's mote ye dare to dream; before the Christians of Glasgow by the abovenamed individual, will clearly see the astounding hypocrisy and folly of the man. He is, nevertheless, a fair specimen of his class; plainly showing the sort of stuff of which a vast majority of American ecclesiastics are made. All such wretched special pleading on behalf of a slave-holding church and people, is utterly vain. The spirit of inquiry abroad, is too piercing to be blinded by such flimsy delusions; and too discriminating to be duped by the whole array of Protestant Jesuits. SLAVERY RHYMES. 39 Save, save yourselves! a thousand tongues exclaim, Then to a world in sin extend your aim; Then YE shall cease to be the scoffer's theme, Make angels weep no more--nor infidels blaspheme! Talk YE of leanness--of declensions deep-- Heads hanging down, and consciences asleep? Oh marvel not at these! but lift your eyes In wonder that no bolt hath left the skies With vengeance winged:--that earth itself should stand Faithful, yet firm beneath your treacherous band; That hell hath restrained from gathering in The fearful harvest of your guilt and sin! If mercy suffering long--if lingering wrath Can stay proud rebels in their downward path-- If free and rich, tho'long contemned grace, Can move repentance in a hardened race, There still is hope! the grace that saved the thief, Extended and eclipsed, may bring e'en you relief!* *These strictures upon the "Church," are applicable to the leaders, and to a great majority of the members of every sect. In their organized and official character, and in their individual and private 40 SLAVERY RHYMES. To aggravate and seal Columbia's fate The press, cheer'd by the church, lends all its weight; Alike enslaved, it joins its pious guide, And renders humble service side by side; In Slavery's badge and collar, leads the strife, Wielding the tomahawk and scalping knife With savage fury; and with Indian yell, Throughout the land rings freedom's funeral knell, A venal herd of scribblers basely work In servile garb that would disgrace a Turk. With "liberty" and "freedom" on their pen, Dash those rich blessings from their fellow-men; Vociferous in praise of "human rights," With one accord restrict them to the whites; And, when explained, e'en to the favored caste, Teach base subservience to the mob at last. walk, they habitually bow down to the "dark spirit of slavery," and humbly worship at his shrine. There are, however, in every sect, many who stand aloof from this general and awful defection; who still maintain their Christian liberty and integrity; and whose example is happily quite contagious. If the progress of light and love be as rapid the next few years, as it has been the two last, the deep reproach cast upon our holy faith by the unhallowed contact of slave-holding ministers and professors, will be wiped off: a line of distinction will be as clearly drawn between the servants of Jesus Christ, and the slaves of mammon in our day, as between the worshippers of Jehovah, and of Baal, under the old dispensation. SLAVERY RHYMES. 41 Wherever Slavery reigns, there brutal might, Usurps the throne of the reason of right. Turn round pro-slavery ethics as you will, They teach pure mobocratic doctrine still; For, whether few or many join to rob The weaker party, it is still a mob. Whether compounded of the vulgar herd, Or "property and standing" be preferred; Whether assuming legislative guise, Or, stripped of legal forms, it meets our eyes; Whether convened beneath art's splendid domes, Or in our towns and highways wildly roams–– In all its varied acts, its every form, The sneer, the calumny, the whirlwind's storm, 'Tis still the mob's blind, senseless, brutal rule; The freeman's foe––the wily despot's tool! Search through creation, there cannot be found Pens dipped in gall so deep as here abound; Search though again––no eagle eye can find Such base attempts to chain immortal mind; To fetter thought––to scorn truth's just reproof, And trample law beneath each despot's hoof. The South demands that free-born souls be led, And shaped to Slavery's Procrustean bed; That Northern rights be ticketed and sold To Southern lust of power––her smiles and gold: D 42 SLAVERY RHYMES. And Northern pens respond the haughty call; And Northern souls as humble vassals fall; Bartering their precious birthright for the bread And wretched pottage offered in its stead! The Press approves the base inglorious deed; Prepares the sacrifice and bids it bleed; Shouting vile peans as the victims die, And, strangely base, the fatal torch apply! At freedom's shrine once bent a glorious race Offering pure sacrifice: thence truth and grace, Letters and liberty in union bright, Shed through the earth a pure soul-cheering light. The heavenly vision shot across the flood; Radiant with hope, and majesty it stood; Delighted millions, gazing from afar, With rapture hailed sweet freedom's western star; No clouds obscured its light––no doubtful form, Of change or ill, foretold a gathering storm; This western world disclosed a portion fair For all the oppressed: a sacred refuge, where No fratricidal head, nor heart, nor pen, Had framed foul treasons 'gainst the rights of men. That vision, like heaven's bow, too soon withdrew; As fair, alas, as evanescent too! SLAVERY RHYMES. 43 And, as it faded on the aching sight, Gave place to scaring meteors of the night! The beauteous tints that lit the western sky Are chased by clouds of darkest augury! Columbia's morn so fair, has brought to light A noon of storms, and threatens fearful night! Her moral atmosphere with tempests fraught, Reveals the bitter curse by Slavery wrought. Her sentinels who watch at freedom's gate, Have joined its foes, and basely sold the state. The melancholy tale is quickly told–– Her household troops have taken Southern gold! Themselves enslaved, to quench their burning shame, They ceaseless toil to make us all the same; And madly wield their recreant pens to write The doom of law, of liberty, of light! Slavery's light troops, the venal daily Press, Lead in the strife and every point possess, Followed by caterers of weekly news–– Whilst sager Magazines, and grave Reviews, Sacred and secular, bring up the rear, "Go with the South," and servile banners bear: Confederate with these a fierce array Of motley scribbling skirmishers display 44 SLAVERY RHYMES. Vile tactics taught in old despotic schools, Enforced by weapons stolen from their tools: Tactics and weapons, tried on every field, Where tyrants triumph, and their victims bleed. And the last, not least, is one conspicuous corps, In Slaver's gilded garb bedizened o'er, Whose ranks peculiar guile and guilt compress Its strange misnomer, the RELIGIOUS PRESS–– Beneath the banner of our Saviour led To fight for crimes by which that Saviour bled; Claiming the sanction of his blessed name, Where craft, hypocrisy, and venom reign.* * The official newspaper organs of all the leading sects, are pro- slavery to the core. In the city of New-York, the Presbyterian "Observer," and the Methodist "Christian Advocate and Journal," are fair representatives of the class. They are point blank against the abolitionists; and to much of the unfairness and bitterness of the political pro-slavery press, add a sanctimonious acerbity peculiarly offensive and detestable. They do not, indeed, adopt the ultra tone of their kindred farther South, who justify American Slavery as a Christian ordinance, a religious duty, a social and domestic blessing. The latitude of New-York would hardly justify, on prudential grounds, such religious chivalry as that. But, so far as positive evil influence is concerned, they are probably much more injurious to the anti-slavery cause. The fiery Southerner boldly puts up his vizor, and tilts his lance, so that no one can mistake his real character and design. The Northerner assumes the mask of a friend, conceals his weapons, and stabs in the dark. The one is an open, uncompromising, furious foe––the other a cold blooded, half concealed, cowardly assassin. SLAVERY RHYMES. 45 The obsequious Press now humbly wears, enslaved, Chains is so oft for others basely craved; No longer leads the public mind, but stands Obedient to receive a lord's commands: It creeps, not soars––crawls on with serpent guile; With trembling mien, waits its task-master's smile; Fearful lest aught ill said, or left untold, Bring down the lash, or worse––the loss of gold. Go on, ye trembling vassals, and display Your chains and muzzles in the face of day! Already are ye called to bear at home A censorship more vile than curses Rome; And further infamy awaits your race, A tighter muzzle, and more deep disgrace; 'Till, of all freedom shorn, each state shall note In mind enslaved, the bane and antidote; And with a giant's might, at once unbind, All heavy burthens, and unchain mankind! A Church unfaithful, and a Press in chains, Clearly reveal why brutal slavery reigns. 46 SLAVERY RHYMES. Fountains of thought and action thus defiled, To deep pollutions men get reconciled ; Confound all morals - darkness put for light ; Passion for principle, and wrong for right ; Make fearful havoc of the rights of men, Till frightful chaos rules o'er earth again. Columbia, hence, is rotten at the heart, Foul poison courses thence through every part. The body politic in heart and head, Is deeply tainted - all its beauty fled. E'en in the centre of our guilty State, Where federal power and glory congregate, Men-stealers clad in purple now prevail - Strike down the flag of freedom - rend the veil Which long concealed the rottenness within ; Boldly avow and glory in its sin ; Till not a sign or sound remains to tell Its pristine fame as freedom's citadel - It stands revealed in crime, nor more deceives - A HOUSE OF BONDAGE, AND A DEN OF THIEVES ! Within its halls, beneath its towering dome, Whose name and splendor apes imperial Rome, Oppression riots fierce and uncontrolled ; Freedom for Southern smiles and votes is sold ; Base cringing slaves of mammon crouch around ; The lash and fetters of the mind abound, SLAVERY RHYMES. 47 With gags and muzzles for the restive few, And, if need be, the assassin's dagger too !* Unless thy nerves are brass, brave not the din Of fierce debate and strife which roars within ; Where passion rides o'er right and reason too ; Where prejudice its hateful fires renew ; Where Southern pride in furious storms prevail ; Where Northern dummies meekly, meanly quail !* And where, if bolder spirits bravely dare The muzzle spurn, and freeman's rights declare ; Or, more audacious still, presume to crave A gracious hearing for the suppliant slave - * The savage custom of carrying concealed weapons, is almost universal among the Southern members of Congress. The advocate of freedom in that body, is now perfectly aware that he is surrounded by pistols and daggers, ready at any moment to do the bidding of an infuriated partizan. The hall of legislation is occasionally disgraced by personal collisions, wherein the most strenuous efforts of the cooler members are required to prevent the shedding of blood on the very floor of Congress. * One splendid example of patriotism must be carefully exempted from this charge. The Hon. J. Q. Adams, although not an abolitionist, nobly maintains the port and bearing of a freeman. He leads a small but gallant band, whose exertions in the cause of the Constitutions and the Laws are worthy of all praise. But for the heroic efforts of these true patriots, the voice of freedom would be utterly drowned in the roar of political parties, and the ravings of slaveholders. 48 SLAVERY RHYMES. Babel, with all its strife of tongues, is peace, And hell's demoniac ravings perfect grace!* Such scenes adorn Columbia's annals now,–– Such are the yokes to which her children bow: The precious bond to which our fathers swore, For which they shed their blood, exists no more. Compacted with oppressors, freemen die–– Right kicks the beam upborne by tyranny. Spurn'd from the footstool of a lordly train, The "only free" demand their rights in vain; In vain approach the halls themselves have rear'd, And humbly ask their masters to be heard. * When, during the last session of Congress, Mr. Adams announced to the House that he had a petition in his hand purporting to come from slaves, the effect upon the whole Southern party was electrical. Conscience did its work instantaneously––terror and dismay struck every Slaveholder to the heart. Without waiting to ascertain the real character and object of the petition, they rushed into perfect tumult, some saying one thing, some another, but all pouring wrath and execration upon the venerable statesman, who had unintentionally raised the storm. After hours of perfect fury, the petition was discovered to be a Southern hoax, got up to injure and insult the honorable member to whon it was sent for presentation to Congress. It wrought, however, the other way. It has done more to open men's eyes to the true spirit of Slavery and Slaveholders, than ten thousand petitions from abolitionists could have affected. The South may be assured that it will never be forgotten in this republic. SLAVERY RHYMES. 49 Slave-drivers there bear undisputed sway, Insult, deny, and chase the "free" away–– And all for Liberty! whose praise is rife Amidst the treacherous band which takes its life! The minds which now Columbia's counsels guide The slave-mart and the senate-house divide: With them, slave-driving labors alternate With legislative wranglings and debate. The lash, the thumb-screw, and the galling chain, (Instructive symbols!) teach them how to reign. Most precious school for freemen! there they see, And almost feel, earth's direst tyranny. The worth of liberty must well be known By those who daily to see it overthrown: Admonish'd from WITHOUT, by rattling chains, How eloquent WITHIN are freedom's strains! How is each freeman's heart to action call'd, By human "chattels" bought, and sold, and stall'd! The struggling Pole, the vassal'd Greek receives, Unsought, their earnest, ardent sympathies: For Liberty, (no longer wooed at home,) O'er earth and sea, their fond affections roam:–– So strong their love of freedom, so refined, They rob themselves to give it to mankind! E 50 SLAVERY RHYMES In all high places, Slavery presides- * From South to North the huge Colossus strides, Shaking malignantly, from either hand, Chaotic elements throughout the land; Sending corruption forth with every breath, To waste this Western world with moral death: His hand dominion holds, and all who bear Inferior rule abject allegiance swear. Train'd in those classic schools of liberty, Slave-marts and slave-plantations of the "free," Each office-bearer is a willing slave, Whose road to power lies over Freedom's grave; Whose treach'rous hands despotic laws enforce, To speed the car of Freedom in its course; Restrain one race in bonds and mental night, To aid another in its upward flight! Behold the present ruler of the State, Columbia's chosen idol magistrate. Nursed in the lap of Slavery and pride, (guide - Where might makes right, and fiercest passions * Since this line was penned, some bright spots have appeared in the political heavens, full of hope and promise. Governor Ritner of Penn. has spoken in his official capacity, on the subject of slavery, in language worthy of a freeman. The legislatures of Vermont and Massachusetts, in their recent sessions, have passed resolutions which will ere long find a response in every non-slaveholding state. Let the South ponder well that handwriting upon the wall. SLAVERY RHYMES 51 In opening manhood, helping on the trade In human souls, as "things," as "chattels" made' Driving in coffles forth, with lash in hand, His droves of human cattle through the land; This "greatest and the best," thus train'd and skill'd, "The measure of his country's glory fill'd:' In driving slaves he qualified to be The chosen chieftain of the "only free," Defender of the faith of modern liberty! This is the Oracle whose voice went forth To calm the South and captivate the North; Which, at his bidding, echoed back the cry Wild from the South, and rife with tyranny, Demanding gags, and censorships, and spies, To stop all Northern mouths, or pens, or eyes, That dared to speak, or write, or even look On Southern tyranny with stern rebuke; Who soil'd the honors of his high estate, By meanly stooping to calumniate A faithful band, heroically just Pleading for millions trampled in the dust; The truths they utter'd, like Ithuriel's spear, Pierced to the quick, and made the fiend appear; 52 SLAVERY RHYMES. Show'd the slaveholder through his thin disguise, And stamp'd him deep an oracle of lies!* * This was written during the incumbency of General Jackson, That individual, by a most remarkable fatuity, attained a station and a fame utterly at variance with his natural character and just pretensions. Nature gave him a tyrant's heart; yet he became the idol and rallying point of democracy. Education and habit made him a slaveholder and slave-driver; yet he reached the Presidential chair, to administer a constitution whose corner-stone bears the inscription that all men are born "free," and possess certain inalienable rights, amongst which are, "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." The pursuit of gain transformed him into a slavetrader––or, in other words, the ally and agent of men-stealers and kidnappers, whose innocent victims––men, women, and children––he drove from market to market as mere merchandise; and yet we have seen him placed at the head of this republic, which claims to be the only really free government on earth, ostentatiously preaching justice and fair-dealing with all men, as his and his people's creed! Nature, however, effectually asserted her pre-eminence; this slaveholding democrat not only consummated Indian oppression, filled up the measure of their bitter wrongs, and upheld negro servitude; but introduced the regimen of a slave plantation into all the departments of government. No inexorable, irresponsible tyrant, in his cotton or sugar fields, ever illustrated a more perfect and ruthless despotism, than this "greatest and best" exercised at Washington. The subordinates of "my government" no more dared to exercise the attributes of independent manhood, or resist his arbitrary fiat, than the poor abject slaves who till his fields in Tennessee. Impartial history will do justice to the character and pretensions of the race of slave-holding and slave-trading politicians, who have played the hypocrite on so grand and audacious a scale in this land of liberty, of whom General Jackson may be regarded as the most finished specimen. The credit given by the world to the assumptions of these men, as the advocates and guardians of liberty, will be regarded hereafter as the most wonderful instance of bold imposture on one side, and credulity on the other, ever exhibited in the history of man. SLAVERY RHYMES. 53 Vain as the transit vapor are the sounds Of praise which thy ephemeral state surrounds! Soon will thy day of power and glory close, Thy toils and cares be hush'd in deep repose; Whate'er thy hands have wrought, or left undone, Be adamant, reveal'd before the sun; [driven, The poor whom thou hast bought, or sold, or Stand with thee at the judgment-seat of heaven; Stripp'd of all outward state, and form, and hue, SOULS ONLY there will pass the dread review–– Reap as they've sown, the rich rewards of grace, Or sink in deathless misery and disgrace! O cursed Slavery! to thy altars led, How many noble victims there have bled! Thy temples stand black monuments of shame, Strew'd with our ruin'd hopes, our blasted fame, Loud echoing many a patriot's blighted name! In every state these impious fanes arise, Whence rolling incense foul pollutes our skies: E'en on that hallow'd soil where Freedom's sound First rose, and sent its glorious voice around, The chilling blasts of despotism drear Sweep through the chamber once to patriots dear;* * Fanueil Hall, Boston, once sacred to Liberty, now devoted to Despotism. E* 54 SLAVERY RHYMES. And there, where nature's nobles sacrificed Ease, wealth, and life, as blessings lightly prized, Compared with liberty, their sons invoke Slaveholders' smiles, and pass beneath their yoke: Tear the green living laurel from their brow–– Most base subservience to the South avow; Pollute New England's bright and cherish'd fame, And fix their dastard doings on her name! There "property and standing" both combined With wreaths of infamy their names have twined; There learning, genius, taste and eloquence, Raised to the civic chair, pronounceth thence A full response to tyranny and pride;–– Cheer despots on, but struggling freemen chide–– Join in the bloodhound chase 'gainst human right, And by perverted law, extinguished light!* When heads of Commonwealths in duty fail, Who can expect obedience in the tail? When rank and wealth united, basely rob The weaker of their rights, who blames the mob? * See Governor Everett's first Message to the Massachusetts Legislature–– worthy, in all respects, of a Southern despot. In that document, he denounced Abolition doctrines as an offence at Common Law. SLAVERY RHYMES. 55 When head and tail together prowl, we see New England's glory full––hail, land of Liberty! Old Massachusetts' modern annals glow With stranger records than the past could show: The page that once her stirring story told Of patriot effort, darker scenes unfold; The cradle where her infant rights were nursed, Now teems with children who devour the first; The PILGRIMS sow'd for freemen[dom], but we reap, E'en on their graves, fruits which make angels weep: Their rallying cry was "Liberty!" their aim Pure, noble, generous––hence their deathless fame; They dared a mighty foe, they would be free; We crouch to despots, bow to slavery; They stood erect, the noblest of mankind, We stoop so low, that others' slaves we bind: The lion's share to bolder culprits fall, New Englanders enact the mere jackal! Is the free spirit of the Pilgrims dead, And buried with their bones? hath virtue fled Their children's hearts and hearths? to Southern pride, Shall woman's sacred rights be sacrificed? 56 SLAVERY RHYMES. Is there no master spirit, at whose voice The Pilgrims' sons will make a nobler choice? No Patriot, who will burst the fatal spell Which binds his kindred to the cause of hell? None, who have power the vulgar herd to sway, Whom "property and standing" will obey? Or, shall the ruffian mob, by slaveites led, With rank and fashion marshalled at its head, Sweep the proud monuments of freedom down, Unchecked, unchallenged, and almost unknown? Where is that giant intellect, that waits Chief sentinel among discordant States–– Whose all commanding mind, and patriot voice, Makes listening Senates tremble or rejoice? When mobs o'er peaceful citizens prevail, And woman's peace and privity assail–– When magistrates withhold protection due, Or basely sanction all the ruffians do–– Has he for such no intellectual steel, No scathing flash––no thundering appeal? Or, with a giant's strength, does he succomb, Mids't freedom's strife indifferent and dumb? 'Twould well become the leaders of the age, To breast the storm and mitigate its rage; Its signs of deep import with wisdom read, Content to follow if they dare not lead: SLAVERY RHYMES. 57 But if, through pride or fear, they basely wait, And leave the cause of freedom to its fate–– Or if, seduced by Southern smiles and gold, With freedom's foes they still more basely hold–– Freedom shall triumph whilst their names will rot, Or, if retained, be writ, "Their country's blot!"* In Slavery's train the Empire State we see Dragged on the adverse side of liberty. * Happily for the fame of Massachusetts, for the well being of this Union, and for the interests of humanity, a brighter day has dawned upon this honored birth-place of American liberty. The Massachusetts Legislature has wiped off the stain affixed to the fair name of New England by a Boston mob; and reproved, in emphatic tones, the servile doctrines of the present governor of the good old Bay State. The first favorable omen appeared in the consent given to the Anti-Slavery Society to hold its annual session in the Hall of Representatives, after a refusal by the "property and standing" of Boston to grant the use of Faneuil Hall for that purpose. For several evenings the Hall of Representatives resounded with the eloquent appeals of the anti-slavery leaders; and it would seem as though the spirit of liberty consecrated the very walls of the House, and lingered to baptize the legislators who had so nobly opened their hearts and their hall to its sacred claims. To the delight of the true friends of freedom throughout the Union, but to the dismay and inexpressible chagrin of the slavery party everywhere, resolutions have passed the Legislature by an almost unanimous vote, condemning in decisive language, the action of Congress in relation to anti- slavery petitions; those adopted by the Senate with only one dissenting voice, embodied the following energetic and righteous sentiments: "Resolved, That Congress, having exclusive legislation in the District of Columbia, possess the right to abolish slavery and the slave- 58 SLAVERY RHYMES. Its Chief––allegiance to the South avows, Down in the very mire to slavery bows. The civic chair of dignity despoiled–– By its Incumbent desecrated––soiled; His "messages" abhorrent to the free, Come forth all redolent of slavery: No breathing thoughts nor burning words are there The onward course of liberty to cheer–– With serpent-craft he crawls and seeks to sting The faithful few who still to freedom cling; He smiles on those who strike our honors down, Most humbly fawns, where he should sternly frown; Like a hired advocate, his specious tongue, In special pleading takes the side of wrong. In close communion with their worthy head The sharers in the "spoils" compactly tread–– Assume the collar, and obey the rein, In hope a large portion to obtain; trade therein; and that the early exercise of such right is demanded by the enlightened sentiment of the civilized world, by the principles of the revolution, and by humanity. "Resolved, That slavery being an admitted moral and political evil, whose continuance, wherever it exists, is vindicated mainly on the ground of necessity, it should be circumscribed within the limits of the states where it has been established; and that no new state should hereafter be admitted into the Union whose constitution of government shall sanction or permit the existence of domestic slavery." SLAVERY RHYMES. 59 Merge soul and conscience, feeling and desire, In one devout pursuit––a larger hire; Most humbly echo all their leaders say, One word comprising all their creed––obey! Another class, the opposite of these, In all things else their true antipodes–– Aristocrats by instinct––ranged aside–– Nurtured in prejudice and steeped in pride; All other men they scornfully contemn, Viewing the race as chiefly made for them; Too proud for politics, yet, with the last "Go with the South," idolators of caste,–– And join e'en Democrats to glorify That "patriarchal" blessing––slavery. Banded with these are multitudes who drive A golden traffic and by southrons thrive–– Who measure men and things by orders sent, Praise all pursuits which yield them cent-per-cent, Hold to the system that hath heaped their store, Nor quit it but for one which heaps it more: They heed not though their gainful traffic feeds Slavery's voracious appetite––and speeds The downward course from virtue and from heaven, Of millions by unhallowed passion driven: 60 SLAVERY RHYMES. A nation's liberties, and moral health, Are trifles if compared with glittering wealth; The poor man's rights they one and all esteem As phantom's of a wild enthusiast's dream; Their gratitude for favors heretofore Much quickened by the hope of many more–– With lungs distended, and wide opened mouth, They lift their caps and shout, "The South, the South!" Talk of their country whilst they think of pelf, Their patriotism only––love of self! The mob completes the mass, wherein we see Another proof how strange extremes agree: One principle the most discordant bind–– Blind sordid selfishness, the curse of human kind! Behold the motley phalanx! on it waits Mayors, judges, senators, and magistrates. See how it sweeps all law and order down–– And see! its grave attendants dare not frown. Frown on the mob? ah, no! if moved at all, Their honors on the "vile fanatics" fall; On them their frowns and curses deep descend, Their smiles and sympathies the mob attend: New-York and Utica these truth's avow–– Names branded deeply in the burning brow SLAVERY RHYMES. 61 Of patriot's flushed with mobocratic fame, Emblazoned in the heraldry of shame!* If such the Northern States, the boasted "free," What must the Southern dens of slavery be? * New-York is the birth-place of the first pro-slavery mob. On that memorable occasion the city government virtually encouraged the outrage. It did not, indeed, place itself at the head of the ruffian band; but, so far as signs of vitality were manifested at all, they gave token of approval. The Mayor put forth a proclamation couched in an insolent and denunciatory tone towards the abolitionists, the two Boards of Aldermen indulged in heartless and supercilious invective; and the public authorities, from the highest to the lowest, were most criminally inactive. All these indications of sympathy directly and efficiently stimulated the brutal mob. At Utica the matter was even worse. A judge actually headed the mob there; and a number of citizens, designated "respectable" by the false usage and courtesy of society, because possessed of its vulgar attribute––wealth––were his associates. In both cases the men who ought to have been conservators of the public peace, became its disturbers; setting up examples in the land which they and their children will bitterly repent. Urged by blind and cruel prejudices, with the immediate view of subserving party ends, they called into action a power they are utterly unable to control; a power which threatens to overwhelm, in its fearful progress, the rights, liberties, and laws of every part of this republic. The leaders in these transactions in both cities are of too mean a stamp even for an immortality of infamy. For a few years they will be remembered and scorned; but their names will speedily rot. Not so the remembrance of their work. That will probably remain in the ruins of one of the noblest structures ever raised by human hands, long after the insignificant and contemptible reptiles who labored in undermining its foundations shall have utterly perished. F 62 SLAVERY RHYMES. There breathing tyranny o'er all hath past, And mind and morals die beneath the blast! Or if a wreck remain, the fearful blight Creates a moral desert to the sight, With here and there a spot of living green To show what desolation there hath been! Oh scenes which God hath blessed, but man hath curst, Where nature smiles but sin hath done its worst; Where passions dark and reckless fiercely sway; Where tyrants drive and wretched slaves obey! Rich harvests deck the soil, but those who sow And reap those fields inherit only woe; By fraud and force corrupting wealth flows in Bearing on every stream a taint of sin; Base wealth! wrung from a brother's unpaid toil, Forged into chains fresh victims to encoil––* * The process of money making in the South is very simple. The Indian is robbed of his lands, the colored man of his liberty. The former is driven to the far West to roam in the wilderness and the latter forced to till, without wages, his vacated lands. Immense piles of cotton bales soon crowd the wharves of the southern ports, at the sight of which hallelujah's to accursed mammon ring through the land. The thoughts, purposes, and whole soul of the South revolve in a charmed circle graphically described by one of themselves, "we labor to grow more cotton to buy more negroes, to grow more cotton to buy more negroes!" SLAVERY RHYMES. 63 Man, blind and avaricious, calls it "good"–– In heaven's record 'tis writ, "The price of blood!" And blood that will corrode––a canker dire–– A slow, pervading, all-consuming fire–– Before whose influence all of fair, or great, Or pure, or holy, must degenerate–– 'Till scenes once fair as Eden's, represent In awful ruins, slavery's punishment! Slaveholding counsels through the South prevail–– A fierce defiance floats on every gale. The foe entrenched, prepared for mortal strife, On bond's interminable stakes his life. Hear! Carolina's chief takes up the strain, Entering the lists in true Quixotic vein; In Freedom's sacred name and cause, invokes For Afric's children––everlasting yokes! In idiot frenzy, thus the Southron raves: "A freeman's dearest heritage is––Slaves! Slavery, extreme, eternal, is the best Of corner-stones––there only can we rest Our liberties, our lives, our peaceful homes, Our patriot temples, and our Christian domes! O God! forbid that we should ever be, Or our descendants, from our slaves set free. We love the patriarch institute; we plead Antiquity to sanctify the deed; 64 SLAVERY RHYMES. In Christ's own name, we claim undoubted right To make all black men labor for the white: Yea, more––bleach'd or unbleach'd in skin, the poor Are doom'd to toil––to crowd the rich man's door–– To bend obsequious to his sovereign will, And only live HIS cup of bliss to fill!*" Hail, brave M'Duffie! worthy thou to be Chief leader in the ranks of slavery; Worthy to bear that flag, whose stripes and stars Wave ominous of chains, and whips, and scars. Thou pink of Southern grace and chivalry–– Thou pattern true of modern slavery–– Thou petty tyrant, spitting forth thy hate, A MONKEY NERO, at thy best estate–– Go, and enjoy thy passing day of power; Go, bluster and blaspheme, in this thy hour; Go, sway the symbol of thy tribe, the rod, Recreant to justice, mercy, and thy God: But know, the cry of unrequited toil–– Of human souls, whom thou hast made thy spoil–– Of human hearts, which thou hast fill'd with wo–– Of human tears, that thou hast caused to flow–– * See McDuffie's Message to the Legislature of South Carolina, here quoted almost verbatim. SLAVERY RHYMES. 65 Each bursting agony––each stifled groan–– Each secret pang––all, all to heaven have flown; All join in solemn witness round that throne Whose mandate strikes the proud oppressor down! M'Duffie, hail! Hark! how the echoes sound, Responsive to thy praise, the South around! Bombastic eulogies pervade the air–– Sinners and saints alike glad tribute bear. M'Duffie's gospel, and Judge Lynch's law, (The Southern Bible!) hallelujahs draw; Slavery's Millenium day (the reign of might, Dear to slave-holders) rises on the sight; Men-stealers gloat in lively hope again–– And pious clergymen respond Amen! Warm'd by these hopes––much cheer'd by ghostly aid, The "Chivalry," fresh nerved, drive on the trade In human chattels, quicker urge the lash, The last sweet hope of freedom rudely dash From every bondman, and more fiercely strain The fragile links of slavery's "silken" chain. Freebooters on the rights of man––BEWARE! Tempt not that desperate spirit, fierce Despair: F 66 SLAVERY RHYMES. There is a point at which the trembling slave Will crouch no more, but all your terrors brave; Quicken'd and madden'd by oppression, turn, Burst every bond, your strongest fetters spurn: One spark of manhood, kindled into flame, May fire your magazines of guilt and shame, And hurl their long-pent stores of wrong and wrath, Pregnant with fearful ruin, o'er your path! And must the faithful canvass only mark Repulsive scenes, portray'd in colors dark? Are there no mingled tints of brighter hue— No rising beams of light to cheer the view? Ye Christian Patriots, whose bosoms feel Your Maker's honor and your country's weal, Say, shall the sun of liberty arise, And ride in cloudless splendor through your skies— Or shall rank exhalations, dense and damp, From slavery's realm, (that moral Dismal Swamp!) Repress his quickening beams and glorious light, Turning your day of hope to darkest night? Shall the fair tree of freedom, planted here, Verdant and rich in clustering fruits appear? Or shall vile parasitic plants ascend From root to branch, o'er leaves and fruit extend, SLAVERY RHYMES. 67 Till premature decay and death succeeds— Leaves, flowers, and fruits, destroy'd by noxious weeds? Will ye redeem the pledge your fathers gave— For "equal rights" the loss of all things brave— Or, in your midst, without a struggle, see Color and skin the rule of liberty? And, freemen though in name, in fact become The oppressor's tools, obedient and dumb? Or, more than all—Shall Christ and Belial meet In forced communion, at slaveholders' feet— Slavery be in the Christian faith comprised— Its fetters, tortures, whips, and gags baptized? Momentous questions! from their fate must flow To countless millions much of weal or wo: On their solution, as decrees of fate, Breathless with hope and fear, the nations wait; Hoping,—in you a beacon-light to find, Towards perfect liberty to guide mankind; Fearing,—lest adverse elements prevent, And mar your glorious work—self government. Thank Heaven all is not dark: a ray of light Came o'er the Eastern wave, and, beaming bright On Massachusetts' hills, thence swiftly spread, And far and wide its cheering glories shed; 68 SLAVERY RHYMES And blessed voices sounded on the gale, Bearing from East to West the thrilling tale Of Fetters broken, Afrie's sons unbound ; Of slavery vanquish'd on its favorite ground ; Of freedom's battle, nobly fought and won -- A nation will'd it, and the work was done ! Thus, moral light and glory spreading round, In many a bounding heart a shrine hath found ; And, to the vision fair, from Britain's isle Ten thousand eyes and hearts responsive smile. O blessed change ! the father-land forswears All false and cruel gods, and richly bears The golden fruits of justice, mercy, peace, Breaks every bond, and bids oppression cease. Her bright example calls us to relent ; With her we've sinn'd, with her may we repent ! Her former guilt no longer imitate, But rise, her glorious deeds to emulate. Great eras form the men of might and mind, To work the purposes by heaven design'd. A quick'ning power on times and seasons wait, Whose magic touch fit instruments create, The ruse and rubbish of the world to clear, And purify earth's moral atmosphere. Like spectral forms these moral heroes rise, Breaking the slumbers of the worldly wise, SLAVERY RHYMES 69 Pouring through darkest dens unwelcome day, Scaring the flocks of unclean birds away ; Shocking the age by its own image shown, Despite the impassion'd cry, "Let us alone !" Let us alone ! thus tortured demons wail'd, When at the voice of God their legions quail'd : Let us alone ! so heathens idols cried, When the Apostles preach'd "Chris crucified :" Let us alone ! the Papal beast exclaim'd, When Luther's gallant band the monster maim'd : Let us alone ! all humans beast of prey Have ever scream'd o'er victims snatch'd away. Let us alone ! the felon slaver hail'd, When Sharp and Wilberforce the wretch assail'd : Let us alone! the callous, guilty crew Of base slave-holders in our day renew ; And every form of wrong the earth hath known, Dreading the light, responds - Let us alone ! Ye proud transgressors of the law of love, Well may ye waft the impious prayer above ! A Spirit walks the earth ye cannot lay ; Omnipotence alone its course can stay : Too often driven from the rich man's door, It seeks the cottage of the humble poor: Denied admission at the oppressor's gates, It humbly turns, and on his victim waits: 70 SLAVERY RHYMES. It shares the heavy burdens of the oppress'd — Weeps with the wretched, blesses the unbless'd ; Remembers those in bonds, as though 'twere bound ; Where deepest misery is, its home is found : Ask ye its origin ? from heaven it came, DIVINE PHILANTHROPY its honor'd name. This blessed spirit, deck'd in robes of grace, Hastes to the rescue of man's down-trod race ; And, as ye tighter draw your bondmen's chains, With glowing energy their right sustains ; Nor earth and hell confederate can impede Its deathless efforts, till your slaves be freed ; Till earth no more sends forth the captive's groan, Nor his tormentor's cry—Let us alone! 'Gainst Slavery's hosts, marshall'd in proud display, Philanthropy sets forth a firm array. Though few and feeble in the world's esteem, And their high enterprise an idle dream, Immortal truth and heavenly love impel Their onward course against the powers of hell. Strong in the Lord, they spurn all doubt or fear ; HIS WORD THEIR SWORD, no other arms they bear. That sacred truth they faithfully unfold— its flashing light, like Gideon's lamp of old, SLAVERY RHYMES. 71 Affrights the modern Midianitish host, Brings down their haughty mien and impious boast ; Scatters their much-loved darkness, and reveals High heaven's descending Judge, speeding his chariot wheels. Honor and praise be to that gallant band, Who, midst unfaithful millions, faithful stand ; Who boldly rush, with more than Spartan grace, To shield our sacred hearths, and save our race ! "Observed of all observers," on your course Eyes, hearts, and intellect spend all their force ; Not self nor party hath your flag unfurl'd, Its holy symbols rouse and cheer a world. Onward ! still onward ! let your motto be ; Onward ! till stopp'd by death or victory. The stake you toil for gold cannot compute, Nor India's richest stores its worth dispute : The glorious prize, if won, snaps every chain ; If lost, confirms oppression's cruel reign. Your notes of triumph, as they sweetly swell, Earth's jubilee, will ring each tyrant's knell. Oh ! cease not, quail not, till the goal be won, "Ye are immortal till your work is done." The despots of the South may rage and rail ; The recreants of the North may basely quail ; 72 SLAVERY RHYMES. The Spirits of the Pit with both conspire, To blow up persecution's fiercest fire— Vain phantasies! the Bible will not burn, JEHOVAH'S WORD will not to ashes turn: It came to earth to cheer and bless mankind, To save the lost, the captive to unbind; To preach glad tidings to the suffering poor, And life and liberty to all secure. Behold your glorious warrant! there you read Your duty, and your sure success decreed. Friends of humanity and heirs of grace, Fly to the rescue of a groaning race; Speed, speed the Chariot of the truly free, Give to each crimeless bondman liberty! And, as ye free the bodies of mankind, Pour heavenly light on ev'ry darken'd mind: Not muscles only, but the soul within, Groans for redemption from the power of sin. Let Freedom's perfect work and praise be yours, Freedom which heaven and earth alike secures, And, as the throne of God itself endures! Slavery must die! so wills a wakening world, Rising in might with freedom's flag unfurl'd. EMANCIPATION, with a sunbeam's light, Streams from the banner, terrible and bright: SLAVERY RHYMES. 73 By mercy wing'd, and truth's resistless force, Swiftly it wends its onward glorious course; Millions on millions to its gathering throng, Respond and speed its thrilling call along; Its note of doom scares the foul tyrant's den, And swelling myriads echo back Amen! Slavery must die! those scenes of peace and joy, When nothing more may hurt, nor more destroy; When swords, the source and signs of wrong, shall cease, Beaten to ploughshares, implements of peace; When spears no more shall arm a tyrant's hand, But, turn'd to pruning-hooks, bless every land; When knowledge of the Lord o'er earth shall be Deep, boundless, chainless, as the flowing sea: These cheering hopes, these visions from on high, Give bless'd assurance, SLAVERY SHALL DIE ! ZION, ARISE AND SHINE! purge guilt away; Cast from thy arms polluting Slavery:— Then shall thy light break forth, and joy and peace Thy borders cheer, and all thy sorrows cease; Then converts, countless as the drops of dew, Shall crowd thy temples, and thy strength renew— Then shall the sum of prophecy be told, And ALL MANKIND be shelter'd in thy fold! APPENDIX FROM THE NEW-YORK AMERICAN. GROSS OUTRAGE UPON THE RIGHTS OF A FREE-BORN AMERICAN. In submitting to our readers the annexed plain and straightforward narrative of an outrage at Savannah, of the most intolerable kind, against the person, the rights, and-if the ferocious banditti could have had their way-against the life of an unoffending and respectable young merchant of this city, we will restrain, as much as possible, any expression of indignant feelings, to the end that our readers may calmly judge the matter. John Hopper, the young man who so narrowly escaped the fury of the Savannah mob, led on by a marshal of the City of New-York, is the son of a well-known and respectable quaker here-Isaac T. Hopper-and was at the South in the prosecution of ordinary business. With these preliminary remarks, we subjoin the narrative. TO THE PUBLIC. "I respectfully ask of my fellow-citizens an attentive perusal of the following statements, which obliged me, on a late occasion, to appear in the character of a fugitive, as the only possible means of escape from disgraceful torture and violent 76 APPENDIX. death. I should have availed myself of an earlier opportunity of publication, had not my flight been attended with suffering and privations, which for some subsequent time rendered me incapable of taking a calm survey of the past ; and I yet shudder, when I call to mind the hideous yells that sounded in my ears, as the mob which surrounded the prison where I was immured attempted to wrest my person from the protection of the civil power, and glut their rage by the sacrifice of my life. In the ordinary course of business, I remained at Charleston nearly two months, before going farther South ; and during that time I experienced all the courtesy and kindness which usually attend the relations of mercantile employment. Nor did I suffer the slightest interruption of any description whatever, until assailed in person at Savannah, by a marshal of this city, who was there on official business. I wish it to be distinctly understood that I have never had any connexion with anti-slavery societies, and did not utter a sentiment on Abolition while at the South. My object was wholly mercantile; and my fellow-citizens will observe that the Mayor of Savannah consented to my release only on this ground, That there could not be detected 'the slightest evidence' (his own words) of my being an abolitionist!! (Signed) JOHN HOPPER. On the morning of the 28th of 1st month, I arrive at Savannah, and took lodgings at the City Hotel. After tea in the evening, I retired to my room, and had been there but a few minutes, when the door was suddenly forced open, and a dozen or more individuals, in a state of intoxication, rushed into the apartment. They were led on by a ruffian of the name of Nash,* who seized me violently by the collar, and * Daniel D. Nash, above-named, is a marshal, who holds his commission from the Mayor of this city. APPENDIX. 777 exclaimed, "Well, Hopper, how, under God's heaven, you ever had the impudence to show your face at the South, I can't tell. Damn you! you had not been in the city five minutes before we knew it ! But we are glad to see you, Mr. Hopper—we are well prepared for you!" Then, addressing his companions, he said, "This same Hopper, his brother, and damned old father, Arthur Tappan, Barney Corse, and David Ruggles, a damned nigger, who they treat as a brother —I'd give my own life to have him here—are the very leaders of abolition in New-York City." At this moment, I received a severe blow in the face from a person whom I believed to be a brother of J. F. Collier, the claimant of a man of the same name, whom he had caused to be arrested in New York last fall, as his slave. My brother and myself produced several highly respectable witnesses, who testified that they had known him as a resident of New-York several years prior to the time of his alleged elopement. I received also a severe kick, and a boy about fifteen years of age spit in my face. I was directed to draw out from under the bed a box that I had brought with me, and which they no doubt expected to find stocked with "incendiary publications." The lid was forced off, and they were much disappointed on finding it empty. They then told me to unlock my trunk. While feeling for my keys, a person said, "Come, damn you! you don't move fast enough—I'll do it for you:" and thrusting his hands into my pocket, he drew out my keys, opened the trunk, and commenced a regular search, which he continued, throwing my clothes, &c. over the floor, until he discovered a small bundle of pamphlets. These had been gratuitously loaned to me by a clergyman of Charleston, and not having examined them, I was myself ignorant of their character. Among them was a tract published in 1824, by the Society of Friends in Philadelphia, describing the colony at Sierra Leone, and G* 78 APPENDIX. giving an account of the Foreign slave trade. They said this was what they wanted-here was abolitionism. A number immediately left the room, went down stairs, and cried out to those who were crowding the bar-room and the halls of the hotel, that they had found a trunk full of abolition pamphlets. My pockets were searched, and I was directed to "say my last prayers," and go with them. They then seized me, and were taking me out of the room, when the bar-keeper, whose name is Oates, came to the door. I told him that I was an inmate of his house, and it was his duty to protect me-at least, until there should be some evidence produced of my being an abolitionist. "Damn you, sir, you must not appeal to me for protection-what better evidence do we want, than your trunk full of abolition pamphlets?" I denied that any had been found in my possession. "Well," said he, "I will go for the sheriff, and we will examine your papers." He returned in a few minutes with that officer, and commenced reading my letters which I had received since leaving home, requiring me to explain many passages which they professed not to understand. At this juncture, Captain Wilteberger, the proprietor of the hotel, entered the room in a great passion, and cried out, "Why don't you bring him down? My property will be destroyed-I can do nothing with the mob below. If you don't take him down immediately, they will do it themselves." Then turning towards me, he continued, "Young man, you are in a very unfortunate situation. You should never have left your home-but it is your own doing, and you deserve your fate." I demanded his protection from the violence of the mob; to which he replied, "Good God! you must not appeal to me for protection: this is a damned delicate matter. I shall not be able to protect my own property; but I will go for the Mayor." Shortly after he left the room, a note was handed APPENDIX. 79 in to Oates, who examined it, and gave it to me, saying that it was in the handwriting of one of his confidential friends. I read, "His only chance of escape is by jumping out of the window!!" We were in the third story: the street below was thronged with a drunken and infuriated mob, who were clamorous for my person, having already prepared such means of torture as their bloodthirsty wickedness suggested. The principal and the abettor in this intended scheme of worse than savage butchery, were worthy of each other. Over and over again did Oates urge me to "profit by this only chance of escape." His earnest professions of regard for my personal safety, enabled me to form a high estimate of his hypocrisy. When I afterwards related this circumstance to the Mayor, he exclaimed, "Ah! he is a vile, wicked wretch!" This man, I was informed, was sheriff about the year 1820. He it was who kidnapped Rowland Stephenson from Savannah, and delivered him to his creditors, upon which occasion he escaped the law by becoming a "fugitive from justice." He is now universally despised. The tumult below increased to such an extent that I considered my fate inevitable; and I determined to meet it with as much fortitude as possible. Having refused to jump out of the third story window, my only alternative was, to go down stairs, and give myself up to the violence of the mob, who were maddened by liquor-which, I believe, was gratuitously furnished at the bar of the hotel. At the foot of the stairs I was met by the Mayor and several of the aldermen- their timely arrival saved my life. After some general observations and questions from the former, I stated to him that Nash, who had been the means of creating this excitement against me, was a man of very bad character, being at that moment present in a state of beastly intoxication; and that 80 APPENDIX his enmity towards me originated from the fact that I had exerted myself on behalf of a colored man who was arrested as a slave in New-York ; that I had come to Savannah on business, and had no connection with anti-slavery societies, of which I would convince him, if he would allow me an opportunity. He, with the aldermen, myself and others, then repaired to my room, where my papers and private letters underwent a partial examination. Finding no evidence against me, the Mayor went down, and told the mob that I should be detained that night, and in the meantime he would hear any charges that could be brought forward, also examine my papers more closely, and if there could be produced the slightest evidence of my being an abolitionist, I should remain in custody. I was then conducted to the guard house, the presence of the mayor and a large body of officers and citizens scarcely sufficing to protect me from the grasp of the multitude which surrounded us. The guard was increased, and other precautions taken for my security, not withstanding which, the mayor was sent for several times during the night to restore order. I remained immured in a noisome cell until near 8 o'clock next morning, when a further examination was commenced. Nash in the meantime had presented many charges against me, which had no other effect, however, than to expose the infamy of his own character, and to render him an object of deserved contempt. He accused my father of being a great friend to the niggers, and called my brother a "nigger amalgamator," &c. I was required to render an exact account of myself from the first moment that I entered the city, but no evidence of my being an abolitionist could be discovered. The Mayor remarked, that "the pamphlet found in my trunk was positive evidence in my favor, being decidedly for colonization, and the colonizationists were the most deadly enemies of the abolitionists." APPENDIX. 81 He then told me I was at liberty to depart, and added, "you may consider it a miracle that you have escaped with your life." A heavy rain had dispersed the mob, and under the protection which it still afforded, I happily made my escape. To Capt. Nichols, of the ship Angelique, of New-York, then at Savannah, I am indebted for many acts of kindness, extended at a time, and under circumstances, which render it imperative upon me to offer him the public expression of my sincere and lasting gratitude. His noble conduct on that occasion can never be erased from my remembrance. I wish also to express my thankfulness for the measure of protection extended by the Mayor and other civil officers of Savannah, without whose intervention, as I have already stated, escape would have been impossible. I cannot conclude this narrative, without referring again to the part which Daniel D. Nash, a civil officer of the city of New-York, acted in those disgraceful proceedings. It will appear in the following statement, published by myself, that he sought to render me a victim of the lawless violence which our southern countrymen have threatened to inflict on northern abolitionists. His assertion that I called on him to sustain my character is, wholly false. He attempted to inflame the public mind against me, by asserting, in front of the Court House, that nine-tenths of the northern men were abolitionists, but were ashamed to own it. Having failed to substantiate his charges and appearing in a state of continual intoxication, his real character was developed ; and the storm that he conjured up, I have reason to believe, would have spent its fury upon himself, if he had not secretly decamped early on the ensuing morning. I learned soon after my arrival in New-York, that this same Nash, with some worthy confederates, made an attack on David Ruggles, of this city, on the evening previous to his 82 APPENDIX. departure for the South, and calling to mind the expression, that he "would give his life to have that damned nigger in Savannah," I was led irresistibly to the conclusion, that his object was to have kidnapped him, and to sell him at the South, as "one of the leaders of abolition in New-York city." Doubtless, "the hope of reward sweetened his labor." (Signed) John Hopper Annexed is the statement of Nash, which appeared as an advertisement in the Savannah Georgian of 31st January. TO THE PUBLIC I, Daniel D. Nash, of the city and county of New-York, before leaving the city of Savannah, in order to remove any erroneous impressions relative to the affair of Mr. John Hopper of the city of New-York, make the subjoined statement. Mr. Hopper, as I am informed and believe, attempted previous to his departure, to impress upon the minds of many, or at least some residents of the city of Savannah, that I dogged him from the city of New-York to this city, for the intent and purpose of rendering him an object of aversion to the people of the South, and also to gratify lurking prejudices, that I entertained against him. The truth is, that on the 2d day of the present month, I left the city of New-York, on business of the utmost importance. and never knew that Mr. John Hopper was about visiting the South, or that he intended to do so. Further, I am charged as entertaining unkind feelings and unwonted prejudices against Mr. John Hopper - on the contrary, I have never evinced any feelings of hostility towards Mr. Hopper, which the occasion or circumstances did not justify. Upon my arrival in this city, from the city of Macon, I met Mr. Hopper at the City Hotel, and was requested by several people to introduce them to Mr. Hopper, and upon the wish APPENDIX. 83 of several I was desired to inform the proper authorities that I believed Mr. Hopper to be friendly to the cause of abolition; and this I believed to be so, from the fact, that I knew him to have taken an active part in slave cases in the city of New-York. I did not, in my disclosures, wish or intend to draw down upon the person of Mr. Hopper any violence or injury, and so stated. At the very time of the difficulty, I was called upon by Mr. Hopper to sustain his character. I, at that time, stated publicly to Mr. Hopper, that I knew nothing against his character as to honesty - but that I believed him to be an abolitionist, and still believe him to be one. In all my doings in this affair, I have acted under that sense of that duty which should guide the conduct of every true American citizen. At some future period, I may make some further exposition. D.D. Nash Savannah, 30th January, 1837. And now, having read these statement, what must be the reflections of every right-thinking man at this spectacle of a free-born American, in the land of professed liberty and security, without offence, without warrant of law, and without the intervention of any of those forms of justice devised for the protection of the citizen - violently assailed in his own apartment, his person insulted, his life threatened, his papers seized upon and searched, and finally himself dragged to a prison and kept in a cell during the whole night - whence he was only liberated, that he might flee from the city where his business called him, and where the Constitution guarantees his right to be in equal safety, and upon an equal footing, with any of its residents? 84 APPENDIX. As for this Nash, if he still hold a warrant as marshal of this city, we call upon the Mayor at once to examine into the matters here charged, and if the conduct ascribed to him be correctly state, to revoke that warrant without delay. Transcribed and reviewed by contributors participating in the By The People project at crowd.loc.gov.