Jan 3, 1835
Lane Seminary
Important Anti-Slavery Document
Full exposure of the gagging system
Statement of the reasons which have induced the students of Lane Seminary to dissolve their connection with that institution. Cincinnati, 1834
“The above is the title of a pamphlet which we have just received from the West, the contents of which, we predict, are destined to create a mighty sensation through this land. It bears the signatures of fifty-one of the seceding students, and it is added —
‘Several of our brethren, who coincide with us in sentiment, are not able to affix their names to this document, in consequence of being several hundred miles from the Seminary.’”……..a final paragraph follows:
“Lane Seminary is now to be regarded strictly as a Bastile of Oppression — a Spiritual Inquistion. It will be the grave of the reputation of the Rev. Dr. Beecher, who throughout all the disgraceful proceedings of the trustees and faculty, has acted unworthy of his high character. “
Subsequent issues contain wide discussion of the controversy at Lane, including a statement by faculty and trustees.
July 23, 1836
July 19, Garrison writes from New York, to Knapp, commenting on a recent speech by Beecher, in Pittsburgh, in which the preacher speaks of the Sabbath. Of course, Lloyd is very critical, but, because he is ill, his comments, he says, “are not as vigorous as they might be”.
Beecher, in his talk has referred to “the experiment of human liberty” which he believes characterizes the land.
Garrison comments: “The wonderful ‘experiment’ that we are now making is precisely this – to see how long we can plunder, with impunity, two millions and a half of our population; how much labor we can extort with the cart-whip; how near to the level with a brute creation we can reduce every sixth man, woman, and child in the land ……….”
April 27, 1855
Henry C. Wright addresses a long article to The Rev. Lyman Beecher. Beecher has evidently argued for the right of the state to punish by hanging. Wright, compares what the murderer, John W. Webster has done, to what Joseph Eveleth, the hangman, has done, saying that the act of each was the same. In conclusion, Wright says, “.. let me call your attention to the reproach you cast upon those of us who would abolish the Death Penalty. You reproach me for my sympathy for the murderer.” This Wright casts in the light of his opening argument. Yet the act was the same….the one breaking the head, the other the neck, of his victim…the life of man was taken by both, both committed homicide.
