March 28, 1835
A long letter, dated March 23, from Andover Seminary, addressed to Garrison, and signed “Quisquis”, includes:
“Abolitionists were often such questions as these: ‘Why can you not agree to form a Society in which ALL can unite?’ What is the necessity to having it an auxiliary
to the N.E. Anti-Slavery Society, or to any other existing institution? Why not call it the African Friends Society, or the Emancipation Society, or by some other name less offensive than Anti-Slavery?’” Then the writer goes on to suggest that perhaps some , who are good abolitionists, do not like the name “Anti-Slavery” because in reality that they do not want to identify with “Garrison and his imprudencies”.
December 1, 1837
From Samuel H. Peckham, Haverhill, Mass, Sept 7: “It is painful to say these things of one whose general doctrines upon slavery I believe to be correct; but the good of the cause requires it. If Mr. G is not too self-conceited to see his errors, nor too elated with pride to confess them, he owes humble concessions to an injured public, and to many abused individuals, for the course he has pursued. And if such concessions are not made, and his course essentially altered, I do hope immediate measures will be taken by pious abolitionists to separate themselves entirely from his paper, and his influence, and form an association, into which his peculiar spirit never will be infused. “
March 3, 1843
Under the Refuge of Oppression, is an item from the Maine Cultivator, signed by “Xenos”. It evokes a “middle course” for thought and action. “If the Garrison school remembered this, they would lead useful lives by devoting themselves to honorable industry, instead of instituting an apostleship of error, and under the pretense of reforming the public mind, endeavoring to transform it into a state of rebellion against all authority, human and divine. ….. How pitiable it is that so many should undertake to walk in his erring footsteps…..”
November 22, 1844
The Mayor has withdrawn his permission for several speakers of “this Garrison Anti-Slavery Society” to speak, and this is a letter from citizens, commending his refusal.
July 30, 1847
Under “Selections” a long “Report of the Proceedings of the Commissioners. Printed by Order of the Court”, called to examine the defamatory charge of infidelity against Garrison. This is a lengthy mock trial, designed to respond to claims by The Christian Witness, that Garrison is an infidel. The second page of this edition has further comments by the editor.
February 9, 1849
Placed under Refuge of Oppression, from the Boston Recorder, here is some flavor of the article, titled Calhoun and Garrison: “Though influenced by somewhat different motives, Calhoun at the South, and Garrison at the North, are laboring side by side and making common cause in this great business. Wonderful is the sympathy between these two men and their followers. Both classes are domineering, denunciatory, and defamatory. …And both are eager to vapor and fume, whether anybody cares for their bluster or not. …Garrison, if born in the South, would have been a cruel slave-driver; and Calhoun, if a native of the North, would have been as cruel upon slave-drivers. …Hence we are not surprised to see one of them manifesting his respect for the other. ….At the Annual Meeting of the ‘old organization’, Anti-Slavery Society, held last week in Faneuil Hall, a resolution was passed, highly commendatory of Hon. John C. Calhoun for his honest and consistent course in defending the institution of slavery. Although this resolution, was, probably, not so much designed to compliment the Southerner, as to reflect a side glance on the inconsistency of Northern dough-faces, yet it is to be presumed that the commendations of Mr. Calhoun are quite sincere, and adapted to encourage him in his frantic course of disorganization.. The Garrison faction ought to admire Mr. Calhoun; for he is aiming at the same object with them, though with a thousand times more energy and likelihood of effecting their wishes. He has forty Congressmen to do is bidding, and they not one……”
Note: on the second page of the same edition , there is a brief comment from the editor.
It calls attention to the article in the Refuge Oppression column. In regard to the article from the Recorder, the note says it is ” worthy of the ‘father of lies,’ on the score of mendacity and malice.”
January 18, 1850
From the Boston Pilot — “Everybody knows that Mr. Garrison is not a popular man in New England; no wonder is made of the fact. And yet it may be considered wonderful enough, in the midst of a population almost entirely in favor of doing away with the slavery of the black population. But the secret of it is — or rather the no secret of it is – that Mr. Garrison is a political fanatic and an impracticable; a man who would put human nature into his hot-house and force it. No more forcible condemnation of his fierce policy could be found than in the unpopularity among of his policy among his own people.” The article goes on to comment on the “tottering condition” of the paper, and its political irrelevance.
January 13, 1860
Announcement of the debate to be at the Mercantile Library Association of Boston, January 16th. The question to be debated: “Has Garrisonian Abolitionism been of any practical service to the cause of freedom?
