January 9, 1857
From the Leeds (England) Mercury, a lead article recounts in some detail the characteristics of Slavery in the United States. It concludes: “It is surely impossible for the great people of the United States to endure much longer such outrages and abominations as those of which we have presented specimens. If they do, it will be the worst treason to freedom, and the greatest scandal to civilization and Christianity, recorded in history.”
January 9, 1857
Four hundred members of the Society assemble for a feast at Faneuil Hall. Letters of greeting, from people who could not be present are read, including from Theodore Parker, Samuel J. May, Theodore Weld, Arnold Buffum, Abby Foster, William Wells Brown, and John T. Hilton. In his speech, Garrison recounts the beginning of the Society. He tells of the two meetings which were held in Samuel Sewall’s law office, Dec 16, 1831, and Jan 2, 1832, and names those who were present. Then came the third meeting, held at the African Baptist Church, in Belknap Street. ” It was purposely held in that little room, in that obscure part of the city, with reference to the historical significance of the event”. The Preamble and Constitution are here, and the names of those who signed the Constitution are included.
The article recounts that the first public meeting of the Society was on January 29th, at the Essex Street Church, where a “very able address was delivered by Rev. Moses Thacher, of which one thousand copies were printed and widely circulated. Other speakers include Wendell Phillips, Oliver Johnson, and the Hutchinson family sang ” Get Off the Track”.
January 9, 1857
From the Boston Telegraph, is acknowledgment of the Liberator’s 27th volume. It quotes Garrison as saying that ‘We have never yet published, nor omitted to publish, a single article, paragraph , sentence or word, with reference to its effect upon our subscription list’. “The Liberator ought to be sustained handsomely. It is the pioneer anti-slavery newspaper, and very independent.”
January 16, 1857
Continuing coverage of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Society, includes a speech by William C. Nell. In his speech there is a reference to Heyrick.
“Among the instrumentalities contributing to the encouraging aspect of the times, I have Mr. Garrison’s assurance and authority confirming my own experience and observation, that the influence and cooperation of Woman have been signally manifest. Elizabeth Heyrick of England, coincidental with Wm. Lloyd Garrison, first promulgated the idea of immediate emancipation. The anti-slavery women of America rallied under that banner, consecrating their exertions and sacrifices in times of persecution and peril…. always remembering those in bonds as bound
with them.”
January 16, 1857
Notice that Sumner has been re-elected as Senator, in the Senate by a unanimous vote, in the House, with twelve votes in opposition. The article comments: “Let the slave oligarchy ‘learn, mark, and inwardly digest’ this vote.”
January 23, 1857
Under the Refuge of Oppression, from the New Orleans Picayune, is an article, under the title, The Negro Rumors. The article affirms that all is peaceful among the black; there is little concern about an uprising, yet it issues a warning. “The whole black code of the State needs to be revised, in view of the late developments; and while every safe melioration of the condition of the slave will be cheerfully granted, the precautions against the mischiefs of foreign tampering with their ignorance ….. should be precise, stern and unrelenting. A short and terrible doom should be made to fall, on any man who lends himself to the promotion of discontent and insubordination among the blacks….”
January 30, 1857
Here is a Disunion Petition being circulated in Ohio, addressed to the legislative bodies of that state.
January 30, 1857
“Sudden visitation – Preston Brooks Dead! …He died a horrible death, and suffered intensely — endeavoring to tear his own throat open to get breath. His personal friends seemed smitten, while the mass of those who crowded the hotels came to the conclusion that the wrath of man was avenged in the justice of God.”
February 6, 1857
The editor indicates that he will be traveling for two or three weeks, and that the paper will be “under the supervision” of Charles K. Whipple. He comments also on the Refuge of Oppression column of this edition. He names the varied political positions from which the several anti-disunion pieces come, “all professing devotion and loyalty to ‘our glorious Union,’ though ready enough to tear out each other’s eyes.”
February 6, 1857
Here is recognition of the eulogies of Brooks, in the Senate, and the House. Rep. Savage, of Tennessee, is quoted as saying, in part, “Brutus stabbed Caesar in the Capitol; and whatever may be thought of the deed, the world has ever since approved and applauded the act. So shall the scene in the Senate chamber carry the name of the deceased to all future generations, long to be remembered after all are forgotten, and when these walls shall have crumbled into ruin….”