Arming Negroes The citizens of New Bedford held a war meeting on Monday afternoon, 1st inst., at which, after voting a bounty, Hon. Thomas D. Eliot proposed resolutions to the effect that “the rebellion is an insurrection of political slaveholders against republican institutions”; that “the power of slavery should henceforth be turned to the uses of freedom;” that the slaves of the rebels should be liberated, and as many of them as were willing, armed; and that while they still had unwavering faith in the honesty and patriotism of the President, they earnestly implored him to have faith in the people, and “go ahead”. These resolutions were unanimously adopted.
(Liberator, Sept 12, 1862, pg 3)