Faneuil Hall, “Cradle of Liberty”, rejects Abolitionists

On December 22, 1837, a gathering is held at Marlboro Chapel,  commemorating the death of  Elijah Lovejoy.  Garrison says that the meeting should have been in Faneuil Hall, the Cradle of Liberty;  still he is glad it is not there, because people have been banned for speaking of Abolition in the Hall.  “I rejoice at it, because I cannot, for one, consent to go into that Hall, with a padlock upon my lips.  Liberty of speech, on the subject of American slavery, may not be indulged in Faneuil Hall …. we did not go into that Hall as freemen, in the full exercise of the freedom of speech.  No, sir!  On the one topic we were restricted to say nothing, even by a pledge; and that topic was slavery!   …. And that, Sir, is the freedom we enjoy in Boston!  That is our liberty of speech in Faneuil Hall !”