GRAND JUBILEE MEETING ON 13TH AMENDMENT

The Liberator, February 10, 1865, pg 2 — FREEDOM TRIUMPHANT ! GRAND JUBILEE MEETING in the Music Hall to Rejoice over the Amendment prohibiting Human Slavery.   Some of Garrison’s words here excerpted:  “I feel tonight in a thoroughly methodistical state of mind  — disposed at the top of my voice, and to the utmost stretch of my lungs, to shout  Glory!  Alleluia! Amen and Amen!  (Rapturous applause) …..  friends and strangers stop me in the streets, daily, to congratulate me on having been permitted to live to witness the almost miraculous change which has taken place in the feelings and sentiments of the people on the subject of slavery, and in favor of the long rejected but ever just and humane doctrine of immediate and universal emancipation … no man better understands or more joyfully recognizes the vastness of that change than I do.  But most truly can I say that it causes within me no feeling of personal pride or exultation — God forbid!   But I am unspeakably  happy to believe, not only that this vast assembly, but that the great mass of my countrymen are now , heartily disposed to admit that, in disinterestedly seeking, by all righteous instrumentalities, for more than thirty years, the utter abolition of slavery, I have not acted the part of a madman, fanatic, incendiary, or traitor but have at all times been of sound mind (laughter and cheers), a true friend of liberty and humanity, animated by the highest patriotism, and devoted to the welfare, peace, unity, and every-increasing prosperity and glory of my native land!….. only RADICAL ABOLITIONISM  is at this trial-hour , LOYALTY, JUSTICE, IMPARTIAL FREEDOM, NATIONAL SALVATION  – the Golden Rule blended with the Declaration of Independence (Great applause)  Thanks unto God, that day is here and now! Freedom is triumphant!  THE PEOPLE  have decreed the death of slavery!