Immense Meeting at Music Hall (The Charleston Slave-Auction Block)

March 17, 1865

‘The steps of the slave auction-block were placed upon the stage, and in front of the organ were suspended the large gilt letters:  “MART”, which was the sign of the auction establishment where human beings were  bought and sold. Upon the desk was placed the lock of the outside iron door where women were examined before the sale…..Garrison was called upon.  “On ascending the slave steps for the purpose of ‘putting the accursed thing under his feet’, the scene was one of unusual interest and excitement, the audience raising thunders of applause and waving hundreds of white handkerchiefs for a considerable interval..”

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