N. P. Rogers, disagreement with Garrison

February 21, 1845

A long letter from Rogers, in Concord, N.H., dated Feb 1, 1845.  It concerns the Herald of Freedom, its dissolution, and Roger’s dismay at Garrison’s failure to support it.  There are implications here of severe disagreement, and almost a dissolution of Roger’s close ties to Garrison. Rogers expresses “mortification at the changes wrought in anti-slavery  affairs within the last few months.  I ought not to be sorry for it, for our positions are more clearly revealed.  You have encountered, heretofore, wave after wave of the assaults of new organization and corporate conservatism.  You have triumphed over them all.  I have been with you against them all.  You are now on the side of conservatism and legitimacy.  It is not congenial to your nature – it is uncongenial to the spirit of reform, and cannot prosper.  No amount of genius, or talent, or influence, can give it the final victory.”

There is a long response from Garrison.  “The truth is, friend Rogers has become  a monomaniac on the subject of  organization and free meeting, and it is perfectly idle, while he is in that state of mind, to argue with him…”

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