Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1836-09-01
INTERESTING DISCUSSION.
Extract Of a letter from Gentleman OF
This city, dated


MANcHEsTER, (Eng.) June 2lst, 1886
| CHANGED to he in Glasgow, Scot
land, AT most fortunate time. as had an on
portunity Of hearing the whole of very able
ciscussion etween the renowned George
thompson, tie Aholitionist, and our highly
esteemed fellow citizen the Req. Mr. Brock
eHTtdge, on the subject of' merican Slave
| ry, us MT. Thompson calls it, MIR. Brock
enridge came 10 this country about two
months ago, and soon after he arrived. there
appeared IN the public papers, challenge
signed by Thompson announcing that he
would like 10 meet any American gentleman
or clergyman 10 discuss the principles of
Abolition, Colonization, &c, and MIR. Il.
accepted it. The dIsputants met in Doctor
"arflaw's Church, in Glasgow, on Monday
/ evening the 18th instant, and continued
their discussion for five successive evenings,
three hours each eyeDng.-Each was TO oc-
cupy the rostrum for half an hour al time
MIR. Wardlaw, the Chairman, first rose and
stated the object and rules ui the meeting
by which there was To be, on the part of The
audience, no expression of feeling, whether
10y applauding the speakers, or rice versa
After making n few remarks upon the diff
ferent positions which each oI The dispuiants
held, directly stating that Mr.. ID. was not a
slave holder or advocate of slavery, he re-
signed the floor 10 MIR. b., who began by
saying that he was "aware of the delicate
position in which he stood before so large
and respectable an assembly, Upwards of
10000 whose opinions were, he was sure, nil
leaning towards his opponent but he be-
sought their patient hearing, for he came not
TO advocate slavery, or even 10 dispute the
right of foreigners To interfere in so momen-
ious question but he had much fault TO
find with the mode which some foreigners
haI alp to1 70 lraa n,,r Ella .,,.I
il persisted in, he hoped TO prove, would not
only defeat their avowed object, but would be
fraught with the most injurious results both
TO our nation and the slaves themselves
During his hall hour, he was listened TO in
silence and with attention. but il was easy
TO see, by the CountenanCcs OF the audience
and even Of the respectable committee who
occupied the platform, that he was pleading
against prejudice, and had difficult task 10
perform. Now Thompson their favorite,
arose and at the first and each succeeding
burst OF eloqUence (for lie is a fluent and
handsome speaker) he elected applause.
Cries OF "hear, - "hear % rang through the
house, in despite fall the worthy chairman
could do TO prevent il and | was almost a.
fraid Mr.. b. would be utterly discouraged
but the true kentucky blood stirred liz his
veins, and nothing daunted, he again took his
turn, and told the folks some facts they had
7euer heard before Curiosity and doubt now
seemed 10 reign, till their champion again
arose, and smooihed over things lItle
The next evening Mr.. rs argumsnts were
pretty much repetition Of those advanced
on the first, and MIR. b. told him So
Whispers were now running through the
crowd that he CHR. B. } was ''cIever chieL'
-'dinnG ye think, mymon that IhOmpSOn's
caught u tartar" &c. &c.-On Wednesday
evening there was less applause for Thomp-
son and on Thursday, he ,caS actually hiss
ed, and Mr.. b. roarmly dPplauded. You
may be sure was delighted at the success
Of my townsman and at the same time,
gave the good people of Glasgow credit for
such good sense, now that they knew the
truth, and the arhole truth 4; for il was not of
downright iaIsehood That Mr. 7. stood nccu
sed, but OF not telling the tcho!e truth of
some dreadful tales. The last evening was
act 50 interesting, hut each speaker, at his
parting address, was TouuIy ~LAared Alto.
gether, the discussion was highly interest
ing (; and having TO doubt il will be pro
ductive Of much good F.; especially as the de
bate is to be published an ertensO