State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1831-1836, 1836-11-29
VOL. WI. NO, G.
RHODE ISLAND ANTI SLAVERY
CONVENTION

- BNPNi 't'H5 bO u iiCSt
interesting account of the proceedings of
the Rhode Island Anti-Slavery Society, at
its first annual meeting on the 9th of No
vember. The convention was worthy of
the descendants of Roger Williams. We
subjoin two or three speeches, from indi-
yiduals whose names are favorably known
to many of our readers.
Mr. r. G. WILLIAMS of New York,
offered the following resolution:
That as the success of this cause depends,
under God, in a great measure upon the
dissemination Of our principles and plans
of operation through the medium of the
press, it is therefore the duty of its friends
personally, to make immediate and perse-
vering efforts to secure the reading of at
least one anti-slavery periodical in every
family in the land
He remarked as follows: This resolution
brings before us subject of duty which
has not heretofore received that attention
which its importance demands, viz: that of
making PERSONAL efforts to spread LIGHT
on this subject through the medium of the
press.
THE SUCCESS of this cause depends in
great MEASURE &c. Sir, it depends mainly
upon the press. Take away the aid, assis-
,tance and power of the press, and we might
about as well fold up our hands. The
question is often asked, what has your
press done Done? Why, Sir, it has
done almost every thing which has been
done in this cause. 1t has scattered anti
slavery papers all over the land-aroused
The mind of this nation from a death-like
apathy, and set not only this nation but the
civilized world, discussing the question
Of American slavery. The press, sir, has
probably made seven-eighths of all the
abolitionists in this country.
will give brief history Of the publra-
lion department of the American Anti
Slavery Society. At the anniversary of
that Society held in New York in May,
1885, resolution was passed to raise the
sum of $4,000 to be expended in promo
ting the cause, before the next annual meet
ing of the Society. On the strength of that
resolution, the Executive Committee great
Iy enlarged their plan of operations. They
commenced an is'ue of fifty thousand pa
pers per week. and showercd them down
upon all parts of the United States. They
~ere not sent IN slaves, as was alleged by
our enemies, but to Governors, Judges,
Lawyers, members Of Congress and of the
State Legislatures, Clergymen, Pos:masters
and Editors men whose names are found
In the public annals of the day. If the
slaves have got them, they have got them
through the hands Of their masters.
The South began to think that the foun-
tains Of abolition had broken loose, and
was all coming down upon them at once.
Something must he done. And what did
AiA,, 10 81. al k,Nl, ia h,,,Iy
open the post office at Charleston, s. c.,
seized two or three bags OF our papers, and
iynched them. Yes, sir, those papers suffer-
speak, They have spoken in tones of
thunder, which have been heard the world
over. The pro slavery journals of the
South not only published this astounding
fact to the world, but they advertised our
papers, published extracts from them, and
in one or two instances copied whole COL
umns of advertisements of anti-slavery,
&C., and sent them through the length and
breadth Of the slave States. The effect of
this cause was to set the public mind in
commotion with the South, and awaken Il
curiosity in the minds of all who can read
their b C's to see the incendiary prints
Within one year from the time of the
Charleston outrage, fifteen thousand copies
of the Society's publications were taken up
by voluntary cash subscribers-a thing I'M
heard of in the history of any other Moral
Reform publication ever started in this
country. For many of these subscribers
we were, no doubt, greatly indebted to the
gratuious advertisements of the pro-slaye'
ry press. Our opposers took the wrong
course to accomplish thoir object. Instead
Of putting us do,on they put MS and oul
principles up before the world-just where
we wanted to be.
The Society published regularly through
the past year from 10 to 10000 Nos. OF
these periodical publications per month
most of which were distributed gratuitous
ly by the friends of the cause in various
parts of the United States. The effect o
this distribution upon those who read, ha
been most favorable. In vain do they
search them for seditious and incendar,
doctrines, and almost invariably express
their astonishment that the South SHOULD
bring such charges against them.
This is the effect produced on Southern
minds, who candidly read and examine fo
themselves.
Again Our papers alone have been tn
means Of forming large and respcciabl
Anii.Slavery Societies. Many like tn
following have come to our knowledge.
A single No. of Human Rights--a lea
from the tree of liberty its way int
n town where they knew nothing of III
principles Of abolition. One individur
read it--liked it. lie circulated it anon
his neighbors they liked it. They order
ed quantity, and circulated them through
out the whole town. Soon an Anti SLAYER
Society WINS formed, embracing 40 malc'
besides females.
Through tho agency Of this Society, W
shall probably receive a thousand dollars q
more. So much for one No. of Human
Rights, which cost only five mills. AGai