The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1839-06-29
Letter from Mr.. Birney.
Cincinnati, j

CINCINNATI, June llth, 1889
| Brother Leauitt,-I left Putnam the day after
wrote you last, and arrived in this city on Mon
| day evening about dark. At three o'clock the
next morning was in readiness to take the coach
for Greensburg, Ind, that being the nearest point
on the stage route to the place advertised for the
meeting of our Indiana friends, at their first ami
versay. Mr.. Boyle, of the office here, went with
me. We arrived at Greensburg in the evening
There is not single avowed abolitionist in it
but one of our friends from the neghborho cd soon
called at our lodgings, and promised to make ar
engagements for conveying us to the place of meet
ing in the morning Mr.. Porter Clay, of Illinois,
now an agent of the Colonization Society, had lee
tured in Greensburg a few days before. This is
brother of the Hon. Henry Clay, and is the
same whose name was mentioned in connection
with the outrageous case of kidnapping which &C.
cured some time ago in Jacksonville, the village
in which he resides.
The next morning. wednesday, Mr.. Hopkins
CALLED for Mr.. Boyle and myself, and conveyed
US in his carriage to the place provided for the
meeting-six miles from the village. The Pres
byterian meeting house. large and commodious
building, in which it was supposed, when the APP
pointment was first made, we would assemble,
was refused to us. 1t was not only closed, but, |
understood, the doors and windows had been Sc
cured by additional fastenings, strong enough to
resist pretty forcible onset. Mind that this was
the doing of about one half the church-the 9TH
er being among our most active and prominent
friends.
In this state of things provision had been made
for the accommodation of the assembly, by the
erection of benches, and speaking stand in the
adjoining grove. found on arriving that con-
siderable number had already assembled, and that
the meeting was about 10 be opened with prayer.
After an address of an hour we had respite, du-
ring which we paltook of excellent and abundant
refreshments, furnished by our neghboring friends.
The afternoon was spent in the transaction of
the business usual on such occasions. At night
we were all comfortable quartered on the neigh
bors. The next morning, at an early hour, we
were again engaged in business. The resolution
on political action was discussed at great length,
and the most harmonious conclusions were attain
ed. We had among us Presbyterans, (mostly
from Kentucky,) Methodists, Protestants, Friends,
New Lights, &c., and yet every thing was con-
Quoted with the most undsturbed good under
standing. left at four o'clock, P. M. before the
meeting had finished its business, ia full report of
which | suppose, will be furnished soon for the
PhiIanthropst,) and reached Cincinnati on Sat-
urday afternoon.
AS the abolition sentiment prevailing among
our Indiana brothers, | think it is of the best
kind When men and women, too are content
to assemble for two days in the woods, to consult
on the bes. means of carrying on an unpopular
cause, YOU may be sure the root OF the matter is
in them.
Yours truly,
JAMES G. BlRNEY