New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1844-10-11
VOL. Nv. NO. leo.
a scene on Lake Erie-,Ir. Bsrney.

Scene on Lake Erte-air. Esrney.
| To The Editor of The Tribune:
! Tuesday the 1st Of October charming
day, and as the fine steamer the Western left the
docks at Cleveland the prospect of q pleasant
sail to Buffalo was enchanting. Nor were we dis
appointed. Scarcely rufae disturbed the bo-
som of the Lake through the day, and the gor-
geous setting of the sun, which seemed to aink
gently into the Western waters like burning
mountain let down by giants hand, gave strong
hope of clear and quiet night.
| After we left the Cleveland docks it was ru-
mcred that the Liberty candidate for the Presiden-
cy, Mr.. Birney, was on board, and that according
to previous arrangement he was to deliveraa Abo-
lition lecture in the evening. All seemed graft
fled at the announcement And after tea the
large saloon of the boat was put in order and the
passengers collected. Mr.. Birney WAS called
out, and made an address of nearly two hours in
length. Whilst very strongly imbued with his
political views on Slavery, 1t was however mainly
political, and much of it was devoted to the abuse
of the two great Political parties which now d.
vide the country. He sent every Stakeholder to
perdition without the least ceremony, and dealt
out his anathemas against Churches and Minis
tiers most profusely. And when he sat down,
although his audience remained perfectly quiet,
they gave evident tokens of dissatisfaction.
What would be the next move none could tell.
The reading of the Speech Of Cassius Al. Clayat
Boston was called for, and after the hearing Of a
few paragraphs, was objected to, because of its
party politics. During the address of Mr.. Biz
ney gentleman was seen at the lower end of
the table taking notes. Who he was no person
on board knew and now call was made for
6 the gentleman at Inc foot of the table," After
being called up repeatedly, he finally rose and
said, that "he came there as did the other pas
sengers, to hear MIR. Birney, and that whilst he
strongly dissented from his positions, he wished
no controversy with him." But the cry came
louder and louder, +" Go on, Go on" With OBJ
yious reluctance the stranger arose, and taking
up one by one the arguments of MIR. Birney, he
placed them in light laughably ridiculuue, and
clearly demonstrated that the action OF the Abo-
litionists, instead of improving the condition Of
the Slave, is aggravating 1t, and that the removal
of Slavery from our country, an event most ear
nestly to be desired, must be obtained by other
agency than theirs, and by men actuated oy
far different spirit
On the conclusion of the address of the stran-
! ger, Mr.. Birney asked and readily obtained lib.
erty to reply. He occupied another hour in the
ponent and in the most pitsble efforts to get out
OF the dilemma in which the stranger had placed
| him, that if elected President he could not take
the oath of Office without renouncing his prlnci-
pies on the one hand or foreswearing himself on
the other. Churches that refused TO act on his
| principles he denounced as anti Christian Church.
| es and Ministers who opposed his views, no held
up to ridicule as wolves in sleeps clothing
When he ended, it was after eleven O'Clock
The stranger again rose in reply. Not an indi-
ydual was seen TO move. Excited by what he
deemed personal in remarks of Mr.. Birney, he
| laid hold of his main positions and demolished
them. He showed Abolitionism, as embodied in
the conduct, and acts, and spirit, of its modern
apostles, to be epuit OF ianaticism which would
Tread down every thing that is dear and sacred in
the State and in the Church to gain its purpose ;
instead of seeking to gain its end by the preserya-
ton of these. OF Mr. BrRey, he said, he had
heard mach and favorably, both as Christian
and Philanthropist; but from the specimen
which he gave of his temper and principles it was
obvious that he was sinking the Christian in the
fanatic, and the Philanthropist in the demagogue
The debate closed at haifpest eleven, when a
vote was Immediately taken, and out of the mul.
titude that heard the discussion MIR. Brney had
sir votes for the Presidency, and two OF these
were females!
The utmost anxiety pervaded the boat to know
who the stranger was, but none knew, nor would
he inform any one. On reaching Buffalo he was
repeatedly solicited to give his name, but declined
He travelled Eastward in the cars carrying with
him the grateful thanks of many for his entire
using up of the hero ofmodern Abolltionism.
This night on Lake Erie will never be forgot.
ten by One WHO HEARD ALL.