Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1846-10-30
Thomas Garrison.

The venerable Thomas Clarkson was born
nj Wisbeach, on the 93th of March, 1900
Hs was the son of a gentleman who held the
Masiership of the Free GrAmmer School in
that town. His education, which had heen
under his fathers eye, was completed at 81.
Johns College, Cambridge. Here Mr..
Clarkson had already attained distinction,
when an event occurred which had a materi-
81 influence on his future career. la the
year 1885, DR.. Peckhard was Vice Chancel-
Tor of tho University, and he announced to the
senior Bachelors OF Arts the following ques-
,ion. as a subject foi IA prize Latin disserta-
tion-'ls it right to make slaves OF others a.
Cainst their will!"
In the preceding year Mr.. Clarkson had
gained the first prize Tor the Latin disserta-
ton. Filled with an earnest desire 10 sus-
tain the fame thus acquired, he repaired to
London, and purchased as many books con-
nected with the subject of slavery AS he
could possibly afford to buy. With these he
specify returned to Cambridge, an set him.
self earnestly to the work OF preparing TO
compose his essay. But 81 p%ainfuI to him
was the perusal of these volumes, that for a
considerable time he scarcely took any rest
day or night, and he ceased to regard the rs
say as Il mere trial for literary distinction;
his great desire being to produce IA work
which should call forth IA vigorous public If
fort to redress the wrongs OF the Atrican.-
Hencefor,h Clarkson devoted all his whole
energies to the abol ton of slavery.
He very soon formed an alliance with the
celebrated William Wilberlorcr, who, in
1887, undertook to bring the subject before
Parliament. A Committee was appointed
for the purpose Of org tnizing an association,
and the work Of controversy begin in earnest.
Some what in the manner OF the modern agl-
ta,ors, Clarkson went about from town TO
iown-from Liverpool TO Bristol, aud from
Bridgwater to MISUNDERSTANDING TO make
converts and to overcome the prejudices OPP
posed by indifference as well as seli-inter-
est. Years were spent in this process
books were published, meetings were held.
evidence was collected, petitions were for
warded to Parliament, successive motions
were made by Mr.. Wilberforce, and length
cned discussions in the House of Commons
took place. Vigorous efforts were not want
ing on the other side, and "a violent agitation
was the consequence. The Prlvy Council
entered into an examination Of the subject.
and made a report. Counsel were heard at
tho bars of both Houses, and Witnesses were
carefully examined.
Clarkson's exertions during the whole OF
this struggle were untiring. But they were
nut UttOlo tllC lhOilbt "iif Ahl'SN ."
being duly appreciated at the time. Some
years elapsed before the triumph OF the Anti
Slavery cause was complete, for the abolition
measure did not become law until the 25th
March, 1907. But much more remained TO
be effected the slave-irade was alb JIished,
but slavery still existed. The year 1884
crowned the efforts of the Antl-SIavery party
with success. In that year a sum OF ESQ.,
600, 900 was granted by Parliament to the
slave-owners, and Clarkson's mission was
accomplished.
The claim Of originality ought not perhaps
10 be demanded for him but if not the orig
inator. Clarkson was the Promethous Of the
Anii.slavery movement-he gave The fire Of
life 10 the siumhering opinion against Negro
Slavery. This is not the place TO raise any
question about the eXtravagancics ard mis-.
ohievous modes Of agitation into which the
Ant-Slavery party have been betrayed, Is.
pecially in their later years. Thomas Clark
sons was a great task his devotion was no.
bla , his success was the dawn Of a better fu.
turs for tho Negro raeeI and no one will
prudas him a particle Of The donors which
s.isndaa bis gentle decline to resi- 10 the En
ress 81 ysaS.-Eondon SpeetG'or.