Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1847-06-10

or adjourned session OF Inc huitiisdu f1hu
Slavery Society,"" We therefore listened with
silence to the negro orator. and though he
suprerDest disgust possessed Us at the scene
which we contemplated, we felt 1t would De
an intrusion to disturb the harmony oil this
heterogeneous and mongrel crowd. Wnen
however, he proclaimed TO the meeting that
Le hated our country--that he desired 10 see
our constitution, that sacred guarantee oil our
liberty and happiness, torn into thousand
fragments and scattered TO the four winds OF
Heaven, rather than the institution oil slavery
should be longer submitted to--when, with
sacriIepious and reasonable tongue. he pro
claimed TO an American assemblage that the
present war with Mexico was waged for the
sole and only purpose of perpetuatiDg slavery
and extending the area Of bondage 10 their
fellow men-when we witnessed and were
almost deaiened by the boisterous applause of
these fanatics, who are blacker in heart than
the skins of those whom they affect 10 protect
when we saw negro, fugitive, perhaps
an abducted slave, speaking thus in calumny
and stigma OF our noble country, 1t was more
than we could bear. Suahan leaped upon
bench, pronounced il fosl slander--ag gross
libel upon our government Nothing daunt-
ed by hisssss and cries of "Put him out"
"Down with hint" his little guard rallied TO
him ere the assault amounted to any thlng but
the knocking off of his hat, and we all insist
Cd that he should be heard, that America and
Americans were entitled, in all places and
| upon all occasions, TO resent an insoence to
their country; that the confusion, fast growing
to riot, should never be quelled until our
manly champion was permitted an audience
| He was then accompanied by his friends TO
the stand, amid the applause of the few, and
the Kisses of life white and colored mass OF
wreiches, who. being dastards, feared more
offensive manifestation of their displeasure
and indignation. Once upon the rostrum, we
were content; and in few moments our col
ored brother yielded the floor to Mr. Strahan.
| 1t would have made the heart ofeverY south
erner thrill with pride and pleasure and graft.
| tude, to have heard the noble sentiments OF
! their eloquent, earnest, but cool and elf-pos-
sessed advocate. HIS refutation was not only
manly aud patriotic, but complete and trium-
phant---and not the less so, because 1t was de-
livered with becoming dignity, calmness and
| good temper. 1t was one OF the very best
speeche, ever heard; and when it is remem-
| bered that the whole crowd, with some few
exceptions, were against hlnl--that Kisses
| from negro lips, and Interruptions OF the most
| insolent and disorderly nature, were pressed
upon him, it may be considered an unusual
| w effective one. He answered interro4toreS,
| put more 10 discomfort him than 10 be .enlgh-
tened themselves, from men and women oil
all coiors, with equal complacency and prompt
ness. A sketch, however, of this speech, re-
pleie as ii was with beauties and rare excel
lences, you will have seen better done than
could give you. Suffice il TO say, when he
sat down, he did so under great increase Of
sentiment IN his favsr. send you extracts
from some of the papers OF Yesterday morning
ciraracterizing the whole proceedings OF this
meeting, and particularly the three gentlemen
who remained at Mr. Strahan's side upon the
lostrum. The Tribune, small concern, and
real negro paper, characterizes us as rowdleSi
Sc, willie the Herald treated us with more
consideration, thossh there are some illusions
do not approve.
When Mr. s. concluded, the pealsd- onion
headed Jsui,ical Chairman, Garrison, rose,
snesrsd al the speech, saw nothing in 1t (as
who would have expected him 10 do!) worthy
of notics-and with his wicked tongue invad
ed even christians and christian churches as
aidors and abetlors in this ''unholy system"
His inyocations to God himself were cant
ed "by the memories Of the noble Torrey" and
Others whom they would have us believe were
sailled martyrs in this ''human and religious
cause" and each word that fell from the lips
OF this old amaigamator, brought down thun-
dering evidence ofconcurrent sentiment from
the infatuated and crazy crowd.
In the course of the remarks OF Mr. Stra-
han, ne was advancing with great force and
energy the argument that there could be nc
political without social equality, when voice
from the crowd said there was social equality
What said Mr. Strahan, is there TO be found
in this house white man who believes this!
Ifso. let him show himself and let me ask him
if he would yield TO the embraces OF his sooty
neighbor, cherished sister or beloved daugh-
teri He rose from his seat, came forth and
with serious tone and impudent aspect, SAID
yes, yes,-and the welkn rung with this
magnanimous and philanthropic sentiment.
Not content with this. he said that If he were
10 fancy ''colorcd lady," he would marry her
| il she likewise fancied hm!!l If you could
have seen the whitening look of contempt and
disgust with which this specimen OF human
ty was contemplated by s., and heard the
scathing rebuke which followed, you would
have feared for his annihation. AS it was, he
sLulksd beside his darby Dulcinea, and re-
gained soon, doubtless, in the sunlight oil her
swes smiles, his usual complacency
Strahan next took mp the assertion that
Douglass had made, that the war was urged
for the only object OF the extension OF the area
of slavery. He spoke in bitter and spirited
Terms of a New York audience, moi only sit
ting under such reasonable language from
the lips of a man who had DETAINED his coun-
| try at home and abroad, but actually with III
! furiated phrenzy had received il with shouts
Of applause. He pictured with an eloquence.
tina, Told even in that sonlbre crowd, the GER
tain and inevitable tendency OF such meeting
10 the disunion OF the States Of this, our great
and proud conitderacy. In the most master
| " manner, and with great power and energy,
! he Told them they were responsible for the
abuses with which slaves in some parts Of the
South were treated-that rlgor and stern,
(and where il existed) cruel treatment 10 them
was made, il not necessary 10 the safety OF
whole communities, at least justified by the
circumstances which surrounded our Difficult
~ in their management. He asked if there was
man who would see this Union dissolved!
and, to the credit of the rest be Il sand, there
was not one ,raitorous voice raised IN the al
firmatiye. The whole OF Srahan's speech
was an elegant specimen Of eloqucnce and
acuteness. characterized throughout by bold
ness Of manner. perspeuity OF style, and great
yigor Of thought The whole South should
know him. He was their friend, indeed and
IN need upon this occasion-and when we