Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1847-09-03
From the National 4. s. Standard.
Letter from Frederick Douglass.
MOB AT HARRISBURG.

My DEAR GAY:-I regret that my first
letter for the STANDARD should be such n one
as | am now about to write, and that | have
to record facts which may create anxiety
among the Anti Slavery friends in the East,
on account of the safety of friend Garrison
and myself. We were last night confronted
by a most brutal and disgraceful mob-the
first fruits of our Western tour, a sort of fore
taste of what may await us further VEST
To the everlasting shame and infamy of the
people of Harrisburg, | record the fact that
they are at this moment under the dominion
of mob law and the freedom of speech and
the right of peaceabIy assembling is cloven
down; and that the officers appointed to pre-
serve order and to protect the rights and
privileges of the people, have basely, by their
Indifference, consented to this sacrifice to the
Moloch Of Slavery. Let this internal act Of
devotion 10 tyranny be published and repub-
lished at nome and abroad. in the New and
in the Old World, that all may learn the
true character of American freedom, and our
republican love Of law and order. But TO
the facts.
A meeting was convened in the court house
Of this town last night, TO hear addresses on
Slavery by Mr.. Garrison and myself. At
the time appointed, Mr.. Garrison was pres
ent, and commenced the meeting by a calm
statement of facts respecting the character Of
Slavery and the slave power, showing in how
many ways it was a matter deeply affecting
the rights Of the Northern people. He spoke
with little or no interruption for the space OF
an hour, and then introd uced me TO the audi
ence. | spoke only for a few moment when
through the windows was poured a volley OF
understandable eggs, scattering the contents
-. ,ha dash in Which 1 ctood and npon fhe
wall behind me, and filling the room with
the most disgusting and sitting STENCIL
The audience appeared alarmed, but disposed
TO stay, though greatly al the expense Of theil
o"lfactory nerves. ], thinking ! could stand
it as we'll as my audience, proceeded with
nv speech, but in a few moment we wert
Interrupted and startled by the explosion o
a pack of crackers, which kept up a nois,
for about a minute similar TO the discharge o
pistols, and being on the ladies' side, create,
much excitement and alarm. When thi
/ subsidized, | again proceeded, but was at ono
+ interrupted by another volley of added eggs
which again scented the house with Slavery
choice incense. Cayenne pepper and Scotc
: snuff were freely used, and produced theI
J natural results among the audience. J pre-
ceeded again, and was again interrupted b
another grand influx of rotten eggs. On
struck Garrison on the back, sprinkling j
S essence all over his honored head. AT III
point a general tumult ensued, the people
The house became much disturbed and alarr
ed, and there was a press tOward the doc
way, which was completely wedged wi
%people. The mob was now bowling wi
hendish rage. l could occasionally hi
; amid the tumult, fierce and bloody cries
u 'sth,ow out the Niger, THROW OUT THE nj
GER" Here friend Garrison rose, W
that calm and tranquil dignity, altogether
/ culiar to himself, and said-[speaking
> himself and me,) Our mission to Harrisbl
- is ended. If there be not sufficient love
10 liberty and selfrespect in this place to ?
5. teot the right Of assembling, aBd the freed