Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1849-08-25
Selection ms.
From the Li6erator.
Interview with Father Mathew.

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On Friday morning, July 9th, DIR. II. |.
BowDITcH and myself went 10 the Adams
House, in order to obtain an introduction 10
Father MATHEW, and to be sure that the let
ter Of the Committee, inviting him to %partici-
pate in the celebration Of that great and glori-
Gus event, the entire abolition of British
West India slavery, tailed not TO be put into
his hands. Fortunately, we found him dis.
engaged, and were introduced 10 each other
by our esteemed friend, WM. A. WHITE, of
Watettown. What transpired during the in
terviow, (Which was a very brief one, as we
felt unwilling 10 trespass upon his tiae, and
as we perceived that the object Of our visit
was not particularly agreeable 10 him. was
substantially as follows:
Turning 10 ne, Father Mathew sSid-'Mr.
Garrison, your name is very familiar TO me-
YES | said, sailing, Il am somewhat noto-
rious, though not as yet very popular.' He
then added-'You have some very warm
friends in Cork told him | was aware Of
the fact, and also that in Dublin and many
other parts of Ireiand, there were many who
dseFLywSymPaihiz ed with ihe -anti.slaxery
movement in this country. Alter expressing
the strong desire | had felt to see him during
my last visit to Ireland, and my great disap-
p%ointment in not being able 10 visit Cork, |
ssid-'ln addition to the pleasure of taking
you by the hand, and welcoming you to A
merica, we have come to extend 10 you, in
behalf of the Massachusetts Anti-Slayery So.
cie,y, an invitation to be present at the cele-
bration Of the anniversary of British West
India Emancipation at Worcester, on Friday
next. Here is a letter, containing an invita-
ton in an official shape, which you are re-
quested 10 read at your leisure, and answer
as you may think duty requires Taking the
letter, with some agitation and embarTass-
ment Of manner he said, gesticulating in a
somewhat deprecative manner, as though an
indecent or unworthy proposition had been
made TO him-'l have as much as | can do to
save men from the slavery of in!emperance,
without attempting the overthrow Of any 9TH
er kind of slavery Besides, it would not be
proper for me 10 commit myself on a ques-
ton like this, under present circumstances
! am a Catholic priest; but. being here 10
proMote the cause Of temperance, | should
not be justified in turning aside from my
mission, for the purpose of subscribing the
cause of Catholicism True, you would
not | Ieplied-'for, in that capacity, you
would occupy very narrow ground, and be
acting for a sectarian object. But | do not
perceive any analogy in the case supposed,
10 the one presented to you. The cause Of
liberty and emancipation, like that of tenn
perance, covers the whole ground OF humani-
iy, and is as broad as the whole earth and,
therefore, you may as freely advocate the one
as the other o. said he, i am not in ia
vor Of slavery-l should never think of advo-
eating it-though don't know as we can say
that there is any specific injunction against
it in the Scriptures o. said /, interrupt.
ing him, and placing my hand on my heart,
Gtla iniunctinp is harp-Insjda nE evpTv hu-
man being Catholic priests are not in fa-
vor of slavery he replied. DO you intend
visiting the Slave States : | inquired, and
on receiving an affirmative answer, | said
We'll, | am confident you will find at the
South, Catholic priests and Catholic laymen
who are Shareholders and slave-buyers.' In
order that there should be no room for mis-.
conception, | distinctly said TO him, THE alb
olilionisis have no wish or design to divert
you from the great mission which you have
come TO America to prosecute ; on the con-
trary, they feel a deep and lively interest in
that mission, and desire that your efforts may
be crowned with abundant success. But they
trust that, while you are in the country, you
will occasionally find an opportunity, both in
public and in private, TO admonish yourcoun-
uymen 10 be true 10 liberty, and 10 give no
counlenance 10 slavery or its abettors; for
there is great need of such counsel, as they
are giving The weight of their religious and
political influence 10 the side Of the Slave
Power. They hold the key # the slaves
dungeon, as the balance of political power is
in their hands. Moreover, the anniversary
Of British Wesllndia Emancipation was deem
ed by us an event in which you would feel
a special interest, and might participate with
great propriety. We have not forgotten I
continued, that, seven years ago, an Ad-
dress was sent from Ireland, signed by DAN
aEL 0'CoSNELL, THEoBALD MATHEW, and
seventy thousand others, invoking The Irish
men and Irishwomen in America to join with
the abolitionists, as the only true and consist