Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1851-08-16

tie trepadition so natural TO one ia an unired
position; but as Ilo proceeded, he found
himself listened to with attention and res
pect, he gradually rose above tho first slight
embarrassment, and was soon absorbed in
the grandeur of his mighty theme. He
spoke for an hour and half; aud when the
question was taken, the result was large
majority for the side TO which he had given
his advocacy.
1t was not long after this, that, having lis-
tened to an address by notorious infidcl
unmed Taylor, his spirit was so stirred With
in him, that he asked and obtained leave TO
reply 10 It on the spoi,-spcaking with such
spirit and effect as 10 leave on the audience
- widely dincwntinpressio from tlllt which
his antagonist had Intended.
Mr.. Thompson now became connected
with debating society, embracing mcm~
Oership OF many hundreds conducted in
parliamentary form, aud attracting by lis able
discussions of political, social, and moral
questions, much notice from the population
of that part of London where its meetings
were held. Here, the peculiar powers OF the
great orator were rapidly developed. Among
other questions engaging the consideration
OF the Society, that of slavery was debated
for fifteen or sixteen evenings. In this pro-
trncted contest, Mr. Thompson, as might be
expected, was found on the side of freedom; /;
and the thorough investigation which it led
him 10 make of the whole subject, in all its
bearing, was an admirable preparation for
the brilliant career, TO which, as the agent of
tho London Anti-Slavery Committee, he was
subsequently, called,
The rest of MIR. Thonpson's history, as
detailed by Mr.. May, is already so well
known that we need refer to il but briefly.
No man abored more earnestly or effective
ly than he, for the abolition of slavery in the
British West Indies. We should have been
pleased, it, in the rapid sketch given by Mr..
NJ. of the means by which this great act of
national justice was brought about, he had
found room TO mention the name aud the in
valuable services of the returned missionary,
William Knibb. The system of apprentice
ship established in the place of slavery, hav-
ing been SO perverted as TO become the occa-
sion of expressions scarcely moro tolerable
than those of slavery ITSELF it was found me-
cessary TO fight the battle over. According
Iy, Mr. Thompson, after his first visit to the
United States, again entered the field,-and
again triumphed. The apprenticeship was
abolished, aud IFS subjects became truly free,
Aug. j, 1888. Then followed the Corn Law
agitation, in which he bore conspicuous
pnrt,-spurning the splendid bribo 10y which
the landed aristocracy sought 10 secure his
advocacy of their interests, and giving his I
nnbought services TO the poor, Next came
his laborious searching out the cause that he |
knew not, in the distant realm of India, and /
his mastery exposure of the Comphny's
inlsgovernmeut Of that realm, the fruits Of
which are yet to appear. Ills election TO
Parliament by the largest constituency in the
United Kingdom, that of the Tower Ham I
lets, bis defence in that body of Irish inter- /
ests which even the Irish members had ahan-
doned, and his recent visit TO this country,
arc all fresh in the public recollection.