Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1851-05-17
No. 35.
George Thompson in Rochester,


window, like "shecp when the Wolf chases the
Aocl." Here by the quiet fresido Of one of
our good friends, seize the first favorable op-
portunity, since the Thompson and North Star
Festival, to tell you somewhat about it, feeling
albeit, rather fant-hearted at the thought of
trying to give you even & faint idea Of the glo-
rious eloqucnce Of Thompson, but you must
hear something about it from my pen, inasmuch
as there is no other, q supposc) at your service
Just now.
A few Of the excellent and entorprizng la
dies of this place, wishing another opportuni-
Ey Of listening to eloquencc which has charmed
thc world and, also to show their gratitude to
Thompson for his former heaven directed cf-
forts, decided to hold Fair on the afternoon of
the 2Sth, and have speech from him in the
evening Corinthian Hall, the most beautiful
and best adapted for the purpose of any in the
city, / suppose, was secured, besides tho scrvi
,ccs of the famous Scotts Band. The hall was
lofty and wide, with beautiful Cornthian pill
lars from which l suppose it takes its namc.-
Tastefully decorated rcfrcshment tables were
set ON each side, and in end two tables of ar
ticlcs, for the sale of which, the hall was opened
at 2 o'clock in the afternoon
could not avoid thinking however, that the
great bare walls and windows without blinds,
needed the effect of wreaths &c., of flowers and
evergreen. In this season of flowers, magn-
fcent display might have been made, festive,
and rare scene presented in that noble hall, but
there arc only few to perform the really ardous
labor Of preparation for an occasion like this, and
they are among tho most earnest and devoted.
In the evening the hall was finely lighted up,
and what was better, filed with intelligent, eager
and earnest faces, all turned to the stand.
Samuel j. May made the opening speech, then
g. w. Putnam delivered poem, (Which you
will sec in the laboratory in such unaffected, |
beautiful and impassioned style, that thought |
Thompson could not thrill the hearts of his |
hearers more.
When Thompson rose, said to myself, like |
the honest dutchman about our friend NJ II. |
Robinson, "My c. is that the mani who has
turned two worlds upside down. the hero, the
martyr, the god of cloqucncci" frankly con-
fcss that at first was disappointed, but when
he turned his eyes away from his miserable de-
tamers in Rochester and other places to those
who suffer and are dumb, who arc oppressed
and revilcd, and cannot plead for themselves,
then began dimly to discern, and when the
fiery, and loving soul began to warm and grow
bright with his theme, and to pour itself out in |
tones of heavenly pity of fiery remonstrancc |
and thrilling appeal, saw the secret of his pow
er, and ceased to marvel that the world bowed |
and listened l thought about "Orphcus with |
his lute,' and wondered if Orpheus was thin |
nervous man, with woman face and small
voice. But hope you will in good time have
an opportunity of seeing and hearing for your
selves. Mr.. Thompson has really "given color
to the idea," that he might be induced to attend
our anniversary if it was held in Cleveland or
Ravenna, but moro of this, when l shall have
seen him in Syracuse, whittier suppose he has
gone by the morning train of cars.
Next evening met him at party, where of
course he was the life and soul, and heard him
describe his first visit to America. wish all
Ohio could have heard him, not only because
his story was intensely interesting in ITSELF but
because he isquite as inimitablc a story-tellcr
as public speaker. No one can be moro simple
and natural, free and kindly, and clear of Eng
lish pomposity. No one can be less English in
the repulsivo sense, and moro American in the
pobiest sense
] have spoken of Sojourncr Truth in former
letter, but before 1 had any true appreciation of
her great strong character Think of a woman
65 years of age who never knew how to read,
and who spent all the best years of her life in
slavery, under the most untoward and crushing
circumstances, springing upon the arena OF this
great conflict with an energy, and overwhelm-
ing power that we might look for in vain among
the most highly civilized and enlightened. Her
heart is as soft and loving as child's, her soul
as strong and fixed as the everlasting rocks, and
her moral sense has something like inspiration
or divination. If any one wants to play bo-
peep game with truth, as Douglass Jerold says, |
beware of Sojourner,' simple and artloss as she |
herself is hef eye will sec your heart and ap-
prehend your motives, almost like Gods
Nothing could bo more characteristic than her
name truth indeed seems to have taken refuge
and by sojouyning for a season in the person of
this poor untaught, unknown slave, and her
perfect originality is shown in the choice of it.
It seems as though ignorance bad been the
shield to guard her rare intuitions, her great
pure heart and strong individuality from any
worldly taint. She also talks Of visiting Ohio,
and if she should, my heart cries out, o people
of Ohio, appreciate her, and take her to your
hearts. need not say the same of Thompson,
he will not be long in finding his way to your
hearts. His oloquonce is irresstably captivating
and my only fear is he wont get out of our
State with whole skin. Tell friend Ito |
put on his most fascinating smiles for the good
time coming, and if he behaves well, his house
may perhaps have the honor, &c., &c. He went
with party of friends to hear "Me rappings'