Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1851-04-05
Geletttons.
From the North Star.
George Thompson in Rochester.

The visit of this distinguished orator and
philHnthropist TO this city, has impaired an
impulse to the cause of liberty in this section,
which will long be felt and remembered.
For several weeks previous to his arrival
among us, his coming was announced by the
"Daily Advertiser" in a manner well calcu-
lated to arouse all that was narrow, mean,
malignant and mobocratic, in the mind and
heart of this community.
MIR. Thompson was denounced as an ennis
sary, a British suj" foreign dgitdtor,
an "i,,solent interneddier with American in
stitutions," an "enewy Of The Constitution"
Il" "foul-mouthed hbeiier," and as deserving the
seyerest censures of the citizens of Roches-
ter.
The journal above named kept up an almost
incessant fire of this sort during more than
fortnight, making the most infiunmutory np-
peaIs to the bigotry and baseness of its negro
hating and slavery-loving patrons, and by i'm
plication calling upon them 10 deny the right
of speech to the distinguished stranger
Much more cautious, but not less misclIicv-
GUS, than the course pursued by the "Adver-
tiser," was that adopted by the" American !"
for while il was free from the brutal and
shameless nspcrsions upon Mr.. Thompson,
which characterised the former journal, it
nevertheless exerted itself with much adroit-
ness TO cast contempt upon the man and the
object that he came to promote. TO say that
the whole community was ngitated and ex-
cited TO degree hitherto unknown by the
approuch of any man to our city, is TO say
what no citizen here will be disposed to ques-
ton. Serious doubts and npprehensions were
entertained as TO whit would be tue result oil
his visit. Many thought that personal vio-
lence would be offered TO MIR. Thompson IT
he should essay TO speak on any subject, and
that damage would be done to any hall which
should he let for the purpose of receiving
him. Numerous letters were sent 10 the pro-
prietor OF the best hall in the city, threaten
ing violence aud destruction should that hall
be granted for meeting 10 be addressed by
Mr.. Thompson.
In view of these circumstances, il was
deemed best by our anti-slayery committee,
that the meeting should be held III broad day
light-indeed il was only upon this condition
that Corinthian Hall, 1.-THE most suitable, be-
cause the most magnificent III Rochester, u
not in Western New York; could be obtain
cd.
As soon as this fact was known, the enc
mics of free speech took our discretion as
concession, aud waxed more and more bold
in their digraceful and scandalous appeals to
the prejudices of the citizens aguinst the pro-
posed meetings, and against MIR. Thompson.
The sequel Of all these threatening circum-
stances has been such as TO cheer ana
strengthen the hearts of all those IN THIS
vicinity who wish well 10 the ant-slavcry
cause.
The first meeting of Mr.. Thompson was
appointed for Monday, at three o'clock, l.. Nj.
A large audience assembled, but retired
disappointed, by the failure of MIR. thompson
20 reach Rochester in time to address the
meeting.
Tuesday afternoon was therefore deter
mined upon, and notices 10 that effect were
circulated. The failure of the first meeting
was seized upon with avidity by the malig-
nants, and made the occasion OF much con-
tempt and ridicule. But Tuesday afternoon
came, and with it came dense crolcd Of The
best citizens of Rochester to Corinthian Hail.
not TO show their contempt for Thompson
but to mark with their most intense reproba'
ton aud scorn, the guilty men, who, abusing
the powers which their position enables illen
10 WELD 10 blast the fair reputation OF tni'
beautiful city with the deep stigma and dis
grace OF moD =,
rose and delivered an address of SURPRISING
eloouence, beauty and power. The shouts
of applause, so full, hearty and unanimous
which interrupted the speaker at various
points of the address, and the total absence
any expression of censure or disapprobatlon
dispelIed at once all apprehensions OF RIO
In Rochester, and thus revealed the weakness
offhlsehood and malice against truth and TN
sense of Justice in this community.
We give below the opening and concluding
remarks of Mr.. Thompson on this occasion
leaving the body of his lecture on British
Reform, for subsequent number.-r. D;
Mr.. Thompson said-Citizens OF Koches
ter, ladies and gentlemen:-lf l did no
stand before you in peculiar, l might sa.
wholly unexampled circumstances, It woul'
be my duty TO enter at once and without an
extraneous preface upon the discussion G
the topic upon which am announced to dc
liver lecture.
fully admit that a departure from the oil
dinary course would, without some stron
reasons, be in very bad taste, more especial
If il should be to indulge in references pei
sonal to myself There are some circuu
stances, however, and they will readily sul
rest themselves to your own minds, why
stand excused, nay, justified, II ! claim yor