The Port Gibson reveille. (Port Gibson, Miss.) 185?-1857, 1853-02-23
Correspondence of the Reyeilre.
- CAMBEIOsE, Jan. 2Sth. 1853.

I
DEAR REvEILLE: -
The citizens of Boston are
both interested and amused by the proceed
ings of the members Of convention of Abo-
litionists, now being held in that city to
attend which, are gathered together all the
notorious men, and ladies Of fame, no less,
that i've the honor to belong to that very
benevolent and praise-wOrthy--sect. Being
inform %, that Wendell Phillips. whose repu-
tatioVhs an orator in the East, is second only
to - Of Mr.. Everett. was expected to ad-
dress be convention, last evening, in company
with bme friends. went in to hear him.
W. hardly hoped to be able to procure ad-
missiyn, so great a crowd did we imagine
would thrOng to see aud hear the orator for
we ! pew the avidity with which the denizens
Of modern Athens, like those Of old. rush
to hd Ar every new or startling thing. put forth
by 4 be Of even the least distinction.
bu may imagine our surprise, therefore,
wheh, upon entering the door, which was
guafded by an individual. whose face if not
hisbfection, was black as Erebus. and whom
weFTere obliged to propitiate by the present Of
Sode. silver, we discovered the hall to be
not more than half full /; and thar half was
not composed Of those whom native Of b.,
proud Of his city and Of its society, would
be very desirOus Of showing to stranger. as
a fair specimen of its intelligence, refinement
or beauty.
There was some one upon the platform
very bed in the face.
with kpectacles on nose, and pouch on side,
His you fhfu hose well saved, world 10 wide
For his lhrunk shank"
WhqmoEing backwards aud forwards, was
speaking at the top of his voice, and saving
the af with bis arms with as much earnest
ness as if he really believed what he was say
ing to be true; and was very desirOus that
others should entertain the same opinion.
Some one among the audience every now
and then, inSthe intervals Of the storm, was
replying with equal earnestness
After taking our seat, and listening for
few moments. we ascertained that one Of the
afore mentioned individuals had presented the
petition of fugitive slave, who it seemed had
recently arrived, and who was somewhat in
want. not of the sympathies. but Of the mon
ey of the faithful. (which you know is quite
different matter) for the purpose Of assisting
him, and also that portion might be sent
back TO the State from which he had come.
for the purchase OF his family. whom in his
haste at leaving had forgotten to bring with
him.
The other individual, Che Of the shrunk
shnnk) was opposing, this petition and was
declaring that "he did not believe in assisting
fugitive until he was assured that he really
was a runaway. They had been deceived
too often by pretended fugitives. He always
liked to examine them, and be als0ays found
that if he was fugitive. that be could not
look white man in the face. IL was an in
variable rule. And then as TO buying the
family of the fugitive, who we're left behind
in bondage. he was opposed to that also Be-
cause. every slave that was purchased, but
served 10 rivet the chains Of the rest Of the
slaves. 1t was but furnishing an outlet for
the surplus slave population Of the South
it was but furnishing a market, and a very
good market too, to which the slave holders
could send their negroes, for they could get a
higher price here than anywhere else and
they were finding it out too he t0as far free
ing them all, and concluded by saying that
the other Gentleman was an enemy to the
cause, and wanted to break up the meeting
To this kind insinuation il was replied that
"it was not so-no sir! have been labor
ing in the cause for more than twenty years,
and have never received single red cent for
my services; while you, sir, are the paid
agent, and make your bread and butter by
the cause
At this retort, he of the shrunk-shank sat
down; not. however. before casting look of
indignant scorn at bis opponent. as il he wish
ed that the man who had thus talked to him,
was only bread aud butter, be would soon
stop such calumnies then.
These discussions over. the Chairman an
nounced "Wm. Lloyd Garrison.
OF many distinguished or notorious men,
Of whom we've heard, we always form some
idea Of bis figure or personal appearance and
manners; and almost invariably are we dis
appointed. But. without pausing to give you
the conception had formed of GarrisOn's
person, from the knowledge | had of the mans
character, I'll present him as he is. Imag-
Inc man Of the common stature. rather
slight-buiIt, with remarkably mild and benev-
olent countenance, lighted though with lus-
trous and cunning eye; a high forehead, and