The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-09-05
THE SBOEITIoNISTS In NEW YORK,
MEETINGS IN metropolitan HALL.
The Ministers Denounced as the Supporters
Of Despotism.
The Evening Meeting Dissolved in
a Row.

q kA0Ws
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Lucy Stone and Culver Kissed Down,
&c, &C., DC.
FTrst Meeting
The Anti-Slavery Society held its first meeting,
as announced, yesterday afternoon at three o'clock
in Metropolitan Hall. There were not more than
seven or eight hundred persons present Among
those on the stage were Miss Lucy Stone, Garrison,
and seTera other conspicuous individuals protesting
the some peculiar principles. The meeting was
presided over by Mr.. Lawrence whetmore.
After some singing by the Amphions. GARRISON
came forward and read portion Of the Scripture
He prcfaced this task by saying that there was no
COX which was held in greater vcneration by the
Americans than the Bible and yet there was no book
so little understood, or SO much perverted, as the
Bible. Rightly interpreted, know of no book which
is so valuable. propose to read portion from
jeremiah, as eminently descriptive Of our condition
as nation, at the present time. Mr.. G. here read
the 9Th and 7th chapters Of jeremiah; and when he
concluded
The PRESIDENT said that an opportunity was now
presented to any that desired to speak.
Mrs ELIZABETH PAXTON then came forward and
addressed the meeting. She is member Of the
Society of Friends in Pennsylvania and was dressed
in the plain costume Of that denomination. She
spoke Of the uncertainties of human life, and said
she desired to leave her blessing with the audience.
She then sat down, and her place was taken by
CHARLFs G. BURbEIGH, who informed the audi.
ence that he felt happy in receiving blessing from
one who was engaged in holy and righteous cause,
ond ho rcJ %box <ho - TT.
would rest upon their efforts. He believed it was
the cause Of God. and as such it must succeed. We
have not forgotten said he, who it is that we are
struggling for; we have not forgotten the wrongs
they have endured, the stripes the branding aud the
oppression that have been inflicted upon them. We
know that Christ came into the world for their de.
verancc, as well that of Others We believe that
you have come here to listen to words Of truth and
sobentss, and that you came here also to assist in
efforts This day has been set apart for religious
purposes by Christians; it is, therefore, a sacred
day, and we affirm that we employ this day fifty
when we occupy ourselves in SO good and
righteous a cause as that in which we are en-
gagged We desire to act In accordance with the
words Of the Sayiour-that we should do by others
as We would be done by ; and, desiring this, we
seek the liberation OF our brethren in bondage. Is
not ibis appropriate work for those who profess
Christianity, and who even adore the very name of
Jesus! Did he not come to preach to til. very
poorest And we know that he dwelt among the
for Christianity is positive religions it is aggres
sive, and is ever giving forth the watchword on
ward" to summon men and women to its service; 1t
requires its members to act in strict conformity with
its commandments. The true Christian must engage
in the battle, and buckle on his arrnor He must
wea1 The breastpatc Of righteousness and be earnest
active. and aggressive, and that continually Such
is the doctrine that preached to us from our child
IN hot NAV haor
cross before we can gain the CROWN that the way to
heaven is not the straight way, but is besct
with difficulties. We say, then, that when these
great moral questions come before us, we must take
hold Of and examine them, for by SO doing we will
be following the advice of the Scripture, to ex.
anime all things, and hold fast that which is goodn
If there are some who will not join in these great
movements, we must coy to them, stand out Of the
that just as far as Luther Calvin or Knox went, it
is only proper for us to go, and that we have no
right to go farther Those great men have taken
hold of the great timepece Of progress, and fad
hands at q certain hour; but we have no right to
m, ddle with it So these people believe, but we
must not believe with them; we must set our
time right and correct what is wrong. We
have. we no right to denounce the prosecutors
of the present day? Yes, on all prosecutors
from him who slew Abel down to the prosecutors of
our time, shall the judgment and punishment of
utdVcH idu. Leu TIC pcTScCutUTS IcdT tHc WdTuluB
that Christ gave in his day. Those the doctrines
that we abolitionists profess We believe that we
have mission to fulfil. We are the devotees of the
higher law we are not the Everetts, the Choatcs,
the Websters; are not the great men of the land;
we not prophets, nor the sons of prophets; but
we come in the spirit which bets religious enter
prse we follow the example of the great leaders Of
truth We claim, them for our enterprise, that it is
tianity which Christ himself inculcated. It will be
an easy matter to plead for the antislavery cause
when an abolitonist is in the Presidents chair; but
when in pleading that cause man is in danger Of
assault and is attacked with ridicule and obloquy,
then it is a merit to be an abolitonist.
Here the speaker closed, and was followed by
WILLIAM LLOYD GARRISON who said:-
Il is now more than eighteen centuries since the
song of the angel was heard Glory to God in the
highest, and on earth peace and good will to all men.
What is the condition OF Christendom at the present
time with Christ as its Redeemer in regard to the
rights of man, liberty, equality and fraternity
Glance your eyes over Europe and what is there
left of civil and religious liberty. What Russia,
France, aud other nations, but despotism, where
oyerrulipg tyranny keeps down the efforts of all
walls: and where it prevails there is no liberty.
What is the condition of the United States with the
Protestant religion? What is the condition of one
sixth of the population Of this country ! know
that in Catholic Europe they would be admitted to
the position Of human beings, and know that even
in Austria the black would be recognized as a free
man. What has our Protestant faith done for us I!
Turn your eyes South Of Mason and Dixo9's line?
What Of the liberty Of the press and speech there,
where we have no catholic faith, but the faith Of
Luther the pure religion of Christ il existed 1900
years agoy There Is not man here who does rot
know that the slave question cannot be argued at
the South. You may use spiritual means, but all
others are unlawful and will be punished by Judge
Lynch with tar and feathers, and the offender
hung mp on the nearest tree Kossuth aud
Mazzini will tell you that they do not
expect aid from the clergy OF Europe
for the are on the side Of despotlsm To whom arc
the friends Of liberty here to look for assistance
Not to the minister, for he is on the side Of the
stakeholder. We arc infinitely below the Maho n.
medans in this respect for it is fact that whoever
embraces the Mahommedan faith is from that mo-
ment free man. Are we to look to the American
church to pioneer the way for usl No. 1t is the
American church that seeks in the Bible for the
sanction of slavery; and how can such church do
any thing for those who in bonds? And so 1t is
with the minisfara of all relirnna-theY are ALWAYS