The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-05-31
HON. CHARLES SUMMERS LECTURE,

THE ANTI-SLAVERY ENTERPRISE:
ITS
NECESSITY, PRACTICABILITY, AND DIGNITY;
Glimpses Of the Special Duties of the North.
M. President and FELLOW Citizens OF Neso York
You have aptly said, Mr.. President, that we
are on the eve of a contest, and l shall be hap
Ply if any words that may fall from my lips may
invigorate single soul to perform the duty
which becomes freeman. History abounds
in vicissitudes. From weakness and humility,
men ascend to power and place. From defeat
and disparagement, enterprises are lifted to tri-
umph and acceptance. The martyr of to-day
is gratefully enshrined on the morrow. The
stone that the builders rejected is made the
head of the corner. Thus it always has been
and ever will be.
Only twenty years ago-in lS35-the friends
OF the slave In our country were weak and
humble, while their great Enterprise, Just then
showing itself, was trampled down and despised
The small companies then gathered together in
| the name of Freedom were interrupted, and
| often dispersed by riotous MODS. At Boston,
feeble association of women, called the Fe-
male Anti-Slavery Society, convened in small
room of an upper story in an obscure building,
was insulted and then driven out of doors by a
frantic crowd, politely termed, at the time an
assemblage of gentlemen of property and
standing" which, after various deeds of vio-
lence and vileness, next directed itself upon
William Lloyd Garrison-known as the deter
mined editor of The Liberator, and the origina-
tor of the Ahti-Slavery Enterprise in our day
and, ruthlessly tearing him away, amid savage
threats, and with halter about his neck, drag.
ged him through the streets, until, at last, guilty
only of loving liberty, if not wisely, too well,
this unoffending citizen was thrust into the
common JAIL for protection against an infuriate
populace. Nor was Boston alone Even villa
ges in remote rural solitude belched forth in
similar outrage; while the large towns, like
Providence, New Haven, Utica, Worcester, AL
ton, Cincinnati, Baltimore, Philadelphia, and
New York, became so many fiery craters, over
flowing with rage and madness. What lawless
violence failed to accomplish was next urged
through the forms of law. By solemn legisla-
tive acts, the Slave States called on the Free
States, promptly and effectually to suppress
all associations, within their respective limits,
purporting to be Abolition Societies." and
Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and New York,
basely hearkened to the base proposition. The
Press, too, with untold power, exerted itself in
this behalf, while the pulpit, the politician, and
the merchant conspired to stihe discussion,
until the voice of Freedom was hushed to a
whisper, "alasl almost afraid to know itself"
Since then, in the lapse of few years only,
a change has taken place. Instead of those
small companies, counted by tens, we have now
this mighty assembly, counted by thousands ;
instead of an Insignificant apartment like that
in Boston, the mere appendage of printing
Office, where, as in the manger itself, Truth was
Graded, we have now this Metropolitan Hall,
80 nrf,N ool
stead of profane and clamorous mob beating
at our gates, dispensing our assembly, and ma
king one of our number the victim of its fury,
we have now peace and harmony at unguarded
doors, ruffled only by generous competition to
participate in this occasion while Legislatures
openly declare their sympathies, villages, towns,
and cities, vie in the new manifestation; and
the Press itself, with increased power, heralds,
applauds, and extends, the prevailing influence
which, OVERLOOKING from every fountain, and
pouring through every channel, at last, by the
awakened voice of Pulpit, politician, and mer-
chant, swells into an irresistible cry.
Here is great change, worthy of notice and
memory, for it attests the first stage of victory.
Slavery, in all its manysided wrong, still con-
tinues; but here, in this metropolis-aye, sir,
and throughout the whole North freedom of
discussion is at length secured. And this / say
is the first stage of victory-herald of the tran
scendent Future.
'Hark glad voice the lonely desert cheers;
Prepare the way! God, God appears
A God God! the vocal hills reply;
The rocks proclaim tho approaching Deity"
Nor is there anything peculiar in the trials to
which our cause has been exposed. Thus in
all ages has Truth been encountered. At first
prosecuted, gagged, silenced, crucifed, she has
cried out from the prison, from the torture,
from the stake, from the cross, until at last her
voice has been heard. And when that voice is
really heard, whether in martyr cries, or in
earthquake tones of civil convulsion, or in the
calmness of ordinary speech, such as I now
employ, or in that still, small utterance, inau-
dible to the common ear, then is the beginning
of victoryl "Give me where to. stand, and |
will move the world" said Archimedes; and
Truth asks no more than did the master of ge.
ometry.
Viewed in this aspect, the present occasion
rises above an ordinary course of lectures, or
series of political meetings. 1t is the inaugu-
ration of Freedom. From this time forward,
her voice of warning and command cannot be
silenced The sensitive sympathies of property
NAV, in this commercial mart, once again rec
opnise property in man; the watchful Press
itself may falter or fail; but the vantage ground
of free discussion now achieved cannot be lost.
On this take my stand, anO, as from the mount
of Vision, behold the whole field of our great
controversy spread before me. There is no
point, topic, fact, matter, reason, or argument,
touching the question between Slavery and
Freedom, which is not now open.- OF all these,
/ might perhaps aptly select some one, and con-
fine myself to its development. But should
not in this way best satisfy the seeming require
ments of the occasion. According to the invi-
tation of your Committee, was to make an
address Introductory to the present course of
lectures, but was prevented by i'll health. And
now, at the close of the course, ] am to say
what failed to say at its beginning. Not IS
caucus or as Congress can address you; nor
ana 1 moved to undertake a political harangue
or constitutional argument. Out of the occa-
sion let me speak, and, discarding any individ-
topic strive sms to ns s al ia IN 81
and bounds.