Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1864-03-10
N.-THURsDAY, MARCH 10, 1864.
Speech Of George Thompson.

At the close of Miss Dickinson's lecture in
Boston on Thursday, George Thompson, the
/ English abolitionist, was called for and re-
| sponded as follows:
| by Frinds If one unaceustomed to
public speaking is ever placed in an en-
harassing position it is when he is called up
on as an now TO alI.ess an audience that
has been SO charrrl ed and highly excited by
such elcquenee as that which it has been
yoor privilege ara my privilege TO listen to
to-aioat. Shakespeare savs g as when some
actor who has crossed the Stage retires, the eve
looks listiessiy TO see who follows next" and
SO l come before you tonight. Nine and
twenty years ago America cast me from her.
was vile, pcstilent man; was disturber
Of the public peace; was an enemy of the
Union was thought worthy to be dcnounc-
ed by your President and in an address to
Congress. 1 am unchanged; have not
wandered eff from the point on which l
then stood. but have preserved it without va
riabieness Or shadow Of turning. When /
was cast forth these were my last words:
America viii yet witness anolaer rerolu-
ton. The first, gceat, noble one WAS for
independence; the second, holicr, more be,
nlgn, more blessed, mere impartial, will be
for liberty. But you, the people of Hassa-
cilusetts, viii live, and pray God | mav
live to see the day when the, principles for
which am hated, ersecated, and banished
will be the principles of the Old Bay State.
| am no enemy Of America now have been
an all-but idolarQps admirer of your coun-
try. Bring me an American tonight aad
place him foot to foot with me, and let Us
see who is most an American in feeling,
In hopes or aspirations, he Or l. Thirty wears
ago saw this dark cloud upon the horizon
Nothing that has taken place i'll your coun-
try has surprised me but this, namely: your
enthusiasm for the cause for which l plead
apparently in vain. l have nothing to ad-
dress to you tonight, nothing have been
spell bound. America, be proud Of Your
daughter. Were she my country woman, l
should be prend Of my country for her sake
Appreciate her, reward her By following her
counsels. | must confess, long accustomed as
have been to public meetings, and hea ring
the best eloqusnce On either side of the At
lantic, and to hearing those who are esteem
ed our most gifted men in Parliament,
haEe listened to no speech which for its pa
thos, It's argument, its satire, its eloquence,
its humor, It's sarcasm, and its well directed
deEuneiations, has ever been surpassed by
any have heard before. [ pray God that
the life Of this lady may he. spared that she
may see the desire of her heart in the
unanimous adoption by her tellow-citizens of
the great principles enuneiated tonight
Give me America free from slavery Give
me America in which shall be established
universally, as your lecturer has said tonight,
without distinction OF cline, color, class, or
condition, liberty for ali, government BY all,
and for all. Then see some hope that your
great eNample-gaining the greatest victory
that mQrtals could win, the victory oyer
self-that your example viii cheer MY ooun-
try Oh and though we may be behind you We
shall follow after you. In the meantime
6 Cd bless you in your great struggle in this
fearful war, so that the graves which we have
heard of shall be covered up, and rich har.
vests wave over thom, when your constitu-
tion in all its plentitude and without it's COM
promises shall stand forth the admiration ef
the world. Il -