The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1865-05-12
VIM. Lloyd Garrison at Charleston
He Speaks in Public on the Stage"

nO . pSahS III ubl1C Uu tIC DldSe.
Mr.. Garrison has reputation for saying
good things, and the occasion of his first ap.
peurance in Charleston, S. G., Was not al
lowed to pass unmproycd. In that city,
on tho day that the old flag was raised again
on Fort Sumter, ho bespoke as follows:
"My friends, am SO unused to speaking
in this place cheers aud laughter that
arise with feelings natural to first appear.
anco. You would scarce expect one OF my
ago--and antccedcnts-to speak in public
on this stage, or anywhere else in tho city
of Charleston, South Caroliua. [Chccrs. !
And yet, why should not speak hore;-
Why should / not speak anywhere in my
native land: Why should not have spokc u
here twenty wears ago, or forty, as freely as
any one? What crimo had | committed
against tho laws Of my country: l have
loved liberty, for myself, for all who arc
doar to mo, for all who dwoll on American
soil, COR all mankind. Tho head and front
of my offending hath this cxtcut no moro.
Cheers Thirty years ago put this son.
timont into rhyme:
IL am an aboltionst;
Iglory in tho name;
Tho now by slavory's minions hisged,
And covered ocr with shame,
II is spell o. light and power,
The watchword of the free;
Who shuns it in the trial hour,
Deserves not to be free"
said that in tho city of Boston, in 1885
and was drawn through tho streets OF that
city by violent hands. aud committed 10
jail in order to preserve my life. In 1865 I
say it, not only with impuuity, but with tho
appreciation OF all loyal hearts 10 tho city
of Charleston. Cheers Yes, wo are living
IN altered tines. To mo it is something Q
liko the transition from death to lifc-from
the cerements of tho grave to tho robes of
heaven. Iu 1929 first hoisted in tho city
of Baltimore the flag of immediate, uncon-
dltional, uncompensatcd Emancipation and
they threw me into prison for preaching
such gospel truth. My reward is, that in
1865, Mary has adopted Garrison abo.
litionism, and accepted constitution in
dorsing every principle aud idea that have
advocated in behalf of the oppressed slave
Tho first timo saw that noble man, Abra.
ham Lincoln. President Of the United
States, at Washing one thing
feel suro, either he has become Garrison
Aboliiionist, or | have become q Lincoln
Emancipationist, for l know that we blend
together, like kindred drops, into one, and
his braye heart beats for human freedom
everywhcrc-I then said to him Mr. Pres.
ident, it is thirtyfivo years sinco'l first Wis,
tied Baltimore. and when / went there ro.
Gently TO SEQ if l could find the old prison,
and, if possible, get into my old cell again,
found that all was gone Tho President
answered promptly and wi,tilv, as no is
wont to mako his responses. 'Woll. Garri.
son, tho difference between 1880 and 1864
ho haf IN, -
not get out, and in 1864 you could not get
olutiOn which has been brought about in
Mars land. For, if had spoken till was
as hoarse as am tonight, against slavery
and Shareholders, in Baltimore, there would
! have been no indictm ent brought up against
me. and no open prison to receive me.
But upon broader, sublimcI basis than
that, tho United States has rendered its yer.
dict. The people, on tho Sth OF November
last, recorded their purpose that slavery in
our country should bo forever abolished
and tho Congress of the United States, al
its last session, adopted, and nearly the
requisite number of States have already
voIed in favor OF an amendment to the
Constitution of tho country. forever making
| it unlawful for any man to hold property in
man. | thank God In view of these great
changes. Aboltionism, what is it: Liberty
What is liberty? Aboltionism. Wha, arc
they both: Politically, one is the Dcclara'
ton of American Indepeud eligiousIy
the other is the Golden Rule of our Savior
We shall have difficulties before us, bul
God will give us peace aud prosperity.
/ am here in Charleston, South Carolina
| She is smtten to the dust. She has beer
; brought down from her pride of place The
chalico was put to hor lips, and sho has
drank it tho dregs. have never been heI
enemy nor the enemy of tho South. Nay,
have been tho friend of the South, and in the
desire to save her from the great rotrlbu-
tion, demanded in tho name of tho living
God that eyery fetter should be broken, and
tho oppressed set free. / have not cnme
here with reference to any flag but that Of
freedom. II your flag does not symbolic
universal Union and freedom it brings nc
Union for me. If your Constitution does
not guarantee freedom for all, it is not q
Constitution l can subscribe to, If your flag
is tainted blythe blood of brother hold il
bondage, l repudiate it, in tho namo Of God
| came hero to witness the uniurling OF O
| flag under which every human being is tc
be recognized as entitled to his Freedom
any compromise of principles, l accepted
the invts<on of the United States TO be
present and witness the ceremonies that
| have taken place o.day.
Aud now lot me give the sentiment which
has been, and ever will be, tho governing
passion of my soul "Liberty for each, iol