Delaware Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1843-1874, 1866-05-28
r. Roopss 3Ik Mskst ssh Wimiagts
MONDAY MORNING. MAY 2s 1866.
[For the Delaware Republican, 49,
PRoOEEDINGs OF TIE YEARLY MEETING
OF PRoaE 5sIvE FRIENDS.

For the delaware heruphcan.I ~
PROCEEDINGS OF TIE YEARLY MEETING
OF PROGRESSIVE FRIENDS.
The thirteenth yearly meeting Of the Pro .
ersssiye Friends was held on thelsth, 9th and
10th ofJune, 1855, at Lougwood, Chester Co.,
Pa. Sasl
oliver johnson, OF New York; opened the
meeting with afew appropriate Fem arks and
read the roll; after which we hsd-a song from
Joshua Hutchinson of New iHsmpshire, who
favored the meeting throughout its sessions
withilovely, soul stirring music.
- Mr.. Garrison ofBoaton, made o short but
pithy speech; remsrking how fast time aies
away; we can hardly realixx that a year has
passed away siace We stood here, and what a
yesr 1t has been: war has. ragged and done It's
feartul havoc. but the rebellion, like the re.
bellien Of Lucifsr in Heaven, had tallsn; and
slavery Is gone-it is dead; where, 10 there a
State In " hich it exists1 (Some remarked In
Delaware.) He said we could do without Del
aware, but We could not do without some OF
so far as its political power 10 oohdernet-it
has none; but the spirit Of slavery still exists.
The speaker here tenderly referred to the de-
mise Of Thomas Whitson snd Jennis K. Smith,
who have passed TO higher grounds since we
met year ago. Yslu,..l
Thomas Wilson's name and character dc.
serve notice; yes, more than passing notice.
he was one Of that noble and daring few who
met In Philadelphia in 1888, as . band OF
'lawless Asolitionists," aa they were then
stigmatised Sixty Of them met there, mea Of
all shades OF political and religious opinions
and faiths; we forgot our opinions for the time
AMI thought only Of man ss a slave, and OF
woman upon the auction block; we remember
cd those In bonds as bound with them. We
rembled almost when We would mention this
meeting, for we did not know what might
come oft. We soon found that all who seek
the truth and the right are members OF the one
true church, and all such spirits gravitate to-
eelher from oil societies. Ia my younger days
| was made true Cslvinistic Baptist, and
could not understand how Quaker could ever
get to heaven, but now see tbs absurdity Of
it: Ibeiisvs we live right on after passing g
out Of this state of existence, aud as much
higher as the next state is so much the more
active shall we be.
Mr.. Hutchinson, who did all the singing
now sung "It Is well, it is weli.n and the meet
ing adopted testimonies In regard to our de-
ceased friends. -
Mr.. DARLINGTON moved that the sessions be
from 10 to l2& o'clock In the morning, and
TO iu the afternoon, adopted.
A business committee was appointed 70
recommend persons for clerks and treasurers.
Adjourned.
ABrIRNoes--lsT DAY.
William Lloyd Garrison was appointed
charmau and Mr.. Johnson aud Miss Doctor
stambacki clerks. Song, 81 hope for better
things" .,4 tr
There being no particular busness yet laid
before the meeting, the ehair announced 1t
open for remarks upon any ofIke great reform
questions OF the hour. .,
Mr.. Ames of Albany, New York, said no re-
which it occurred, 30 Lerd, we are all great
fools. " The spirit which will not acknowledge
that we are ignorant is not thsspirit we want.
We might learn from the churches something
about how to work; how to raise money and
then we would have means at hand to work
with and disseminate truth, for truth 10 the
great thing needed; and we might learn from
them in regard to teaching our children, for
this is their strong hold. The great work
which reformers have TO do is to give the
people what they want. | have a fear that
we will sink back into heathenism, If we
would save this nation we must learn every
mau, woman and child to be just.
A few years ago | read four OF Theodore
Parker's sermons, which came from this plat
form; they found me the pastor OF Baptist
church In Minnesota, but they did not leave me
there.
love the church more than many de; I
give her credit for what good think she does
she has great and true men in her ranks, al
though she did feed me on birthstone when |
was young II we tear down and do not build
up we are doing the DEVILS work, not Gods
Reformsrs sometimes become too xeslous and
rush forward and leave truths behind them
The Quakers left music behind and now have
to come back for it. Let every one make one
good and then there will be less bad in the
world.
Oliver johnson said our progressive meet
iugs have great deficiencies. The Qnakers
have failed on account Of not having educated
ministers. | would have man or woman who
would be competent to instruct and interest
the people who meet here from Sunday 70
Sunday, and would havea Sunday School,
aud instruc, the children in great moral prin-
ciples, and they iaust have moral and religious
teachers.
Frances D. Gage said the churches have
welcomed me every where except the Episco-
pal church; they refuse to have woman
speak in the church. The Quakers once put
man out of their church whore | was, and
all the man said was, "The promise Of Christ
to his disciples"
In some Of her experience among the freed
blacks down in South Carolina, she said she
would ASK some Oh tUObb VINO uhu ubcu llfiuk
as mau and wife under the slave regime il
they would like to be married In the church
according to rule adopted tor tbem, and the
man answered 90 yes, Missus. I wants to be
| married in the church, for deu | can whip
Lucy and she cant run away. But II whipt
her pow she will run away and leave me. =
(What a comment on the Christian institu
lion of marriage7) Shall woman have rights
| ii so, how is she TO obtain them, how is she Il
| obtain equality before the law2 are women no
competent to take care OF themselves2 How
| has 1t been with the country since this war
since It has been said "none but women wer'
left at home" We ask You to strike the wor'
| ser from the statute books, and let all hav
liberty and self protection
Dr. Heald, an enthusiastic dress reforme
and Hydropathist, next read lengthy disser
tation which favored q radical change in th
ladies, DIRE sses, and advocated with great Ees
the great superiority OF the american Goa
tune" for ladies. He saw in it vast amour
Of blessings for the race. %.
| g, 2D DAY--lsT SESSION.
Called TO order by the Chairman, who reh
a portion of the Bible, referring 10 the liber
alton Of the people under Pharoah. The bui
iuess committee presented testimonies againi
sla very and rebellion. Mr.. Hura said what
our duty, and next what is the duty Of th
government Very few Of the Northern State
have given the balio, to the 'colored man. Le
us be just at home. fear from the ignorauc
of the blacks at the South they would be 9
likely to vote against their own interest a
for it. All my desires are for universal sui
frage, but fear the blacks OF the South ar
not prepared for the suffrage; give it 20 then
In the North frst.
Mr.. Bond said the law is in favor OF th
colored people riding 10 the street cars q
Philadelphia but the prejudoes OF the peopl
will not let them. Colored men and wome
| ahnnld have q vote.