The Portland daily press., 1869-01-14
Remarks in the EEonse ON Announccna
of the DCaii, Of n. A Easfer

VI SIZE Ssssf7 Oh I've "A n OBIefs
On Tuesday, Mr.. Morris of this city, an
nouncei the death of Newell A. Foster of
Portland, aud 7. A. D. Fessenden of Auburn.
After giving brief sketch of Mr.. Fosters
life the Speaker said:
he was widely and generally known as one
of the founders and for few years past sole
proprietor of the Portland Press, an enterprise
which was attended with marked success He
was remarkable for his genial character, his
warm sympathies, and the strength of his at
tachmeRts. But no one Characteristic stands
out so prominently as his life long devotion TO
the cause Of human liberty. 1t is with deep
interest that | recall the circumstances under
which l made his acquaintance. The first ques-
ton of importance on which was called to
act in my legislative experience was on the
adoption of the fourteenth constitutional
amendment. Believing tnat its provisions were
inconsistent with each other, that some of
them were morally wrong, and that under their
operation il accepted by the rebel States, it
would be impossible and almost moral GER
tainty that large portion of the loyal men of
the South would be DISTINGUISHED, with one
other Republican member voted against it.
A few days after met Mr.. Foster at the De-
pot in this city, and although / had never ex-
changed word with him before, he greeted
me very warmly and spoke in strong terms of
appreciation Of the position we had taken on
this subject This was the more crate ul 10 me
from the fact that dis appreciation had been ex-
pressed in other directions and was the COM
mencement of a pleasant acquaintance be-
tween us. to be terminated in less than two
years by his death. *asta* -
An obituary notice in the Portland Press,
speaking of his connection with the anti sla-
very party. said: "He Joined at q time when it
was no trifing thing to be an abolitioLisk He
himself suffered for opinions sake here in
Portland" Such has been the change in pub
lie sentiment on this question that it will be
off nf int md nrsS 1,r~
jority of the citizens of the State 10 know that
in this freest land beneath the sun, and ex-
tending no further back than during Mr.. Fos-
ters residence in Portland, a man should be
socially prescribed, his business injuriously af.
fected, with the liability OF suffering personal
violence, for holding and advocating the doc.
trine of freedom and equal rights.
l recently had the favor of an interview
with an intelligent lady who had practical
illustration OF this social prescription in her
own experience, and was an eve witness to one
of these scenes of violence. An anti-s'avery
meeting had been called at The City Hall, in
Portland, to be addressed by S. S. Foster, q
brother Of Newell; ON entering the hall she
found about 400 persons assembled, and from
their appearance evidently meaning mischief
son accompanying her dare not enter; she
learned from those around her that arrange
ments bad been made for administering coat
of tar and feathers tol the speaker. On COM
meDClD9 MS REMARKS ne was aSSa1IeQ with eggs,
stones aud other missiles. My informant with
another lady went upon the platform, each of
them taking an arm OF the speaker and stand
ing there for his projection Gen. Fesseuden,
man of character, influence, and command
ing personal presence, made an eloquent ap-
peal TO Them, but to no effect; his son, q
brother OF Senator Fessenden, and a college
classmate of the speaker, pleaded that he
might be heard; he was knocked down in the
hall. The Mayor was sent for; instead of
protecting these citizens whose rights were
thus being trampled upon, he ordered them all
to leave the hall although he could but have
beeL aware that violence was intended to the
speaker, and that if driven into the street with
the mob his life would be in danger. In obe-
dience to the MAYORS orders, with Mr. Foster
between the two ladies, aud surrounded
by a few friends they left the hall;
in the street they were set upon again.
The little guard was violently scattered by the
mob, 5. 5. Foster was knocked down, kicked
and stoned, and to this day carries the marks
OF that nights violence upon his person. The
two Foster brothers, with few friends, in
GLIDING one of the ladies, succt eded in getting
the protection of dwelling occupied by a
Quaker family. S. S. Foster was placed in
bed and his injuries cared for, but the mob re-
turned TO the charge and becoming so violent
in their demonstrations that it was feared they
would destroy the house, be was passed out by
a back entrance to place of safety, aud thew
dispersed on the assurance that he was not in
the house. At this time there were but three
families in the city who acknowledged them
selves and were known as abo,itionists, and
the anti-slavery element was represented in
Inc meeting by about twenty persons.
Inc suddenness with which slavery passes
away seems surprising to us, and yet this sud-
a fnd was IN appearance emily; for years its
Ionndauon was gradually being undermined;
earnest men had been laboring through good
and evil report against it. They brought the
power Oh run 1 70 pear upon it until the moral
OF its injustice, and then it suddenly disspnear.
ed. We are in danger of losing siuht at onr
obligations to the men who labored So earnest.
| ly and persistently to overthrow this arsst
evil; many of them passed away without real.
izing the desire of their hearts. Mr.. Foster
lived to see and rejoice in the completion Of
this great work which but a few short years
ago seemed SO utterly hopeless. There is a
lesson for us to learn in the lives and labors of
such men, strong encouragement as we may
be called to do battle in the cause of truth,
| and fitness in our giving passing notice
| and recognition of their services when they
pass from the scenes of their earthly labors.