The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1870-04-15
The Fad Of the I,sericas xaii-siarery
Society.


A memorable agency has been brought 10 a
close, marking an historic epoch in the life OF
the Rct ublic. On Frilsy last the American
Anti-siayery Society. believing that the adop-
ton OF the Fifteenth Amendment had terminate
ell its functions, held final meeting in New
York anl provided for its own dissolution. MIR.
G,rrison, who, IL will be remembered, advocate
al this step soon .aiter the adoption Of the con-
stitutional amendmeut aboliseing slavery, was
not there. lie probably SAW no reason 10 change
his mind that there was no longer occasion or
prctense for an anti-slayery society In country
where slavery did not exist. Wendell Philips,
however, was present in the chair. Letters
were real from Senator Drake. Hon. Vim. ID.
Kelley, Vice President Colfix, Hon. George ).
boutwell,, John q. Whittier. Maria Childs. Gov.
Acorn q Mississippi, Charles Sumner, Thomas
G,rret, Seth Hunt, John W. forney, William
Wells G,ult, Gen. John Wise. Joseph McNillin
AMI several others. and several interesting
speeches we're m,dc. Another meeting, which
tie New York Herald calls q wake, was held on
Saturday evening. and was adlrcssei by the
lev. VIM. n. Claiming, Mrs. Julia Wari Howe
lion. George W. Julian and others There Is no
doubt, therefore, that the American Anti-Slayc-
IN Society is at length extinct.
As "a often said, ''the time has not arrived for
in whlrl OF de,rsctiOn and Of admiration.
Men like Daniel Webster even complained that
mo drum was ever beaten rs was the ear OF the
North nv the ceaseless rub-a-dub OF the anti
slavery asitators; while, on the other hand.
men OF almost equal reputs believed that this
anti slavery movement comprehended the true
Puritan lifs-blooj OF the country. The sane
Disagreement exists at present with respect to
the degree of credit 10 which the anti-Siavery
society Is entitled for the ultimate destruction
az slavery in the Union. Its sdherents and
friends naturally oserrss- its services, and many
others underestimate them The truth Is, the
end IL slavery was brought by suoh series OF
wonderful events, 80 totally unexpected, No
proybleutial In their occurrences and power,
thai we are liable, in their contemplation, to
overlook anil almost TO deride any OF the ordinary
agencies previously in existence. IL Is not To 90
,leuissi, however, that one Of the great forces
without which even these marvellous events OF
the war would have lost their full utility, spd
might possibly have missed their destiny, was
the e,lucatrd conscience of the North I'm oppos-
ition Ia sla,ery-thst feeling which reccgniret
every opportunity favorable TO freedom, AMI
that determination which male the most OF IL.
Now IN devel.pin, this conscience. the anti
slavery agits,ors undoubtedly did, great and
timely work. They not only prepared the minds
,hat osiensibly agreed with them. bu, they pre-
,,re.l the way Cor the Conversation % their ap-
p,rcntIy strongest opronent--of scholars like
Yyeseti. politicians like Batter and men Of act
10, lie Grant. Ties. old sxitsiors, Il must he
confessed, were no, always polished or agtceable
,-,tlcucn. They were harl hit,ers, anil no,
much re.pesisss 81 persons. But they were, Tor
Tie mc-, part, sterling American patriots.
TIE, dil an excellent york la their day, and
have won q glorious reward. sneh as Is rarely
xouchsaftsi O. hun an ixborrrs,-Bosfon Journal