The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-07-06
Evening State 9anraai.
SATURDAY EVENING, JULY 6, 1872.
whinier-A Remnisconce of the Poet.

Nhittier-A Reconnaissance Oh the foet'
A correspondent of the Providence jour
aaI, who has lately visited John G. Whit
tier, gives his account Of a conversation
with him:
Everybody knows, too, that Mr.. Whit
tier was an original abolitionist with Garri-
son, though he did not agree with him in
all his ultra notions. lie told me that
when Garrison was imprisoned in '32 for
publishing his anti-slavery paper in Baltl-
more, he was sorely tried, being himself
very poor and without influence to find out
how he could aid him. Mr.. Garrison was
a great admircr and friend of Clay, and had
written a strong article urging his nomina-
ton for the Presidency. Mr.. Whittier said
he inclosed the article in q note to Mr.. Clay,
asking him to use his influence for CARR
sons release from prison, aud that Mr..
CLAW responded cordially at once that he
should have done everything in his power
for his friend, but that he was discharged
lust before his letter reached him. The
next year Mr.. Whittier wrote his first
pamphlet against slavery. Arthur Tappan
had five hundred copies struck Oft at once
and distributed. 1t was for circulating this
pamphlet in the South that DR.. Crandall
was imprisoned.
Mr.. Whittier was in the midst of three
great anti-slavery mobs, but he told me
the mob in which he incurred the greatest
p~ersonal risk was at Concord, N. H.,
where he and George Thompson, the
Englisbman, went to hold an anti-slavery
meeting. The mob collected in great num-
bers. armed with clubs, stones and mus
kets, broke up the meeting, and followed
him and Thompson to the house OF the
friend with whom they were staying, Mr..
Kent. brother of Governor Edward Kent,
of Maine. Mr.. Whittier came pear losing
his life by q severe blow from a stone in
his back and shoulder. But they
got into the house, and Thompson man
aged to get out at the back door
and into the woods unobserved.
Mr.. Whittier said it was the most
exciting scene he had ever witnessed.
The mob surrounded the house and threat
ened TO tear it down unless Thompson was
sent ont to them. MIR. Kent was a firm
man. and barred the doors against them.
The family were all beside themselves ex-
cent Mr.. and Mrs. Kent. Two daughters
of Ezekiel Webster were there. Mr.. Whit
tier said one of them threw her arms around
him. saving, .Oh! Mr.. Whittier we will
die with you.'' Just then a clergyman
who was in the house proposed that they
Hsaite in prayer, but Mrs. Kent sad she
thought they had better fight than pray.
Goo bless hes Hberty-loving soul forever,
Isay,l 1he mob finally dispersed. Thomp-
son got unto the house. Whittier, exhaust
ed, fell as sleep on the bed, while Thompson
sat up. lNrectly a stone dashed in the
window. off dc room where they were, and
Whittier said he ia'uped clear from the
bed.
The mob returned, ant with them a
friend of Mr.. Whittier, who pretended 10
be in the interest Of the mob, WHO, oy MS
tinesse and tact, got them away a second
time, when Thompson and Whittier & 't IN.
to a carriage and drove off. When a sh 'rt
distance from the house musket-shots were
fred at them, but doing 10 further damage
than a hole through the carriage. And
thus they escaped. And now," said
Mir. Whittier, you may think that, poor,
despised, prosecuted as we were, we were a
very miserable set !; but it was not SO. We
had a very pleasant time together, and |
think | can understand how the old martyrs
might have enjoyed themselves very much.'