New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1874-03-26
Corr, sdondence of the Boston Journal.
EEaVersaili.
HAvERHILL, MASS, MARCH Q, 1874.
DEATH OF A VENERABLE CITIZEN.

HAvERHTLL, Mass, MARCH 0, 1874.
DEATH OF A VENERABLE CITIZEN.
Benjamin Emerson died at Haverhill on
Saturday; the eth inst, in his seth year.
Mr.. Z. was one of the old and original abo-
| litioAist, when to be one meant broken win
| dows, rotten eggs, and to be generally os-
tracised; but his house was always open,
and, to the extent of hfs means, his purse, to
Garrison, Phillips, Pillsburg, the Fosters and
their coadjutors, and the cause they repre-.
scented and remember Frederick Douglass
on his first visit to Hayerhill when he was
thrust from railway car because he had the
bad taste to be created not ''free and equal"
but "nigger"-Douglass then having his
coat torn in twain from top to bottom, and
it was sewed up by daughter Of Mr.. En-
ersOn.
To this fact Mr. Doulass alluded at late
meeting in Haverhill, remarking that at that
time there was only one person in that viii
age (now city, having the courage to admit
him into his house, saying that he supposed
he had long since passed onward to his re-
ward. Some one in the meeting informed the
| speaker that Mr.. +. was still living, and near
ninety. God bless him! SAID Douglass, long
may he continue to live /; and he called on
him the next day. Mr.. Emerson was the
originator, drawing up and heading the men,
|
Quincy Adams for a dissolution of the
Union.
| 1t will be remembered that for years the
standing threat Of the hot-headcd South
erners was, when any hesitation was display
ed on the part Ofthe Northern "Doughfaces"
to do their billing, "Lhen ace uM dissolre the
Union Hence may be better imagined than
described the effect of this petition, coming
from community of cobblers and" greasy
mechanics, ," many Of whom manufactured ne
grOes' brogans for the Southern trade, of
which manufactures was the subject of this ar
ticle. One who was upon the floor Of Con-
gress at the time this petition was presented,
the Hon. Joshua r. Giddings, described the
CONSERVATION thereat of the Southerners,
who had hitherto relied upon this burbear
menace of disunion as their particular
thunder" as being intense and ludicrous in
the extreme How could they thereafter
threaten to do the very thing which they had
been solicited to perform?
They were disarmed completely. AL
though Mr.. Emerson sold brogans he always
reserved his principles, never, however, hes
itating to avOw them, and many an order
did he lose in consequence, though OCCASION
ally an aggrieyed customer" would return,
admitting that those who paraded their pro-
slavery views to catch trade would probable
as soon be anti-slavery for like purpos, and
they believed they made poorer buskins!
Mr.. f. was also one of the pioneers in the
temperance and "Washingtonian" move
ments, going in this the whole length, as he
did in all reform measures, so changing,
when he was once convinced from a user. of
rum and other Intoxicating liquors habitually,
Gas all used it fifty years ago. treating their
calling friends, clergy and all, from the
household decanter), to "total abstinence
man. cutting off as an eXcrescence at the
same time the use of tobacco in every form,
(haying been an venterate smoker and chew
err, and also disseminating the us Of tea and
coffee for clear cold scater. The dummies"
of that time could think of no worse or more
opprobrious epithet showing bad taste on
his part in his selection of liquids, than to
shrek after him from behind corner buildings
and always, as his most disgraceful nick
name, "coat acater COLD wATERW
In religious belief Mr.. Emerson was lib
eral Baptist, and although an aggressive re-
former, non-resistant, beloved by all who
knew him intimately, and respected and re-
vered Cat lengthy, even by his political and
other opponents, so that he leaves, besides
his bereaved kindred many to mourn his
loss. But our loss is his infinite gain! He
has fought the good fight, his battles are
over; he has conquered the last enemy, that
is death! and has laid hold on eternal life.
+.