Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-07-11
Anti.Slavery "RiOt - at Montpelier
in 1885.

FhA Anti.Slayery "RiOt " at Montpelier
in 1885.
has been said that the security of Il
government lies largely in the unwill-
aahsss of the people for change. 1t is
1b Conservative spirit which leads men
Iong endurance of injustice and even
fvlahny under q government, known to
s. wrong in principle, before they will
n,ste an effort for their rights. And it is
ait of human nature, universal the
.ld over. We see an apt illustration ol
M The obstinate opposition of the China
man to the introduction of Improvements
wAloh long trials elsewhere have proved
hsVond doubt to be beneficial, both to pri-
pate citizen and nation. We lay this to
hls ignorance. But perhaps the firm re-
sistance, which has met all good new ideas
l0m the one adduced by Galileo that the
earth moved, to all others since, and before
Nnie, may be said to spring from Il similar
Et
isnorance.
is a common error to think of the
abolition of slavery in this country, as hay
lac been accomplished by sudden sweep
81 enthusiasm but, although the means
ultimately employed were summary, the
principles that accomplished it were slow
lyreared through long years; and, at first
oulliyated by few, but earnest adherents,
until finally they shook the whole country
tolls foundation. Very few contended
that Slavery was vindicated by natural rea-
soring or justice; but it was a system,
aeap-rooted in the country; and they
ieeaded the effects of so radical change
as nhilanthropists demanded. Examples
ara imposed to justify the most danger
1bs measures;" and large majority
lhought, that practice which had so long
pFefaiIed could not be far wrong, after all.
Twill be difficult for most people to
g6fnprehend at this day the extent and
force of the hostility to the abOljtiOniStS,
ioflg-two years ago. A writer says of that
period: Not single church could be OBJ
iained in Boston for meeting or lecture
6a Blavery; not minister, except DR..
Ghanning, would even read n notice of
sach a meeting" The subject has been
keM more or less before the eye of the pub
lie eyer since the formation of our nation
81 government. In 1903 law was passed
ntthibting the trdde, and people then sub
sIidd into the fond belief that the subver-
sion of the whole evil would soon follow as
hAtural consequence, not foreseeing that
So long as u marbet existed, the commod-
It'll would be forthcoming, however great
lh8 hazard. Then there was the mis-
soufi Compromise, and other measures,
Which gave it prominence. But 1885 was
Dan of universal uprising among the
prpslavery faction, and simultaneous out
bf6Aks of violence from Louisiana to Maine.
The feelings which had been harped upon
long eliminated to express themselves,
aaa preserve their supremacy. Riots were
igeauent throughout the country.
Among the most noticeable were those
1T Boston; Utica and Montpelier The
aHsir at Montpelier, aside from its local
inlercst,is a short paragraph in the history
af the development of anti-slayery opin.
ions. We presume it is unknown to many,
md has been forgotten by some of oul
o~n townsmen. As those at Utica ant
B0ston were contemporary in point of time
W6will briefly mention them also.
At Boston, it had been announced thai
tIiB Boston Female AntiSlavery Society
Wonld hold meeting ut their hall on th,
2lst day of October, at which VIM. LloyC
fNrrison, and George Thompson, the Eng
slshman, were expected to be present, ant
aneak Thompson was n sincere, enthu
alastic worker against slavery, and from
Ahapurest motives. He had made himsel
Nv obnoxious to those of slave-holdn2
Unions, by his fearless, eloquent and out
sh5kcn denunciations. And it was chiefly
Ainst him that the fury of the citizen!
wis first directed but it was finally eX
hded upon Mr.. Garrison, who had alsC
lhtnrred their hatred for a similar reason
every one knows. Inhammatory hand
Is were circulated, calling upon the peo
to " Show their patriotism > by "Snak
IA him CIhompson) OUT" and Sl00 re
Ard was offered to the man who woulC
ist lay hands on him, So that he coul(
A brought to the tar-kettle." His friend
came alarmed for his safety, and pre-
faied upon him to secrete himself in TIN
eliy, and not attend. The meeting did no
f7Oceed fur when it was broken up by tn,
etrance of the mob; and in spite of th
ehdeavors of the mayor to quell the ex
ltement and preserve peace, Mr.. CARR
pn, who attempted to retire at his earnes
Plicitalion, was quickly discovered, seized
rope put around him, his clothes tori
pm his body, and was dragged tlroug
% streets, until he was fortunately res
fed by the mayor and his forces. Th
ty was wrought up to the highest excite
ent, and it was with great difficulty tina
rther violence was prevented.
On the same 2lst day of October, ther
semblcd at Utica, N Y, six hundre
elcgates for the purpose of forming
Fate Anti-Slavery Society. Being drive
om the appointed place of meeting, b
e tactics of their opponents, who, ex
ressly for that purpose, forestalled ther
the occupation Of the urt-house; the
epoired to IL church, and organized. !
fowd collected at the door and clamore
pr admission. They soon broke in an
he offer of the chairman to answer an
ccusatons they had TO make, did nc
1itlgate the torrent of their malediction,
turses and imprecations filled the air, an
PC venerable secretary was assaulted wit
lolence until he was obliged to give Il
pc records The meeting was summaril
erokon up and The members were after
Yard inSnltel on the Streets and in mi