New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-08-16
REAL FRIENDS OF ABOLITION

REPLY 70 SOME or OLIVER JOHNsON's POINTS
To the EditOr Of Fhe TrtbuRe.
SIR: | have read the articles in The TprR
UaE By Mr. Oiyer johnson on Mr. Garrison with som,
feeling of disappointment Instead OF narrative OF th
somewhat dramatic incidents OF Mr. Garrson's fe tho,
seem mainly devoted thus to a defence OF the pecn
liar methods and uteranceS OF the few men compfsin,
the American AntiSlayery Society. Mr. johnson doe,
appear TO feel confident that simple recital OF m,
doings OF that famous organization would favor
able impression the present generation. He there
fore sets himself tho task showing good reasons oi
tine they d. to pursue In the attitude OF the
church upon the question Of slavery be f1ds h, chef
Justification for the harsh and bitter language that
flowed increasingly from the abolition platform
Whether he makes out good not may appear
hereafter.
Itscems almost incredible that man should assert
at this day that Mr.. Garrison aud few adhrrents ae
comp1shed the overthrow Of slavery The abotonists
took position that almost wholly deprived them Of
influence even in New-England. They repudated the
church, dsowDed all allegiance 10 the Government
under which trey lived and whose protection aud ben
ehts they enjoyed refused TO vote In any &c
their duty citizens. They assailed the biteresi
manner everybody who declined TO follow their lead
believe the wisdom of their thods So entirely
practical were they that during TWENTY-FIVE years Of
effort they produced any plan for the removal OF
slavery commended itself the favor of COOL clear
headed men. They themselves of from almost eyery
influence that could prove effective with intelligent
and loyal people They persstently assailed Seward
Greeley Beecher and host of other antayery
men who adhered TO both Church and State. No Ian
guage was for them apply those noble
men who laDOred necessarily, with IHE TRIBUNE al
ways in The foreground TO educate the people up To
OF the evil influence Of slavery 10 check It's growth
and 30 ger and finally To provide Tor lie
peaceful abolition. The election Of Mr.. Lincoln (who
denounced by Wendell Philips as the "saye-LOund
OF InOIs accomplished without the aid Of abolition.
lst and IA the face Of Their bitter opposition was tbe
first step In series of events which eliminated The
dow OF slavery.
Mr. Johnson denOunces the clergy false the cause
of Mr.. thought differently, his cO-
TemOnstdnce against the passage VI the Nebraska bill
abundanty testihes. The emu ch declined follow SIR.
Garrson's lead. IL did not believe IN slavery. II
believed that saye-HOldiDg not the only Of
when guilty. IL laDOred earnestly 70 make
all tie crooked paths straight IL did not believe that
Mr. GarrlsoDs path led the right way, and venture the
opinion that II SO believes to-day.
Mr.. johnson says he hunted AL over Boston IN vain
for white minister who would 90 abolition
meeting ana ask the blessing OF GOD upon Its debrra-
TONS To those OF us who remember what those meet
ings were WHO o, tue members. the general
character Of their speeches. 10 Is no wonder that
Christian minster should decline to open such proceed.
ings With prayer. The abolition society gathered 90
Itself every form OF thought ana Dcef, from the no
doubt sincere conviction OF Garrison to the baspheuy
OF Mrs Rose and ali had free play On its platform The
ministers Of Boston have done many good things in
their day, but q than this. | do not
wish disparage the efforts OF the few earnest and lin.
who glOrled In the name Of abOhtOnlst. Let
them all the credit 10 which they are honestly en-
tilted. but IL is asking too much when they claim fot
themselves the results Of work that really done By
another and a very different ciaes Or men. L. W. T.
AeU-HaUen, Conn, Aug 9, 1879.