New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-11-05
THE FALL OF SLAVERY.
RECoLLECTIoNs OF AN ABoLI1IoNlsr.
BY OLIVER JOHNSON.
XVI.
RAPID PROGRESS OF THE CAUSE.

Mt In
auring his absence, there much serious talk
among Abolitionists about organizing National An
t-sayery Society. The need of such an association
VAS seriously felt. and the only question was
whether the time for its organization had come.
Already considerable number of local aux'har'es
10 the New-England Anti-Slavery Society had been
formed aud the cause was gaming q strong ioot-
hold in many places. The circulation OF me Id
orator was extending and ITS power was iOt IN many
nuarters A considerable number Of ciergymen OF
different demon nations had espoused the cause
and opened their pulpts to antI-slavery lectures.
while others were anxously considering the suh-
iect. There was. moreover. most suspicious be-
ginning Of an anti-savcry literature. Mrs. LYDIA
Maria Child. 81 than whom" said The North A'aert-
can Rer1ar of the period "few female writers. If
any, have done moro or better things for our tera-
ture, In its ligh er or graver departments" pub
lshcd In the Summer of 1888 most valuable hooA'
creditable alike to her literary skill ana her
womanly courage. She was the most popular fe-
male writer in the country-pOpular at the oOu'h
as well at the North and she not only maze
sacrfce OF her popularity, but exposed herself 10
an overwhelming tide of Obloquy ana abuse by
lending her powerful pen TO he cause of the slave
Nothing could have been more pertinent or timely,
and, may add. more convincing. than her Appeal
in Favor of that Class Of Americans called
Africans"
Iigh: of the laws framed for its regulation; cited
multitudes of authentic facts showing that the
system was of necessity barbarous aud cruel
proved by the laws Of human nature and the testI-
mony of experience the perfect safety OF immediate
emancipation; vindicated the humanity of the
negro. and exposed tie character and designs Of
the Colonization Society. The book received
with exultant JOY by the Abolitonisis. with sullen
rage by their opponents. " Uncle Ton's Cabin cane
long after this. and only when the way bad been
prepared for by tolls and sacrifices Of which the
people of this generation know very little. The
Appeal" though -nrered at and denounced in high
quarters. widely read ana converts were null
tiplicd by its influence Aud having introduced
che name of this excellent woman. viii add that
from that early day to the end of the conflict her
pen was always at the service of the cause. Her
anti-slavery writings. too various TO be enumer-
ated here, were of the highest value and The Ma
hOnal dRn-Slaray Standard under her edItoTshIp
exerted a wide and powerful influence. Ii was her
privilege to witness the final triumph of the cause
she served faithfully and. now IN green old age.
her mental powers unmpaired, her pen still en-
ployed IN the service of mankind.
Another book of equal power and value with
Mrs Chld's appeal was published before the
eud of the year 1883. / allude to Lectures on
Slavery and its Remedy by the Rev. Amos A.
Church. Boston. The author, a young man Of fine
ability aud promise, graduate of Yale both Col
Iege ana Theological Seminary full Of zeal in
the cause. While his book passing through the
press II occurred TO him that Il would he good
thing to publish with 1t IA declaration OF anti
slavery sentiment. sIguod by number OF clcTgymen
Of different denominations. lie accordingly drew
up such declaration and sent it ont for signatures
among his clerical brethren. One-hUndred and
twenty four names were returned from Maine,
Hew-Hampshre. Vermont. Massachusetts. Rhode
Island, Connecticut. Ncw-Y0rk. New-Jerscy and
OHIO. and their appearance in the book encouraged
the aboitionists 10 hope tina; the churches would
soon espOuse the IN a body. The substance OF
the declaration was. q" /. Tlat colonization is
not an ado quate remedy for slavery, and must
therefore be abandoned for something that is; and
q That the scheme of immediate emancipation is
such a remedy, and is therefore 10 bo adopted and
urged" In looking the list of signers find
few eminent names, among them those OF the late
George Shepard. of Bangor; David Thurston, of
Winthrop; Professor William Smytb. of Bowdoin
College; Jacob lie. of Midway, Mass still living
az well nigh a hundred years of agel ID. c. Lansing,
Of Ulca Beriah Green. of the Oneida Institute;
Joshua Leavitt Editor of The Nec- IOk Evangelist;
asa Mahan. of Cincinnati afterward President OF
Oberlinl Professor john Morgan, of Lane Theo-
logical Seminary; Charles b. Storrs President of
the Western Reserve College, and the sainted Sam
uel j. May. l may also include the name of the
late Rev. DR.. Joel Parker, who afterwards settled
in New-Orleans and made shipwreck Of his anti
slavery faith These and some Others were Of
considerable influence at that day. but the sgners.
for the most part, were undistInguished. "Not
many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty
DOT many NOBLE had accepted the new gospel Of
freedom. The cause had charm for ingenious.
oncalculating young men, while the timid the am
bilious and the self-seekng naturally stood aioof
Pastors of wealthy churches in the cities and larger
towns, men who aspired to leadership in their
respective denominations, general rule, resisted
+he movement with all the weapons at their COM
mand.
Another event that greatly encouraged the
Abolitionists was the favor shown TO their cause
by the President aud several of the Professors of
the Western Reserve College at Hudson, Ohio The
LsberdiOr and GarrisOn's Thoughts OF COlonizi-
ton" had found their way To this institution where
they exrrted an Instant aud powerful influence.
The president and az least two of the professors
espoused the cause with their whole hearts. and
nor only discussed ;he subject themselves but in
vited discussion on the part of the students. The
president was the Rev. Charles Il. Storrs, gifted
younger brother of the late Richard g Storrs ID. D.
Of Braintree Mass. No other man II bis age in the
United states was in higher repute eloquent
preacher and of fearless devotion TO every
principle of truth aud righteousness than he. "lhc
fear OF man that bringeth snare y had no place
in his noble nature. He loved hberty-lberty fol
all men-with bis whole heart, and could see Nc
reason why black man more 'han white on;
should be reduced 10 slavery. He felt himself
bound as n ChIisiiau 10 testify against every form
Of dcspotism, and 10 remember them that were in
bonds as bound with them" Convinced Of The
iniquity and danger of American slavery. he wrote