New-York tribune., 1879-05-26
FRTFvDs OF A HALF CENTURY.

ArrTrEH FROM OLIVER JoHNsoN-THE EARLY DAYS
IN BOsroN-MAKING FIBsf CONvERTs-TDE LONG
STRUGGLE AGAINST SLAVERY, AND THE SORT or
MAN GARRISON WAS.
TOthe EdttOr Of The TrtbHne.
SIR: This is not the same world 10 me to-day that
II was Yesterday nor II ever be the same again.
The death of 1uy beloved and reyered friend. Will
lam Lloyd Garrison makes void in my heart tbat
cannot be filled until meet IN the lie Deyohd the
veil. From manhoods earliest dawn, through all
the years of my life until this sad hour, he was
above all other men my hero my exemplar-a con-
slant inspiration to me toward whatever is most
excellent and noble in human character; and words
are all TOO feeble to express my Of the value Of
ms personal friendship, and of the benefits de-
rived from my long and intimate association with
him in the great cause 20 which his lie was de-
voted His brave words in behalf OF impartial
liberty. echoing along the wales and over the
heights of the Green Mountains, stirred my youth
ful heart like a trumpet-Dast, and won for him M
love and admiration before ever looked INTO ms
face and have seen few happier days than that
which first brought me face to face with my nero,
and found in him the complete fulflment of nv
anticpations and hopes. That was IN Boston, IN
the Autumn of $780, shortly after his release from
imprisonment in Baltimore, and just before he be-
gan the publication Of Tie Liberaior. He was then
TWENTY-FIVE years of age, his face full of manly
beauty his heart all afame for liberty, his manner
dignifed and most impressive. Upon ms knees III
all the fervor of ingenious youth, with hls Bible
open before him, he had solemnly consecrated MN
self TO the task of delivering the slaves from their
bopdacc and his country from her greatest crime
and curse. The consciousness of purpose so high,
undertaken in humble dependence upon God and
from an intense sympathy with an oppressed ana
Outiawed race, gave him something of the majesty
Of prophet, which men of a kindred spirit were
quick TO discern and could never forget.
How vividly do l recall the events and circum-
stances of that early day-the apathy of the people
in relation to slavery the intense prejudice against
the negro the political and Biblical apologies for
slayeholGing the dread apprehension Of statesmen
and diyineS lest the Union should not survive
discussion Of tic subject, and their readiness TO
stultify themselves and pour contempt npon the
prnciples Of Justice and liberty in order to guard
an institution which was sapping the very f0Unda-
tions of the Republic In the midst of all this de-
generacy and mad deluslOn, Mr.. Garrison deter
mined 10 lift Nd voice of rebuke and warning He
cherished the deepest reverence for the clergy ana
the churches. and looked confidently to them TO
take the lead in the work Of emancipation. He
visited the leading ministers Of Boston and vicinity
EXPLAINED TO them his plans and besought thor aid
Almost without exception Be was ccidly received
in some instances rudely repulsed. Dr. Bcccier,
then IN the height Of ms popularity. rdlculed the
idea Of emauc; patton unaccOmpaned by the coloni-
cation of the blacks. Young man." he said /
commend Your ZEAL and II yOu VIII 90 WIN Us Dthe
clergy for sending the negroes 10 Africa, we VIII
make Won the WiibeIforce Of America. But II you
60 on advocating the mad idea OF immediate eman-
cipaton you will come to naught."
GARRIsoN's LECTURES IL 1880.
Mr. Garrison was bitterly disappointed by this
rcpulse in the quarter whence be bad confidently j
expected sympathy and aid. bat 1t only served 10
strengthen his determination 10 obtain public
hearing in Boston. The churches having refused 70
open their doors 90 him, be accepted from the int-
dels Of the city the use of Julien Hall for the de-
livery OF course Of lectures slavery and African
colonization. His audiences were small but they
embraced some men Of influence and note. How
well do remember those lectures, and the appear
alce OF the .peaker he stood before MS audience
with his ewes fixed upon his manuscript, ms voice
treInuiOus with emOtiOui He awed and Thrilled me
ty ms earnestne-s aud my heart was cfaWn 10 MN
An closest sympathy The late Rev. Samuel j. May
was 50 moved that be turned % those around hiW
a. the close of the lectures and said; mat Is
1IOIldenIia man; he Is our prophet ne VIII Al'4Ae
OuI Nation a. its centre, but he VIII shake slavery
VVet OF ~ lie won 10 hls cause then not Only MI;
NAY, but others who, like hIm, were ever IabDIu
70 the cause Among these were A. Bronson AlcOtt
N1e concord philosopher aud sagel, samuel l. sew
~ and the late Ellis Gray LOrlng.
= was 10 almost daily intercourse Win MI bal-
tIson nom the Fall of 1880 90 the Spring OF IS33,
nloh he went 10 England for the first time and
assumed the editOrship OF The LlbTdfOT during MS
soseDee. The memory OF his pnyahOns, Of his conr-
ss.5 al time OF anger of his cheerfuiness III the
~S' oi discOuragement. OF his patience un0er ms-