New-York tribune., 1879-10-25
THE FALL OF SLAVERY.
RECOLLECTIONS OF AN ABOLITIONlST.
BY OLIVER JOHNSON.
GARRIsoN's FIRST VISIT TO ENGLAND.


Soon after the formation Of the England
hn;i-Slavcry Society IL became known TO its man
ayers that the American Colonization Society had
sent an agent to England who, under tho false pre-
tence that that society favored or calculated 10
prNa,ose the abolition Of American slavery was col
lcc;ing considerable of money for IT'S tr asury
from the TOO creaulous Abolitonists of that couu-
try. To counteract the efforts of this agent, and to
establish cooperative relations between British and
American Aholitionists. Mr. Garrison, In the Spring
OF 1888 was commissioned to visit nglsnd. IL
was not without difficulty that the funds to defray
the expenses OF thus mission were obtained. The
resources Of tho new society wcrc hardly adequate
to such an enterprise. but by persevenng effort the
object was achieved. snd Mr.. Garrison took his de-
par,ure for the Old World with high hopes. followed
bg the prayers aud sympathies of his devoted asso-
ciates and by the execraticus of the pro-s'avery
party. He arrived IN England at an opPortu"e mo-
mcnt. The anti-slavery STRUGGLE in that country
WAS arproschIng ito consnmmation. TIE leaders
If the canse, from all parts OF the United
Kingdom. holding conference III Lon
don to prepare for their anticipated triumph
in the passage Of the Act OF Emancipation. Mr.
Garrison on presenting his credentials was re-
ceived with open arms and invited to an honorary
scat in a conference embracing such men as CLARK
son, Wilherforce. BrOugham. Macaulay, Buxton and
OCOnncll. lie Was tncn bdt lNcHtN N'''i' W.
ss,a. hut his modest bearing, combined with his
grave earnestness and sound Judgment, won the
confidence of these eminent men, who were oheer'd
Nv the hopc that America. under tie influence OF So
wise a leader would bc speedily redeemed from the
.urse of slavery Every desired facility was offered
bim for fulfilling the objects of hrs mission. lie
nus has work, Thoughts on African toionlza-
lion into the hands of eminent men, some 0l whom
mad been mised Oy the agent Of the CoionizAuoh
Society and ia public and private diligently eN-
plained the origin. purpose ana spirit Oh the c"Vn'-
gatlon scheme. citing Official documents Ia proo' oi
has charges against it. The auti-slavers feeling of
Great Britain WIS then at a White heat, and the
Abolitouists were indignant IN view of the attempt
20 dupe them into the support Of a society con-
troel by Shareholders Ia The interest of slavery.
Jb, agent Of the colonization scheme found his
position far from enviabe; bis occupation was
soon gone and not long afterward he returned 10
the United States. MI Garrison brought home
with him a Protest against the colonization
scheme. signed bv Wihcriorce. Macsulay Bux-
lon, OConnell. and others of scarcely less
weight in which they declared that It's
claims 10 anti-siavery support were wholly
grourdle>s,n and expressed their " deliberate
Judgment and conviction" that Its profess
sons we're delusive" rs real effects of the most
dangerous na;ure.r THIS protest. as well it might,
had great weight with all sincere opponents Of
slavery in America. while II cnraged the cooniza-
tiouists who charged Mr.. Garrison with deceivinG
the signcrs. though he had done 10 more than 10
call their attention to the utterances of the prom
ineut advocates of the scheme.
MI Garrison's intercourse with the Aboti0nste
Cf Great Britain, and HIS studies of the work IN
which they we're engaged. filed him with new hope
and courage, and taught him some valuable lessons
as to the ways and means of aboshing slavery at
cipation ~ a working principle was confirmed
by the experience of his British friends and he saw
more clearly than ever the danger and folly of
compromises and the dclusive character of all
partial and halfway measures. 1t was while lo
was In Ereland that WilbeIforce died, and IL
W rs his ad privilege 10 participate in the funeral
ose0uies of that great and good man. and 10 follow
ms remains to Westminster Abbey. Whether the
Act ~ West India Emancipation was passed before
or after h- retmn am u,f sure; but the measure
was under discussion in Parliament whlc he was
ihcre and he had the satisfaction OF listening 10
IN. elo hence Of some of lis noblest champions In
vuhlic meetings, If not in that body The exhilar-
nt,ng effect of such scenes upon the mind of a
younr American, consecrated to the work Of eman-
s.iu,tion IN ms own country, may be more easily
imagined than described.
One incident of Mr GarrisOns first visit tC
Frgland is worthy Of special notice here. Si'
Thomas Fowcll Buxton before meeting hlin, desir
ING e. do him honor. invited him TO breakfast. Mir
Garrlson prc sened himself at the appointed time al
Air. Buxfon's house. When his name was an
nounced Mr Buxton instead OF coming forward
promptly 10 take MIN by the hand, scrutinizcd hin
from head TO foot. and then inquired, some" hat
dubiously, "Have ! the pleasure of addressing Mr
Garrison. OF Boston, in tie United statesT Yes,
sand Mr. Garrison, 81 sm H.; and | am here II
accordance with your invitation" Lifting up both
hands. Mr. buxton exclaimed: Why nv dear sir
thought YOU were = black man. and have conse-
onently invited this company Of ladies and gentle
men 70 be present TO welcome Mir. Garrison, the
black advocate Of emancipation from the United
States ~ AIrericsw Mr. Buxton had some
rnmb.- - IN. Iiber0ior, and. supposIng that no
white American could plead for those in bondage as
= Garrison did, inferred that he "A black man.
Ms. Garrison used 10 say that Of al the complments
ever paid TO him this was the one that pleased him
mos because II testimonial of his unqualified
recognition of the humanity Of The negro
Among the British Aboht,onis;s with whom Mr..
Garrison formed a close acquaintance was Mr..
Georg Thompson a man but little older than him
sclf. and who had taken "A conspicuous part in the
ttrugge for West India emancipation. He was a
Iuan of surpassiDg force. eloqUence and wit, who
bad vanqulshod the champions Of slavery in Eng
land on many field. and lod the friends OF eman-
cipa ION 10 the victory chat just then crowning
this grand struggle. He for years the only lee
turing aren't % the London Anti-Slsyery Society,
and IN this capacity performed an incredible amount
labor. lie I'm request in all parts Of the king
DOM aud everywhere his lectures were attended ~
crowds of the most intelligent people, who
chantod by Ills eloquence and deeply moved by his
appeals. He = relg gious man. . Methodist. and
~ his youth bad been the humble assistant of the
Rev. Richard Watson. the great Methodist th-olo-
nan. The graaiest men IN the kn nsdom-Brou cham.