The Portland daily press., 1879-06-03
Garrison's Flight for Life.
An Exciting Episode Recalled.

Perhaps the most exciting experience Mr..
Garrison ever had in this city, says the Phila
delphia Times, was that attendant to his es-
cape on the night of the Pennsylvania Hall
riot QS33). Shortly before that time the Leg
islature of the State of Georgia had enacted
law authorizing the payment of $1,000 for the
head of Mr.. Garrison, the object being under
stood to be to incite some one to take his
life. By the way, it may be mentioned that
the law is still on the statute books of the
State, and never has been repealed. Whether
any sordid feelings animated the riot or not it
is impossible of course, to say, but there is
scarcely any doubt that some of the people en-
gagged in it had that IS, 900 in their mind, and
there is no doubt whatever that Mr.. Garrison
was the principal object sought.
Fortunately he was not recognized at the
hall. He stood face to face with man who
breathed threats and profanity against the alb
olitionist smiled at him and called him fool
ish enthusiast Had there been an identifca-
ton, Mr. Garrison would have swung from a
lamp-post as certain as fate. His friends were
much frightened for his safety, and under the
pilotage OF a little negro boy he was led by
back streets and obscure alleys to Twelfth and
Race, and subsequently by Broad street to
Lombard and thence to Forten's house. When
once he was in, the streets were guarded in
different directions, in order that if the mob
got on the trail, he could escape. Then prepar-
atlons were made for a hasty midnight ride
Railroads were not of those days, and. stage
coaches were used for travelling. But stages
were not for Mr. Garrison. He was marked
man. Everybody's hand seemed to be against
him, even as his was against slavery. He dare
not travel by stage for it would have been put
ting his life in the hands Of people who wanted
ordered his horse hitched up, and calling to
him his son, Robert Forten, and Robert Pur-
Wis, who afterwards became his son-in-law, he
he said: you have four hours to drive Mr..
Carr lSon to Trenton. Start at once" 1t was
in vain that the great abolitionist protested
that he would not steal away so like thief
His friends had measured the depth of hatred
that was entertained for him, and knew better
than he that the danger was imminent. 1t
was only by threats that he was finally induced
to step into the carriage. Robert Forten seized
the reins, a hasty, "God bless you, good bye,"
and the carriage disappeared around the cor
ner, turning northward. Ten minutes later
Mr. Garrison, leaning out to look at o crowd
on the corner, heard a man abuse him with
oathS and appellations the reverse of compli-
mentary. He leaned out further and called
the man to him. "Do YOU know Mr. Garri-
son?'' he asked. "No, never saw the ="
''Well, said the abolitionist, courting danger
by making himself prominent on the street,
"are you not ashamed to abuse so much a man
you don't know?''
The carriage drove on. Mr.. Garrison looked
at the faces of his colored escort, and broke out
in loud laughter. They were so much affected
that the pallor of fear came ON their black faces
and could be seen there. Half a hour more
the city was behind and the sturdy little horse
was throwing the dust behind and moving at a
four minute gait, dragging the buggy with the
three men it contained. Before they left the
city Mr. Ferton called Robert aside and ad-
monished him to push on for dear life and
reach Trenton as early as possible. The lad
obeyed the instructions to the letter. They
heard the midnight bell strike as they dashed
through Bristol, leaving behind the echoes of
the horses hoofs and the rolling of the carriage
wheels. The night-coach to New York was
caught up with and passed so fast that the
guard is understood to have always afterward
believed in ghosts. The clock struck one as
the editer of the Liberator set his foot on
Jersey soil, in the streets of Trenton-the
sturdy little horse had made the distance,
thirty miles, and drawn three persons, in three
hours. 1t was not until the next day that the
bowling mob found it had been cheated of its
prey, and they took characteristic revenge,
making the negroes the object of their wrath.