Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1882-01-18
Pioneer AbolItIonlsts.
BARNARD, Vt, January IS, 1882.

BARNARD, Vt, January 16, 1882.
Mr.. Editor Your notice last week OF Hon G.
L. Knapp's remarks concerning late epistle Of
Orson $. Murray upon early matters In Vermont
makes me remember that | had letter from Mr..
Murray some two years since upon the same sub
ject. had known much Of Murray as publisher
and editor OF the Vermont Telegraph eight years,
beginning October l. 1885. Also had seen him
"a secretary Of very interesting abotionist con-
ventlon Of two days at Rochester, Vermont, in
1871 or 1912, Rev II. +. Leavitt OF vergennes,
president After that probably in 1913, over
took him somewhere in Caledonia county, rapidly
walking to reach a lecture appointment, and he
rode with me. He talked very freely, not in
bold and daring, but fearless manner remem-
Der he said that Elder Cheney was lately at one
of his lectures and made some remarks. He was
tall and lean, nervous and muscular, and had the
appearance Of determined man, executing some
important and dangerous mission. should say
he was largely made up Of Lorenzo Dow and John
Brown material. lie wore long hair, was sharp
in reply, and his manner in general was uncom-
mon. should guess him, at that time, thirty five
years of age. No matter: he is as keen as ever,
and is undoubtedly to-day, though sustaining the
pressure Of nearly eighty years, az able a writer
and public speaker as Ohio can boast
According to his letter to me- he was the only
representative from Vermont to the Philadelphia
convention, held December 4th, 9th and 9th 1888
which then and there formed the American Anti
slavery Society. presume he went without or
ders, as know OF no organization that could have
sent him. On his way homeward he was mobbed
at Bennington. The next winter he rode horse
back through nine counties of Vermont, and in
the spring secured the formation Of the Vermont
Anti-slavery Society-the first state society aux-
larry to the American society In this act OF labo-
rious perseverance, we see that Orson s. Murray
accomplished more in the given time than any
other " fiity-nine," which friend Knapp enumer-
ates as signing the anti-slavery " Declaration Of
1897
While lecturing in Vermont, he was mobbed in
the following places; Woodstock, South Wood
stock, Randolph and Charlotte. | copy from his
letter:
al Woodstock Green had the sympathy and protection
OF Judge Hutchinson and his two sons. while the bowling
pro-sayery horde were bent on assoing In the street.
meeting whence they had driven us At south Wood
stock triumph over the mob was most manuly aud he
slayton, and others Al Randolph General Martin Flint
x All h en- bs and S1e } Eon, hs moS At
was seized by four chosen sturdy men, one at each and
ZACH hHu caiIeu out
Next, will insert what Mr.. Murray says in re.
lation to his lecturing in Montpelier in October,
1888, without mob
readily found sympathy and assistance in my work
hee bohes by tie Sas Of woSds T ThsT obnnsd m
use OF the Congregational Westinghouse the place
and other sssemblies were held lt was where the
rotary Of the Vermont Coonz Society and the ven-
Grated Judge Eli Paine was president These, with the
Chronicle had foresailed iormdaby nvermont in favor
Of the Colonization deuson cheat and snare the slave
fight at the start in Vermont in great degree To
Many members OF the legislature were in attendance ii
was one of the audiences addressed
there rushing through the crowd stranger in stall
tended hand exclaimlng Murray, here to ighi
yo9, but believe you are right give me your hand
place student in the Vermont University and gone
% 70 earry Vermont ppes c9ntr9l,ed TO me ad o.
the great and decisive battle OF Mssoongh He would
was fepTesenaye n he sS sD Of the s Town OF BtT
lin He said to me that 4 had ANYTHING to offer for the
consideration of the assembly, the subject OF abolition
and would put in form he would present next morning
Res9lped that in congress instructed and
our representatives requested to their endeayors the
Columbia and The interstate trafic Colonel Miller Of
fefed the resolution and advoc ed ts passage, In few
words Of his electrifying eloquence"
Thus, in an evening, was Colonel Jonathan
ton to the love Of it, and the next morning as
Stunning leadership of his espoused cause in the
legislature. Quick work beats "Saul of Tar
sus." The Colonel in his lectures made often use
of this phrase. " Give your adhesion"
But what shall we say of the Apostle Murray's
adhesion, advocacy and priority Was he not
the pioneer OF abolition in Vermont? Just think
OF it, or the fifty-nine who originated the Ameri.
can Ant!-Slavery Society, Murray, Wright and
Whittier are the three who still live
Mr.. Editor In relation to the fate OF Murray's
Resolution Thompson has published to thii
effect January, 1888, Colonel Miller offered sucf
resolution, and Solomon Foot moved its dis
missal that 1t was not dismissed, but referred
to tho mont Legislature, wnicn did dismiss 1t, by
majority OF fifteen. Will you have the kindness
to see II Thompson was correct =? He is correct
in every particular as the journal shows. Editor
Wdtchman MOSES f. CHENEY.