The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1889-10-09
Early Days Of Abolition.

Editor of Vermont Watchnan.-The late
reunion of early aboltionists, held in Boston,
resulted in large gathering of venerable
men and women who, half a century or so
ago became impressed with the sinfulness
and peril of American slavery, and thence
forth made common cause till the deep and
damning stain should be washed out from
our nation. OF course the exercises con-
sisted very largely of "reminiscences OF the
early times when bitter opposition and even
relentless persecution were the order of the
day.
The occasion took me back to the fall of
1885, and to the remarkable scenes of vio-
lence which brought the capital of the state
into such unenviable notoriety. / was then
in my teens, had come to town but short
month previous, and OF course the scenes
were novel and intensely exciting, and the
impression indelible. The recently formed
Vermont anti-slavery society had engaged
the Rev. Samuel j, May, a Unitarian clergy
man from Connecticut, to deliver public
address in the old state house on the even
ing of October %. A large audience assem-
bled, including many members Of the legis-
lature which was then in session. No
sooner had the lecture begun than the house
was noisily assailed by a mob from without,
and brck-bats, stones and rotten eggs
thrown through the windows. One OF the
latter striking the side of the speaker face,
broke and ran down over his person; where
upon, wiping off the vile stuff, he quietly
remarked; Keep cool, friends; we have to
contend with far greater evils than these
All appeals TO the sheriff who was present
to preserve order were in vain; but through
the efforts of Colonel Jonathan p. Miller,
the brave and stalwart cOadjutor of DR.. Sam
uel G. Howe in the Greek Revolution, aided
by Chauncey l.. Knapp, then editor of the
State Journal, and later member OF congress
from the Lowell Mass, district, and other
friends Of the cause, the speaker was en-
abled to finish his address, the gallant
colonel rushing up and taking position in
the broken window shouting out as he did
So" If you want to rotten-egg anybody, |
am your mani"
A second lecture being appointed for the
next evening at the Brick church, the fol-
lowing notice was meantime placarded
about town and copy sent to Mr.. May:
NoTIoB-M. Nay: Strive, the undersigned.
are requested by large number of the inhabitants
further attempt to hold forth the absurd doctrine Of
effect
9lIssoTT VI HUBBARD SEpp MILL "; Hull,
HuGH GoURLEY, MosBs L. HALE
j. Il. MARsTOk
Montpelier. October 2S, 1885
The first signer OF the foregoing was presi-
dent Of the only bank in Montpelier; Mr..
Hill was publisher Of the Vermont Patriot
and postmaster under General Jackson
| General Flint was a saddler and harness.
| maker, Mr.. Marston a lawyer, subsequently
editor Of the Patriot, and from the outbreak
| ing of the rebellion became an ardent re-
publican; Mr.. Gourley was proprietor of
the Village hotel" and Messrs. Russell
and Hale were tailors. A call was also
posted for meeting of the Vermont Coloni-
cation Society at the state house the same
| evening, and all friends of the cause adj
vised against attending the anti-slavery
meeting. The air was filled with threats of
violence all through the day preceding the
! lecture; but, though gentleman of excep-
| tional genueness in manner and speech,
| Mr.. May was nevertheless brave as a lion
| for what he believed to be the right.
Therefore at the appointed hour, the house
| being crowded, and the meeting having been
opened by prayer, he rose to commence his
address. Scarcely had he uttered a SEN
tenCe when Mr.. Hubbard rose In the midst
of a frenzied crowd and peremptorily de-
d manded that he should refrain from speak
\ ing. Mr.. May mildly pleaded for liberty of
speech among the free people of Vermont,
Commencing anew, he was assaled still
more violently, and the ladies warned to
leave the house. Mr.. Knapp demonstrated
against such disgraceful proceedings, and
begged the people to desist; but the angry
mob replied by threatening shouts, cat-calls
and " rebel yells," and made dash for the
pulpit. AT this juncture Colonel Miller
rushed in front OF the rioters, and confront
ing Mr.. Hubbard, shouted out; "lf you
don't stop this outrage now, I'll knock you
DOWN. The advancing mob was some
what checked, but the people were alarmed
Paid hbrried from the (hduse; the meeting
was broken up and the purpose OF the
rioters was accomplished
Is it any marvel that sucli scenes rs these
served most effectively to baptise an OBJ