The Portland daily press., 1890-09-23
FRED.DoucLAss SPOKE.
The Meeting of the AbolitIonIsts at
the Hub Yesterday.

BosToN, September 22.-Gray hairs,
wrinkled faces, bent frames, such were
the more notable characteristics OF the as
semblage which met in the MeiOnaon this
morning. The Abolitionists Of Boston, the
survivors of the noble band, who, a third Of
a century-ago, risked reputation, property.
and life even in behalf of the slave, gathered
In the declining days of life to once more
clasp right hands and gaze into friendly
eyes. 1t was an occasion for rejoicing and
for the sufnm0ning back OF indistinct memoir
les from tho misty past.
The hall was fairly well filled when w. u.
Dupree of Boston, chairman of the COM
mlttee OF arrangements, opened the meet.
ing. When Fred Douglass, with his name
of griZZled locks, stepped on the platform he
stage was a draped picture of old John
Brown, and around were portraits of Lewis
Hayden, w. l.. Garrison, Charles Sumner,
Wendall Phillips and other abolition leaders.
The morning exercises consisted of prayer
by Rev. A. ID. Mayo. short opening ad-
dress by Chairman w. I'll. Dupree, music by
j. w. Hutchinson and daughter, address,
''The Old Guard" by Rev. A. p. Putnam,
and short addresses by other members.
Hon. Frederick Douglas was introduced
and said:
81 did not come here this morning
with the intention of making
remarks. MY object was once more to have
the pleasure and privilege Of looking into
the faces, hearing the voices and pressing the
hands Of those remaining abolitionists who
awoke this great nation to the wrongs per-
petrated against the race l am identified
with. have come to be instructed. 1t is
worth while to have the anti-slavery move
ment reflected from one on the outside. 1t
1t was slightly marred by an imputation
which | must notice here. | am glad it was
uttered in front of Massachusetts audience
lApplause.
audience. They know just what to do with
everything that comes before them. [Ap-
plause.l Oh! how l wish such learning and
eloquence had been heard on our platform
fifty years ago." [Applause.1
Something was said about pensions and
an implied comparison was instituted be-
tween the soldiers and abolitionists.
MANY soldiers came back with stumps
and health gone for life. L believe that the
nation will take care of the soldiers or
phans and wiodws. envy not the head or
a man who would censure the government
for taking care of her soldiers whose efforts
gave liberty to 100000 of people. GGreat
applause.]
"The aboltionists were right in their at
titude to the church. Slavery and the church
were side by side. The church was at peace
with slavery. Men were sold to build
churches. Women were sold to help mis-
sionaries. Children were sold to buy Bibles.
Devils were dressed in baby's clothes. GGreat
applause.l We did right to oppose it,
MY friends, / think that those who ask
us to forget the past are the people who are
mistaken. Man is not all memory or all for
getfulness. don't want to forget the past.
/ may forget it too soon. We do not remem-
Dor it too long. How much all may see and
learn from that gigantic struggle that has
piled up debt to go down to our children's
children's children. l agree that we are not
to treasure up animosities of any kind. But
we are to be wise.
"It is not true that what is called the South
is rec0nciled to us yet. Go down South and
see the wife of the former bondsman hiding
herself from the passer by; his children
naked. Go through the South and ask why
1t is. There is a system Of paying by script.
The owner holds this in his hand and says,
take this or starve.' The countryman never
sees dollar. lie sees this script. The farm
hand receives $S month.
We were not emancipated by the sober
and moral conviction of the people We
were emancipated in defiance of those who
held us. We were not emancipated rightly.
We were turned loose and let go. Turned
loose to the madness Of disappointed rebel
lion, We,were told. The North has freed
you, now let 1t feed you.' So forlorn was
our condition it was stated on the floor of the
United States Senate: 1t Is no use to legis-
late for these negroes; they will die out
They we're dying. But God had another pur
pose and his purpose has prevailed"
Among the letters read was one from W.
IL. Hinds OF Kennebunkport, Me.