Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-02-14

The formation Of the New England Anti
slavery Society in 1882 was followed by that of
the national organization in 1893, says Mr.
Grimke in the New England Magazine. From
this time the tide of abolitionism rose rapidlv
to its food So also did the counter tide of
pro-slavery opposition. The consequence was
a season of mobs all over the free states The
most memorable of the lawless attempts TO
abolish the abolition movement in the north &C.
Cured in Boston October 81. 1895. 1t is known
in anti-slavery annals as the '!Brosdcloth Mob,
The sections OF the city associated with the
abolition movement were more than doubled
that day before the sun went down by the per
formances OF that eminently respectable and
influential mob Of gentlemen of property and
standing in the community. The immediate
occasion Of the riot was the annual meeting of
the Boston Female Anti-slavery Society that
afternoon at their hall in the building then
numbered 46 Washington street. situated mid
way between State street and Cornhill and the
expectation that Geo. Thompson, the famous
English orator and abolitionist would adj
dress It, That noon an infiammatory hand
bill denouncing ''that infamous foreign scoun-
drel, thompson, and Offering a purse of 800
Ito reward the individual who shall first Law
violent hands on him, was distributed lin the
insurance offces the reading rooms, all along
State street, In the hotels, bar rooms and among
the mechanics at the North End" and so scat.
tered about the town. And from every quarter
Of the town men gathered to do the deed or to
witness the outrages, insomuch that between 8
| and O'Clock they were, according to yarious
estimates. from 1900 to 5000 in number. Both
| sides OF Washington and State streets in the
| neighborhood of the old state house then used
as the city hall and post office, were filed with
| the spirit of mischief. The multitude Law ex
| tended like huge irregular cross The head
darkened in front of the anti-slayery ofices
| the foot reached to joys building one arm EN-.
braced the old state house. while the other
stretched along Court street to the court
house. The motive which created the mot
| was hatred Of the abolitionists: its purpose
to smoke OUT George Thompson and treat
him to a kettle of tar and feathers. The nom
appearance Of Mr.. Thompson defeated the
designs upon himself. Mr.. Garrison had also
been invited to address the ladies that after
noon, and he was present. Missing Thompson.
| the mob turned upon him with the fury of mad,
men. Reading Alright the omen of the storm
| which was gathering about them the ladies
| advised Mr.. Garrison to retire from the hall
This he prudently did, but instead of leaving
the building went into the Liberator Office. Adj.
| joining the hail. where the ladies were making
heroic efforts to proceed with the business OF
their society, and there employed himself, with
| that marvellous serenity which never deserted
| him, IN writing an account of the riotous dem
| onstrations to distant friend. But he did not
| finish the letter, for the rioters rushing into
| the hall in search OF him, had kicked out the
panels of the door leading into the room where
he was calmly writing. Escape was not possible
but the presence Of mind OF Charles C. Bur.
leigh saved him from instant violence.