The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-04-05
III.

In a chapter that deals with Cbannings
relation to the anti-slavery movement
our author marks what he deems the most
inex plicable and most unfortunate feature
OF his subjects anti-slavery career. the
fact, namely. that Claiming had no per-
sonal relations with Garrison. 1t is true
that In the early sos Garrison was not
the inheritor OF his present great renown.
but we are reminded that Charming did
not generally require a trumpet of fame
to be sounded before the young men to
whom he lent a sympathetic ear. II they
came With any plea for humane consider
alton OF a just and righteous cause Gar
rison's cause was for Claiming preemi-
nently Just and righteous. Nevertheless.
the two never met but once, and, appar-
emily, Claiming did not reply to Garrison's
letters soliciting cooperation in ant-slavery
work Soon after the meeting held in
Faneuil Hall TO denounce the murder OF
Elijah p. Lovejoy, Claiming wrote letter
TO the .Iiberator." in which he called upon
the Aboltionists to disavow iovejoy's dis
position to defend his rights by force. Gar
rison. who in a previous editorial on the
murder had expressed regret that Lovejoy
had taken an attitude OF armed defence,
considered that Claiming went too far
when he demanded that all Abolitionists
should repudiate Lovejoy's course. 1t is
an interesting fact. mentioned by Mr. Chad
wick in a footnote, that Garrison, just after
publishing structures on Channing's 'Sla-
very" pamphlet. went to hear Claiming
preach, and found tho sermon full OF
beauty and power. worthy TO be written
in starry letters upon the sky" 1t seems
that Garrison sat with Mrs. Chapman. to
whom the privilege had been extended.
in the Higginson pew. Next day came a
note from Mr.. Higginson Withdrawing from
her the privilege. Our author opines that
eff Charming had heard Of that he would
have invited Garrison to his house at once
and had learned what a kindly human
face there was behind the vizor of the war
rior's casaue Mr.. Higeinson was Col. W.
T. Hit:ginson's uncle. + pur 81 muore!'
Mr.. Chadwick is undoubtedly right in
thinking that to measure justly the amount
and quality Of courage displayed by Chan
ming in his anti-slavery utterances and
Affiliations we must consider the nature
of tho man. IF he had relished contro-
vcrsy, IL he had dearly loved a moral fight.
~ his mind had been easily made up, IL
ne had had no fatal disposition to hear
tho other side. IL his Pensioners and
friends had generally sympathzed with
his anc-slavery views, and had melted him
TO sps,ech and action. and II his fellow
minister's had acted in like manner, all that
he did on anti-slavery lines would have
been az easy as for him TO turn his hand.
These would have been the lines Of least
resistance. The charges of backwardness
and tin,idity that were brought against
him could in that case have been easily
sustained. But Claiming did not love
controversy and opposition; he had no
oaudiuyn cerfdminis. He was not, ! think.
a man Of natural courage. but one of deli
cate and shrinking flesh, and corresponding
mind. His sermons and addresses abound
in praises OF moral courage. and he ex-
emplified the trait he praised. But it
was hartl for him to do IL. These praises
were exbprtations to himself to keep right
on. They burned his ships; they cut OF
his retrea.t; they made any fiinching on his
part imp ossible. The things he said and
did required Of him a great deal OF courage.
however much or little they might have
required Of a qnite different man. Lest
what he says should seem tinctured with
depreciation, our author calls to mind the
fact thar welling ton said that the best SOL
diers were not men OF natural courage.
but rather those who, shrinking from the
conflict, would not finch because their
sense OF duty held them to their work.
Claiming: was good soldier Of this kind
There n no doubt that. although Chan
ming would not go so far as Garrison.
he went far enough to damage himself
seriously in the eyes Of Boston society.
Because OF his anti-slavory sentiments he
became j,ersona non oratd. He was called
a JacobIu. His well-bred pariahioners.
gentlemen Of property and standing
often pa ,sed him on the street without a
sign Of recognition or with the most in
different rod. We are told that Channing's
son nev,r forgot the look Of pain upon
his fathers face when such an indignity
was ole red to him In the Boston streets.
Aside from his attitude toward slavery,
Claiming took an earnest and active part
In now ments looking to the solution Of
social roblems. As early a 1887 he de-
livered an address In favor Of the temper
ance movement. What he asked, is
the gre 1t essential evii Of intemperance?
He answered: 1T h he voluntary extinction
Of reds,n. The gteat evil is inward and
spiritual. The Incorporate man sins Inn
mediatt,y and dtectly against rational
nature, that divik principle which distin-