Year: 1879

WILLIAM LLOYD GARRjS0N


The eminent reformer whose death is
lust announced held no public Office. lie
did not labor in any professional capacity.
He did not devote himself in any remarkable
degree TO literary pursuits. Almost from the
beginning of long career, he had but a single
purpose, and that was the abolition of Amerl-
can Slavery. Almost all else that he uttered or
accomplished was subsidiary to this, and what
ever he might propose, this great business
of his life was never forgotten. There
was 4 singular simplicity about all that he
said OF did. He had but two or three preml-
ses. but these he found sufficient for the es
tablshment of q very broad and general sys-
tenn. The sum total OF his moral philosophy
was the Golden Rule He insisted upon a
litera! acceptance of the teachings of Christ
and in that acceptance was all his Chris
tiamty. He would have nothing 80 do
with commentary, and he was always
suspicious of explanatory paraphrase. Hav-
ing determined that slavery was incon-
sistent with the commands OF the
Deity, he was not in the least to be moved
from his position by the science of the eth
nOlOgsts, or by the differing deductions OF
thcologians. On the contrary, he retorted in
the fiery language of the Hebrew Prophets, or
the milder words of the Apostles. Others
might qualify The Beatitudes, but Mr.. Garrison
believed that they meant just what they ap-
peared to mean--nO more 10 less. This lit
eral and unqualified acceptance gave him
wonderful power. To remOnstrance, to vitu-
peration, to the most ingenious dialcctics, he
had but one answer" Thus saith the Lord |"
Il of p
refused to find two meanings in plain and in
telligibe language. He knew that he was
right, and he did not believe that anybody
honestly thought him to be wrong. Let those
who did so have a care-they were in very
perilous condition! 1t is quite wonderful to
consider how the strength of his convictions
sustained him through all vicissitudes and kept
him firm to his purpose through every phase
of public affairs. Whether parties rose or fell,
whether ecclesiastical bodies remained united
or were rent asunder, whether statesmen
were true or false, there was nothing for him
but reiteration Of his old warning and
reaflirmation of the principles OF liberty.
Here he was a bgot, full as his nature was
of love and tenderness and divine pity. He
believed as only few men have believed, and
he possessed persistence which has rarely
been exhibited even by the leaders of man
kind.


Whether Mr.. Garrison was right or wrong
in the demand tor immediate emancipation,
which his unfiinching logic led him to make,
is now matter Of little consequence. 1t was
well for the country to have its duty reduced
to single formula with no comfortable limi
tatons, and the result was the creation of
public opinion which hG carried us safely
through the most perilous period of our
history. If Emancipation became mill
tary, 1t was not less moral necessity; and
Mr.. Garrison had taught us to consider it as
thing ardently to be desired. For years men
of more than ordinary ability had proclaimed
it to be an impossibility. or at least as unspeak
ably dangerous. He had always regarded it
as feasible, and he had never ceased TO say
what he thought. Certainly, the great liberia
tion did not come by degrees at last.


The fuflment of his hopes, and, we may
say. of his prophecies, must have lent a
charming serenity to the last years of this
remarkable life. If the poor printers boy had
become Gas SO many printers boys haye) one
of the most distinguished men of his country,
he had achieved the distinction in no easy
and pleasant way. 1t is hardly possible for
those of the present generation TO understand
how this gentle-hearted, however plain-speak-
ing man, was hated and denounced. His name
was held to be synonymous with " frebrands,
"arrows and death" The mob Of Boston
hunted him to the jail in which he found
safety and the walls of which possibly alone
preserved his life. One Legislature at least
of Southern State formally offered a reward
g.. Drt In do
thousand enemies who were quite as hostile.
The press almost without exception, de-
nounced MIN. The pulpit was loud in its
nathemas. With political parties it was, in
the nature of th-0gs. impC Ssible for him to be
upon good terms He was zealot, fanatic, an
mfdel, traitor and maker Of mischief.
Only a little band of friends gathered around
hIm, while, among his most earnest and least
favorable critics, we're many who started with
him in the crusade of liberty, and who had
left him to work in their own way and their
own places or not TO work Ill such behalf at
all.


1t is not always that a great refOrmer lives
to have the dearest wishes of his heart
gratifed Such a Ieward was vOuch
saied to Mr.. Garrison. Ii must have been
proud moment when, standing within the
walls Of Fort Sumter surrounded by many of
the most distinguished men of the country,
he saw the flag of n restored and regeneratcd
Union once more floating over the soil of
South Carolina. In several ways his country
men showed him in what high estimation
he was held; and from being one
of the least, it is safe to say that
he became one of the most popular of our
citizens. Ills last days were full of
peace, and made pleasant by the love
and reverence Of all SO he passes to his
O. 4. Of lahn