Transcriber's Note:
Obvious typographical errors have been corrected. For a complete list, please see theend of this document.
Ladies and Gentlemen: An earnest espousal of the Anti-Slaverycause for a quarter of a century, under circumstances which haveserved in a special manner to identify my name and labours with it,will shield me from the charge of egotism, in assuming to be itsexponent—at least for myself—on this occasion. All that I cancompress within the limits of a single lecture, by way of itselucidation, it shall be my aim to accomplish. I will make a cleanbreast of it. You shall know all that is in my heart pertaining toSlavery, its supporters, and apologists.
Of necessity, as well as of choice, I am a "Garrisonian"Abolitionist—the most unpopular appellation that any man can haveapplied to him, in the present state of public sentiment; yet, I ammore than confident, destined ultimately to be honourably regarded bythe wise and good. For though I have never assumed to be aleader—have never sought conspicuity of position, or notoriety ofname—have desired to follow, if others, better qualified, would gobefore, and to be lost sight of in the throng of Liberty's adherents,as a drop is merged in the ocean; yet, as the appellation alluded tois applied, not with any reference to myself invidiously, but toexcite prejudice against the noblest movement of the age, in orderthat the most frightful system of [4]oppression ever devised by humaningenuity and wickedness may be left to grow and expand to the latestgeneration—I accept it as the synonym of absolute trust in God, andutter disregard of "that fear of man which bringeth a snare"—and sodeem it alike honourable and praiseworthy.
Representing, then, that phase of Abolitionism which is the mostcontemned—to the suppression of which, the means and forces of theChurch and the State are most actively directed—I am here to defendit against all its assailants as the highest expediency, the soundestphilosophy, the noblest patriotism, the broadest philanthropy, and thebest religion extant. To denounce it as fanatical, disorganising,reckless of consequences, bitter and irreverent in spirit, infidel inheart, deaf alike to the suggestions of reason and the warnings ofhistory, is to call good evil, and evil good; to put darkness forlight, and light for darkness; to insist that Barabbas is better thanJesus; to cover with infamy the memories of patriarchs and prophets,apostles and martyrs; and to inaugurate Satan as the God of theuniverse. If, like the sun, it is not wholly spotless, still, like thesun, without it there is no light. If murky clouds obscure itsbrightness, still it shines in its strength. If, at a seems to wane toits final setting, it is only to reveal itself in the splendour of anew ascension, unquenchable, glorious, sublime.
Let me define my positions, and at the same time challenge any one toshow wherein they are untenable.
[5]I. I am a believer in that portion of the Declaration of AmericanIndependen