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Letter From G. W. Clark: Correspondence Of The Signal Of Lib...

Letter From G. W. Clark: Correspondence Of The Signal Of Lib... image
Parent Issue
Day
2
Month
October
Year
1843
Copyright
Public Domain
OCR Text

Canastota, Y. Y., Sept. 23, 1843.Jlfessrs. Edilors: - I have presumed it would bc interesting to yoar readers to hear something of the movemcnts and doings of the Abolitionists of the Empire State. O the great and glorious gathering of the friends of freedom at the National Convention at Buffalo, you have alrcady, doubtless had a report. Such a convent on never before assfimbled in tïiis country. Such an assemblage of ialenf, of wisdom, of sound discretion, of holy zeal and pïiilanthropic enthusiasm, íb mi indication not to be misunderstood; and one which prcsages the dovvnfall of the aystem of Slavery in this country. Demagogues may prate, and pro-slavcry political newppapers may misrepresent and malign the abolitionists - íheir principie?, and moasures, andtions, but themassee, true to tlie impulses of nature and the principies pf human equalily and justice, wiJl rise ín their mighl and burst the cliains of slavery. For some time previous to Ihe Nationul Convention, anti-sluvery meetings were held in the eastcrn, middle, and western seclions of the State, which were large, interesttng and effective. Meetings were held by deJegates going and returning from the convention with the happiest efTect.Lectures were deÜvered by S. R. Ward, (colored) Owen Lovejoy, and Abby Kelly, on board the steamboat on its passage down tho River to tfic Fnïïs. A meeting was also held at the Falla, which waf? addreseed by S. R. Ward,and Alvan Stewart. Therc were slaveholders on board the boat, and also nt the meeting at the Falls. From tfie Fall?, Mr. Stewart went to Lockpórt, where we niet with Mr. Cliase, from Cincinnati, Judge Hntchinson, from the Green Mountains of Vt. and llev. Mr. Berrien. of Conn., are interest - ing and eloquent colored men. On Snturday evenmg, the people were addressed by Mr. Chase and Mr. Stewart. Jt was found that a much larger house would be reqnired for the series of meetings which were ío be held the nc-xt day. After considerable enquiry and effort, consent was obtained of the trustees and carpenters for the usc of the new Chnrch which had first been erected by the Universalite, and which wasstill without floors, doors or winr!ows. The abo'ilionists went to work and prepured a floor and seáis atsome considerable labor and expense, and at half past lü u'clock Sunday morning, the large house I was full, and a solenin ond impressive dis- course was delivered by Alvan Sfevvart. At ts close one of the poor timid trustees carne and hanüed a sort of rjectmail and we were all turned out of doors. Some few individuáis who had Bubscribed something for the building were in wrath, and swearing becauseAboIitionists had been permit ted to have the first use of the walls of their edifice,in which to plead thö canse of the crushed slave! The poor trustees were alarmed, and the abolilionisls must be forthwith "cast milP The Lord makes the "wrath of man to praise him." So in this inetance. A etill larger meeting in contequence, was soon gathered for the afternoon at the norlh end of the Court House, oviside ils walls, on theground. Seats were poon prepared for a large number of ladies, and waggons and carriages of various kinds were drawn up in a circle around the area and the vast multitude were again prepared to listen to the "thougbts that breathe and words that hum." Mr. Stewart made a very effectivc speech on the reeponsible christian duties of man to man, and of man to his Maker. He waH followed by Judge Hutchinson, of Vt. in a ícw very forcible remarks in the 6ame direction. When the people were called pon to consécrate thcmselves to the cause of the Slave - to use all theit power - social) moral and pólitical for the overthrow of slavery, almost every man, woman and child rose simultaneously upon their feet. This demonstration was most prompt, decisive and heart cheering. Tn the evening we again assembled in the same Church of God, at the same spot jn the open air, - the beautiful heavene smiüng o'er us. This meeting was addreseed by Mr. Stewart, and Mr. Bemen, of Conn., and was peculiarly solemn and impressive. It was dark and silent as the grave. Mr. Stewart was speaking of the moral darkness which had been hanging over tbc inindsof the people on the greit question of human riglits, and had first commenced speaking of the light that was aboiit bursting upon the vvorld, when the full moon loomed up from behind n. thick black cloud, a:id whelmed us al! m its beauliful and silvery light. The effect was most rand! Mr. Stewarr, did not fail to turn tliis incident to gnod nccount. I endeavored at all of these meetings to do my partin the work by pou ring over tlieir sould the power of poetnj and vvisic - giving them sotne of Whittiei's best. Althoiigl mnch was said by a certain class who had all at onee becomc very pions about our dosecniting the Sabbath, yet I venture to say that move real gospel was preached at these meetings on that day, thnn in all the other churches in the piare put tpgether. - More calling sinners to ropentance for their wrong doings, and pleading the canse of the poor, oppressed and downtrodden; nnd more of true practical christianitij enforced. These nieetinirs wi'l never be forcrotlen. Mr.nrt held severul others on bis way home to Ut i ca. Wm. L. ChapHn, J.C. Jackson, Charles T. Torrey, Alvan Stewart, Wm. Goodel!, S. R. Waul, Abel Brown, J. N. T. Tuckcr. Milten Clark, the white fugitive from Kentocky, and myself, have travelleil through the lcngth and breadth of the State, holding meetings and pleadinji the cause of the slave the past season alinost mcessantly; and it is truly astonishmg'to see how [hepeople rally on these occasions, even in the midst of their haying and harvesting. The whole country is alive and inoving on this subject. The unniversary of our state anti-slnvery society and the state nominating convention of the Liberty party have just been held in this place. They broke up lost evening. The large church here was crammed yesterday almost to suffocatión. Judge Jay, Alvan Stewart, and Wm. L. Chaplin wero the persons brought forward as candidares for the Gubfirnatorial chair. - Much feeüng was elicited on this occasion. Gerrit Smith made a noble speech urging the nomina lion of Judge Jay, but he was rejected because of his so recent adheeion to the Liberty party; and Alviñ Stewarf, the old grennrJiei, was renominated by a large ninjonty. My sheet is full and I must close.P. S. - A resolution was presenled by Gerrit Smitli, and passed by the Liberty party Convention, the erection of a monument to the memory of Myron.Holley at Lockport, giving each rnember of the Liberty party the privilege of gi ving one cent to aid in its erection. It is not to cost over $L00.

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Subjects
Signal of Liberty
Old News