The Liberator

From the Lynn Record

THE LATE NEW ENGLAND ANTI-SLAVERY CONVENTION,

Like all similar ones, was distinguished for eloquent speakers, and for interesting and animated debaters. Among the principal speakers we noticed Messrs. Alvan Stewart of Utica, N. Y., H. B. Stanton, N. Y., Rev. Mr. Pierpont of Boston, Mr. Knapp, Secretary of State, Vermont, N. P. Rogers, N. H., besides Messrs. Garrison, Wendell Phillips, Edmund Quincy, and others from Boston, who usually attend, and give life to the anti-slavery meetings. We were much gratified to see Mr. Pierpont rise and speak, for the first time, in an anti-slavery assembly. He has done much in another way in elegant, eloquent, forcible, poetical effusions, in behalf of the poor slave, and the anti-slavery cause. He spoke, in apology, for the backwardness and seeming reluctance of his clerical brethren, in espousing this cause. He said they wanted light. They were in darkness. The time had been when he was in darkness on this subject; and he believed that a majority of the New England clergy would act right on the subject of slavery, as soon as their minds were enlightened. Mr. Garrison arose in answer, and with a countenance and manner full of good humor and kind feeling, proceeded to expose the honest errors of the Rev. gentleman, and to draw his gentle but caustic strokes over the 'blind leaders of the blind' till the audience from laughter were almost inclined to pity the poor subjects. Nothing will cut like truth, and Mr. G. was perfectly at home on the subject.

Among others, we saw in the assembly, J. T. Austin, attorney general, who appeared very restless, and Simon Clough, 'D. D. LL. D. and who knows but Rev. Hubbard Winslow came also among them? The clerical abolitionists,' so called, were not present.

The only apparent jarring (which produced a lively discussion) was the appointment of a female, (Miss Kelly of this town, of the Society of Friends) on the committee for addressing (or dressing) the clergy. Some were opposed to the measure, and were rather severe in their reflections on the appointment of a female, upon which Miss Kelly rose and defended herself and cause, most manfully, though with great modesty and dignity, and carried her point by acclamation. As the ladies had been voted in, as members, and had paid their dollar each as such, it seemed no more than right that they should be represented in the committee. Many, however, were aware of the readiness of the enemies of the cause to catch and carp at every thing, and to represent the proceedings of the abolitionists as strange and fanatical; and therefore, deprecated everything resembling innovation.

Among the able speakers we ought to have mentioned C. C. Burleigh, who was in feeble health, and unable to say much, but standing by the side of Miss K. on this occasion, and probably feeling his gallantry* stirred, he arose and made the most eloquent and powerful speech, we heard during the week.

* Not his 'gallantry,' but his love of right and justice.—Ed. Lib.