Garrison, William Lloyd (1805-1879) to Aaron M. Powell
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC08958 Author/Creator: Garrison, William Lloyd (1805-1879) Place Written: New York, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 10 June 1862 Pagination: 3 p. ; 20.5 x 13 cm. Order a Copy
Discusses an abolitionist meeting he attended, where a memorial was drafted calling on President Lincoln to immediately abolish slavery. Now in New York, an "immense, dirty, bustling, turbulent city." Says of Theodore Tilton, one of his companions at the meeting "should his life be spared, he is destined to be 'a burning and a shining light' in the cause of humanity and progress."
Aaron M. Powell was a publisher, Quaker abolitionist, and fighter for women's suffrage.
Theodore Tilton was an abolitionist and published of The Independant. Tilton's accusation of an affair between his wife and his boss, Henry Ward Beecher, lead to a notorious scandal.
New York, June 10, 1862.
Dear Aaron:
I have just arrived in this immense, dirty, bustling, turbulent city, on my return from the Progressive Friends' meeting at Longwood. I intend remaining here until Thursday morning, when I purpose taking the regular morning boat for Hudson, (should the weather be propitious - if not, the railroad train,) and hope to be with [inserted: you] and the beloved ones at Ghent at early tea-time.
I went to Longwood in company with Oliver Johnson and Theodore Tilton. We had the warmest greetings and received the kindest hospitality from our Longwood friends, and enjoyed ourselves in "a right royal manner." Seven consecutive meetings were held; and as the burden of public speaking rested chiefly on Tilton and myself, your may imagine we both feel a good deal jaded; especially as we had an immense amount of private talking to do with old [2] and young. The more I see of Theodore, the more I appreciate his many fine qualities, and feel that, should his life be spared, he is destined to be "a burning and a shining light" in the course of humanity and progress.
It fell to my lot to draw up the "Testimonies" this year on Slavery, the Rebellion, and Peace, and they were accepted unanimously, with out amendment. Some of the old school Quakers will think they read queerly, as a matter of style at least, emanating from a "Society of Friends"; but they must be reminded that [inserted: it] is a "Progressive Society," and therefore the repudiation of the old stereotyped phraseology.
I expected to find, in consequence of the convulsions of the times, a good deal of contrariety of opinion and feeling concerning the war and the duty of [inserted: the] government; but I was agreeably disappointed. There was entire unity of the spirit and concurrence of judgment. A memorial was adopted, addressed to President Lincoln, [3] urging him to abolish slavery without delay; and Thomas Garrett, Oliver Johnson and Alice Eliza Hambleton were appointed delegates to go to Washington, and in person present it to the President. They will go.
Nature now presents her Land most features and her richest attire. Every thing in your region must be looking very attractive: of that I hope to judge in a day or two. But, conceding the fact as settled, I must nevertheless ask, Aaron, "Did you ever see the Boston Common?" And, if so, "then I guess you never did see any thing like that!" - of course, I mean precisely like it.
But, "wind and weather permitting," we will have to peep together from Bunker Bill at Charlestown.
Present my loving regards to your dear wife, father, mother, Lizzie, and George, and believe me
Ever faithfully yours,
Aaron M. Powell. Wlm. Lloyd Garrison.
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