[229] and the signatures of those who approved it are to be appended to it. It will make a tremendous stir, not only in this country, but, in time, throughout the world.1 All who voted for it were abolitionists. Edmund Quincy, Wendell2 Phillips, William Ladd, A. St. Clair, and S. J. May declined voting either way, though almost ready to swallow it entire.3 Bro. May acted very inconsistently, got frightened, confused, and did some harm. After the adjournment yesterday afternoon, we formed a society, calling it the “New England Non-resistance Society,” and electing Effingham L. Capron to be4 its President, myself the Corresponding, and Mrs. Chapman the Recording Secretary. Mrs. Southwick and Anne Weston are upon the Executive Committee. In the course of the discussions, bro. George spoke several times with much 5 earnestness and to great effect. By this procedure your husband will have subjected himself afresh to the scorn, hatred, and persecution of an ungodly world; but my trust is in the God of Jacob. I know that the sentiments of the Declaration are of God, and must prevail.Mr. Garrison had met Mr. Quincy's perplexity as to a6 name for the new organization by choosing one which was a definite creed in itself, as he had done in the case of the anti-slavery organizations. He ‘at once 7 perceived that the term “peace” had become equivocal by usage, and did not convey to the mind all that the gospel really embodies in it. Hence the substitution of the broad and comprehensive word, “Non-resistance” which applies to individual as well as national intercourse.’
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1 The three days of the Peace Convention, said the editor under his own signature in the Liberator (8.155), will be more memorable than the Three Days in Paris. ‘Mankind shall hail the 20TH of September with more exultation and gratitude than Americans now do the 4TH of July. This may now be regarded as solemn bombast; but it is prophetical, and shall not fail to be fulfilled.’
3 Mr. Phillips had, vainly, opposed a resolution declaring the nonresistant principle founded on the spirit and direct commands of the gospel, and a doubt of its expediency a doubt of the wisdom and goodness of God (Lib. 8.154). As for Ladd, Mr. Garrison writes to Sarah Benson, Sept. 24, 1838: ‘The deep solemnity of the occasion was somewhat disturbed by the broad and irresistible humor of William Ladd. He is a huge and strange compound of fat, good nature, and benevolence. He went with us nineteen-twentieths of the way, and said he expected to “ go the whole” next year!’ (Ms.)
6 Ante, p. 224.
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