[18] The sign being demolished, the cry for “Garrison!” was renewed, more loudly than ever. It was now apparent that the multitude would not disperse until I had left the building; and as egress out of the front door was impossible, the Mayor and his assistants, as well as some of my friends, earnestly besought me to effect my escape in the rear of the building.1 At this juncture, an abolition brother whose mind had not been previously settled on the peace question, in his anguish and alarm for my safety, and in view of the helplessness of the civil authority, said— “I must henceforth repudiate the principle of non-resistance. When the civil arm is powerless, my own rights are trodden in the dust, and the lives of my friends are put in imminent peril by ruffians, I will hereafter prepare to defend myself and them at all hazards.” Putting my hand upon his shoulder, I said, “ Hold, my dear brother! You know not what spirit you are of. This is the trial of our faith, and the test of our endurance. Of what value or utility are the principles of peace and forgiveness, if we may repudiate them in the hour of peril and suffering? Do you wish to become like one of those violent and bloodthirsty men who are seeking my life? Shall we give blow for blow, and array sword against sword? God forbid! I will perish sooner than raise my hand against any man, even in self-defence, and let none of my friends resort to violence for my protection. If my life be taken, the cause of emancipation will not suffer. God reigns—his throne is undisturbed by this storm—he will make the wrath of man to praise him, and the remainder he will restrain—his omnipotence will at length be victorious.” 2
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1 Mayor Lyman's account of his interview with Mr. Garrison for this purpose will be found on p. 19 of “The Garrison mob.” He implies, however, that this occurred before the destruction of the sign, but such is not the order in Mr. Burleigh's relation (Lib. 5.171). Moreover, there is no corroboration of his statement that he advised Mr. Garrison to conceal himself in the garret, who accordingly ‘went up the attic stairs with alacrity,’ and the Mayor saw no more of him. The only surviving witness (1885), Mr. Sewall, strenuously maintains that Mr. Garrison was with difficulty persuaded by himself and his other friends to leave a building in which, by the Mayor's confession, no protection could be afforded him, whether in the ‘attic’ or elsewhere.
2 ‘Till this time [the advent of the Mayor],’ says C. C. Burleigh (Lib. 5: 171), ‘Garrison had been seated in the office, manifesting no sign of alarm, either in deed, word or look; and now, when he came out to the entry, he appeared as he had done through the whole tumult, calm, collected, and cheerful. I could perceive not the least change in his manner from that which he exhibits in the entire absence of danger, or of even the remotest apprehension of danger. Some of his friends united with the Mayor and officers in endeavoring to find a way of escape from the building, in which they at length succeeded. He complied with their request, and retreated from the window in the rear of the building [i.e., looking upon Wilson's Lane], after which one of the sheriffs announced to the populace that he had made diligent search for Wm. Lloyd Garrison, but that he could not be found. The dense crowd now began rapidly to grow thinner, and soon the street was almost wholly cleared. This I at first supposed was caused by the people's returning to their homes, but it was not long before I discovered my mistake. They were in chase of Garrison, having been informed, by some spy or looker-out, that he had escaped from a back window.’ So the Mayor (p. 21): ‘Perhaps ten minutes after I was told that Garrison had escaped, . . . I observed the whole crowd in front of the building [the Mayor was again at the foot of the staircase] turn and run up Washington Street. I no longer had any doubt but that Garrison, or some one, was found. I left the passageway instantly, told the officers to follow, and ran with the mob. When I reached the street on the north side of the City Hall, I looked down and saw a vast throng passing to the south along the head of State Street. I continued on past the Postoffice [in the west end of the City Hall building, on Washington Street].’
The Century Company. , 1885-1889.
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