Francis Jackson Garrison, William Lloyd Garrison, 1805-1879; the story of his life told by his children: volume 2

[156] From the very first moment that I buckled on my armor, I was assured that I could not maintain my ground; that I should retard instead of aiding the cause of emancipation; that my language was not to be tolerated; that my principles and measures were wild and untenable; and that no person of sane mind would rally under my standard. The entreaties, and warnings, and prophecies, and rebukes which my determination elicited, were numberless: and had I been influenced by them, had not God made my forehead strong against the foreheads of the people, the bark of abolition would have been wrecked upon the rocks and quicksands of human expediency.

I will not stop to trace the progress of this great enterprise. Suffice it to say, that its growth has been such as to astonish nations. Now, sir, if I possess any influence, it has been obtained by being utterly regardless of the opinions of mankind; if I have acquired any popularity, it has been owing to my sturdy unwillingness to seek that honor which comes from men; if I have been “ swallowed” by anybody, it is because I have always refused to “confer with flesh and blood.” I have flattered no man, feared no man, bribed no man. Yet having made myself of no reputation, I have found a reputation; having refused to be guided by human opinions, I have won “golden opinions” from the best of men; having sought that honor which comes from God, I am not left without honor among my countrymen.

For the rest, Mr. Garrison declared that he had never, as an abolitionist, tried to enforce his own views as to the Sabbath, the Christian ordinances, the ministry, or human and family governments.

In the second Clerical Appeal, Messrs. Fitch and Towne¹ partly reiterated their former charges, but largely, shifting their ground, availed themselves of the fresh matter afforded both in the replies to them and by their own supporters. They found a new motive for their ‘Protest’ (as they preferred to call it) in the alleged fact that the Liberator was now the organ of the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society. ‘It has been adopted as their paper; they, and they only, stand pledged to meet all the expenses connected with its publication.’ Mr. Fitch, as a member of the Board of Managers, had a personal