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

W. L. Garrison to G. W. Benson.

Boston, Sept. 16, 1837.

² As to the kind of reception which the Clerical Appeal is receiving at the hands of our abolition brethren, you will learn very explicitly, and in a manner that will be cheering to your heart, by this week's Liberator. If this sedition in our ranks³ should be speedily and effectually quelled, I think our enemies may as well surrender at discretion—or at least abandon all expectation of dividing and conquering our forces. The only thing that surprises and grieves me is, the studied silence of the Emancipator respecting this controversy. It has not said a word about it, and, I understand, does not mean to say anything—notwithstanding the charges in the Boston and Andover Appeals are broadly made against our cause and ‘leading abolitionists’—and notwithstanding the religious and political pro-slavery presses are publishing the Appeal, with strong encomiums, all over the land! Silence like this is shameful, is criminal, and anything but magnanimous. I have received a singular letter from Elizur Wright, Jr., in which he denounces my course in the severest manner. Could you see it, you would hardly believe that he could have penned such a letter. But it only convinces me that all is not as it should be at headquarters, and that our friends in New York would be glad, on the whole, to see me cashiered, or voluntarily leave the ranks. Next week I mean publicly to rebuke the Emancipator. You will perceive by the Liberator, that our State Society is to hold