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

[264] opposed, it does more to disseminate, develop and confirm our principles than any other publication whatever. The spirit which produced still animates it, and with magnetic influence draws from all parts of society everything like around it. Other measures may suit different circumstances and other parts of the country; but here, and now, the spirit of the Liberator is the touchstone of true hearts. Almost all the opposition it has met with, various as it seems, springs from one cause. At starting, some who agreed with its principles¹ denounced it as “foul-mouthed and abusive” ; next, the occasional expression of some individual opinions of its editor gained it the name of “irreligious and Jacobin”; and now some point to its peace views as infidel in their tendency, and a stumbling-block in our way. Under all these disguises have men concealed their motives, sometimes even from themselves.

The real cause of this opposition, in my opinion, is the fundamental principle upon which the Liberator has been conducted:—that rights are more valuable than forms; that truth is a better guide than prescription; that no matter how much truth a sect embodies, no matter how useful a profession may be, no matter how much benefit any form of government may confer, still they are all but dust in the balance when weighed against the protection of human rights, the discussion and publication of great truths; that all forms of human device are worse than useless when they stand in Truth's way. These are its principles; frank, fearless singleheartedness, the utmost freedom of thought and speech, its characteristics. If we fail to impress these on each abolition heart, our efforts are paralyzed and our cause is lost. Pride of settled opinion, love of lifeless forms, undue attachment to sect, are its foes.

With the fullest charity for all conscientious scruples, and dissenting, as I do, from the peace views of the Liberator, I cannot see how their discussion, conducted in a Christian spirit, and with sincere love of truth, can offend the conscience of any man. Limited to a brief space, as it is, it can have no effect on the general character of the paper. I mean to give it all my influence, (and, in this crisis, when the paper so much needs its friends, I wish that influence were greater), to gain it the confidence, and pour its spirit into the mind, of every one I can reach. I shall esteem it a privilege to second your efforts. The danger I most dread is, to have our cause fall under the control