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

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The plot, thus far, has been warily managed, so, if possible, to “deceive the very elect.” Many, we know, are already ensnared, and some, at least, who neither intend nor suspect mischief. The guise in which it is presented is one of deep solicitude for the success of our cause. No attempt is to be made to lower down the standard—O no!—but simply to change the men to whom has been entrusted the management of the enterprise, and put in their place younger men, better men, who will accomplish wonders, and perform their duties more faithfully—that's all! While, privately, by conversation, letters, circulars, etc., etc., every effort is making to disparage the Liberator (the paper is too tame for these rampant plotters!) and to calumniate its editor, no hostility to either is to be openly avowed! Far from it; for honesty in this case might not, peradventure, prove to be the best policy.

The shape in which this new project is to be urged, is developed in the resolutions which were adopted at the recent meeting of the Worcester County North Division A. S. Society, at Fitchburg. (See the proceedings in another column.) These¹ resolutions were concocted in Essex County, by the joint labors of two clergymen, and passed as above stated—only four or five hands, we learn, being raised in their favor. The plan is, it seems, to get as many anti-slavery societies committed in favor of these resolutions, before the annual meeting, as possible. The political necessity which is urged for another paper is ridiculous; and we know it is nothing but a hollow pretence.

The two clergymen alluded to in this exposure were Charles Turner Torrey, of Salem, and Alanson St. Clair. The former, a man ‘with a fair share of talent,’ and² ‘more than ordinary energy and activity of execution,’ had originated the plan of a new paper, and, ever since the late New England Convention, had been the chief intriguer for it. It was he who had written to congratulate Fitch, with ‘unmingled satisfaction,’ on the Clerical Appeal. St. Clair, in company with a third clergyman, the Rev. Nathaniel Colver, of Boston, had gone up to Fitchburg on January 3, 1839, to engineer the resolutions of his drafting. They were adroitly³ introduced at such an hour as to prevent the usual ⁴ scrutiny and discussion, and in such terms as to disarm