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

[305] abolition State, made so by the Liberator beyond denial. ‘I repeat it,’ continued Mr. Garrison, ‘as the stirring conviction of my heart, and the logical deduction of my understanding, that Non-Resistance is destined to pour new life-blood into the veins of Abolition—to give it extraordinary vigor—to clothe it with new beauty—to inspire it with holier feelings—to preserve it from corruption—though not necessarily connected with it.’ And so, with a denial of Birney's right, as Secretary of the American Society, to determine for abolitionists whether they should use the birch or the cowhide in family discipline, unless he would also look after their diet and their theology; and with a repudiation of the comparison drawn between the Anabaptists and the ‘no-government’ professors, Mr. Garrison concluded his lengthy rejoinder.

Once more the curtain rises upon Massachusetts and upon the completion of the local drama. On May 28,¹ 1839, three hundred delegates to the New England Convention assembled in Boston. The woman question was promptly lugged in by Phelps—for the last time, as the event proved—who wished only ‘gentlemen’ enrolled; and was as promptly lugged out by a large majority. Mr. Phelps was again brought to his feet by the resolutions of the business committee denouncing the formation of a new State anti-slavery society as a dangerous movement, hostile to the genius of abolitionism, and unworthy of the anti-slavery professions of those who countenanced it. Torrey, likewise, and Elizur Wright, were heard in self-defence; the latter giving a spice of humor to the² occasion by contending that the old Society was properly no longer in existence. On the third day, further ³ resolutions declared the American Society's Constitution silent as to the duty of voting, and that it was not essential to membership to believe or disbelieve in this duty. The Convention agreed to a motion of S. J. May's, that no reasonable effort should be spared to heal the breach in the ranks, but followed Mr. Garrison's lead in opposing