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there should have been an end of the matter.
It was for the abolitionists of America, of France, of Denmark, of England, to choose by whom they would be represented, and not for any London committee to decide. . . .
I heard . . . an apology for the London meeting, in that it had not opened its sessions with vocal prayer.
It was said that, as the Convention was composed of men entertaining every variety of religious belief, it was judged best to save the feelings of those who were conscientiously opposed to formal observances,1 by omitting vocal supplication.
Then I say, if they could do thus much to save the feelings of individuals, they ought to have received our American female delegation for the same reason, and left all free to pray or act as they might feel moved in spirit. . . .
Once more, as to our refusal to join the meeting.
We felt that in rejecting the credentials of those who were delegated with us, the London meeting did really dishonor our own. We felt that we had no more right there than was possessed by our rejected co-delegates; and we would not go in as a matter of favor.
So
Mr. Garrison went into the gallery, to the great scandal even of the majority of the delegates: for what sort of a World's Convention or ‘Conference’ was it in which the founder of the greatest anti-slavery movement of the age—or of any age—was debarred from taking his seat on the floor?
‘The act,’ says
Rogers,
was decisive in its effect.
Haman2 never looked more blank on seeing Mordecai sitting in the king's gate with his hat on, than did this “ Committee in Conference” on seeing us take the position we did. Garrison was besought to come down.
They tried by every means in their power to seduce him down.
Every time he was mentioned, that whole Conference would applaud as if they thought they could clap him down.
We were beset with entreaties and3 regrets; and, to crown the whole, at a special meeting of the Committee, the following letter and resolutions were adopted and sent to us [‘stating that it was their unanimous desire4 that we would consent to become members of that body in our ’
