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[399] bring them under his own government, which is the best in all the universe!

As slavery in America is justly the reproach of that country, and tends to bring our republicanism into disrepute in Europe, I would suggest to you the propriety of adding to your Essay a burning rebuke on that subject; stating the important fact, that that horrible system is not the fruit of our republican form of government, but is contrary to it, and will yet be destroyed by the genius of republicanism.

Yours, for universal liberty.


On the evening of July 27, the American delegates {William Adams included) had a great public reception under the auspices of the Glasgow Emancipation Society, in Dr. Wardlaw's Chapel. George Thompson introduced1 his old friend as one who had long been an honorary member of the Society, and in the most brotherly terms reviewed his career and their former association. ‘Mr. W. L. Garrison then rose amid the most enthusiastic2 cheering and waving of handkerchiefs, to address the meeting,’ says the report. What was most characteristic in his remarks is thus related by the speaker himself. The Chartists had resolved to make use of the occasion to point a moral in their own behalf:

‘On going to the meeting,’ says Mr. Garrison, 3

accompanied by a few friends, I observed a person standing at the door of the Chapel, distributing copies of a small handbill or placard. I took one, perused it, put it into my pocket, and resolved to read it to the meeting, without consulting any one—not even George Thompson, who sat at my right hand on the platform. In the course of my speech, I read it to the meeting in a deliberate and emphatic manner, as well as I knew how; which favor was, probably, not expected by its author, who signed himself, most inaccurately and improperly, “ A White slave” . . . .

The placard was headed, “Have we no white slaves?” After reading the interrogation, I said in reply: “ No—broad as is the empire, and extensive as are the possessions of Great Britain, not a single white slave can be found in them all” ; and I then went on to show the wide difference that exists between the condition of human beings who are held and treated

1 Ralph Wardlaw.

2 Lib. 10.137.

3 Lib. 10.203.

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