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

[400] as chattels personal, and that of those who are only suffering from certain forms of political injustice or governmental oppression. . . . But, I said, although it is not true that England has any white slaves, either at home or abroad, is it not true that there are thousands of her population, both at home and abroad, who are deprived of their just rights—who are grievously oppressed—who are dying, even in the midst of abundance, of actual starvation? Yes! And I expressly called upon British abolitionists to prove themselves the true friends of suffering humanity abroad, by showing that they were the best friends of suffering humanity at home. I asked, Are they not so? The response to this inquiry, from various parts of the Chapel,—was “No! No! No!” “Then,” I said, “I am very sorry to hear it—I hope that it is not true of all of them —I am sure it is not true of the abolitionists of the United States, for they sympathize with the oppressed, as well as the enslaved, throughout the world.” More I also said, to the same effect. . . .

They [the operatives and laborers of Great Britain and Ireland] are in a deplorable situation, and should have prompt and ample redress given for their wrongs. It was because of my deep sympathy for them—because I had understood that many of those who were so ready to denounce American slavery, refused to give any countenance to measures at home for the relief and elevation of the laboring classes, and I wished to rebuke them—that I read to the Glasgow audience the placard signed “A White slave.” I did not stop to inquire of any of those who surrounded me on the platform, whether it would be politic for me to read it; for I was resolved to make it of some service, both to my enslaved countrymen at home, and to my suffering brethren in England. . . .

Towards the close of the meeting, an individual (well known as a Chartist) got on to the platform, and seemed both anxious and determined to make a speech; but the audience, probably anticipating what sort of a speech it would be, were unwilling to have him interrupt the regular proceedings, and compelled him to desist. I, for one, should have had no objection to his being heard; yet he was clearly out of order, and had no just cause to complain of the meeting. Since my return home, the Chartists and Socialists have successfully combined, in several instances, to take violent¹ possession of meetings convened expressly for anti-slavery purposes, and to transform their character and design. Such