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Mr. Garrison had hardly regained his voice from cheering the friends who attended his landing from the
Acadia, when a public reception was given to himself and
Rogers at the
Marlboroa Chapel, on the evening of August 20, under the auspices of their colored friends— the first instance of a mixed assembly being thus brought together in
Boston.
The feeling of this interesting occasion is well shown in the closing remarks of welcome by
John T. Hilton:
We congratulate you and ourselves upon your safe return1 to your dear native country—to this city—to the soil which gave you birth—to the society of your beloved family, and to the dear friends that surround you;—to the colored man whose cause you have advocated.
And in expression of our fellowship and grateful sense of your devotedness to it, I now give you, in behalf of this meeting, my right hand (great applause). With it goes my heart!
(overwhelming applause), and the hearts of my brethren unitedly, sir. (Amen, amen, from the meeting). I present hearts before you that your enemies have not been able to change or conquer: hearts that could no more be bribed or stolen from you than your heart can be from us. (Applause). And now, sir, in behalf of this assemblage, I invoke the blessing of high heaven upon your head!
(Repeated and enthusiastic expressions).
A few disconnected extracts must suffice from
Mr. Garrison's felicitous response:
It is impossible for me to make the feelings fully 2 comprehended with which I see again my native land!—the feelings with which I find myself here once more in Massachusetts —in Boston—in this temple of Liberty—and before such an audience as this!
I thank God that I was born in the United States—that my field of labor lies in the United States.
Though I have met in England nothing but kindness, and have often been literally overwhelmed with demonstrations of regard —yet I had rather be here in the midst of my oppressed countrymen, laboring for their deliverance, than elsewhere, though basking in the sunshine of favor.
I said I was glad to be in Boston once more.
I am—though Boston has, it is true, used me somewhat roughly, in days that are past.
I am—for here I see once more the people.
In England I have seen
