[173]
On many accounts I extremely regret the necessity of taking the steps above mentioned.
It will not be encouraging to our friends; and our opponents will chuckle at this failure of the attempt to sustain a weekly publication for the promotion of our cause.
But that cause is not yet to be abandoned.
Every energy of my mind shall still be devoted to it.
To this,
Garrison added these farewell words:
A separation from my philanthropic friend is painful, yet1 owing to adverse circumstances, unavoidable.
Although our partnership is at an end, I trust we shall ever remain one in spirit and purpose, and that the cause of emancipation will suffer no detriment.
My views on the subject of slavery have been very imperfectly developed in the Genius,—the cares and perplexities of the establishment having occupied a large share of my time and attention.
Every pledge, however, that I have made to the public, shall be fulfilled.
My pen cannot remain idle, nor my voice be suppressed, nor my heart cease to bleed, while two millions of my fellow-beings wear the shackles of slavery in my own guilty country.
In all my writings I have used strong, indignant, vehement language, and direct, pointed, scorching reproof.
I have nothing to recall.
Many have censured me for my severity—but, thank God!
none have stigmatized me with lukewarmness.
“Passion is reason—transport, temper—here.”