Francis Jackson Garrison, William Lloyd Garrison, 1805-1879; the story of his life told by his children: volume 4

[58]

The day was one of the most sultry of the season. I gave my address in the afternoon, at 4 o'clock, occupying an hour¹ and a half. It was listened to with unbroken interest, and occasionally applauded (it was too grave and serious for much applause), and was evidently well received.² At the close of it, Professor Bascom (who introduced me) expressed his³ gratification, and said he endorsed every word of it. The audience was not very large, as twenty-five cents were asked for a ticket admitting the holder to both lectures. Hardly any of the Faculty were present except Prof. Bascom. In the evening, Prof. Fowler gave his lecture, and spoke without manuscript or notes for nearly two hours and a half! His theme was ‘The Crisis,’ which he discussed with marked ability, and delivered with great energy and eloquence. . . .

There is nothing new to communicate. As usual, up to this time, ‘all is quiet along the Potomac.’ Volunteering is going on rapidly in every part of the State, so that drafting will probably be required to a much less extent than was apprehended.

The draft became necessary, however, and as the time for it approached, Mr. Garrison discussed in two full and elaborate editorials the problems presented by its⁴ application to the non-resistants and abolitionists, and their duty in the premises. In these he maintained that the former (only a handful, really), who had consistently refrained from voting or taking any part in politics and government on conscientious grounds, ought to be exempt from its operation, but that all professed peace men (including the Quakers) who voted, and by their votes elected as their agents a President and members of Congress, bound by their oaths to defend the Government by military and naval force if necessary, had no just claim