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[100] kept the British Government from interfering in the American struggle. A week later, the same hall was1 packed to its utmost capacity on the occasion of a formal reception tendered to Mr. Thompson by leading citizens of Massachusetts, the name of John A. Andrew heading the list. Governor Andrew presided with rare felicity, declaring it to be an agreeable service, and in the direct2 line of his public duty, to attempt the chairmanship of the meeting, and ‘to accord an honorable welcome to George Thompson,’ both for his earlier achievements and3 for his recent services in behalf of the North. Mr. Thompson's response was worthy of himself and of the4 magnificent occasion. Mr. Garrison would fain have kept in the background, preferring that the welcome to his friend should be seen to be a spontaneous and popular one; but the audience insisted on hearing him, and gave him three cheers as he came forward to express his delight at the atonement which Boston and Massachusetts were now offering. Addressing the Governor, he said:
Sir, it has been the custom of those who have occupied the5 Executive chair in this State, to close their Fast Day and Thanksgiving proclamations with the exclamation: “God save the Commonwealth of Massachusetts!” Now, sir, in view of the altered state of things among us, in view of this glorious meeting, justly and fairly representing the people of Massachusetts, and in view of the fact that your Excellency is here to preside on this occasion, I have to say that at last I believe Massachusetts is saved—saved from her old pro-slavery subserviency and degradation—saved from her blind, selfish, calculating slaveholding complicity with the South—saved to honor, justice, humanity, and impartial freedom.

The Boston reception was speedily followed by one at6 Cooper Institute, New York, with General John C. Fre--7 mont in the chair; by another at Plymouth Church,8 Brooklyn, with Henry Ward Beecher presiding; by others9 still in Springfield,10 Lawrence, Lowell, New Bedford, and

1 Feb. 23, 1864.

2 Lib. 34.37.

3 Cf. Lib. 27.7.

4 Lib. 34.37.

5 Lib. 34.38.

6 Feb. 29.

7 Lib. 34.39.

8 Mar. 11.

9 Lib. 34.46.

10 The Springfield Republican aggravated its disgraceful course at the time of Mr. Thompson's visit in 1851 (ante, 3: 322) by now repeating its calumnies, and coolly asserting that Mr. Thompson's recent services to the Union cause were “but an act of justice and due reparation for past injuries” done by him to this country! Mr. Thompson made a scathing reply (Lib. 30: 50).

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