Sir: We heartily welcome you to
England in the name of
1 thousands of Englishmen who have watched with admiring sympathy your labors for the redemption of the negro race from slavery, and for that which is a higher object than the redemption of any single race, the vindication of the universal principles of humanity and justice; and who, having sympathized with you in the struggle, now rejoice with you in the victory.
Forty years ago, when you commenced your efforts, slavery appeared to be rapidly advancing to complete ascendency in
America.
Not only was it dominant in the
Southern States, but even in the free States it had bowed the constituencies, society, and, in too many instances, even the churches to its will.
Commerce, linked to it by interest, lent it her support.
A great party, compactly organized and vigorously wielded, placed in its hands the power of the
State.
It bestowed political offices and honors, and was thereby enabled to command the apostate homage of political ambition.
Other nations felt the prevalence in your national councils of its insolent and domineering spirit.
There was a moment, most critical in the history of
America and of the world, when it seemed as though that continent, with all its resources and all its hopes, was about to become the heritage of the slave power.
But
Providence interposes to prevent the permanent triumph of evil.
It interposes, not visibly or by the thunderbolt, but by inspiring and sustaining high moral effort and heroic lives.
You commenced your crusade against slavery in isolation, in weakness, and in obscurity.
The emissaries of authority with difficulty found the office of the
Liberator in a mean room, where
2 its editor was aided only by a negro boy, and supported by a few insignificant persons (so the officers termed them) of all colors.
You were denounced, persecuted, and hunted down by mobs of wealthy men alarmed for the interests of their class.
You were led out by one of these mobs, and saved from their violence and the imminent peril of death almost by a miracle.
You were not turned from your path of devotion to your cause,
