To Miss Eliza Scudder.
Wayland, 1864.
Another encouraging thing is the marvellous and constantly increasing change in public opinion on the subject of slavery.
Only think of George Thompson's speaking in the Halls of Congress, and of John Brown's Hallelujah being performed there!
Captain ---of the United States Navy, has been a bitter pro-slavery man, violent in his talk against abolitionists and “niggers.”
He has been serving in the vicinity of New Orleans, and has come home on a furlough, an outspoken abolitionist.
He not only says it in private, but has delivered three lectures in town, in which he has publicly announced the total change in his sentiments since he had “an opportunity to know something on the subject.”
A few days ago he was going in the cars from Boston to Roxbury, when a colored soldier entered the car. Attempting to seat himself, he was repulsed by a white man, who rudely exclaimed, “I'm not going to ride with niggers.”
Captain W., who sat a few seats farther forward, rose up, in all the gilded glory of his naval uniform, and called out, “Come here, my good fellow!
I've been fighting alongside of people of your color, and glad enough I was to have 'em by my side.
Come sit by me.”
Two years ago I would not have believed such a thing possible of him. So the work goes on in all directions. 