PHILADELPHIA, 3d mo. 5,
1835.
MY DEAR FRIEND, — Unwilling to do anything that could by
possibility fan the flames which for a time seemed to threaten with riotous
destruction our civil institutions, we have, in this city, for several months
past abstained from public efforts, for promoting the glorious cause of human
liberty. Still we have not been unmindful of the cries and groans of two
millions of our countrymen in bondage. We have marked the accelerated progress
of licentiousness and pollution in the slaveholding sections of our country; we
have seen the hand of despotism extending its iron grasp over two hundred new
born victims in every twenty-four hours; we have heard the lamentations of the
bereaved mother when her darling babe has been torn from her bosom; we have
observed the widely withering influence of an unholy prejudice against beings
created, like ourselves, in the image of God; we have heard the sentiment
advanced, by professed ministers of Him who came to undo the heavy burdens, and
let the oppressed go free, that we ‘are but a set of misguided fanatics,
unworthy of the public regard.’ All this we have silently borne for weeks and
months that are past. But the claims of our fellowmen, who are suffering under
the cruel yoke of oppression, have during this interval, often ascended in our
orisons to the Throne of Grace, and the spirit of the Lord has been at work in
the hearts of many people, preparing them for the reception of truth, and for
active co-operation in the cause of universal freedom; and now we have been
comforted and made to rejoice together, by the labors of a messenger of love,
whom I verily believe the God of the oppressed has sent among us. Our beloved
coadjutor, George Thompson, arrived here, from New-York, on the 2nd instant,
and on the evening of the 3rd, delivered a Lecture in the ‘Reformed
Presbyterian Church,’ in Cherry Street. No public notice had been given, yet
such was the anxiety to hear him, that not less than one thousand persons
assembled on the occasion and all were more than gratified. The interesting
nature of the subject, the perfect understanding of it in all its bearings
evinced by the speaker, the truly christian spirit with which he spoke of the
wrong doers, all added to his commanding eloquence, carried conviction to the
understanding and bore the hearts of his auditors along with him, and unfurled
in many a bosom, the standard of immediate abolitionism.
One of our most estimable citizens, who has been favorable
to colonization, said at the close of the meeting, that he would willingly go
thirty miles at any time to hear such a discourse. I would attempt to give an
outline of it, were it possible for me to do it justice, but I can only say, to
all who would understand a christian's views and feelings, and know his
arguments on the subject of slavery and its remedy, you must go and hear George
Thompson for yourselves. He labors in the cause of God, and in behalf of that
portion of the creation of God made in his own image, who are borne down by
relentless oppression, in every portion of the habitable globe. He pleads with
Christians of every name, to arouse from their lethargy, and in the name of the
Master whom they profess to serve, to vindicate the right of man to be free;
his motto is, ‘Man is man, endowed by his Creator with certain inalienable
rights, among which, are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.’
Yesterday morning, our dear friend returned to New-York, to
fulfil prior engagements in that city. Last evening our board of Managers
unanimously adopted the following Resolution, viz:
‘Resolved, That the thanks of
this Board be presented to our highly esteemed coadjutor, George Thompson, for
the clear and forcible exposition of Abolition principles, presented in his
address to an assemblage of our fellow-citizens last evening, and that he be
most respectfully invited to return to this city as soon as previous
engagements will permit, to plead before other congregations the cause of the
oppressed,’
Last evening, our estimable friend, Amasa Walker, from your
city, made an excellent address before our Anti-Slavery Society, and coadjutors
from every quarter are coming up in the name of the God of hosts, to the
furtherence of his righteous cause. Our hearts are animated with the increase
of light; the day begins to dawn, the manacles of oppression will ere long be
melted by the genial warmth of the Sun of Righteousness, and Ethiopia will
stretch forth her hand to God.
Most truly, my
friend, ever thine,
ARNOLD BUFFUM.
Wm. Lloyd Garrison, Boston.
SOURCE: Isaac Knapp, Publisher, Letters and
Addresses by G. Thompson [on American Negro Slavery] During His Mission in the
United States, From Oct. 1st, 1834, to Nov. 27, 1835, p. 45-7
