The Life and Times of Wendell Phillips

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Chapter I. Ancestry And Parentaob

PAOI

Memorials of the Phillips Family. — Rev. George Phillips. — Arrival in America. — Death of his Wife. — Life at Watertown, Mass. — Rev. Samuel Phillips of Rowley. — His Marriage. — His Sons. — John Phillips the Merchant. — William Phillips. — His Marriage to Margaret Wendell.— Their Son, John Phillips, the Father of Wendell Phillips. —His School-days at Andover, Mass. — Enters Harvard College. — Studies Law. — His Marriage to Sally Walley. — Public Honors. — Chosen the First Mayor of Boston. — His Death. — Character. — His Children 17

CHAPTER n.

THE PERIOD OF YOUTH.

The Phillips Mansion. —Birth of Wendell Phillips. —His Early Training. — Enters the Boston Latin-School. — The Boys of that Period. — Reminiscences of Schoolmates. — Death of Adams and Jefferson. — Lafayette. — Webster's Address at Bunker Hill. — Phllllps*8 First Impressions of Politics.— Mr. Appleton's Recollections. — Phillips enters Harvard College. — Motley and Sumner. — The Faculty. — Life at College. — Opposes Temperance. — Courses of Reading. — Favorite Authors. — Enters the Junior Class at the Law School. — Methods of Instruction. — Cherishes no Fondness for the

Lav.— Gnduatlon.— A(lmltt«d to the Bar.— At Lowell, Moss. — Benjamin F. Butler. — Practice 27

CHAPTER m.

Oanison establlBbca "The Liberator." ~ The First Number.— A Dingy Office. — Mr. Garrison's Supporters. — Dr. Lyman Beecher. — Jeremiah Evarts. — Oliver Johnson's Teatlmony.

— "The Liberator" creates a SUr in the Soulli, — The Might of King Cotton. — Garrison's Appeal to Ills Countrynieit. — Tl»e New-England Anti-Stavjery Society. — Story of its Organization. — Preachers and Politics. — The Rise of the American Antl-Siavery Society. — Growth of the Movement. — The Reign of Terror dawning. — The Charleston Riot. — Faneull Hall pays a Tribute to Slavery, and the New-Engiand Pulpit Dumbt 46

CHAPTER IV.

THE GARRISON MOB, AND ITS RKBULT8.

Where was Wendell Phillips ? — The Female Anti-Slavery Society hold a Meeting, October, 183fi.— Inflammatory Handbills.— "The Commercial Gazette" eicltea the Mobocracy. — The Ladles assemble at the Hall. — The Opening Exercises. — The Mob gain Possession of the Hall. — Mayor Lyraan counsels Ad- ' journmenL — Mr. Garrison seized by the Rioters. — Dragged through Boston's Streets. — At City Hall. — Conveyed to Jail.

— The Ontoome. — Phillips views the Spectacle. — Learns a Leason. — Foresees his Future. — His Speech on the Twentieth Anniversary of the Hob SB

CHAPTER V.

THK D^BUT OF WRNDKU. PHILLIPB. fhe Year 1837. — Slavery the Dominant Power of the Country.

— £arneetueasuf the Abolitionists. —The Lovejoy Tragedy.

CONTENTS. 9

FAOI

—Story of the Alton Riots.— The Tidings reftch Boston.— Faneail Hall refused to the Indignant Abolitionists. — Dr. Channing appeals to the Citizens of Boston. — The Hall opened at Last. — A Packed Audience. — Resolutions. — Harangue of Attorney-Gen. Austin. — Its Effect. — Reply of Wendell Phillips. — Great Uproar and Excitement. — The Result 68

CHAPTER VI.

PHILLIPS AN ABOUnONIBT.— MARRIAGE.

Phillips's Aspirations. — The Lyceum-Lecture System. — Phillips delivers his First Lecture. — " The Lost Arts." — Joins the New-England Anti-Slavery Society. — Status of the Colored People. — The Chapmans. — Ann Terry Greene. — Phillips falls in Love. — Marriage. — His Domestic Life. — The Faithful Wife.— Phillips's First Anti-Slavery Lecture.— Recollections of Edwin Thompson 82

CHAPTER Vn.

THE WORLD'S ANTI-SLAVKRY CONVENTION.

Beghis its Sessions June 12, 1840. — The Rights of Women discussed in the American Anti-Slavery Society. — David Lee Child's Resolutions. — Prominent Delegates. — Freemasons' Hall, London. — Dehate on the Admission of Women. — Speech of Mr. Phillips. — The Women rejected. — Adverse CMticism, and Wisdom of Mr. Phillips m

CHAPTER vrn.

FROORB8S OF THE ANTI-SLAVERY CAUSE.

Phillips arrives Home from Europe. — Limited Acquaintanceship. — Letter to (Jeorge Thompson. — The "Remond Case." — A Petition to the Legislature, and its Result. — Arrest of George Latimer. —The Action of the Legislature. —A Voice

10 CONTENTS.

PAOK

in CongresB. ~ Phillips argues for Disunion. ^Discussion. — An Interesting Letter.— Mobs 102

CHAPTER IX.

BRA OP THE FUOmVE-SLAVE ACT.

James E. Polk becomes President of the United States.— The Annexation of Texas. — Origin of the "Liberty Party." — The Massachusetts Legislature of 1846. —The *<Free-^il Party." — Fleeing from Slavery. — An Outrage in Boston. — Election of (Jen. Taylor. — Growth of the Free-Soil Party. — The Fugitive-Slave Bill proposed in Congress. — Debates. — Apostasy of Daniel Webster. — The 7th of March Speech. — Indignation Meetings. — The Act signed by the President. — Faneuil Hall speaks. — Charles Sumner chosen Senator. — The "Shadrach Case." — The "Sims Case." — Public Meetings. —Election of Franklin Pierce. —The Darkest Day in the History of the American Republic • . » 121

CHAPTER X.

A TEAR OF MOBS AND CONVENTIONS.

Friends of Temperance assemble in New York, 1853. — Women excluded from the Convention. — A Busy Autumn. — Comments of "The Tribune."— Rev. Antoinette L. Brown.— Her Experience at the Temperance Convention. — Exclusion of Miss Brown and Mr. Phillips. — The Woman*s Rights Convention. — Riotous Disturbances. — Madame Annek^. — Phillips's Bitter Invective. — The Convention forced to adjourn sine die 143

CHAPTER XI.

FHILUPS AND THE WOMAN'S RIGHTS MOVEMENT.

A Plan for Action first proposed. — The Call. — Responses. — The Worcester Convention of 1850. — Outline of the Proceeding*.— AUitude of the Press. — The Convention of 1851,—

CONTENTS. 11

PAOK

Mr. Philllpe's Address. — Harriet Martinean. — The Legislature. — The Boston Convention of 1854. — Resolutions. — The Convention of 1865. — Donations. — Assembling of the Seventh National Woman's Rights Convention in New York, 1856. — Mr. Phillips's Speech. — Indifference of Political Parties towards the Movement. — The National Convention of 1858. — The Convention of 1859.— Mr. Phillips makes a Stirring Address. — The Legislatures Memorialized. — The New -England Convention. — Mr. Phillips again. — The "Drawing-Room" Convention. — Birs. Dall's Lectures. — The Tenth National Convention, 1860. — Marriage and Divorce discussed. — Mr. Phillips opposes Discussion. — The Woman Question laid aside. — ** After the Slave — then the Woman," 152

CHAPTER Xn.

THE PREPARATION FOR WAR.

rhe Politics of 1853. —Franklin Pierce President. —The " Kansas and Nebraska Bill." — The Repeal of the Missouri Compromise. — Sumner foresees the " Beginning of the End." — A Convention of the Free-Soil Party. — The Republican Party. — Workings of the Fugitive-Slave Act. — Arrest of Anthony Bums. — A Famous Meeting. — Indictments found against Phillips, Parker, and Others. — The Result. — A Petition for the Removal of ** Slave Commissioner " Loring. — Mr. Phillips's Argument. — "The Crime against Kansas." — Assault on Charles Somner. — Election of James Buchanan. — The Signs of the Times.— The John Brown Raid. — Mr. Phillips's Eulogy. — His Lecture in Brooklyn. — Mr. Slack's Recollections. — Riotous Feeling in New York. — Anniversary Meeting in Boston. — A Riot prevented 170

CHAPTER Xin.

PHILLIPS DURING WAR-TIME.

The Outbreak of Rebellion. — Winter of 1860-61.— The Fight for Free Speech in Boston. —The Personal-Liberty Act.—

12 CONTENTS.

PAOE

Status of the Press. — The Virginia Peace Commission. — President Lincoln inaugurated. — The First Gun. — The Country aroused. — Phillips at New Bedford. — The Call for Troops. — The Patriotism of the Press. — The Memorable April Twenty-first. — A Morning Meeting in State Street. — Wendell Phillips in Music Hall. — " Under the Flag." —State Conventions. — The Question of Slavery ignored. — The Year 1862. — The Emancipation Proclamation. — Ratification Meeting. — Phillips favors arming the Colored Men. — The "July Riot." — Progress of the War. —The Thirteenth Amendment. — Peace. — Return of Troops. — Woman Suffrage. — Conventions of 1866-09 • . 103

CHAPITER XIV.

NEARING THE END.

The Fifteenth Amendment. — Phillips nominated for Governor. — Arraigns the Republican Party. — Meeting of the Reform League. — Convention. — A Labor Platfonu. — The Butler Campaign of 1871. — Pliillips at Stemway Hall. — ** Courte and Jails." — Phillips supports Grant. — Letter to the Colored Citizens of Boston. — The Days of the Wliite Leaguers. — Opposition Meetings. — Phillips on Finance in 1875. — Phillips on Daniel OX'onnell. — Sir Harry Vane. — The Grant-Sumner Controversy. — Phillips on License. — Letter to ** the Liberal Clergy." — Phillips M. Crosby. —The Irish Crisis. — Phillips at Cambridge. — Reminiscences of Dr. Clarke. — Letter of Parker Pillsbury. — Declining Years. — Phillips*s Last Speech. — Illness. — Death and Burial 257

CHAPTER XV.

PHILLIPS A8 A PHILOSOPHER.

Origin of the ** Radical Club." — Phillips's Views on Religion. — On the Christian Name. — On Heart in Religion. — Economic Laws. — Phillips on the Boston of To-day. — Phillips's Opinion of Jonathan Edwards 370

CHAPTER XVI.

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

PASS

PORTRAIT OF WENDELL PHILLIPS.

THE RENDITION OP ANTHONY BURNS.

March down State Stbrst .••••••• 140

THE PHILLIPS HOMESTEAD.

The Essrx-strrkt House .••••••• 349

WENDELL PHILLIPS'S LATE RESIDENCE.

The Common-street House ..•••••• 358

IN PANEUIL HALL.

The Remains lying in State ••••••• 364

LIFE AND TIMES

OF

■WENDELL PHILLIPS.

CHAPTER I.

ANCESTRY AND PABBNTAGB.

Memorials of the Phillipe Family. —Rev. Geoiige PhillipB.— Arrival in America. — Death of his Wife. — Life at Watertown, Mass. — Rev. Samuel Phillips of Rowley. — His Marriage. — His Sons. — John Phillips the Merchant. —William Phillips. — His Marriage to Margaret Wendell. — Theh- Son, John Phillips, the Father of Wendell Phillips. — His School-Days at Andover, Mass. — Enters Harvard College. — Studies Law. — His Marriage to Sally Walley. — Public Honors. — Chosen the First Mayor of Boston. — His Death. — Character. — His Children.

" There is a pedigree of the body and a pedigree of the mind.'*

WcNDKLL Phillips.

TTpEW names that the history of the commonwealth -*- of Massachusetts has underscored are more worthy of being cherished than that of the Phillips family ; and it is a matter for public congratulation, that there exist to-day such worthy monuments for its perpetuation as the two academies of Andover, Mass., and of Exeter, N.H.

We have intimated that these two institutions are monuments to a family. They are so, because they were built up, not by the wisdom and self-denial of one individual of that family, but by the very remarkable unanimity of aim and coincidence of judgment of six members of it, representing three generations. Still more essentially are they so, because they were the outcome of a marked nobleness of spirit and elevation of character, that have not ceased to distinguish representatives of the Phillips family through nine generations.

The progenitor of the Phillips family in America was the Rev. George Phillips, son of Christopher Phillips of Rainham, St. Martin, Norfolk County, England, mediocris fortunce. He entered Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, April 20, 1610, then aged seventeen years, and received his bachelor's degree in 1613. He gave early indications of deep piety, uncommon talents, and love of learning, and at the university dis tinguished himself by his remarkable progress in scholarship, especially in theological studies, for which he manifested a partiality.

After his graduation he was settled in the ministry at Boxted, Essex County, England; but his strong attachment to the principles of the nonconformists brought him into diflBculties with some of his parishioners; and, as the storm of persecution grew more dark and threatening, he resolved to cast his lot with

ANCESTBT AND PABENTAGE. 19

the Puritans, who were about to depart for the New World. On the 12th of April, 1630, he, with his wife and two children, embarked for America in the **Arbella," as fellow-passenger with Gov. Winthrop, Sir Richard Saltonstall, and other assistants of the Massachusetts Company, and arrived at Salem on the 12th of June, where, shortly afterwards, his wife died, and was buried by the side of Lady Arbella Johnson.

Mr. Phillips was admitted "freeman," May 18, 1631; this being the earliest date of any such admission. For fourteen years he was the pastor of the church at Watertown, a most godly man, and an influential member of the small council that regulated the affairs of the colony. His share in giving form and character to the institutions of New England is believed to havf^ been a very large one. He died on the Ist of July, 1644, aged about fifty-one years.

The son of the foregoing, bom in Boxted, England, in 1625, and graduated from Harvard College in 1650, became in 1651 the Rev. Samuel Phillips of Rowley, Mass. He continued as pastor over this parish for a period of forty-five years. He was "highly esteemed for his piety and talents, which were of no common order ; and he was eminently useful, both at home and abroad. He oflSciated repeatedly at the great public anniversaries, which put in requisition the abilities of the first men in the New-England colonies. It is not known

20 LIFE AND TIMES OF WENDELL FBILLIPS.

that any of his productions were printed ; yet it is on record, that, in 1675, he preached the artillery election sermon, and also the election sermon in 1678." '

In September, 1687, an information was filed by one Philip Nelson, gainst the Rev. Samuel Phillips, for calling Randolph "a wicked man; "and for this "crime" (redounding to his honor) he was committed to prison.^

He was married in October, 1651, to Sarah Appleton, the daughter of Samuel and Mary (Everhard) Appleton of Ipswich. He died April 22, 1696, greatly beloved and lamented. His inventory amounted to nine hundred and eighty-nine pounds sterling. In November, 1839, a chaste and handsome marble monument was placed over the remains of Mr. Phillips and hit) wife, in the burial-ground at Rowley, by the Hon. Jonathan Phillips of Boston, their great-great-greatgrand sou.

He left two sons, the younger of whom, Geoi^ (1664-1739, Harvard 1686), became an eminent clergyman, the Rev. George Phillips, first of Jamaica, L.I., and afterwards of Biookhaven. The elder son, Samuel, chose the occupation of a goldsmith, and settled in Salem. It is from this Samuel of Salem that the two Boston branches of the Phillips family have descended.

A younger son of Samuel, the Hon. John Phillips,

I See Oage'a KMotj of Kowley.

■ See Waslibum'B Judicial HUtor; ot Masaachnsetls.

was born June 22, 1701. He became a successful merchant of Boston, was a deacon of Brattle-street Church, a colonel of the Boston Regunent, a justice of the peace and of the quorum, and a representative of Boston for several years in the General Court. He married, in 1723, Mary Buttolph, a daughter of Nicholas Buttolph of Boston. She died in 1742; and he next married Abigail Webb, a daughter of Rev. Mr. Webb of Fairfield, Conn. He died April 19, 1768, and was buried with military honors. According to the records, he was "a man much devoted to works of benevolence."

His son, William Phillips of Boston, was born Aug. 29, 1737, and died June 4, 1772. In 1761 he married Margaret Wendell, the eleventh and youngest child of the Hon. Jacob Wendell, a merchant, and one of the Governor's Council. His widow died in 1823.

John Phillips, the only son of William and Margaret, was bom in Boston on the ancient Phillips place, on the 26th of November, 1770. His mother was a woman of uncommon energy of mind as well as of ardent piety, and early instilled into the heart of her son the principles of religion and a love of learning and of his native land. She placed him, at the early age of seven years, in the family of his kinsman, Lieut.-Gov. Samuel Phillips of Andover, where he remained until he entered Harvard College in 1784. In this excellent and pious family, and in the academy under the charge of the learned Dr. Eliphalet Pearson, young Phillips ac-

22 LIFE AJfD TIMES OF WENDELL PHILLIPS.

quired the rudiments of a sound scholarship as well as that urbane and conciliating mauuer which was so conducive to hia success in subsequeut life.

Judge Phillips and his excellent lady took a lively interest in the studies of their ward. They examined him from time to timci not only in his catechism, which was then regularly taught, but also in respect to his literary efforts and acquirements. They encouraged him to make strenuous efforts to obtain a high rank as a scholar, speaker, gentleman, and Christian. Their labors were not lost. On leaving Andover, the youth was prepared to take an elevated stand in college, which he maintained to the completion of his course, when the honor of pronouncing the salutatory oration was conferred on him by the college faculty.

Mr. Phillips chose the profession of the law, and soon gained au extensive practice. His popularity became such, that in 1794 he was iuvited to pronounce the annual Fourth of July oration before the people of Boston. " This production," says a writer, " bears the finest marks of intellectual vigor." Some extracts &om it have found their way into the school-books as models of eloquence.

In this same year Mr. Phillips was married to Miss Sally Walley, daughter of Thomas Walley, Esq., a respectable merchant of Boston. On the establishment of the Municipal Court in Boston, in 1800, he was made public prosecutor, and in 1803 was chosen repre-

ANCESTRY AND PARENTAGE. 28

sentative to the General Court. The next year he was sent to the Senate, and such was the wisdom of his political measures, and the dignity of his bearing towards all parties, that he continued to hold a seat in this body every successive year until his decease ; always discharging his duties, either as a debater or in the chair, to which he was ten times called, most creditably to himself) as well as most acceptably to his constituents and the State.

In 1809 Mr. Phillips was appointed judge of the Court of Common Pleas. Three years later he was elected a member of the corporation of Harvard College, and in 1820 a member of the convention for the revision of the State Constitution. In this able and dignified body he held a conspicuous rank. His remarks upon the various questions which arose were learned, judicious, and sometimes rendered all the more effiective by the flashes of his wit. Speaking, for example, on the third article of the Bill of Rights, he said he hoped they would not be like the man whose epitaph was, " I am well, I would be better, and here I am."

The next year the town of Boston, which now contained nearly forty-five thousand inhabitants, began to agitate in good earnest the question of adopting a city government. A committee of twelve, of which Mr. Phillips was chairman, drew up and reported a city charter for the town, which was adopted at a meeting held March 4, 1822, by a vote of 2,797 to 1,881, and the result formally announced on the 7th of the same month by a proclamation from Gov. Brooks.

The two prominent candidates for the office of mayor were Harrison Gray Otis and Josiah Quincy, both men of high accomplishments, and enjoying a large share of public confidence. But after a vote had been taken, resulting in no choice of mayor, the friends of these gentlemen suddenly agreed on Mr. Phillips, who at the town-meeting held on the 16th of April, 1822, received 2,500 out of 2,650 votes, and thus became the first mayor of the city of Boston.

The inauguration occurred at Faneuil Hall on the 1st of May following. The ceremonies of the occasion were unusually impressive ; the venerable Dr. Thomas Baldwin invoking the favor of Heaven, and Chief Justice Isaac Parker administering the oath.

In discharging the duties of his office, Mr. Phillips wisely avoided sumptuous display on the one hand, and a parsimonious economy on the other, but observing thsLt Juste milieu which good sense dictated, and the spirit of our republican institutions demanded, succeeded in overcoming all prejudices against the new form of municipal government, and in establishing a precedent, which, followed by succeeding mayors, has saved the city millions of dollars of needless expense, and has served as a worthy example to many other cities in this country.

Perceiving, towards the expiration of his first term

ANCESTRY AND PARENT AGS. 26

of service, that his health was beginning to fail, Mr. Phillips declined being a candidate for re-election, and on the twenty-ninth day of May, 1823, was suddenly stricken down by disease of the heart ; he being then in the fifty-third year of his age. His death was universally lamented, and public honors were paid by all parties to his memory.

John Phillips was a good man, true as steel, and always trustworthy in the various relations of life. He lived in the fear of God, and from his Word received instruction for the guidance of his conduct. He lived in stormy times ; yet such was the consistency and elevation of his character, such the suavity and dignity of his manner, such the kindness of his heart, the clearness of his conceptions, and beauty of his language, that he commanded the respect and admiration of his political opponents, wielding perhaps as great an influence as any public man of the State at that period; and he will ever stand as a worthy model for the incumbents of that high municipal office, which his wisdom, prudence, virtue, integrity, and eloquence adorned.

The following are the names of the children of John and Sally (Walley) PhUlips : —

1. Thomas Walley, bom Jan. 16, 1797.

2. Sarah Hurd, bom April 24, 1799.

3. Samuel, bom Feb. 8, 1801.

4. Margaret, bom Nov. 29, 1802.

5. Miriam, born Nov. 20, 18 — .

6. John Charles, born Nov. 15, 1807.

7. George William, born Jan. 3, 1810.

8. Wbndell, bom Nov. 29, 1811.

9. Grenville Tudor, bom Aug. 14, 1816.

CHAPTER 11.

THE PERIOD OP YOUTH.

The Phillips Mansion. — Birth of Wendell Phillips. — His Early Training. — Enters the Boston Latin School. — The Boys of tliat Period. — Reminiscences of Schoolmates. — Death of Adams and Jefferson. — Lafayette. — Webster's Address at Bunker Hill. — Phillips's First Impressions of Politics. — Mr. Appleton's Recollections. — Phillips enters Harvard College. — Motley and Sumner. — The Faculty. — Life at College. — Opposes Temperance. — Courses of Reading. — Favorite Authors. — Enters the Junior Class at the Law-School. — Methods of Instruction. — Cherishes no Fondness for the Law. —Graduation. — Admitted to the Bar. — At LoweU, Mass. — Benjamin F. Butler. — Practice.

" The greatest praise government can win is, that Its citizens know their rights, and dare to maintain them. The best use of good laws is, to teach men to trample l>ad laws under their feet.

" On these principles, I am willing to stand before the community in which I was bom and brought up, — where I exi>ect to live and die, — where, if I shall ever win any reputation, I expect to earn and to Icccp it. As a sane man, a ChrisUan man, and a lover of my country, I am willing to be Judged by po«terlty." — Phillips, 18.Vi.

** Whoever sees ftirther than his neighbor is tliat neighbor's servant, to lift him to such higher level. Then, power, ability, influence, character, virtue, are only trusts with which to serve our Ume." — Phillips, 1881.

XN a large mansion, still standing on the lower corner -^ of Beacon and Walnut Streets, Boston, Wendell Phillips, the eighth child of lion. John and Sally (Walley) Phillips, was born, on the 29th of November, 1811.

28 LIFE AND TIMES OF WENDELL PBILLIPS.

In bis earlieBt years, surrounded by all the advantages which the wealth, culture, and social position of his parents afforded, the boy advanced under wise training. To his father, who made this rule for all his children, " Ask no man to do for you any thing that you are not able and willing to do for yourself," he was indebted for those lessons of self-dependence which he invariably practised in after-life. To his mother, who never wearied in searching the Scriptures, and who believed in the value of early religious impressions, he owed that simplicity, that earnest sincerity, and that remarkable disposition to stand by the right, which afterwards developed itself with such force, and produced such important effects- ' In August, 1822, he entered the Boston Latin School, which was then located at the corner of Chapman Place and School Street, — a site now occupied by the Parker House. The late B. A. Gould was the headmaster. Those of his schoolmates who survive remember Wendell as at that time a boy of about eleven years of age, finely formed, vigorous, and quite tall for his years. Had Puritan Boston cultivated muscle, he would have excelled in athletic exercises ; but muscle was at that time at a discount.

; Many of the youths of that period were pale and puny, — forced to be so by the absurd notions of their, ancestors, — who walked sedately| with their bundles of books, to and from school, who never loitered by the

THE PERIOD ^ OR ^OUTB. 29

way, nor ^^owbaHBd, nor skated, nor kicked foot-ball, nor swam in the harbor of the Ciififles. They were the heirs to all the promises of intellectual greatness. They were not all as wise, however, as they looked.

But Phillips was neither pale nor puny. He had a fine physique, and his mind was as brilliant as his body was vigorousy "What first led me to observe him," says a fellow-student, " and fixed him in my memory, was his elocution ; and I soon came to look forward to declamation day with interest, mainly on his account ; though many were admirable speakers. The pieces spoken were mainly such as would excite patriotic feelings and an enthusiasm for freedom.

" I remember distinctly the hot summer day when, the windows of the schoolhouse all open, we heard the tolling of the bells for the death of Adams and Jefierson. We were informed why they were tolling ; and, in those days of belief in special providences, it was for us a remarkable providence that they died on that day they had made sacred, and that, in their deaths, they were not divided ; and it added to the solemnity of the occasion, that Heaven thus seemed to set the seal of its approbation upon their lives and their work.

"What have since been sneered at as * glittering generalities,' were to us great truths; and with the men whose * souls were tried,' and who gave or risked their lives for those truths, many of us claimed a near relationship. Some of us had heard our grandfathers sing that inspired battle-hymn of the Revolution, composed by Judge Niles of Vermont, beginning with the

lines, —

* Why should vain mortals tremble at the sight of Death and destruction on the field of battle ? '

— a hymn worthy of the cause it was written to sustain, and worthy of preservation, from its associations, as the battle-hymn of the republic.

'' We had heard them tell of that bitter winter encampment in New York, when the snow fell to five feet on a level ; when they were short of provisions, without shoes, nearly naked, many of them, and huddled together in heaps under straw for warmth ; when officers as well as privates were despondent, and only a belief, stimulated by the eloquent pen of Paine, that those 'glittering generalities' were rights worthy of the effort and the sacrifice, kept them from despair and desertion. We could realize how intense their enthusiasm, how bright their hopes, at the surrender of Burgoyne and Cornwallis.

" We had stood in line on Tremont Street, with ribbons, on which were portraits of Lafayette, pinned to our jackets, when that enthusiast for liberty, then a grand old man, revisited the land to which, in the hot blood of youth, he had given his sword; wondering at the enthusiastic greetings of the crowds, and at the evidences of thrift and prosperity, which, as we were told, led him to inquire, * Where are your poor?' so unconscious of any great merit for what he had done, that he was disposed to decline the offer of a national ship, and take passage in a private vessel ; little dreaming that his journey was to prove a triumphal procession such as the world had never seen.

"And we had walked over the bridge to Charlestown and Bunker Hill, and had heard Webster, then the embodiment of eloquence and patriotism ; while before him were the venemble men, among whom Lafayette was seated, the survivors of those who, on that memorable night, had thrown up the breastworks that time had not levelled, — Webster, whose philippic against the slave-trade at Plymouth, in 1820, every school-boy knew by heart : —

^ * I hear the sound of the hammer. I see the smoke of the furnaces where manacles and fetters are still forged for human fimhs. I see the visages of those who, by stealth and at midnight, labor in this work of hell, foul and dark as may become the artificers of such instruments of misery and torture. If the pulpit be silent whenever or wherever there may be a sinner bloody with this guilt, within the hearing of its voice, the pulpit is false to its trust.'