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| WHAT HAS BEEN SAID ABOUT IT. At the closing meeting of the PENNSYLVANIA ANTI- ; SLAVERY SOCIETY, held in Philadelphia, May 5, 1870, i the following was unanimously passed: Whereat, The position of WILLIAM STILL in the Vigi- I lance Committee connected with the "UNDERGROUND | RAILROAD," as its Corresponding Secretary, and Chair- ] man of Its Active Sub-Committee, gave him peculiar facilities for collecting interesting tacts pertaining to this branch of the anti-slavery service; therefore, Resolved, That the PENNSYLVANIA ANTI-SLAVERY SOCIETY requests him to compile and publish his personal reminiscences and experiences relating to the "UNDERGROUND RAILROAD." _________ I HON. JOHN W. FoRNEY.ln a letter to the Washington Sunday Chronicle, of Nov. t, 1871, said: "Slavery and its mysterious inner life has never yet been described. When it is, Reality will surpass Fiction. Uncle Tom's Cabin will be rebuilt and newly garnitured. A book, detailing the operations of the 'UNDERGROUND RAILROAD,' is soon to be published in Philadelphia, by WM. STILL, Esq., an intelligent colored gentleman, which, composed entirely of facts, will : supply material for indefinite dramas and romances. ; It will disclose a record of unparalleled courage and suffering for the right." * * * * And again, In a letter to the same paper of Nov. 11, 1871, Mr. Forney says: ***** "A coincidence even more romantic Is soon to be revealed in the pages of the remarkable book of Wm. Still, of Philadelphia, entitled 'THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD,' referred to in my last. Mr. Still kept a careful memorandum of the sufferings and trials of his race during the existence of the 'Fugitive Slave Law,' in the belief that they would be instructive to bis posterity, rather than from any hope of the overthrow of the revolting system of human servitude * * * * he resolved to spread before the world this unprecedented experience, when his book appears, it will accomplish more than one object. Interesting to the literary world, it will undoubtedly facilitate the reunion of other colored families long divided, long sought for, and perhaps to this day strangers to each other. ***** The volume containing this and other equally romaatic yet truthful stories will soon be out, and, my word far it, no 600* of the times will be more eagerly read or more profitably remembered," The San Francisco Elevator, of January 5, 1872, said: * * * * "Mr. Still is one of the pioneers of 'THK UNDERGROUND RAILROAD' in Philadelphia, where he still resides. He has aided more slaves to escape tbaii any other man, Bishop Lougan, of Syracuse, perhaps excepted. * * * * * We hope his book will have a wide circulation, as it will be a valuable addition to the history of the anti-slavery struggle «uc/t a* «o other man can write." ENDORSEMENTS OF PROMINENT MEN. WASHINGTON, March 1, 1872. Dear Sir:—Your book vAll certainly be an extremely interesting one, JVb one probably hat had equal opportunities wltn yourself of listening to the narratives of fugitive staves. No one will repeat them more truthfully, and no ttories can be more fraught -with interest than theirs. Let us rejoice, that, in our country, such narratives can never be heard again. Yours truly, S. P. CHASE, Chief Justice U. S. Supreme Court. MB. WILLIAM STILL. SEXATE CHAMBER, 3d March, 1S72. My Dear Sir.-—The Underground Railroad has performed its part, but it must always be remembered gratefully, as one of the peculiar institutions of our country. I cannot think of it without a throbbing heart. You do well to commemorate those associated with it by service or by benefit—the saviors and the saved. The army of the late war has had its " Roll of Honor." You will give us two other rolls, worthy of equal honor-the roll of fugitives from slavery, helped on their way to freedom, and also the roll of their self-sacrificing benefactors. I always hesitated which to honor most, the fugitive slave or the citizen who helped him, in defiance of unjust laws. Your book will teach us to honor both. Accept my best wishes, and believe me, my dear sir, Very faithfully yours, CHARLES 6UMNER, U. 8. Senator from Massachusetts. SKNATB CHAMBER, March 2d, 1872. My Dear Mr. 8tiU:—I have glanced over a few pages of your History of the Underground Railroad, and 2 most earnestly commend it. You have done a good work. This story of the heroic conduct of fugitive of oppression, and of the devotion of their friends, will be read with deep interest, especially by the old friends of the slave in the stern struggle through which we have passed. I hope your labors will be rewarded by a grateful public. Yonrs truly, HENRY WILSON, U. S. Senator from Massachusetts. WASHINGTON, March 2, 1872. Dear Sir:—Having been Informed by you that you intend to publish a work on the struggles for personal freedom previous to the abolition of slavery, it gives me pleasure to say that I have no doubt you can make the narrative a very interesting contribution to the history of an important period of our national development. It will be calculated to strengthen in the whole American people a Just sense of the beneficent results of the great social revolution we have achieved, and to inspire the people of your own race with a high appreciation of the blessings of liberty they now enjoy. Truly yours, C. 8CHURZ, V. S. Senator from Missouri. W. STILL, ESQ. |