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| WILLIAM LLOYD GARRISON. 677 I most here disclaim, with all sincerity of soul, any special praise for anything that I have done. I have simply tried to maintain the integrity of my soul before God, and to do my duty. (Cheers.) I have refusal to go with the multitude to do evil. I have endeavored to save my country from ruin. I have sought to liberate such as were held captive in the house of bondage. But all this I ought to have done. Aud now, rejoicing here with you at the marvellous change which has taken place across the Atlantic, I am unable to express the satisfaction I feel iu believing that, henceforth, my country will be a mighty power for good in the world. While she held a seventh portion of her vast population in a state of cliattelisrn, it was in vain that she boasted of her democratic principles and her free institutions; ostentatiously holding her Declaration of Independence in one hand, and brutally wielding her slave-driving lash in the other. Marvellous inconsistency and unparalleled assurance. But now, God bs praised, she is free, free to advance the cause of liberty throughout the world. (Ixrnd cheers.) Sir, this is not the first time I have been in England. I have been here three times before on anti-slavery missions; and wherever I traveled, I was always exultantly told, " Slaves cannot breathe in England I" No\v, at last, I am at liberty to say, and I came over with the purpose to say it, "Slaves caunot breathe in America!" (Cheers.) And so England and America stand side by side in the cause of negro emancipation; and side by side may they stand in all that is just and noble and good, loading the way gloriously in the world's redemption. (Loud cheers.) I came to this country for the first time in 1833, to undeceive Wilber-force, Clarkson, and other eminent philanthropists, in regard to the real character, tendency, and object of the American Colonization Society. I am happy to say that I quickly succeeded in doing so. Before leaving, I had the pleasure of receiving a protest against that Society as an obstruction to the cause of freedom throughout the world, aud, consequently, as undeserving of British confidence and patronage, signed by William Wilberforce, Thomas Fowell Buxton, Zachary Macaulay, and other illustrious philaii-thropista. Ou arriving in London I received a polite invitation by letter from Mr. Bustou to take breakfast with him. Presenting myself at the appointed time, when my name was announced, instead of coming forward promptly to take me by the hand, he scrutinized me from Lead to foot, ami then inquired, somewhat dubiously, " Have I the pleasure of addressing Mr. Garrison, of Boston, in the United States ? " " Yes, sir," I replied, " 1 am he; and I am here in accordance with your invitation." Lifting up his hands he exclaimed, " Why, lay dear sir, I thought you were a black man. And I have consequently invited this company of ladies and gentlemen to be present to welcome Mr. Garrison, the black advocate of emancipation from the United States of America." (Laughter.) I have often said, sir, |