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| WILLIAM LLOYD GARRISON. 679 ready wit, he replied, "So, Mr. Garrison, the difference between 1830 and 1864 appears to be this: in 1830 you oould not get out, and in 1864 you could not get in !" (Great laughter.) This was not only wittily said, but it truthfully indicated the wonderful revolution that had taken place in Maryland ; for she had adopted the very doctrine for which she imprisoned me, and given immediate and unconditional emancipation to her eighty thousand slaves. (Cheers.) I commenced the publication of the " Liberator " in Boston, on the 1st of January, 1831. At that time I was very little known, without allies, without means, without subscribers ; yet no sooner did that little sheet make its appearance, than the South was thrown into convulsions, as if it had suddenly been invaded by an army with banners! Notwithstanding, the whole country was on the side of the slave power—the Church, the State, all parties, all denominations, ready to do its bidding! O the potency of truth, and the inherent weakness and conscious insecurity of great wrong! Immediately a reward of five thousand dollars was offered for my apprehension, by the State of Georgia. When General Sherman was making his victorious march through that State, it occurred to me, but too late, that I ought to have accompanied him, and in person claimed the reward—(laughter)—but I remembered, that, had I done so, I should have had to take my pay in Confederate currency;, and therefore it would not have paid traveling expenses. (Renewed laughter.) Where is Southern Slavery now ? (Cheers.) Henceforth, through all coming time, advocates of justice and friends of reform, be not discouraged ; for you will, and you must succeed, if you have a righteous cause. No matter at the outset how few may be disposed (o rally round the standard you have raised—if you battle unflinchingly and without compromise—if yours be a faith that cannot be shaken, because it is linked to the Eternal Throne—it is only a question of time when victory-shall come to reward your toils. Seemingly, no system of iniquity was ever more strongly intrenched, or more sure and absolute in its sway, than that of American Slavery; yet it has perished. " In the earthquake Qod has spoken ; He has smitten with Ilia thuuder The iron walla aeuDdcr, And the gates of brosi are broken." So it has been, so it is, so it ever will be throughout the earth, in every conflict for the right. (Great cheering.) ****** Ladies and gentlemen, I began my advocacy of the Anti-slavery cause at the North in the midst of brickbats and rotten eggs. I ended it on the soil of South Carolina, almost literally buried beneath the wreaths and flowers which were heaped upon me by her liberal bondmen. (Cheers.) |