I knew that if I shrank from
supporting my position, the sympathy which the work had excited would
gradually die out, and the whole thing would be looked upon as a mere
romantic excitement of the passions.
When I came abroad, I had not the slightest idea of the kind of
reception which was to meet me in England and Scotland. I had thought
of something involving considerable warmth, perhaps, and a good deal
of cordiality and feeling on the part of friends; but of the general
extent of feeling through society, and of the degree to which it would
be publicly expressed, I had, I may say, no conception.
As through your society I was invited to your country, it may seem
proper that what communication I have to make to friends in England
and Scotland should be made through you.
In the first place, then, the question will probably arise in your
minds, Have the recent demonstrations in Great Britain done good to
the anti-slavery cause in America?
The first result of those demonstrations, as might have been expected,
was an intense reaction. Every kind of false, evil, and malignant
report has been circulated by malicious and partisan papers; and if
there is any blessing in having all manner of evil said against us
falsely, we have seemed to be in a fair way to come in possession of
it.
The sanction which was given in this matter to the voice of the
people, by the nobility of England and Scotland, has been regarded and
treated with special rancor; and yet, in its place, it has been
particularly important.
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