The
women of England refused to receive into their houses the sugar raised
by slaves. Seventy thousand families thus refused the use of sugar in
testimony of their abhorrence of the manner in which it was produced.
At that time women were unwearied in going from house to house
distributing books and tracts upon the subject, and presenting it
clearly and forcibly to thousands of families who would otherwise have
disregarded it.
"The women all over England were associated in corresponding circles
for prayer and labor. Petitions to the government were prepared and
signed by women of every station in all parts of the kingdom.
"Women of America! we do not know with what thrilling earnestness the
hopes and the eyes of the world are fastened upon our country, and how
intense is the desire that we should take a stand for universal
liberty. When I was in England, although I distinctly stated that the
raising of money was no part of my object there, it was actually
forced upon me by those who could not resist the impulse to do
something for this great cause. Nor did it come from the well-to-do
alone; but hundreds of most affecting letters were received from poor
working men and women, who inclosed small sums in postage-stamps to be
devoted to freeing slaves.
"Nor is this deep feeling confined to England alone. I found it in
France, Switzerland, and Germany. Why do foreign lands regard us with
this intensity of interest? Is it not because the whole world looks
hopefully toward America as a nation especially raised by God to
advance the cause of human liberty and religion?
"There has been a universal expectation that the next step taken by
America would surely be one that should have a tendency to right this
great wrong.
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