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Text
Disbanding of the Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Society.
The writer, who knew Mokeintimately and well for
years, once told the story of his
life and services, of his magnani
mity, generosity, integrity, and courage, to the celebrated historian,
Mr. Motley, and challenged him
to refer to his equal in any age or
’'history; he could not do it. Moketa-va-ta is without a peer, the true
hero, the true man ; he sleeps by the
side of his ever faithful and devot
ed wife, Vo-ish-ta, in his bloody
shroud, on the crimson banks of
the Wichata.
tion.
ta-va-ta
“ And thou wert slain. Whoever dared to trace
His name upon the order for thy death
Will wear the sting until his latest breath,
And bind the curse of Cain upon his*ace.”
Betrayed, assassinated, and muti
lated by our troops, in a massacre of
unparalleled atrocity and treachery,
applauded by the commanding gene
rals of the army as a glorious victory.
81
“ Moke-ta-va-ta, thy wrongs shall be redressed,
Thy viewless form fills all the vernal air;
Nor earth’s fair bosom, nor the spring more fair,
Can stay the footsteps of a race oppressed.
Their name is legion, and from mountain slope
And distant plain their fearless forms appear,
All conquering and all potent, without fear
They come with our proud nation now to cope.
And if the rivers shall run red with blood,
And if the plain be strewn with mangled forms,
And cities burned amid the battles' storms,
Ours is the blame—not thine, thou great and good.
Thy name shall live a watchword for all time—
A herald and a beacon-light to all
On whom the tyrant and the despot fall,
Making thy death a heritage sublime.
If of this noble line thou wert the last,
And stood on the extremest ocean verge,
Thy eloquence would all thy people urge,
And in one deadly conflict they would cast
Their gauntlet in our shameful, flaming face,
And then, without a thought of praise or blame.
Would perish to’avenge thy noble name,
And prove that thou wert of a kingly race.
A sound of war is on the western wind ;
The sun, with fiery flame, sweeps down the sky;
Athwart his breast the crimson shadows fly,
Of fearless forms no fetters e’er can bind.
Down through the golden gateway they have
The mighty scions of a nation come
In sweeping circles from their shining home.
With weapons from the battle-plains of Gc u.
DISBANDING OF THE PENNSYLVANIA ANTI-SLAVERY
. SOCIETY.
BY JOHN K. WILDMAN.
After the consummation of that
act in the progress of liberty which
banished political restrictions on ac
count of color, there seemed to be
nothing left for the anti-slavery so
cieties to do but disband. This be
came a willing service, grateful to
every member. They had witnessed
the fulfillment of the pledge made to
the colored people of the nation, and
saw that the grand purpose of the
anti-slavery movement was thereby
accomplished. All that was essenVol. i.—6
tial in the aim and scope of the con
stitutions of their societies had be
come absorbed in that of the United
States. It was therefore fitting that
they should meet together and ex
change congratulations and fare
wells.
The final meeting of the national
society was followed by that of its
auxiliary of Pennsylvania, which oc
curred on the 5th of May, just a
third of a century from the date of
its organization. Rare indeed was the
�82
Disbanding of the Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Society.
interest on this occasion, which was
enjoyed by the fraternal multitude
with a zest and enthusiasm peculiar
to such an unwonted event. The
circumstances could not fail to kindle
among many of those present, if not
all, a glow of mingled emotions, an
alliance of gratulation and regret.
They could rejoice with profound
fervor over the brilliant fact that al
most dazzles the imagination, grand
ly conspicuous on the latest page of
our history; but their joy becomes
tinged and tempered with sadness
as they remember that it is the last
time that the society will summon
them together, seeming equivalent to
the dissolution of cherished memo
ries and associations. To some
among that small number still living,
who actively participated at the in
ception of the movement, the events
of to-day must give rise to feelings
of . serene satisfaction. To live to
see successive triumphs of justice
and freedom, and to witness at last
the crowning stroke that grafted
their paramount objects into the su
preme law of the land, is a privilege
that must awaken irresistibly the
deepest gratitude and gladness. ’ But
this experience was not realized by
all the early coworkers in the re
form.
Whittier, who was present at the
formation of the society, in his letter,
read at the meeting, wrote thus con
cerning the reunion : “ So many of
the founders of this society have
fallen by our side contending for the
unpopular truths of freedom, without
the priceless privilege which we en
joy of beholding with our living eyes
what they only saw with those of
faith, that this reunion for the last
time can not but bring with it some-
thing of regret and mournful recol
lections to temper the joy of victory.
Let us, however, believe that these
dear and true ones are yet with us in
the eternal fellowship of the spirit,
‘ Our brethren of all worlds, for, soul with soul
Communes in this vast business, and not one
Gazes down idly.’ ”
Other letters that were read, re*
ceived from Charles Sumner,
John C. Fremont, George W. Juj
lian, Robert Collyer, William D.
Kelley, and John W. Forney, con
tributed their measure of interest.
It was an interesting and remark
able fact that the initial meetings of
the three principal anti-slavery socie
ties of tl^is country—the New-Eng
land, the American, and the Pennsyl
vania—were all represented at this
commemorative meeting of the latter.
Of those twelve men who participat
ed in the formation of the New-Eng
land Society, in January, 1832, which
was parent of all the others, but one
person was present. This was Ben
jamin C. Bacon, who also attended
at the organization of the Pennsyl
vania Society. A paper of marked
interest prepared by him, detailing
his personal reminiscences of thirty
eight years ago, was read on this oc
casion. Three persons were present
who assisted in organizing the Ame
rican Society, namely, Lucretia
Mott, ^Robert Purvis, and Dr.
Bartholomew Fussell. The last
two signed the “ Declaration of Sen
timents” issued by the association 1
but the light of to-day concerning
the immunities of women had not
dawned even upon the liberal minds
of that period, and a woman’s signa
ture to the document would have
been an unusual toleration. . It was
not due to the absence of sympathy
�Disbanding of the Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Society.
or willingness that Lucretia Mott
Eid not append her name. Robert
Purvis, who has been president of
the society since the death of James
Mott, presided over this meeting to
disband. Those who were present
that went to Harrisburg in January,
1837, to take part in the organization
of the Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery
Society, were Charles C. Burleigh,
Edward M. Davis, Benjamin C.
Bacon, William B. Thomas, Elijah
F. Pennypacker, John P. Bowers,
and Eli Dillin. William B. Tho
mas was one of the secretaries of that
meeting. The only colored man
among the number was John P.
Bowers, who narrated incidents of
the trip showing the prejudice against
color then existing, and which mani
fested itself in supercilious and vio
lent ways.
The name of another may here be
mentioned, one who has done faith
ful and courageous service in behalf
of the slave, now an. old man totter
ing beyond the eightieth mile-stone
of life—John Needles, of Baltimore,
who left his home to attend this final
meeting. It seemed like a dream to
hear him relate that he purchased
the type for Benjamin Lundy’s
Genius of Universal Emancipation
some time before Garrison appear
ed upon the scene as its joint editor.
Two objects of peculiar and re
markable interest, one of them of
rare value, were exhibited to the au
dience. These were well calculated
to quicken into fresh life recollec
tions of thrilling emotions, one of
stirring delight and the other of woe.
One of these, in the possession .of
Edward M. Davis, was the “ origi
nal ” of the original Proclamation of
Emancipation, in the handwriting
83
of John C. Fremont. How vivid
seems the memory of the day when
the light of that heroic act broke
upon the nation ! Robert Purvis
declared that Fremont was the ori
ginal emancipator. The other object
alluded to, which is now in the pos
session of William Still, was an
old walnut chest, large, heavy, and
rude, in which a slave girl escaped
from bondage. Who Gould look
upon such an uncouth and perilous
“ liberator” as this without a shud
der and a pang ? How it suggested
the horrors of slavery, the precious
value of liberty, and the hazards that
were voluntarily risked to flee from
one to gain the other !
Kindred reflections were elicited
by the paper read by William Still,
which possessed a painful interest.
It was the story of Henry Box
Brown, and. a number of others who
contrived to escape from the hated
thralldom, cheerfully accepting the
severest hardships and bidding de
fiance to death itself. The mourn
ful tales thus unfolded were like the
thrilling fantasies of romance, but
more harrowing because of their
reality.
On this occasion the speakers
were numerous. The fertility of re
source was adequate for a rich abun
dance and variety of eloquence.
There was wide scope and multiform
experiences from which to gather
materials, and to the audience it was
an opportunity of entertainment and
instruction. Prominent among those
who spoke was Charles C. Bur
leigh, who has devoted a life to the
work for which the society has exist
ed, and whose earnest and powerful
advocacy of the great truths of free
dom and right, amid all the vicissi-
�84
Disbanding of the Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Society.
tudes of the strugg le, bravely en-tributary to present entertainment,
countering its worst features of oblo furnishing a rich store of treasured
quy, insult, and violence, has placed events. The incidents related were
his among the names of those cher manifold, and suggestive of the table
ished ones upon whom we bestow of contents of an important unwritten
our highest encomiums. He has history. There was a luxuriant of
been faithful from beginning to end, fering of reminiscences, either serious
and has labored with a zeal and per or diverting, which portrayed the
severance worthy of a cause so temper and aspects of the tragic
grand. This may likewise be said period, and reviving a long list of
of others who spoke at the meeting, gloomy and harassing experiences.
as well as of many more whose The revered names of many of those
voices in public never were heard, who have passed away were men
but who gave the movement their tioned with kindly remembrance,
best support and dutiful help.
whose labors in the good cause were
Mr. Burleigh’s evening speech given at times of urgent need. Some
was a masterpiece of glowing elo of these did not live to witness the
quence. It comprehended a concise red tide of rebellion sweep over the
statement of the conflict between land, while others lived just long
freedom and slavery through its suc enough to behold the breaking of
cessive phases, and gave a philoso that better day which heralded the
phic analysis of the movement from birth of a regenerated nation. The
the beginning down to the time retrospect was a solemn one. It
when the great wrong which over placed in glaring relief the great
shadowed the land received its change that has been wrought with
death-blow. Others spoke with force such marvelous quickness, and the
and impressiveness, and among the contrast between the old and new
’ number were Lucretia Mott, Ro redoubled the joy and gratitude felt
bert Purvis, Aaron M. Powell, to-day.
Frances E. W. Harper, Edward
The admirable series of resolutions
M. Davis, and Mary Grew, repre that were presented in the beginning
senting an honored and unbroken were not finally acted upon until a
record of anti-slavery service. All late hour at night. These were pre
■<of these, except Aaron M. Powell pared and read by Mary Grew.
and Mrs. Harper, have long been Let the impressive words from her
associated in the Pennsylvania Anti lips at the parting moment, the last
Slavery Society, cooperating as mem that were uttered before the society
bers of its executive committee.
disbanded, find a record here :
Of the various speeches it may be
“The vote with which we shall
said, glancing at them with a general respond to these resolutions will be
view, that they teemed with an afflu as the farewell spoken by travelers
ence of personal recollections. There who have journeyed together over
were admonitions in regard to the one pathway from sunrise to evening,
work yet before us, the duties that be sharing its difficulties and dangers,
long to the hour; but chiefly thought and parting at its goal. Friends,
turned to the past, which became our work is done, and there remains
�The Radical Club—Boston.
for us only to look into one another’s
faces for the last time as members
of an anti-slavery society, to clasp
hands once more in mutual congra
tulation and benediction, and to ren
der up to God the trust received
from him, and go our ways to other
work.”
Its mission fulfilled, the society
has passed into history. Those who
were its members are admonished
that the work is not yet complete.
Among the letters read at the meet
ing was one from Charles Sumner,
85
in which these words occur: “ But
all is not yet done. The country
must be lifted in deed and life to
the level of the great truth it has
now adopted as the supreme law of
the land. In this cause it is an
honor and a delight to labor, and I
assure you that I shall persevere to
the end.”
Emulating this noble example,
and inspired by a kindred purpose,
let each aid in what remains to be
accomplished.
THE RADICAL CLUB, BOSTON.
The April meeting of the Club
was held at Dr. Bartol’s, and a pour
ing rain seemed not to diminish the
customary good attendance.
The essay, by Mrs. Ednah D.
Cheney, was on the development
and' organization of religious ideas.
Referring to the beginnings of
things in the material world, she
spoke of the germ and the cell, the
foundation of all vegetable growth
and the commencement of all animal
life. Whence, she asked, comes this
germ power—this life, enabling the
new structure to appropriate to it
self whatever around is fitted to its
inward nature ? The materialist can
not answer this question. He has
to stop short in the chain of cause
and effect, and refer this power to a
source which he may name but can
not understand. The spiritual think
er answers that it is the power of
the divinity within us. It is the
consciousness of this inheritance of
divinity which gives us our innate
faith in immortality. The idea of a
divine heritage is expressed in all
the mythologies, and, however false
in fact, is true as a symbol. Thus
the typical man is the direct child of
God. In all genuine organizations,'
whether of church, state, or commu
nity, there must be a central root
running down to the divine source,
and there must also be a circum
ference, limited by circumstances,
and absolutely requiring from time
to time to be broken up to give place
to new life. And it is not in the
centre but in the circumference that
creeds and nations differ so widely.
In the deepest spiritual communion,
Jew and Greek, Christian and Mo
hammedan, alike draw near to the
divine centre, and meet there.
Every human soul has access to
God, and affinity with him. It is
individual peculiarities which make
sects differ so widely.
�
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Victorian Blogging
Description
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A collection of digitised nineteenth-century pamphlets from Conway Hall Library & Archives. This includes the Conway Tracts, Moncure Conway's personal pamphlet library; the Morris Tracts, donated to the library by Miss Morris in 1904; the National Secular Society's pamphlet library and others. The Conway Tracts were bound with additional ephemera, such as lecture programmes and handwritten notes.<br /><br />Please note that these digitised pamphlets have been edited to maximise the accuracy of the OCR, ensuring they are text searchable. If you would like to view un-edited, full-colour versions of any of our pamphlets, please email librarian@conwayhall.org.uk.<br /><br /><span><img src="http://www.heritagefund.org.uk/sites/default/files/media/attachments/TNLHLF_Colour_Logo_English_RGB_0_0.jpg" width="238" height="91" alt="TNLHLF_Colour_Logo_English_RGB_0_0.jpg" /></span>
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Conway Hall Library & Archives
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2018
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Conway Hall Ethical Society
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The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
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Disbanding of the Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Society
Creator
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Wildman, John K.
Description
An account of the resource
Place of publication: [Chicago]
Collation: 81-85 p. ; 24 cm.
Notes: From the library of Dr Moncure Conway. From The Standard, Vol. 1, no. 2., June 1870. Printed in double columns.
Publisher
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[s.n.]
Date
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[1870]
Identifier
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G5443
Subject
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Slavery
Human rights
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<a href="http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/"><img src="http://i.creativecommons.org/p/mark/1.0/88x31.png" alt="Public Domain Mark" /></a><span> </span><br /><span>This work (Disbanding of the Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Society), identified by </span><a href="https://conwayhallcollections.omeka.net/items/show/www.conwayhall.org.uk"><span>Humanist Library and Archives</span></a><span>, is free of known copyright restrictions.</span>
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application/pdf
Type
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Text
Language
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English
Anti-Slavery Movements
Conway Tracts
Slavery
United States of America