Francis Jackson Garrison, William Lloyd Garrison, 1805-1879; the story of his life told by his children: volume 3

But Rynders, taught by experience, avoided a second humiliation as a debater, and ushered in a fresh series of brutish demonstrations. Mr. Garrison's magnanimity proved even a municipal safe-conduct for the captain of¹ the Empire Club. For when Isaac T. Hopper reported him to the Mayor as again breaking up the meeting, that official protested—“But I understand that Capt. Rynders was invited to the meeting, and that blasphemy has been uttered by your speakers” Lib. 20.86, 106.; and denied all authority to interfere unless violence was committed. And so, at the hall, Mr. Garrison having asked, by request, if the Chief² of Police was present—

Rynders responded derisively, ‘Oh don't! don't! You'll frighten us all to death!’ —the sovereign mob responding with shouts of laughter! There were present some thirty or forty of the police, besides Mr. Matsell and the high sheriff; and then it was, in the presence of these sworn conservators of the peace of the city, and with their approbation, I announced, under protest, that the proprietors of the building felt compelled to refuse us the further occupancy of it, for fear of the rioters, especially on account of the imminent peril in which the Public Library was placed. Lib. 20:[79].³

The victims at this last session were the Rev. Henry Grew, Charles C. Burleigh, and Wendell Phillips. Mr. Burleigh's flowing beard and ringlets and eccentric costume especially evoked the buffoonery of the mob, and harmless personal indignities. “Shave that tall Christ and make a wig for Garrison,” Lib. 20:[78]. cried one; while Rynders, with arm around his neck, stroked his beard. Mr.⁴ Phillips's irreproachable appearance and famed eloquence did not save him, either, from failure to obtain a hearing, or from filthy verbal missiles. At every turn he was interrupted and overborne. Mention of Washington brought out a call for three cheers for the Father of his Country, vehemently given. ‘Yes,’ echoed Mr. Garrison⁵ from the chair; ‘three cheers for Washington, who ’