Francis Jackson Garrison, William Lloyd Garrison, 1805-1879; the story of his life told by his children: volume 4

[186] mighty power of a wonder-working Providence, I have been permitted to see the gory system of slavery annihilated, and its four millions of captives set free. My reproach has been turned into commendation, and my shame into honor. In approval of this testimonial, I see the honored name of Chief Justice Chase, of the U. S. Supreme Court, himself an early and fearless champion in the same good cause—that of the Hon. James Speed of Kentucky, late Attorney-General of the United States—the names of Senators and Representatives in Congress from Maine to Oregon—the names of the Governor, Lieutenant-Governor, and Chief Justice of Massachusetts—the names of eminent merchants, lawyers, collegiate professors, poets, philanthropists, editors, etc., etc. In view of a list so broadly representative, and distinguished for such intellectual, moral, and political weight—added to this the list of approving contributors to the fund—I feel the profoundest humility mingled with the deepest gratitude. Some of these I have never seen, and probably shall never see in the flesh; but I wish to thank each one of them as in his immediate presence. Among the contributors abroad are the honored names of John Bright, John Stuart Mill, William E. Forster, Thomas B. Potter, Samuel Morley, John Cropper, and Arthur Albright. The moral verdict rendered by such an array is prized by me incomparably above all the gold and silver ever coined. While it has particular reference to my career, for the reasons set forth in the appeal, it also means much more than this—namely, the vindication of the anti-slavery movement as such, and of all who have faithfully labored to secure its triumph. Its design, therefore, is neither pecuniary reward nor personal exaltation; but is vitalized and made all-embracing by the sublime historical event to which it relates.

Having never sought the applause of my fellow-men, nor asked any favors at their hands, nor claimed to be more than others in labors and sacrifices in the cause of the oppressed, I trust no one will be found so unjust as to impute to me a wish to have any of my co-laborers thrown into the shade. Long before I took up the advocacy of the rights of man, without regard to race or complexion, many had done the same, in their way and according to the light given them. Liberty has never been without her witnesses on earth. The Declaration of Independence contains, in its ‘self-evident truths,’ all the abolitionism I have ever enunciated. So does the Golden Rule. Certainly I have never sought to put myself up, nor any fellowworker