This letter from H.W. Foster to William Lloyd Garrison, publisher of abolitionist newspaper The Liberator, discusses a recent antislavery meeting in Lowell.
“Many went away”: Foster is indicating that room was full, and people were turned away.
Dumb: Lacking the power of speech
Thraldom (sic): The state of being morally or mentally held by some power or influence
Brother Levy: Referring to John Levy, Black abolitionist and resident of Lowell
Indefatigable: Incapable of being tired out
Encomiums: Speeches or writings that praise someone or something highly
Latimer: George Latimer, a formerly enslaved man who sought freedom in Boston and became an abolitionist
N.B.: nota bene, N.B. is used in writing to indicate that something is important, and that the reader should take notice of it
Another Meeting.
Lowell, May 4, 1843.
Dear Garrison:
We have had another meeting …
which was in spirit and keeping with broad, hu-
mane and liberal principles.
… [it] was full of respon-
sive spirit and enthusiasm ; and at every meeting we
had crowded houses ; many went away. The result
has been grand ; many new hearts have been here to
plead the cause of the down-trodden and dumb.
… I have heard several say, since the close of these lectures, that
they could go with Garrison his full length, as far as
his anti-slavery is concerned.
Never was there such a state of glorious feeling in
behalf of the poor slave in Lowell before. …
Methinks it will grow, and continue to
grow and never die, until Lowell shall be entirely re-
deemed from her pro-slavery thraldom (sic); and she will
from this time continue to give her influence in be-
half of the slave, until every captive in the land shall
go free, and shout liberty. Brother Levy, that vigi-
lant and indefatigable fellow-laborer in the cause of
human rights, is deserving of the highest encomiums.
His heart and soul are in the work always.
… Our friend Levy and
other friends succeeded in collecting near forty dol-
lars at the last meeting, for the benefit of Latimer, and
the anti-slavery cause.
N.B. I have been making some effort to form a
Woman’s Anti-Slavery Society here. Friend Re-
mond introduced the subject at the last meeting, in a
most able manner. The prospect looks well. There
are some noble, worthy and intelligent women here,
whose hearts are right.
Very respectfully, I am yours.
in behalf of the slave,
H.W. Foster.
What examples does Foster give of the successes the antislavery movement is having in Lowell?
What do you think people meant when they said, “they could go with Garrison his full length”?
What does Foster say about his work to form a female antislavery society?
How are Foster and other abolitionists spreading the word of the antislavery case? If you were supporting a cause today, how would you spread the word?