Garrison remained in Boston two weeks, going about the city, wherever
and whenever business or duty called him in a perfectly fearless way. He
left on the afternoon of November 18th. On that same afternoon the
Boston Female Anti-Slavery Society held a memorable meeting at the house
of Francis Jackson. It was then that Harriet Martineau, another foreign
emissary, avowed her entire agreement with the principles of the
Abolitionists, which subjected her to social ostracism, and to unlimited
abuse from the pro-slavery press of the city.
The new hatred of slavery which the mob had aroused in Boston found
heroic expression in a letter of Francis Jackson's replying to a vote of
thanks of the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society to him for his
hospitality to the ladies after their meeting was broken up by the mob.
Mr. Jackson in his answer points with emphasis to the fact that his
hospitality had a double aim, one was the accommodation of the ladies,
the other the preservation of the right of free discussion. In his
regard a foundation principle of free institutions had been assailed.
"Happily," he shrewdly observed, "one point seems already to be gaining
universal assent, that slavery cannot long survive free discussion.
Hence the efforts of the friends, and apologists of slavery to break
down this right. And hence the immense stake which the enemies of
slavery hold, in behalf of freedom and mankind, in its preservation.
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