the time if I did not know that high statesmen, presidents of colleges, able editors, and that most undoubted of firm philanthropists, Gerritt Smith, shared the same delusion.  Bible and missionary societies fellowshipped that mean and scurvy device of the kidnapper, in their holy work.  It was spoken of as the most glorious of Christian enterprises, had a monthly magazine devoted to itself, and taxed about every pulpit in the land for an annual sermon in its favor.”

Such was the Colonization Society, and its entrenched strength in the piety and philanthropy of the country at the moment when Garrison published his “Thoughts.”  It did not seem possible that a single arm however powerful, was able to start its roots; but, directly upon the launching of this bolt, the roots of the Bohun Upas, as Garrison graphically designated the society, were seen to have started, and the enterprise appeared blasted as by fire.  The deluded intellect and conscience of the free States saw in the fierce light, which the pamphlet of the reformer threw upon the colonization scheme how shamefully imposed upon they had been.  They had believed the society “the most glorious of Christian enterprises,” and, lo! it stood revealed to them a “scurvy device of the kidnapper.”  The effect was extraordinary.  The book was seized and its contents devoured by some of the finest minds of the North.  Here is an example of the interest which it excited and the converts which it made:  “Last Monday evening was our Law Club meeting, and I had the great satisfaction of hearing Judge Mellen, our Chief-Justice, say he had read your ‘Thoughts,’ was a thorough convert to your views, and was ready to do all in his power to promote them.  Mr. Longfellow [father of Henry W. Longfellow] was present also, and with equal warmth and clearness expressed himself also in favor of your views.  This is getting the two first men in the State for talents and influence in benevolent effort.  I have no doubt they will head the list of those who will subscribe to form here an anti-slavery society.  Mr. Greenleaf [Simon] also, will cordially come in, and I need not say he is one of the first [men] in the State, for his character is known.”  This quotation is made from a letter of General Samuel Fessenden, of Portland, Me., to Mr. Garrison, dated December 14, 1832.  Among the remarkable minds which the “Thoughts” disillusioned in respect of the character and tendency of the Colonization Society were Theodore D. Weld, Elizur Wright, and Beriah Green, N.P.  Rogers, William Goodell, Joshua Leavitt, Amos A. Phelps, Lewis Tappan, and James Miller McKim.