widens the breach between the two races—­exposes the colored people to great practical persecution, in order to force them to emigrate; and, finally, is calculated to swallow up and divert that feeling which America, as a Christian and free country, cannot but entertain, that slavery is alike incompatible with the law of God and with the well-being of man, whether the enslaver or the enslaved.”  The solemn conclusion of the illustrious signers of this mighty protest was that:  “That society is, in our estimation, not deserving of the countenance of the British public.”  This powerful instrument fell, as Garrison wrote at the time, “like a thunderbolt upon the society.”  The damage inflicted upon it was immense, irreparable.  The name of Thomas Clarkson was conspicuous by its absence from the protest.  He could not be induced to take positive ground against the society.  Garrison had visited him for this purpose.  But the venerable philanthropist, who was then blind, had taken position on neutral ground, and could not, after an interview of four hours, be induced to abandon it.  But, fortunately, potent as the name of Clarkson would have been in opposition to the society, it was not indispensable to its overthrow in Great Britain.  Garrison had won to his side “all the staunch anti-slavery spirits,” while Cresson was able to retain only “a few titled, wealthy, high-pretending individuals.”

The success of the mission was signal, its service to the movement against slavery in America manifold.  Garrison writing from London to the board of managers, summarized the results produced by it as follows:  “1st, awakening a general interest among the friends of emancipation in this country, and securing their efficient cooeperation with us in the abolition of slavery in the United States; 2d, dispelling the mists with which the agent of the American Colonization Society has blinded the eyes of benevolent men in relation to the design and tendency of the society; 3d, enlisting able and eloquent advocates to plead our cause; 4th, inducing editors of periodicals and able writers to give us the weight of their influence; 5th, exciting a spirit of emulation in the redemption of our slave population among the numerous female anti-slavery societies; 6th, procuring a large collection of anti-slavery documents, tracts, pamphlets, and volumes, which will furnish us with an inexhaustible supply of ammunition.”  These were indeed some of the grand results of laborious weeks.  His mission was ended.  He was profoundly grateful to the good God for its success.  The great movement which he had started against oppression in his own country was awaiting his aggressive leadership.  He did not tarry abroad, therefore, but set sail from London August 18, 1833, for New York, where he landed six weeks later.

CHAPTER VIII

COLORPHOBIA