GEO. THOMPSON IN SPRINGFIELD. The Springfield Republican of yesterday has the
following:-
Abolitionism.This evening according to announcement, George Thompson,
the English abolitionist, accompanied by Wm. L. Garrison and Wendell Phillips,
will make his appearance at Hampden Hall, for the purpose, we presume, of denouncing
the American Constitution, libelling the Christian Church, and abusing the greatest
and best men, living and dead, that ever impressed their names upon our country's
history. We allude to this meeting more in sorrow than in any stronger or harsher
sentiment, for we presume that it will be made like its long line of predecessors,
in this and other towns, the scene of pitiful fanaticism, blind perversion of
truth, and such handling of sacred things as shall wound the moral sense like
the naked blow of blasphemy. The audience, if composed alone of sympathizers,
will be very small, and we trust that such only will be present. The way to
treat such men is to let them alone,- to keep away from them. Let them rail
at each other, and the walls. Curiosity to hear and see them, and opposition
to them, form the very blood on which they live.
A subsequent article in the Republican gives us information that the citizens
of Springfield were in no wise disposed to have a Thompson Lecture delivered
to them at the present time, and a meeting of citizens, without previous preparation,
decided that Mr. Thompson should be informed thereof, and be told of the consequences
of the carrying out of his mission.
On Saturday night, the effigies of Messrs. George Thompson and John Bull were
hung up at Springfield, upon trees in the court square of that town, and affixed
to them were written certificates of the characters of the individuals represented,
not very complimentary, indeed, but rather plain spoken. They were cut down
the next day at noon, by order of the Sheriff of the county. Meantime, a hand-bill
had been circulated, calling upon "Regulators" to appear and put down
"the machinations of a British spy," who was here to endanger the
safety and the permanence of the American Union,- which was dressed in strong
and very exciting language, and was signed "Lexington." The Republican
states that the hand-bills were pulled down or defaced upon soon after they
were put up, and also that the owner of the hall would probably shut its doors
against the meeting. The Selectmen had a meeting to take action to preserve
the peace.
Since the above was prepared, we have the following, by telegraph, from the
Springfield Republican:-
Hampden Hall was closed against Thompson by the owners, through fear of damage.
The selectmen gave them notice that they would not be responsible for injury
to it, if the meeting went on. No other place could be obtained, and consequently,
Thompson did not speak. It is presumed that an attempt will be made to have
him speak on another day.
This evening some hundreds of men and boys crowd the streets between Hampden
Hall and the Hampden House, where Thompson is stopping, and are making some
little noise, but no overt acts have been committed. Probably all will pass
off quietly to-night.
Many people have come from other towns to participate in the proceedings, and
a part of the Irish population have been excited against him, which with other
elements that have been, and are at work, render it highly probable that he
will not be allowed to speak here, unless it may be in the day time.
9 1-2, P.M. The streets have been very noisy for the last hour. Fire-crackers,
music, tar-barrels, bells, etc., have made quite lively times. Thompson is to
speak at nine o'clock to-morrow morning, in Washington Hall, with Wendell Phillips
and Edmund Quincy.
10 o'clock. Washington Hall has now been refused for Thompson to lecture in
to-morrow, and it is doubtful whether a suitable place can be obtained for him
to speak in. The crowd is thinned, but the real rioters, a strong and rowdy
band, are still making night hideous, with drums, fifes and bonfires. A bonfire
has been started in Court square. Had the meeting gone on to night, there would
have been a terrible row.
George Thompson spoke in a small hall to a crowded audience in Springfield,
on Tuesday forenoon. Mr. Elder presided, assisted by the Rev. Dr. Osgood and
Mr. Morris, Judge of Probate. No tumult ensued. |
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