[
100]
kept the
British Government from interfering in the American struggle.
A week later, the same hall was
1 packed to its utmost capacity on the occasion of a formal reception tendered to
Mr. Thompson by leading citizens of
Massachusetts, the name of
John A. Andrew heading the list.
Governor Andrew presided with rare felicity, declaring it to be an agreeable service, and in the direct
2 line of his public duty, to attempt the chairmanship of the meeting, and ‘to accord an honorable welcome to
George Thompson,’ both for his earlier achievements and
3 for his recent services in behalf of the
North.
Mr. Thompson's response was worthy of himself and of the
4 magnificent occasion.
Mr. Garrison would fain have kept in the background, preferring that the welcome to his friend should be seen to be a spontaneous and popular one; but the audience insisted on hearing him, and gave him three cheers as he came forward to express his delight at the atonement which
Boston and
Massachusetts were now offering.
Addressing the
Governor, he said:
Sir, it has been the custom of those who have occupied the5 Executive chair in this State, to close their Fast Day and Thanksgiving proclamations with the exclamation: “God save the Commonwealth of Massachusetts!”
Now, sir, in view of the altered state of things among us, in view of this glorious meeting, justly and fairly representing the people of Massachusetts, and in view of the fact that your Excellency is here to preside on this occasion, I have to say that at last I believe Massachusetts is saved—saved from her old pro-slavery subserviency and degradation—saved from her blind, selfish, calculating slaveholding complicity with the South—saved to honor, justice, humanity, and impartial freedom.
The Boston reception was speedily followed by one at6 Cooper Institute, New York, with General John C. Fre--7 mont in the chair; by another at Plymouth Church,8 Brooklyn, with Henry Ward Beecher presiding; by others9 still in Springfield,10 Lawrence, Lowell, New Bedford, and