Sunderland, UK; 10.4.1850 (Meeting)

Sunderland, UK; 10.4.1850 (Meeting)

Anti-Slavery Demonstration

A public anti-slavery meeting was held in Smyrna Chapel, on Monday evening last. The Rev. John Parker presided. Long before the time appointed for the services of the evening, the chapel was crowded to excess; and as it was thought desirable that none who had come interested in the prosperity of the movement should be disappointed, it was resolved to open Union Chapel for those who could not gain admittance into Smyrna. In a few minutes that chapel was also crowded. When the Rev. Dr. Pennington and the Rev. Henry Highland Garnet, gentlemen of color, and once slaves, but now ministers of the gospel, the former in the city of New York, and the latter at Geneva, State of New York, entered the chapel, the immense assembly rose and in the most welcome and enthusiastic manner greeted them as brethren. It was then agreed that they should each address both meetings. The Rev. James Muir presided over the meeting in Union Chapel. The addresses of the gentlemen were eloquent, persuasive and thrilling, and were received with expressions of the highest approbation. Many of their statements filled the audience with horror, and drew from them the deepest sympathy. - They showed that the history of slavery on the cotton fields of America, is the very epitome of human misery. The slaves are treated like beasts of burden - their family ties are disregarded - they are constantly worked under the whip - even the women being flogged unmercifully when they fail in accomplishing their appointed task. Should they attempt to escape, they are hunted with bloodhounds, and not unfrequently shot down like wild beasts. The average life of a slave on a cotton plantation is estimated not to exceed seventy years. They exhibited American slavery as they had seen and felt it; they showed its debasing character, injustice and impolicy, even in a temporal light; the oppression, cruelty, and wretchedness of the fugitive slave law, lately passed by both houses of Congress, and which is now the law in operation in that country. They also pointed out the means by which the system may be entirely suppressed, viz. by using free labor produce , and refusing to touch or taste any article produced or manufactured by slaves. In the United States, Brazil, and Spanish colonies, there are seven millions of slaves who produce , cotton, sugar, rice, tobacco and coffee, which articles are consumed in large quantities by the British nation. They give the slaveholder their money or manufactures in exchange for the products of the blood-stained fields, and thus furnish the means for continuing the atrocious system. The remedy is apparent - abstain from their produce and slavery must cease. A whip of a slave-driver was shown, which has often been wet with the blood of the oppressed slave. The whip was nine feet in length, a fearful weapon to be applied in the punishment of a human being. Manacles for the legs and neck, which had been manufactured in Birmingham, were also shown, and produced sensations of the most intense nature, and loud cries of "shame, shame." Both meetings were most enthusiastic. The Rev. James Pringle, from Newcastle, Revds. S. Watkinson and John Morris, with Mr. Wakinshaw, took a part in the proceedings of the evening. A vote of thanks was given to the rev. strangers in the same expressive manner as they had been greeted when they entered the meeting. A collection was taken for aiding the good work commenced; it was liberal, and showed the intense feeling of the meeting. After prayer, by the Rev. presiding gentlemen, the meeting separated.

On Wednesday morning at 11, a most respectable meeting was held in Union Chapel, for forming a Ladies' Anti-Slavery Association , for promoting the sale of free labor produce . The Association was formed with all its office-bearers, and a considerable number of ladies have become members. There is something about these movements that leads us to contemplate the day as not far distant when slavery shall be no more. The Rev. Dr. Pennington preached last Sabbath evening in Dundas-street chapel, and in the morning in Smyrna chapel. The Rev. H.H. Garnet preached in the morning in Maling's Rig chapel, and in the evening in Union chapel. The Rev. Dr. Pennington addressed the children of St. George's Sabbath-school in the afternoon. - Sunderland Herald, Oct. 4.

10.31.1850