45

OverviewTranscribeVersionsHelp

Facsimile

Transcription

Status: Complete

LIFE AND TIMES OF FREDERICK DOUGLASS 197

relations of the Free Church of Scotland to slavery in America. Messrs.
Thompson, Buffum, myself and a few other anti-slavery friends attended,
but sat at such distance and in such position as not to be observed from the
platform. The excitement was intense, having been greatly increased by a
series of meetings held by myself and friends, in the most splendid hall in
that most beautiful city, just previous to this meeting of the general assembly.
"SEND BACK THE MONEY!" in large capitals stared from every street corner;
"SEND BACK THE MONEY!" adorned the broad flags of the pavement; "SEND
BACK THE MONEY!" was the chorus of the popular street-song; "SEND BACK THE
MONEY!" was the heading of leading editorials in the daily newspapers. This
day, at Cannon Mills, the great doctors of the church were to give an answer
to this loud and stern demand. Men of all parties and sects were most eager
to hear. Something great was expected. The occasion was great, the men
were great, and great speeches were expected from them.

In addition to the outward pressure there was wavering within. The con-
science of the church itself was not at ease. A dissatisfaction with the posi-
tion of the church touching slavery was sensibly manifest among the
members, and something must he done to counteract this untoward influ-
ence. The great Dr. Chalmers was in feeble health at the time, so his most
potent eloquence could not now he summoned to Cannon Mills, as formerly.
He whose voice had been so powerful as to rend asunder and dash down the
granite walls of the Established Church of Scotland, and to lead a host in
solemn procession from it as from a doomed city, was now old and enfee-
bled. Besides he had said his word on this very question, and it had not
silenced the clamor without nor stilled the anxious heavings within. The
occasion was momentous, and felt to be so. The church was in a perilous
condition. A change of some sort must take place, or she must go to pieces.
To stand where she did was impossible. The whole weight of the matter fell
on Cunningham and Candlish. No shoulders in the church were broader than
theirs; and I must say, badly as I detested the principles laid down and
defended by them, I was compelled to acknowledge the vast mental endow-
ments of the men.

Cunningham rose, and his rising was the signal for tumultuous applause.
It may he said that this was scarcely in keeping with the solemnity of the
occasion, but to me it served to increase its grandeur and gravity. The
applause, though tumultuous, was not joyous. It seemed to me, as it thun-
dered up from the vast audience, like the fall of an immense shaft, flung from
shoulders already galled by its crushing weight. It was like saying "Doctor,
we have borne this burden long enough, and willingly fling it upon you.

Notes and Questions

Nobody has written a note for this page yet

Please sign in to write a note for this page