Viewing page 8 of 16

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

504     DOUGLASS' MONTHLY.     AUGUST, 1861
[[line across page]]

LETTERS FROM THE OLD WORLD--NO. LXXV.
[[line]]

HALIFAX, Whit Wednesday, 1861.

MY DEAR FRIEND:--Yesterday was a day that will not soon be forgotten in this region of country.  It was here made memorable by witnessing the sixth commemoration of the [[italics]] Sunday School Juvenile, [[/italics]] (of 1831.) which took place in the spacious [[italics]] Piece Hall [[/italics]] of Halifax, where nearly 40,000 persons were assembled, including scholars, teachers and spectators.  By thousands of young people this 'Whit Tuesday' had been eagerly looked forward to for months past--the hope that the weather would be fine, and the fear lest it should be wet, alternately dwelling in the minds of many, according to their temperament.  The rising barometers, too, had their effect on numbers; and the disciples of hope gained an entire victory; for the weather was gloriously fine--just the weather for the occasion--bright Phœbus mounted his chariot of day betimes, and shone down in full splendor on the smiling faces of the numerous bands of happy children as they entered the Hall.  I do not remember whether you visited this curious old Piece Hall when here?  It is one of the memorials of an age gone by, and is peculiarly fitted, by its structure, for large gatherings.  It is a vast quadrangular building, comprising two massive stone galleries, supported by columns, and enclosing a spacious area of grass plot.  This area (entirely open to the winds of heaven) was appropriated to the schools; the galleries (and some barricades erected for the occasion) were filled with spectators; the latter commenced taking their places at 9 o'clock, and soon all the seats were filled.  It was woe to those who were tardy in their movements; standing was their penalty.  The various committees had arduous work to do, and they did it well--for in perfect order the schools commenced to enter at 10 o'clock, one by one, most of them headed by a band; and as they marched to the sounds of cheerful music, with their gay dresses and waving banners, to the places marked out for their standing, the sight was intensely interesting, as well as highly picturesque, and much do I pity the being who could have beheld it unmoved.  Two hours were employed in the entrance of the 28,752 scholars and teachers, 970 of whom were from 'Salem', which ranked third in numbers [[italics]] Zion [[/italics]] taking the lead in that respect.  By a few minutes after 12 the last school had entered, the last space was filled, and all was excitement and eager expectations as the orchestra performers were seen duly preparing their various instruments, and Mr. DEAN mounted the conductor's box.  The first tune was a composition of the conductor, Mr. DEAN, very appropriate to the words, doubtless, yet, possibly, scarcely so attractive to the hearers as an older and more well-known composition would have been.  Still, manifestations of general satisfaction were apparent as the first hymn closed with the words:

'The day of Jubilee! make way!
Blow ye the trumpet, blow!
It is the time of joy, to-day,
This joy all earth shall know;
Let children take the blissful strain,
And send its echo back again!'

The second hymn (St. George) was extremely well sung, and hearty encores were responded to.  Then came the refreshment season, (not the least part of the entertainment to many a hungry child.)  Buns and
[[/column 1]]

[[column 2]]
water were bountifully supplied to the schools, while the visitors refreshed themselves according to their respective arrangements.  Then came the renewal of the performance, the grandest feature of which was Handel's world-renowned 'Hallelujah Chorus,' which, sung as it then was by 28,000 voices, produced an almost overpowering effect.  The West Riding of Yorkshire is, you know, justly famed for choral singing, and admirably these juvenile singers sustained their character on this occasion.  "Before Jehovah's awful Throne' was one of the gems of the day, and the National Anthem concluded the whole.  Seven hours' stay in the Hall indisposed us for remaining longer; but many lingered, looking down into the vast area, and listening to the sounds that ascended, which conveyed to their ear the words, 'When shall we all meet again?' -- a question involving solemn thought -- thoughts with which time has nothing to do--for the last hour will have sounded, the last minute will have passed, and time itself will have rolled away ere again that cast assemblage of beings shall re-assemble and view all things, not as 'now, though a glass darkly,' but in the resplendent light of eternity. 
[[line]]

GROVE TERRACE, LEEDS, June 27th.

Finding it impossible to continue my epistle and forward it in time to your July [[italics]] Monthly, [[/italics]] my dear friend, (in consequence of pressing engagements and arrangements, with which you are ere this made acquainted,) I have allowed by scribble to stand over longer than I first intended; but it will reach your hands, duly, (D.V.,) for the August issue.

Your June number is here--a welcome visitor.  The article headed 'A change of Attitude', amuses me exceedingly.  I should as soon have looked for a change of opinion, on the Union subject, in my old fellow-passenger, the Louisiana slaveholder, as in the Messieurs to who you refer.  'I go for the dissolution of the Union,' said he; 'we go for the dissolution of the Union,' they echoed in times of old.  The similarity of the watchword, coming, as it did, from such opposite points as New Orleans and Boston, presented an enigma not easy to solve.  'Where are those dreamers now?' we may be pardoned for asking.  I remember that, as far back as the winter of '54, when the fate of the Kansas and Nebrarka bill was pending, rumors were rife in Washington that the ultra Southern party had formed a programme, and were but waiting the proper time to carry it out.  The dissolution of the Union, and the forming a Southern Confederacy were, in all probability, parts of the drama intended to be performed.

I have just read, with intense interest, our noble friend GERRIT SMITH'S great speech on the rebellion, delivered at Peterboro, recently, every sentence of which is pungent and telling.  Had he been listened to in the House of Representatives, how different would the state of matters be now in the States, 'united' no more.  He thought and spoke in advance of his age; and yet what the many deemed wild enthusiasm and fanaticism, has proved to be the profoundest wisdom.  I am struck by several of his assertions, (viz.:) 'THE FIRST GUN FIRED AT FORT SUMTER ANNOUNCED THE FACT THAT THE LAST FUGITIVE SLAVES HAD BEEN RETURNED.'  'IT IS NOT ENOUGH THAT WE HAVE A SOUTH WICKED ENOUGH TO GO AGAINST--WE MUST HAVE A NORTH RIGHTEOUS ENOUGH
[[/column 2]]

[[column 3]]
TO GO FOR.'  Would that this last sentence could be egraven on the heart of every American citizen north of Mason and Dixon's line. 

Every American mail is watched for with great anxiety throughout our country, and 'What is the last American news?' is a general inquiry.  You will know that the London [[italics]] Times [[/italics]] has its 'Special Correspondent' in the Southern States, watching and reporting the sayings and doings of the Southern Confederacy.  Many and strange are the incidents and adventure he appears to meet with; very generally his articles are read; and they must do good, since they serve to enlighten the people in this country on the wild lawlessness and reckless disregard of life so prevalent in the South, if they do not show up distinctly the sin and guilt of slaveholding.

A few weeks before leaving Halifax, I had the pleasure of hearing a lecture on slavery and its present aspects, from Mr. PHILIP CARPENTER.  His having lately returned from the States, as well as his taking (as you well know) a verp [sic] deep interest on the subject, rendered both his lecture and his conversations particularly interesting and instructive.  I was much gratified to meet him, and to find one Englishman returned home from a tour in the States imbued with even more horror of slavery that he had when he quitted his own land.  Apologists for slavery are so common among returned English travelers, that it is refreshing to find a sterling Englishman whose thorough anti-slavery principles have stood firm amidst the ordeal through which he is called to pass, not only while travelling through the slaveholding South, but ever and anon while passing through the length and breadth of the timorous and half-and-half anti-slavery North.

It is quite perplexing to some of our friends here, who read but little on the subject, that I do not respond more joyously to their questions concerning the end of slavery, which they consider is to be extinguished speedily by the Northerners.  They will have it that the war is 'between slavery and freedom, and picture the whole combined North fighting for the glorious cause of liberty against the tyrannical South.'  Would that it were so! I had almost said, but for the sake of my dear peace friends, whose consciences I should thereby pain.  'First pure, then peaceable,' says the Apostle; and until evil men and evil powers have ceased to be, I cannot see how peace can universally reign.

I have seen Mr. DAY and Mr. TROY recently.  They are both working hard, and I trust successfully. I believe there is a probability of ANDERSON coming to Leeds soon.  A first of August demonstration is spoken of.  I hope this will be carried out by the Young Men's Anti-Slavery Society here, which society seems in earnest, and earnestness is needed to effect any real good in the anti-slavery work.  I wish that all who profess anti-slavery principles would follow two injunctions of Divine writ--'Now, therefore, perform the doing of it,' and 'Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might.'

We are have a glorious old fashioned summer; bright sunshine, and clear blue skies are visible in our foggy island for many days together, and thoroughly the people enjoy them by running away as much as possible from the hum and din of cities, to the
[[/column 3]]