rst organized. In the light of
subsequent history it is difficult to believe the apathy and
blindness which failed to recognize the significance of this
attack upon Kansas by the slave-holding power. Only faithful
watchmen in their high towers could see that it was the first
battle-ground between the two conflicting systems of freedom and
slavery, which was finally to culminate in the war of the
Rebellion. 'Working day and night without haste or rest,' failing
in no effort to rouse and stimulate the community, still Mr.
Stearns found that a vitalizing interest was wanting. When Gov.
Reeder was driven in disguise from the territory, he wrote to him
to come to Boston and address the people. He organized a
mass-meeting for him in Tremont Temple, and for a few days the
story he related stimulated to a livelier activity the more
conservative people, who were inclined to think the reports of
the free-State men much exaggerated. Soon, however, things
settled back into the old sluggish way; so that for three
consecutive committee meetings the chairman was the only person
who presented himself at the appointed time and place. Nothing
daunted, he turned to the country towns, and at the end of five
months he had raised by his personal exertions, and through his
agents, the sum of $48,000. Women formed societies all over the
State, for making and furnishing clothing, and various supplies,
which resulted in an addition of some $20,000 or $30,000 more. In
January, 1867, this species of work was stopped, by advices from
Kansas that no more contributions were needed, except for
_defense_. At this juncture Mr. Stearns wrote to John Brown, that
if he would come to Boston and consult with the friends of
freedom he would pay his expenses. They had never met, but
'Osawatomie Brown' had become a cherished household name during
the anxious summer of 1856.[66] Arriving in Boston, they were
introduced to each other in the street by a Kansas man, who
chanced to be with Mr. Stearns on his way to the committee rooms
in Nilis's Block, School Street. Captain Brown made a profound
impression on all who came within the sphere of his moral
magnetism. Emerson called him 'the most ideal of men, for he
wanted to put all his ideas into action.' His absolute
superiority to al
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