aw for the commission of
some crime. We hold that man cannot, consistently with reason, religion,
and the eternal and immutable principles of justice, be the property of
man. We hold that whoever retains his fellow-man in bondage is guilty of
a grievous wrong. We hold that a mere difference of complexion is no
reason why any man should be deprived of any of his natural rights, or
subjected to any political disability. While we advance these opinions
as the principles on which we intend to act, we declare that we will not
operate on the existing relations of society by other than peaceful and
lawful means, and that we will give no countenance to violence or
insurrection."

Twelve, the apostolic number, affixed to the preamble and constitution
their names, and thus formed the first Garrisonian Society for the
abolition of slavery in the United States. The names of these apostolic
men it is well to keep in mind. They are William Lloyd Garrison, Oliver
Johnson, Robert B. Hall, Arnold Buffum, William J. Snelling, John E.
Fuller, Moses Thatcher, Joshua Coffin, Stillman B. Newcomb, Benjamin C.
Bacon, Isaac Knapp, and Henry K. Stockton. The band of reformers, their
work done, had risen to pass out of the low, rude room into the dark
night. The storm was still raging. They themselves had perchance been
sobered by the experiences of the evening. They had gone in fifteen,
they were returning twelve. And, after all, what had they accomplished?
What could they a mere handful do to abolish slavery entrenched as it
was in Church and State? It is possible that some such dim
discouragement, some such vague misgiving of the futility of the
evening's labor, was in the hearts of those wearied men, and that their
leader divined as much, for the spirit of prophecy fell upon Garrison
just as they "were stepping out into the storm and darkness." "We have
met to-night," he said, "in this obscure school-house; our numbers are
few and our influence limited; but, mark my prediction, Faneuil Hall
shall erelong echo with the principles we have set forth. We shall shake
the nation by their mighty power." Then the little band dispersed "into
the storm and darkness," carrying with them these words charged with
hope and courage.

The fruitful seed of organized agitation Garrison had securely planted
in soil fertile and ready for its reception. Its growth constitutes one
of the marvels of reforms. Within a few brief years it multiplied into
hundreds an