that
in our most sacred hours we dwell indeed in a world of solitude."

[Autograph: Antoinette Brown Blackwell]

On December 2, 1859, occurred that terrible tragedy in the country's
history, the execution of John Brown for the raid on the United States
arsenal at Harper's Ferry. The nation was shaken as by a great
earthquake. Its dreadful import was realized perhaps by none so
strikingly as by that little band of Abolitionists who never had
wavered in their belief that slavery must ultimately disrupt the Union.
When the country was paralyzed with horror and uncertainty, they alone
dared call public meetings of mourning and indignation. It was natural
that in Rochester they should turn to Susan B. Anthony for leadership.
Without a moment's hesitation for fear of consequences she engaged
Corinthian Hall and set about arranging a meeting for the evening of
that day. Parker Pillsbury wrote:

Can you not make this gathering one of a popular character? What I
mean is will not some sturdy Republican or Gerrit Smith man
preside, another act as secretary and several make addresses? Only
we must not lose the control. I do not believe that any observance
of the day will be instituted outside our ranks. I am without
tidings from the "seat of war" since Tuesday evening; and do not
know what we shall hear next. My voice is against any attempt at
rescue. It would inevitably, I fear, lead to bloodshed which could
not compensate nor be compensated. If the people dare murder their
victim, as they are determined to do, and in the name of law, he
dares and is prepared to die and the moral effect of the execution
will be without a parallel since the scenes on Calvary eighteen
hundred years ago, and the halter that day sanctified shall be the
cord to draw millions to salvation.

[Autograph: Parker Pillsbury]

Miss Anthony found that beyond the little band of Abolitionists not a
person dared give her any assistance. Her diary says: "Not one man of
prominence in religion or politics will publicly identify himself with
the John Brown meeting." She went from door to door selling tickets and
collecting money. Samuel D. Porter, a prominent member of the Liberty
party, assisted her, as did that circle of staunch Quaker friends who
never failed her in any undertaking; Frederick Douglass had been
obliged to flee to England. An admission fee of fifty cents kept out
the rabble, and not more