Julia Griffiths to Frederick Douglass, April 2, 1856

For Frederick Douglass' Paper.

LETTERS FROM THE OLD WORLD.

Number XVII.

FALKIRK, April 2nd, 1856.

MY DEAR FRIEND:—Although it will be impossible for me to send you a lengthy communication by this week's steamer, by dint of a more than usual pressure of important engagements, I shall scribble you a few lines, that you may know my whereabouts, and do so in the belief that you, and some others of my trans-Atlantic friends, would rather receive a rapidly written, disjointed effusion, than none at all, as a proof that you and they are not forgotten by a certain bird of passage, that is now flying from point to point of brave old Scotia's land, with sunshine on its wing, and notes of glandness [sic] in its voice; ("for lo! the winter is past, the rain is over and gone—the flowers appear on the earth, and the time of the singing of birds is come;") but that NEVER (whether it rests its sometimes weary wing on Britain's free island, or on America's less free continent) forgets "the captive exile," who "hasteneth that he may be loosed, and that he should not die in the pit."

I have been twice in Falkirk since last writing to you. I came here yesterday to attend the Soiree and Annual Meeting of "the Falkirk Ladies' Anti-Slavery Society"—and highly gratified was I at the deep Anti-Slavery feeling and true Anti-Slavery spirit infused into the meeting. You will, doubtless, by next steamer, receive a Falkirk paper, containing a slight sketch of the proceedings. It is much to be regretted that, both here, and at the Glasgow meeting, reporters were not secured, to give a correct report of the admirable speeches made on both occasions. John Wilson, Esq., of Bantaskine, was Chairman—and capitally fitted was he for that important office. His introductory speech gave evidence that his heart is in the cause, and that his information on the Slavery subject is extensive. Five other speakers there were—and sound, sensible, telling speeches were made by each one of them. Rev. Mr.

Baird, was, perhaps, the most denunciatory of Southern religion; and my friend, the Rev. Alexander Wallace, of Edinburgh, the most spirit-stirring in his appeal to the friends of Freedom to do all that in them lies in aiding the colored people of the United States in their efforts to promote, not only the emancipation of the slave, but the amelioration of the condition of the nominally free colored people of those States. I will not attempt to sketch the speech of Mr. Wallace, because I can do no manner of justice to it. His eloquence is of the BEECHER order—rapid and impetuous as the mountain torrent. His address was enriched with treasures of a highly poetical mind, and spoken from the fulness of a warm and generous heart, that "feels for others' woes." He commenced by giving a sketch of the rise and progress of Slavery in America; the compromises, and the recent abominable enactments for the encrease of Slavery and of slave territory, were then glanced at. These he classified into Eras—finishing the list with "the Era of reaction," which he believes the present to be. He dates the time of re-action from the election of the Speaker.

Mr. Wallace then held up a copy of "My Bondage and Freedom," and told how it fared with one who made the journey—and said a great many things about a certain "Representative man," that it might not be seemly to transcribe for the columns of Frederick Douglass` Paper. "Would God he were once more in Scotland!" said he; and in his peroration, he blew such a mighty blast for Freedom as would have sent every Southern tyrant, within hearing cowering to his hiding place, dismayed and conscience stricken.

Among the most indefatigable, active, and earnest ministers of the United Presbyterian Church in Edinburgh, almost weighed down with the many home claims and duties, pressing upon him, it is not to be wondered at that Mr. Wallace, although thoroughly Anti-Slavery in heart and feeling, never found time, until recently, for thoroughly examining the subject. This he told me, some months ago, on my first meeting him at a dinner party. "But he never does

anything by halves," says a dear friend of mine, who should know; so once having passed the Rubicon, Mr. Wallace may be counted on in future as ever ready to say a strong word for freedom—and proud am I, be assured, in the thought of having been the humble instrument of rousing such a mighty Caledonian Lion, such a worthy descendent of the renowned WILLIAM WALLACE.

I met a pleasant party of Anti-Slavery friends at Bantaskine yesterday. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson (the host and hostess) are thorough friends of the cause of Freedom, and the latter is President of the Ladies' Society. From the windows of their delightfully situated residence. I enjoyed one of the finest prospects I have yet seen in Scotland. The house stands on the brow of a hill, in the midst of extensive grounds; a long, sloping lawn, in front, is skirted by a plantation of fine trees, through which here and there a canal is visible. Away in the distance, stretches the Kerse of Falkirk, (an extensive plain,) bounded; on one side, by the Ochill Hills, and on another by the Frith of Forth when here appears expansive as the ocean, and there narrow as a river winding its silvery way to Sterling. Away, to the right, the coast of Kincardineshire is dimly visible—the little town of Falkirk is at your feet—and a little farther is Carron (famous for its iron works and shells of terrible Sebastopol notoriety) and Carron Water, a pretty little lake.—Fine country villas, surrounded by gardens, and plantations, are visible, in many directions.—Away to the left is Perthshire, and a romantic looking (albeit railway) bridge, which spans the river. Oh! what a beautiful panorama lies before me! and but for a mist in the sky, a soft haze, that ever and anon, obscures the hills—what a scene of perfect beauty is here.

EDINBURGH, April 4th.

I returned to Edinburgh last evening, having had a pleasant visit to Falkirk, having made the acquaintance of a number of friends of the cause of emancipation in that neighborhood, and having met the ladies of the Anti-Slavery Committee there several times during my stay. Henceforth, "the Rochester Ladies` Anti-Slavery Bazaar" will be kept in view by the Ladies of Falkirk.

I do not think I mentioned I visited Montrose a few weeks since—and while there, I had the pleasure of meeting a large number of ladies at the house of the Rev. Mr. Anderson, and of assisting to form "the Montrose Ladies` Anti-Slavery Society." The main efforts of the ladies of this Society will be devoted to working for the Rochester Bazaar.

I rejoice at the cheering accounts that reach me this week, from the Report of the Rochester Anti-Slavery Society. I trust that, ere this, that Report is printed in Circular form, and on its way across the Atlantic, to the British and Irish friends, who are, loudly calling for it. If this has been forgotten, the sooner the mistake is remedied, by the Rochester friends, the better.

Amidst the firing of guns, and the ringing of joyous bells on Monday last, in Edinburgh, proclaiming, once again, "peace on earth, and good will to man," "the Edinburgh Ladies` New Association for the Abolition of Slavery" was organized. A large gathering of the female friends of the cause was held on that occasion; the venerable Rev. Dr. Henry Grey, the only gentleman present, opened the meeting with prayer—then dear, good Mrs. Renton (who may truly be called the Elizabeth Fry of

Edinburgh) was requested to take the Chair.—Short addresses were made by several ladies present, to the meeting, on the necessity for, and the importance of the proposed organization; the Society was then formed, and a large number of names were enrolled on the list of members.

I send you, for publication, a copy of the Constitution of the new Society, together with a list of the ladies who compose it. [See Constitution, published in another column.]

A lady remarked to me, the other day, that she thought there was Anti-Slavery feeling enough in Edinburgh to keep up three Anti-slavery Societies; but, at any rate, there is ample room for two Societies. With pleasure do I call the attention of my free colored friends to the recognition of them, and of their efforts for their own elevation, in the Constitution of the new Society.

I trust the Glasgow A. S. Report has reached you; it is a noble document, and I hope you will print it. Let those who deny that "the Glasgow New Association for the Abolition of Slavery," are sound in their Anti-Slavery principles, and decided in their denunciations of pro-Slavery Divines, take the trouble to read this Report, and they will be convinced of their mistake.

In much haste I close, it being near post time.

Yours, right truly,

JULIA GRIFFITHS.