"Lynn has Spoken. The citizens of the enlightened and enterprising City of Lynn, in the State of Massachusetts, have held a meeting, Mayor Hood presiding, and adopted strong resolutions against the Fugitive law. The Mayor, on taking the chair, declared that the law was unconstitutional, unjust and inhuman-a law not fit to be enacted and not fit to be obeyed. The freemen of New England would not submit to become the bloodhounds of the South. He believed that the men and women of Lynn would be true to the dictates of humanity, and to the precepts of Christ; and for one, he solemly pledged himself never to lift a finger in the work of returning a fellow man to slavery. Great cheering followed this declaration. Speeches were made by Thomas Russell of Boston, Rev. C.C. Shackford of Lynn, C. L. Remond, Rev. Mr Brooks. and others. Mr Shackford said.:
"I believe that the Law will be enforced. The black cloud is gathering thick and fast. We have got to suffer, some of us. For one, I am prepared for the issue. Let it come and let us meet it like men. [Great cheering.] He believed there was continually growing in this community a fire of public opinion that would finally purify official stations. Traitors will have to fly. It must be our work to keep the fire burning. We must agitate, agitate, agitate, until we have won the glorious victory. [Cheers] He was ready to take his share of persecution if there is to be any. He expected it would come, as an inevitable result, sooner or later, and he was willing to meet it. [Great applause.] He rejoiced to see such a mighty assembly and such genuine good feeling for the oppressed. He also gloried in the strong denunciation which had been so justly administered by the meeting to oppressors everywhere. His earnest desire was that the same spirit might prevail until Liberty shall triumph."" (Anti-slavery bugle., March 15, 1851, Page 103, Image 3)
I love this type of a newspaper article! It helps us understand the views of the Rev CC Shackford, helps us understand his beliefs and goes far beyond the summaries in books and articles that just mention that he gave numerous speeches in Lynn. This article also lets readers know that many others who attended this meeting in Lynn, Massachusetts in 1851 believed that there should be an end to slavery.
More about Rev Charles Chauncy Shackford can be found in a previous blog. (Click on his name.)