By mere oppugnancy of their own goodness,
Reveals the approach of evil.”
They decided to strengthen the Liberator for the coming emergency, and raised $500 for its support.
This appropriation operated like an Ithuriel spear upon the craft of the confederated opposers. It had been their policy to represent their proposed periodical as likely to aid the circulation of the Liberator. Now, Mr. Torrey pronounced this appropriation a highly improper one. He put his condemnation of the measure into the shape of a general principle. “An Anti-Slavery Society, aiding the circulation of the Boston Recorder, the Liberator, or any other such irrelevant periodical! it would meet strong opposition at Lynn.” He mistook, from inability to appreciate, the abolitionists of that neighborhood. That indefinable sensation began to stir through the anti-slavery ranks which betokens a conflict. The “oppugnancy” rose in every true heart near the scene of action; but so craftily had the enemy wrought, that the danger was, lest he should accomplish his ends before he could be unmasked to the general gaze. Men who saw not the causes, observed the whirl and eddy of the current of events. The feeling was like that described by Max. Piccolomini, before the revolt of Friedland.
——“Something,
I can’t but know, is going forward round me.
I see it gathering—crowding—driving on,
In wild uncustomary movements. Well—
In due time, it will doubtless reach even me.”