Proceedings of the Newmilns anti-slavery society., December 12, 1864

Proceedings of the Newmilns anti-slavery society.

According to previous arrangements a meeting of this society took place in Black Bull Hall, upon Friday, the 25th November, 1864, for the purpose of receiving two volumes of the correspondence between the American government and all other governments from October, 1862, to August, 1864, presented to them by Mr. Underwood, late American consulate in Glasgow, for the manly, humane, and sympathizing manner in which they have expressed their feelings in behalf of the down-trodden slave and for the restoration of the American Union.

The chair being occupied by the president, Mr. Matthew Pollock, who opened the meeting by stating that the meeting had two objects in view—the one for receiving Mr. Underwood’s handsome testimonials, the other to express our gratitude to the true republicans of America for the triumphant manner they had again placed Abraham Lincoln upon the most honorable and the most exalted pinnacle of political glory in the world; and how mortifying must it be to the aristocracy of this country to see a man from the working-class raised to such a position; an aristocracy who has viewed the American republic with the same eye as Milton’s devil viewed the garden of Eden, when he scanned this world in its infancy; causing his fallen and worthless angels to cry “Break the blockade of Heaven, and crush this newly formed republic on earth.” Yes, ever since the days of Billie Pitt down to the present day, they have all along been viewing the American republic with the same feelings as Satan did, with envy and malice, causing the Times newspaper and the worthless satellites who move around it to cry break the blockade; recognize and support a power which declares the head corner-stone of their building to be human slavery. But alas! how futile their hopes and wishes have been in not finding Abraham Lincoln an Adam to eat the apple. No, he is not an Adam, but Abraham, the father of the faithful, whose name will be handed down to posterity by the echoes of one generation after another, until the oppressors of mankind shall vanish from the face of the earth amidst the execrations of a noble and patriotic people.

Mr. John Brooks, to whom Mr. Underwood intrusted the two volumes for presentation, rose, and after delivering an able address, presented one volume to the members of the society, . and the other to the president.

Mr. John Donald then rose, and in returning thanks to Mr. Underwood for his handsome testimonial, being a token of his esteem for our sympathy in behalf of the slave and the restoration of the American Union, and after a short and suitable address, moved the following resolution:

That we, the members of this society, tender our sincere thanks to Mr. Underwood, late American consulate in Glasgow, for his condescension in noticing our humble efforts in behalf of his bleeding country, struggling for the freedom of the slave; and in returning to his native home, he may enjoy the blessings of peace, the restoration of the Union, with universal liberty, is our earnest prayer.

Mr. Alexander Pollock, teacher, Stewarton, gave a very impressive address, contrasting slavery with Christianity.

Mr. Daniel McArthur followed with a number of very touching and entertaining anecdotes connected with slavery.

Mr. Andrew Wallace next in a very interesting manner enumerated the different measures adopted by President Lincoln for the extinction of slavery and the preservation of the Union; when the chairman proposed the following resolution :

That this meeting being deeply impressed with the late presidential election in America, cannot allow their exultation to pass without giving vent to their feelings, by congratulating the true republicans of America for the splendid victory they have achieved for the whole human race, by re-electing Abraham Lincoln, the man from the people, and with the people, and for the people, whose honesty of purpose, uprightness in judgment, unflinching in duty, aided by the new stream of republican life that has flown into the Senate and Congress from the late elections as will enable him to bring the unjust and unholy war to an honorable, a just, and a lasting peace.

Resolved, That the foregoing be signed by the president and a copy be forwarded to the Hon. Charles Adams, American ambassador, London, and to. be transmitted to Abraham Lincoln, President of America, and another to Mr. Underwood, esq., late American consulate, Glasgow.

The business of the meeting being over, a vote of thanks was given to the president for his conduct in the chair.

The meeting being composed of both sexes, they agreeably refreshed themselves, after which Mr. Thomas Cambell, jr., opened the after programme by singing “Calam O’Glen,” the rest of the evening being spent with songs and sentiment from both sexes giving to all present great satisfaction.