Unrecorded Broadside Protesting Edward Everett's Anticipated July 4, 1855, Speech in His Home Town of Dorchester, Massachusetts

(ABOLITIONISM). (EVERETT). (GARRISON, WILLIAM L.). Fourth of July in Dorchester, and Edward Everett. [Caption title]. Broadside, 19" x 12," printed in two columns. [Boston: 1855]. Old folds, but very nice. $850.00

Extraordinary, evidently unknown broadside, dated June 30, 1855, at Dorchester, appealing to residents not to attend the July 4 celebration of the 225th anniversary of the founding of Dorchester at which former Massachusetts Governor and former Massachusetts Senator Edward Everett was to speak, citing three well know episodes, in 1826, 1836 and 1854, where Everett, known as a compromiser on the issue of slavery, behaved in an abject manner, and was in one instance criticized by Southerners, including John Randolph of Virgina.

Garrison says, and it is undoubtedly Garrison who writes this: "It is not enough that EDWARD EVERETT is a native of Dorchester, or that he is a gifted and brilliant orator, to entitle him to such a mark of respect. Unless he has lived a manly life, and well performed his duty in an evil day,--or at least indicates a purpose no longer to "bow the knee to the dark spirit of Slavery,"--he ought to be rebuked for his pusillanimous course, and not treted as a son worthy of all honor; especially in the present fearful struggle with the Slave Power."

The first column contains four eight-line stanzas of Independence Day verse, beginning, "Oh God! what mockery is this!/ Our land, how lost to shame!/ Well may all Europe jeer and hiss/ At mention of her name!" These verses make up Part II of "Independence Day," by Garrison, found in Sonnets and Other Poems, published by Garrison in 1843, pp. 83-4.

Late in life, when war broke out, Everett took on the manly role that Garrison here urges upon him, strongly supporting the Union cause.