Letters of Lydia Maria Child, with a biographical introduction by John G. Whittier and an appendix by Wendell Phillips.

180 LETTERS.
TO MISS ELIZA SCUDDER.
WAYLAND, 1864.
Another encouraging thing is the marvellous and
constantly increasing change in public opinion on the
subject of slavery. Only think of George Thompson's speaking in the Halls of Congress, and of John
Brown's Hallelujah being performed there! Captain
---- of the United States Navy, has been, a bitter
pro-slavery man, violent in his talk against abolitionists and "niggers." He has been serving in the
vicinity of New Orleans, and has come home on a
furlough, an outspoken abolitionist. He not only
says it in private, but has delivered three lectures
in town, in which he has publicly announced the
total change in his sentiments since he had "6 an opportunity to know something on the subject." A
few days ago he was going in the cars from Boston
to Roxbury, when a colored soldier entered the car.
Attempting to seat himself, he was repulsed by a
white man, who rudely exclaimed, " I'm not going to
ride with niggers." Captain W., who sat a, few seats
farther forward, rose up, in all the gilded glory of his
naval uniform, and called out, " Come here, my good
fellow! I've been fighting alongside of people of
your color, and glad enough I was to have'em by my
side. Come sit by me." Two years ago I would not
have believed such a thing possible of him. So the
work goes on in all directions.
TO MRS. S. B. SHAW.
1864.
I suppose you will hear of George Thompson while
he is in New York, if you do not see him. How