The Liberator: “To the Public”

Oppression!  I have seen thee, face to face,

And met thy cruel eye and cloudy brow;

But thy soul-withering glance I fear not now --

For dread to prouder feelings doth give place

Of deep abhorrence!  Scorning the disgrace

Of slavish knees that at thy footstool bow,

I also kneel – but with far other vow

Do hail thee and thy hord of hirelings base: --

I swear, while life-blood warms my throbbing veins,

Still to oppose and thwart, with heart and hand,

Thy brutalising sway – till Afric’s chains

Are burst, and Freedom rules the rescued land, --

Trampling Oppression and his iron rod:

Such is the vow I take – SO HELP ME GOD!

William Lloyd Garrison

January 1, 1831

"Broken Chains" by James Reade