Letter from Aaron Macy Powell, Ghent, [N.Y.], to William Lloyd Garrison, Sept[ember] 7. 1862
Description:
Aaron Macy Powell informs William Lloyd Garrison that he and his family have enjoyed Fanny Garrison's visit, and writes that she bears characteristics of both of her parents. Powell writes that Fanny shares Garrison's "cheerfulness and buoyancy of sprit", as well as his committment to human rights. Powell notes that Helen Garrison is the only member of the Garrison family who has yet to pay them a visit, and states his hopes that they shall be able to host her in the future. Concerning the Civil War, Powell notes that the "severest penalties of the law of retribution" appear to be the operating principles of the Lincoln Administration, and describes Lincoln's reinstatement of General McClellan's command "after his murderous sacrifices of the past year" to constitute "high-handed treason". Powell writes that a letter from William Lloyd Garrison, Jr. stated that neither he nor his brother Wendell would comply with a conscription notice to enter the Union army should they receive one. Powell asserts that he himself would decline such a notice on "the issues of non-resistance and anti-slavery", and opines that the "bitter fruits of the Constitutikonal covenant with death and Slavery" are coming into fruition.