e postmasters of those days paid no postage for their
letters, many names were secured. The petition created a genuine
sensation in Congress. The "Journal of Commerce" about this time said:

"It appears from an article in 'The Journal of the Times,' a
newspaper of some promise, just established in Bennington, Vt.,
that a petition to Congress for the abolition of slavery in the
District of Columbia is about to be put in circulation in that
State.

"The idea is an excellent one, and we hope it will meet with
success. That Congress has a right to abolish slavery in that
District seems reasonable, though we fear it will meet with some
opposition, so very sensitive are the slave-holding community to
every movement relating to the abolition of slavery. At the same
time, it would furnish to the world a beautiful pledge of their
sincerity if they would unite with the non-slave-holding States,
and by a unanimous vote proclaim freedom to every soul within
sight of the capital of this free government. We could then say,
and the world would then admit our pretence, that the voice of
the nation is against slavery, and throw back upon Great Britain
that disgrace which is of right and justice her exclusive
property."

Charmed by the originality, boldness, and humanity of Garrison, the
meek little Quaker went to Boston by stage; and then, with staff in
hand, walked to Bennington, Vt., to see the young man whose great
heart-throbs for the slave he had felt in "The Journal of the Times."
There, in the Green Mountains of Vermont, swept by the free air, and
mantled by the pure snow, the meek Quaker communed with the strict
Baptist, and they both took sweet counsel together. The bright torch
that Garrison had held up to the people in Vermont was to be
transferred to the people of Baltimore, who were "sitting in
darkness." So, as a result of this conference, Garrison agreed to join
Lundy in conducting "The Genius of Universal Emancipation."
Accordingly, in September, 1829, Garrison took the principal charge of
the Journal, enlarged it, and issued it as a weekly. Lundy was to
travel, lecture, and solicit subscribers in its interest, and
contribute to its editorial columns as he could from time to time.

Both men were equally against slavery: Lundy for gradual emancipation
and _colonization_; but Garrison for _immediate and unconditional
emancipation