atters went on quite smoothly under
this plan between the Massachusetts Board and the National Board until
the beginning of the year 1839, when the former fell into arrears in the
payment of its instalments to the latter. Money from one cause or
another, was hard to get at by the Massachusetts Board, and the treasury
in New York was in an extremely low state. The relations between the two
boards were, as we have seen, much strained and neither side was in the
mood to cover with charity the shortcomings of the other. Perhaps the
board at New York was too exacting, perhaps the board at Boston was not
sufficiently zealous, under the circumstances. But what were the real
irritating causes which kept the two boards at loggerheads over the
matter need not here be determined. This fact is clear that the
arrangement was rescinded by the New York management, and their agents
thrown into Massachusetts. This action only added fuel to a fire which
was fast assuming the proportions of a conflagration. All the
anti-Garrisonians formed themselves into a new anti-slavery society, and
the National Board, as if to burn its bridges, and to make
reconciliation impossible, established a new paper in Boston in
opposition to the _Liberator_. The work of division was ended. There was
no longer any vital connection between the two warring members of the
anti-slavery reform. To tear the dead tissues asunder which still joined
them, all that was wanted was another sharp shock, and this came at the
annual meeting of the National Society in 1840 over the woman's
question. The issue, "Shall a woman serve with men on a committee?" was
precipitated upon the convention by the appointment of that brilliant
young Quakeress, Abby Kelley, on the business committee with ten men.
The convention confirmed her appointment by about a hundred majority in
a total vote of 1,008. Whereupon those opposed to this determination of
the question, withdrew from the convention and organized the American
and Foreign Anti-Slavery Society. Garrison had triumphed and he was
immensely elated with his victory. His moral leadership was definitely
established, never again to be disputed by his disciples and followers.

CHAPTER XV.

RANDOM SHOTS.

The division of the anti-slavery organization into two distinct
societies did not immediately terminate the war between them. From New
York and the American society the contest over the woman's question was
almost direct