Letter from Increase S. Smith, Dorchester, [Boston, Massachusetts], to William Lloyd Garrison, 1848 Jan[uary] 22

Increase S. Smith writes to William Lloyd Garrison stating that he has read the call for an Anti-Sabbath Convention in the Liberator "with close attention & deep interest." He comments that "the popular idea that any particular portion of time, is, in itself, more holy than any other portion, I consider to be philosophically absurd .." Smith states that while he is in favor of Sabbath ceremonies, he wants them "to grow out of the real wants of the people, & not imposed by the iron hand of legislation." He grants Garrison permission to use his name to advance the call but declares that, "Truth doesn't depend on numbers." In the postscript, Smith discusses, "How queer it looks to see Esq. appended to your name. Well it doesnt mean much, if it did, I wouldn't put it there", and compares its usage to its traditional meaning as an "armor-bearer".
Courtesy of Boston Public Library