Personal style of speaking
Sept. 17, 1846
Garrison writes to Helen, in part describing a meeting in Exeter Hall, London, where he, Thompson, and Douglass spoke. Generally applauded, his speech was “frequently interrupted by a certain portion of the audience, in a rowdyish manner, something after the pattern we occasionally exhibit in Boston and elsewhere.” Further, he comments: “My manner of expressing my thoughts and feelings is somewhat novel, and not always palatable, in this country, on account of its plainness and directness; but it will do more good, in the end, than a smoother mode. At least, I think so, and will ‘bide my time’. I am led to be more plain-spoken, because almost every one here deals in circumlocution, and to offend nobody seems to be the aim of the speaker. If I chose, I could be as smooth and politic as any other, but I do not so choose, and much prefer nature to art.” 1