* * * * *
_FROM, J. MILLER MCKIM._
I have read your book with feelings of mingled pleasure and pride;
pleasure at the valuable contribution which it furnishes to anti-slavery
history and anti-slavery literature, and pride that you are the author
of it.
But the chief value of the book will be found in its main narratives,
which illustrate to the life the character of slavery, the spirit and
temper of the men engaged for its overthrow, and the difficulties which
had to be overcome by these men in the accomplishment of their purpose.
A book so unique in kind, so startling in interest, and so trustworthy
in its statements, cannot fail to command a large reading now, and in
generations yet to come. That you--my long tried friend and
associate--are the author of this book, is to me a matter of great pride
and delight.
* * * * *
_FROM HON. JNO. A. BINGHAM OF OHIO._
You will please accept my thanks for the opportunity given me to examine
your record of the struggle for freedom by the slave and his friends. It
will doubtless be a work of great interest to many of our citizens.
_FROM THE NORTH AMERICAN AND U.S. GAZETTE._
Here is an authority that cannot be questioned, competent and correct by
many endorsements, that shows without argument, after the true pattern
of Herodotus and the chroniclers, what slavery in America was in the
decade immediately preceding its overthrow.
* * * * *
_FROM THE "PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER."_
"Never before has the working of the Underground Railroad been so
thoroughly explained. Here we have in complete detail the various
methods adopted for circumventing the enemies of freedom, and told, as
it is, with great simplicity and natural feeling, the narrative is one
which cannot but make a deep impression. Thrilling incidents, heroic
adventures and noble deeds of self-sacrigce light up every page, and
will enlist the heartiest sympathies of all generous souls. It was
eminently just that such a record of one of the most remarkable phases
of the struggle against slavery should be prepared, that the memory of
the noble originators and supporters of the railroad might be kept
green, and posterity enabled to form a true conception of the necessity
that called it into existence, and of the difficulties under which its
work was performed. The labor of compiling could not have fallen into
more appropriate or better qualified hands."
* * * * *
_FROM THE "BALTIMORE AMERICAN."_
Mr. Still was one of the most courageous managers on the Underground
Ralroad, and is therefore well qualified to be its historian. He speaks
of his own services with modesty, and, in fact, there is no attempt at
exaggeration in any one of the most wonderful series of narratives which
he relates. Baltimore was one of the great depots from which the
trembling fugitives set out on their trip to Canada, and Mr. Still deals
freely with the names of person, yet living, who, no doubt, would be
very glad if this most extraordinary book had never been published. It
was their misfortune to have furnished a number of passengers for the
"Underground Railroad," and now they cannot escape being named in
connection with the slaves, who dared, everything for liberty.
* * * * *
_FROM THE SAN FRANCISCO BULLETIN._
We have often longed to know how the drab-coated philanthropists of
Philadelphia managed to furnish systematic assistance to the slave
fugitives, and the desire is now gratified. William Still, for many
years connected with the anti-slavery office in Philadelphia, and the
chairman of the Acting Vigilance Committee of the Philadelphia Branch of
the Underground Railroad, has written a ponderous volume, entitled "THE
UNDERGROUND RALROAD." ... He has performed his work well. The volume
before us, though containing nearly 800 pages, is not elaborated beyond
necessity, and fairly teems with interesting sketches.
_FROM BISHOP PAYNE OF THE A.M.E. CHURCH, PHILADELPHIA._
My official engagements and private duties have prevented me from
reading your work on THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD, throughout. But such
portions as I have had time to read, convince me that as a stimulus to
noble effort it has much value. It is also a grand _monument_ of the
past struggles of the Angel Spirit of Liberty with the Demon of American
Slavery. It serves also as a Beacon Light for our future progress in the
upward movement. It deserves a wide circulation through the Republic.
* * * * *
"I cheerfully endorse the above."