The apparent lack of harmony and the real confusion in the history of the subject arose from the peculiar character of one remarkable man.
The few owners of slaves who had assumed the role of public defenders of the institution were in the habit of using violent and abusive language against anti-slavery agitators.

This appeared in the first debate on the subject during Washington's administration.

Every form of rhetorical abuse also accompanied the outbreak of mob violence against the reformers at the time of Garrison's advent into the controversy.

He was especially fitted to reply in kind.

"I am accused," said he, "of using hard language.