January 1, 1858
An article from the Worcester Spy calls attention to the composition of the Senate committees. “… the six great leading committees all have chairmen, and a majority of their members from the slaveholding States…. The remaining committees are constituted generally with the same strong Southern aspect, one of them having every member from the slaveholding States.” The article provides population statistics to indicate that the slave holding states profit from a large discrepancy in their favor.
March 14, 1856
A letter from S. Mitchell, Cornville, Maine, addressed to Garrison. “It seems to me the moment we begin to have any faith or trust in political action, all is lost. Can Satan cast out Satan? Will slavery ever be destroyed in this country, so long as government exists? Never! Slavery is part and parcel of it. When we lay the axe at the root of the tree, (government), then will all wrong cease, and not till then…..Our business is to preach truth-to show that man is governed by the principles of Christianity, which are Love, Liberty, Justice, Right and Truth…”
September 7, 1855
This article references a pamphlet telling of the proceedings of the Convention, held in Syracuse, in June. It is signed by Tappan, Goodell, Gerrit Smith, S.S. Jocelyn, W.E. Whiting, James McCune Smith, George Whipple and Douglass. Response to it here, gives insight into the differences between the Garrisonians and this group.
October 15, 1852
Here are some “typos”noted — some samples of the several included in the paper:
“Mistake in Spelling - some eulogist of Pierce has pronounced him a war-scared hero!” —Those types!
The Tribune having said, ‘Gen Scott carries British lead about him to this very day; the Lantern asks, Is it in the head?’”
“Scott is a dead-letter in this country - (Coshocton (Ohio) Democrat. Like all other ‘dead letters’ he will be sent straight to Washington. - Raleigh Register.”
November 3, 1843
Here is a letter addressed to “Mr. Garrison”, signed only “H”, in which the writer urges abolitionists to vote in the up-coming election in the state. He speaks of specific candidates, and issues. “If all the voting friends of the Mass Anti-Slavery Society do their duty at the State election, I feel convinced that many who now vote for the Liberty Party candidates, will see a practical result attending the policy of scattering votes.
The article is presented w/o comment from Garrison.
August 4, 1843
Here is reference to Alvan Stewart’s advice that abolitionists not attend the many conventions which have been publicized. He is “attached” to the Liberty Party, and the AAS Society, which sponsors the conventions, recognizes no such party. Stewart, in particular attacks the ‘Massachusetts abolitionists’, charging that they are ‘No Human-Government Men’. Then there follows an extract from Stewart’s letter: “Last November, I told William Lloyd Garrison, in my own house, that he and his friends had no remedy for slavery except the one that I have just stated — a sort of universal millennium. He admitted it. He said that he, ‘would not petition or vote for the slave’s deliverance, if he knew that would accomplish it.’
‘Why’, said I.
‘Because that would be using our corrupt human government.’……He further said , he had no doubt, the time would come when voting would be regarded as infamous, and the same as visiting the gambling-table or the brothel….”
There is a printed response from Abby Kelley, in which she calls attention to the huge number of petitions recently filed in the state legislature by abolitionists in the state, and fundamentally says that Stewart’s complaint is only that they do not support the Liberty Party, or his candidacy.
May 7, 1841
Here is announcement of a Third Party Convention to be held in New York…”we are sorry to state the fact. In order to refresh the memories of those who may happen to be present, as to the position assumed by primitive abolitionism in respect to political action, we make the following extracts for anti-slavery publications……” Two columns of these extracts then follow, ridiculing the idea of the party.
January 15, 1841
In a long letter to Channing, here Smith says, “…. there are but two courses for abolitionists in the matter of voting. One of these is to refrain from the polls, where conscience requires it; and the other is, to nominate their own candidates….. Those who take the former course, will happily be clear of the snares and perils of politics: — whilst they who prefer the latter, and go into the arena of political strife, will, I admit, stand in especial need of the admonitions and prayers of their brethren…..”
January 8, 1841
An article signed by James Birney, E. Wright, Jr. and Henry B. Stanton, with a statement opposing the creation of a third political party. It deprecates “the formation of a distinct anti-slavery political party …. Or any effort to unite our interest with any existing party…”
November 15, 1839
An item from a “worthy abolitionist in Western New York”:
“…. I like the views of The Liberator on political action….. I do not wish to oppose those abolitionists who feel a duty to vote at the polls, although I shall probably never vote again; but I am grieved to see anti-slavery societies run (politically) mad.”
