Encouragement against political action

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.”

Sketch of Marlborough Hall, booths reserved for Anti-Slavery Fair

November 8, 1839

Here are shown tables for flowers, refreshments, and reserved spaces of tables from people from nineteen towns.

Children as Abolitionists

November 8, 1839

Calls attention to an appeal from the “Youth’s Cabinet”, and refers to Bro. Southard’s excellent paper.  The appeal is evidently from that paper. 

 ”Keep the Children Abolitionists.  They naturally detest slavery, and have no fears that it is unsafe to do right, and treat men kindly. Yet many of them scarcely learn to speak before they are taught to despise a colored man, and call him ‘nigger’.  They are soon reconciled to the slavery of those whom they have learnt to despise… Are you doing all that you can to exert a counteracting influence!  The Youth’s Cabinet is the only juvenile periodical designed to educate the young to be THE LIBERATORS OF THE SLAVE……”

Lecture: SLAVERY ENDANGERS OUR LIBERTIES

October 18, 1839

A full first page is devoted to Lecture VIII, from the “Anti-Slavery Lecturer”, under the above title.  The editor comments:  “We must occupy our present space with further suggestions”; here are some of the propositions on which he comments:

   Slavery degrades the free laborer
   Slavery creates popular ignorance.
   Slavery destroys public virtue
   Slavery corrupts religion.
   Slavery obstructs and proscribes religion
   Educates freemen at the school of slave vices
   Teaches despotism by precedent
   Teaches despotism on principle!
   Brings the principles of liberty into disrepute
   Destroys sympathy for the oppressed, and   suppresses the popular detestation of despotism
   Slavery destroys self control
   Slavery abrogates law
   Slavery uproots family government
   It elevates despots over freemen

Tribute to Benjamin Lundy

September 20, 1839

A long tribute to Lundy, includes a section telling of Garrison’s relation to him, an excerpt of a speech by Lundy, an Obituary, and quotes from previous Liberator references in praise of Lundy.  Here are some excerpts:

After including a speech of Lundy’s, the editor comments:  “Such was the indomitable spirit, the rare devotion of Benjamin Lundy.”

The editor comments that Lundy knew “how essential to the awakening of a lethargic nation was a regular anti-slavery periodical.  It was for Lundy to place a just and sagacious estimate upon the all-shaking power of the press.”

“He not only neglected to advocate the doctrine of immediate and unconditional emancipation, but treated it as visionary, up to a comparatively late period.  Hence the vitality of the monster SLAVERY  was not reached by any of his darts……”

Hamet, General Washington’s slave

September 13, 1839

A notice from the Hartford, Connecticut Review  indicates that the only surviving slave of the General is living in the city of Middletown.  He is near one hundred years of age, draws a pension from the government for his service in the Revolutionary war.  He has a white wife and one child.  Among his “remembrances” of Washington is a lock of the General’s hair.  He converses in three or four languages besides his own native African tongue.

Elliot Cresson, and Colonization

September 13, 1839

A brief item titled, Effrontery:  “That pseudo Quaker, and colonization monomaniac, Elliot Cresson, is once more in this Commonwealth, endeavoring to dupe the people out of their money, in support of the nefarious project of African colonization. Honest and humane folks are advertised to be on their guard.”

Capture of Amistad

September 6, 1839

A brief notice …… “it is a case which calls for the sympathy of all true-hearted,  impartial lovers of liberty’ that the brave Cinques and his associates have committed no crime either against the laws of the United States or Spain, or the laws of nations; that they merely imitated the example of Washington and the heroes of the revolution; that they ought to be sent back to Africa in christian kindness; and that, if any persons ought be hanged, they are the two white persons found on board the Amistad.  …..what hope is there that justice will be done?  The abolitionists of Connecticut ought to bestir themselves in this matter.”

Employment opportunities Office for colored persons

August 23, 1839

Brief notice, by John T. Hilton, Anti-Slavery Intelligence Office, 36 Brattle St.,  indicating that he receives almost daily requests for colored help, and he “has been induced to try the experiment of securing good places to colored persons of merit, by establishing this office”.

Right and Wrong in Massachusetts - Maria W. Chapman

August 16, 1839

Notice of a 175 page book by Chapman, detailing, ” the rise and progress of the schismatical spirit which is now destroying the harmony of the anti-slavery cause,  especially in this Commonwealth.”  It is available at the Cornhill office.