April 12, 1839, Liberator — The editor of the Michigan Observer tells of a letter he has received from a friend in Mississippi, who says, “I was recently conversing with…
Category: <span>-William Lloyd Garrison’s Best Lines & Headlines</span>
The driver of the coach makes it clear that he will “have no damned nigger” on his coach. Garrison comments: “Such conduct deserves the severest reprehension. But, while our…
There is a long letter from Gray in the Liberator, March 15, 1839, which expresses a common view in Boston. Gray responds to actions in the Rhode Island legislature which…
In its Refuge of Oppression column, a February, 1839, Liberator quotes two letters under the sarcastic title, Polite Letters from the South. One letter, from Somerton, Virginia, addressed Garrison: “You can…
The June 1, 1838 Liberator, includes encouragement for abolitionists. This item includes an article from the Pennsylvania Freeman, titled, The Voice of the People. Part of the article quotes from…
Here is a Resolution adopted by this Clergy: “Resolved, that we view slavery as a civil and domestic institution, and one with which, as ministers of Christ, we have nothing…
Garrison had a very close bond with his daughter Helen Frances, named for his wife. Frances was known as “Fanny”. In an 1866 photograph she is shown with “her…
On December 22, 1837, a gathering is held at Marlboro Chapel, commemorating the death of Elijah Lovejoy. Garrison says that the meeting should have been in Faneuil Hall, the Cradle…
Garrison said this, speaking before a colored convention in Philadelphia: “I never rise to address a colored audience without feeling ashamed of my color, ashamed of being identified with a…
The January 2, 1840, Liberator, includes this in the column Refuge of Oppression, reserved for items Garrison hates, reported from a Southern state legislature: “He who values his birthright,…
The Georgia House and Senate passed a resolution, Nov 30, 1831, which include these words: “Resolved that the sum of five thousand dollars is hereby appropriated to be paid to…
In the first of the editions of the Liberator, it was clear to readers that Garrison was acquainted with some respected international philosophers. Here is a sample of a quotation…
The Board of Managers of the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society, in a record signed by Francis Jackson, President, Sept. 5, 1837, responds to concern by some that they did not agree…
The Liberator o f August, 1837 in the Refuge of Oppression column, reserved for items the editor disfavors, includes quotes from The General Association of Massachusetts, from a communication to…
The March 18, 1837 issue of the Liberator, reports that a meeting in the Susquehanna township, after electing men as trustees of a school, authorizes them to allow speakers of…
“Ralph Waldo Emerson, who a for along time had been prejudiced against him, in 1844 wrote in his Journal: ‘The haters of Garrison have lived to rejoice in that grand…
The June 11, 1836 issue of the Liberator, quotes resolutions passed by the South Carolina Presbytery, including these words: “Slavery has existed in the Church of God from the time of…
Social reform begins “in the heart of a solitary individual”…grows strong among, “humble men and women, who, unknown to the community. without means, without power, without station, but perceiving the…
During the turbulent years regarding Kansas-Nebraska, according to Garrison biographer, Henry Mayer, “The public became so caught up in the excitement that Garrison had to walk a careful line between…
Several hundred people gathered for the annual picnic of the Mass. Anti-Slavery Society, on July 4th, 1854. Speakers included Lucy Stone, Wendell Phillips, Sojourner Truth, Henry D. Thoreau, and Garrison.…
In 1834 this early Female Anti-Slavery Society was brought together in Boston, one of the first racially-integrated of those groups. There were at least nine black women in the group,…
An indication of the support of Garrison in Boston’s black community came with the creation of the Garrison Juvenile Society, in 1833. The first annual meeting of the Society was…
SAVAGE BARBARITY ! Miss Crandall Imprisoned !!! Garrison has strong condemnation of those who imprison Crandall because she has admitted black female students to her Academy. “The authors of this…
“His career is a landmark in the American dissenting tradition and exemplifies the fault line that in democratic politics separates the insiders, who think progress comes from quiet lobbying within…
In 1837 in a couple of issues of the Liberator, there are comments from and responses to a John Gulliver, who has had a disagreement with Garrison. Gulliver has…
In the April 14, 1837 issue of the Liberator, there is this, from the New Orleans True American . “Public opinion in the south, would now, we are sure, justify…
Responding to a Channing public letter, in 1836, Garrison writes: “A million letters like this, would not emancipate a single slave. But rather rivet his fetters more strongly. It is…
In March of 1852 William Cooper Nell wrote to Garrison, expressing thanks for Garrison’s “early and constant advocacy of women’s equality…. In the perilous years of ’33’-35, a colored woman…
July, 1836 — Destruction of Mr. Pugh’s Abolitionist press, is followed by a flier, warning abolitionists of what is to come: THE DOG DAYS ARE COMING! ABOLITIONISTS BEWARE! “The citizens…
The January 16, 1836 Liberator references A Disgraceful Act, signed by “A Protestant Clergyman”. It describes a picture of a Catholic Priest, displayed on an Engine House wall, which had…
In early 1836, a Special Committee of the Legislature responds to documents which had been sent to the Governor from several southern state Legislatures, complaining about abolitionists, and maintaining the…
In March, 1836 comes this, from the Milledgeville, GA Federal Union $10,000 REWARD, For A.A. Phelps, A Noted Abolitionist
In March, 1836, Garrison says he cannot attend a meeting of the Vermont Anti-Slavery Society, but he commends them with these words: “Henceforth when the American oppressor attempts to convince…
While George Thompson, English abolitionist, was on his 1835 visit to Boston, this handbill was posted about the city when it was thought that he would speak: THOMPSON…
An Epistle appears in the paper, with a warning for Garrison. It professes to be from a Bostonian, who calls Garrison a “damned rascal”, and warns that his paper is…
The Liberator of June 6, 1835, includes notices from the Boston Commercial Gazette, the New York Times, and the New York Courier & Enquirer, all commending the action of the Mayor…
During his 1833 visit to England, Garrison met William Wilberforce, the great abolitionist leader in Parliament. He visited Wilberforce just briefly prior to his death, and then actually attended…
Moses Brown was one of the famous family involved in the founding of Brown University, remembered for involvement in the slave trade. He was clearly the Abolitionist among the…
After his first son, George Thompson Garrison, enlisted in the 55th Mass Regiment, Garrison writes to him: I have nothing but praise to give you that you have been…
Garrison writing to La Roy Sunderland, September 8, 1831: “I do not justify the slaves in their rebellion; yet I do not condemn them, and applaud similar conduct in white…
“With but two exceptions in our national history — Washington and Lincoln — the death of no public man has been so universally deplored, or has elicited such tokens of…
“Woman presents her claim for suffrage. Why should not her claim be granted? There are many reasons adduced, but they are all summed up in this one grave objection: because…
January 1, 1869 “The confidence of the nation in the integrity, good sense, modesty, soundness of judgment, clear discrimination, executive ability, and peaceable and just administration of General Grant is…
In 1861 in at least two different letters, Garrison is sure that Lincoln is pro-slavery: Lincoln “shapes his course of policy in accordance with pro-slavery views” … “He has evidently…
In January of 1851, an item in the Liberator, by Phillips, urges the circulation of petitions to the legislature asking for the “extension of the elective privilege to women”. It…
Saturday, January 1, 1831, the Liberator “I am aware that many object to the severity of my language; but is there not cause for severity? I will be harsh as…
After speaking at Julien Hall, October 15, Samuel May and Samuel Sewall, Boston lawyer, spent a long evening in discussion at the home of Bronson Alcott. According to biographer, Henry…
Early in Garrison’s abolition life, Samuel May, friend and mentor, expressed concern that Garrison needs to “soften his language” and style of speaking. Garrison says he will do so only…
In July, 1852, the Liberator, includes announcement of Clay’s death. “He was a brilliant orator, and exceedingly attractive and magnetic in social life, but utterly devoid of principle, and one…
In February of 1851 Garrison, in the Liberator, urges readers to sign petitions asking that enrollment in the Schools of Theology, Medicine, Law, and Science, be open “to all persons,…