Category Archives: Abolitionists

July 8, 1864: A challenge from the left

Posted on July 8, 2014 by Allen Gathman

Wendell Phillips writes to the New York Times to confirm his rejection of Lincoln as insufficiently abolitionist. The Independent of this week contains another letter from Mr. WENDELL PHILLIPS. He says, by way of introduction: “I have no wish to … Continue reading →

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March 31, 1864: Douglass fair in New Orleans

Posted on March 31, 2014 by Allen Gathman

The Richmond Daily Dispatch reports that New Orleanians are honoring Frederick Douglass for his abolition work. The one-paragraph item contains 7 sets of scare quotes, so the reader will understand that the Dispatch would never refer to Douglass as “illustrious” … Continue reading →

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March 21, 1864: Enlisting slaves in Kentucky?

Posted on March 21, 2014 by Allen Gathman

Robert J. Breckinridge The Richmond Daily Dispatch reports that Governor Bramlette of Kentucky opposes union enlistment of Kentucky slaves. He appealed to Robert J. Breckinridge (uncle of John Cabell Breckinridge, but an abolitionist and unionist*) for support, but Breckinridge says … Continue reading →

Posted in Kentucky, Robert Jefferson Breckinridge, Slavery, U.S. Colored Troops | Leave a comment

April 9, 1863: Why should a colored man enlist?

Posted on April 9, 2013 by Allen Gathman

From Douglass’s Monthly, April 1863, an admonition to black men to join the Union army and fight for freedom. WHY SHOULD A COLORED MAN ENLIST? This question has been repeatedly put to us while raising men for the 54th Massachusetts … Continue reading →

Posted in Frederick Douglass, Slavery, U.S. Colored Troops | Leave a comment

February 22, 1863: Epithets

Posted on February 22, 2013 by Allen Gathman

The New York Times analyzes the nicknames used by the two sides against each other, concluding with a tirade against the copperheads. Epithets and Nicknames A Study for the Times. Men betake themselves so naturally to the use of epithets, … Continue reading →

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October 1, 1862: Frederick Douglass on the Emancipation Proclamation

Posted on October 1, 2012 by Allen Gathman

Frederick Douglass, in Douglass’ Monthly for October 1862, celebrates the Emancipation Proclamation, and calls for renewed resolve to defeat the rebellion. EMANCIPATION PROCLAIMED Common sense, the necessities of the war, to say nothing of the dictation of justice and humanity … Continue reading →

Posted in Abolitionism, Abraham Lincoln, Causes of the war, Frederick Douglass, Slavery | Leave a comment

July 17, 1862: Morgan’s raiders at Robert J. Breckinridge’s farm

Posted on July 17, 2012 by Allen Gathman

Robert Jefferson Breckinridge William C.P. Breckinridge Reverend Robert Jefferson Breckinridge was the uncle of John Cabell Breckinridge. Unlike his nephew, R.J. Breckinridge was a Unionist and an abolitionist, and had been instrumental in the efforts to keep Kentucky in the … Continue reading →

Posted in John Hunt Morgan, Kentucky, Robert Jefferson Breckinridge | 1 Comment

January, 1862: What shall be done with the freed slaves?

Posted on January 11, 2012 by Allen Gathman

From Douglass’ Monthly for January 1862, a plea for justice for the former slaves. Unfortunately, events wound up going almost entirely contrary to Douglass’ prescription. WHAT SHALL BE DONE WITH THE SLAVES IF EMANCIPATED? It is curious to observe, at … Continue reading →

Posted in Frederick Douglass, Slavery | 1 Comment

October 28, 1861: Garrison in New York

Posted on October 28, 2011 by Allen Gathman

William Lloyd Garrison Famous abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison visited New York, and gave an impromptu speech. The article from the New York Times is noteworthy to me mainly because of its headline. Apparently irony wasn’t nearly so well-developed in the … Continue reading →

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September, 1861: Douglass — “Cast Off the Mill-Stone” of slavery

Posted on September 15, 2011 by Allen Gathman

Frederick Douglass The official Union policy was still that the war was to be fought solely to preserve the Union, and that the government had no intention of abolishing slavery in the states where it existed. Lincoln, though his personal … Continue reading →

Posted in Abolitionists, Causes of the war, Frederick Douglass, Slavery | 1 Comment