Category Archives: Abolitionists

August 25, 1865: The Boston Letter

Posted on September 28, 2015 by Allen Gathman

Jared Sparks The letter below was signed by a large group in Boston. It makes a detailed argument for black suffrage, based both on justice and expediency. The signers include Jared Sparks, president of Harvard University from 1849-1853, Nathaniel Thayer, … Continue reading →

Posted in Abolitionists, Reconstruction, Suffrage | Leave a comment

May 9, 1865: Antislavery Society — Garrison’s speech

Posted on May 9, 2015 by Allen Gathman

The New York Times reports on the meeting of the American Anti-Slavery Society. After introductory prayers and hymns, Wendell Phillips spoke; next came William Lloyd Garrison, founder and president of the organization. He announced that abolitionism was over with the … Continue reading →

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May 9, 1865: Antislavery society — Wendell Phillips’ speech

Posted on May 9, 2015 by Allen Gathman

In the New York Times , the first meeting of the American Anti-Slavery Society after then end of the war was held in New York. The first speaker (after prayers and hymns) was Wendell Phillips. He celebrated the freedom of … Continue reading →

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March 30, 1865: Beecher wants to go to Charleston

Posted on March 30, 2015 by Allen Gathman

The prominent abolitionist Henry Ward Beecher is anxious to go to Charleston for the planned celebration of the recapture of Fort Sumter. It’s a big occasion, and he seems a bit impatient with the Secretary of War for not getting … Continue reading →

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March 7, 1865: Give us back our monarchy!

Posted on March 7, 2015 by Allen Gathman

Henry Ward Beecher *************************************************************** The editor of the Richmond Daily Dispatch ridicules Henry Ward Beecher’s call for letting black men vote. The piece is almost a self-caricature in its racism, but the anti-democratic underpinning is far more interesting. “This thing … Continue reading →

Posted in Confederacy, Henry Ward Beecher, Suffrage | 1 Comment

October 30, 1864: Robert J. Breckinridge speaks

Posted on October 30, 2014 by Allen Gathman

The New York Times reports on the speech given by Robert J. Breckinridge* in Cincinnati. Breckinridge was the uncle of John Cabell Breckinridge, one of Lincoln’s opponents in the 1860 election and now a Confederate general. The uncle, though, had … Continue reading →

Posted in Clement L. Vallandigham, George McClellan, Ohio, Robert Jefferson Breckinridge | Leave a comment

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