Reading Garrison's Letters

Jan. 24, 1872

Writing to a friend, he comments on Greeley:  “Greeley never was in harmony with us, but in his Tribune often treated us very shabbily, and to this day has not outgrown his contempt for our movement.  In fact, inflexible adherence to a moral principle has always been with him pitiable fanaticism, and compromise between God and the Adversary has constituted the sum and substance of his moral and political philosophy.   He is unable to comprehend the moral power and grandeur of the Anti-Slavery struggle, as inaugurated and carried on by the old abolitionists, as a blind man is to perceive colors, or a deaf man to enjoy Handel’s Messiah…”  ¹

¹ Letters of William Lloyd Garrison – Volumes I – VI

Sept. 29, 1869

To Wendell and Lucy:  “While we were all at the tea-table, last evening, William came in with a telegram, announcing that to you was born another son … the grandparents were especially jubilant, and felt that they had reached another stage of exaltation …”  (Then he wonders why some parents are concerned about the sex of a baby). and concludes with: … “whether boy or girl, it is all the same in the matter of thankfulness; and one is to be prized precisely as much as the other. ..”   ¹

¹ Letters of William Lloyd Garrison – Volumes I – VI

May 8,  1869

Writing to Lucy Stone, indicating that he cannot be present for the annual meeting in New York, of the Equal Rights Association, but he sends his testimony for suffrage.  “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 she is — a woman!  But as that related exclusively to sex, for which no one is responsible, which it is not possible or desirable to abolish, and in which inheres neither superiority nor inferiority in the matter of natural right … the objection lies as heavily against man wielding the ballot as against woman.  They were created equal, in the same divine image; they were designed for each other — to stand side by side in all the relations and liabilities of life… and neither can be elevated or depressed at the expense of the other…”  ¹

¹ Letters of William Lloyd Garrison – Volumes I – VI

Jan 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 quite unlimited… I feel sure there will be no weakness or vacillation on his part during his term of office.  He will be judicious in his choice of cabinet advisers, and in his presence political corruption and partizan self-seeking will stand abashed…”   ¹

¹ Letters of William Lloyd Garrison – Volumes I – VI

Dec. 21, 1868

Writing to Armenia White, relative to a suffrage convention to be held at Concord, N.H., he indicates he cannot be present to speak, as he has been invited to do.  The letter then becomes a way to send  a “substitute epistolary testimony”.   He cites and responds to three often-heard objections to woman’s suffrage.  His introduction to the objections says: “..though the objections are exceedingly shallow, it is still necessary to examine and refute them by arguments and illustrations none the less forcible because exhausted at an earlier period…. one drop of water is very like another, but it is the perpetual dropping that wears away the stone.”   ¹

¹ Letters of William Lloyd Garrison – Volumes I – VI

Nov. 4, 1868

Writing to Wendell Phillips Garrison:  “… for a week past your mother has been seriously ill.  She had for several weeks previous a persistent cough, which troubled her a good deal day and night, … causing a congestion of the lungs and so affected the action of the heart as really to imperil her life. …She is, however, really more comfortable today … Dr. Geist thinks she has passed the crisis, and we may hope for her convalescence.   ¹

¹ Letters of William Lloyd Garrison – Volumes I – VI

 Jan. 4, 1868

Garrison writes to Anthony “with the highest regard for the Woman’s Rights movement”,  concerned with her alignment politically.  “It seems you are looking to the Democratic party, and not to the Republican, to give success politically to your movement! I should as soon think of looking to the Great Adversary to espouse the cause of righteousness.  The Democratic party is the ‘anti-nigger’ party, and composed of all  that is vile and brutal in the land, with very little that is decent  and commendable.  Everything that has been done, politically, for the cause of impartial freedom has been done by the Republican party.  And yet your reliance is upon the former rather than upon the latter party!  This is infatuation.   Your old and outspoken friend…”¹

¹ Letters of William Lloyd Garrison – Volumes I – VI

Writing to Cooper Nell, he indicates that he will attend a testimonial in the coming days.  “I shall be happy to see the delegation of my colored friends on Friday evening next, as designated in your letter just received.  Primarily I have no doubt that I am indebted to your strong friendship and warm appreciation of my anti-slavery labors for the presentation that will be made on that occasion. It will be all the more valued on that account; though I shall feel none the less obliged to every one contributing to the testimonial.”     ¹¹ Letters of William Lloyd Garrison – Volumes I – VI

April 13, 1866

Writing to Edwin Studwell, he reflects on events after Lincoln’s assassination of the previous year.  “What high hopes were entertained of the patriotism, loyalty, and executive trustworthiness of his successor!  Yet how have these been blasted!  Andrew Johnson might have placed his name high of the roll of the illustrious and world-renowned benefactors of the human race; but by his treacherous and evil course. his usurping and despotic policy in the interest of those who are still rebels in spirit and purpose, perfidy as their soi-disant Moses toward the liberated bondmen of the South, he seems bent on sending his name down to posterity along with those of Benedict Arnold and Judas Iscariot.  For what is the meaning of the jubilant shouts heard through Rebeldom, and vociferously responded to be the entire body of Northern Copperheads, in view of his liberty-crushing vetoes, but that he is on their side and acting in accordance with their wishes, and therefore false to his oath of office, and recreant to all that is sacred in justice and precious in liberty? Allow me, therefore, to offer you the following cold water sentiment:  The speedy impeachment and removal of Andrew Johnson from the office he dishonors and betrays!  Yours, in the execution of justice…”   ¹

¹ Letters of William Lloyd Garrison – Volumes I – VI

March 20, 1866

Garrison writes in support of an effort to reduce the hours of overworked laborers. 
“The same principle which has led me to abhor and oppose the uequalled oppression of black laborers of the South, instinctively leads me to feel an interest in whatever is proposed to be done to improve the condition and abridge the toil of the white laborers of the North — or, rather, of all overtasked working classes, without regard to complexion or race — and more equitably to adjust the relations between capital and labor…. I am firm in the conviction that eight hours a day will better promote bodily health, inspire industry, develop genius, stimulate enterp;rise, augment pecuniary gain, and subserve the cause of morality, than any extesion of time beyond that limit….”  ¹

¹ Letters of William Lloyd Garrison – Volumes I – VI