I am aware that many object to the severity of my language; but is there not cause for severity? I will be as harsh as truth, and as uncompromising as justice. On this subject, I do not wish to think, or to speak, or write, with moderation. No! no! Tell a man whose house is on fire to give a moderate alarm; tell him to moderately rescue his wife from the hands of the ravisher; tell the mother to gradually extricate her babe from the fire into which it has fallen; -- but urge me not to use moderation in a cause like the present. I am in earnest -- I will not equivocate -- I will not excuse -- I will not retreat a single inch -- AND I WILL BE HEARD. The apathy of the people is enough to make every statue leap from its pedestal, and to hasten the resurrection of the dead. (14)
-William Lloyd Garrison (1805 - 1879)
(15)
William Lloyd Garrison's Background:
William Lloyd Garrison was born in Newburyport, Massachusetts in the year 1805. From a young age, Garrison proved to be a quick-learner and an avid reader. At the age of fourteen, William Lloyd Garrison became indentured to Ephraim W. Allen, the proprietor of the Newburyport Herald. Soon after, Garrison published his works anonymously from the Herald. Garrison was then published in other newspapers across Massachusetts and Philadelphia.(16) Then in the late 20’s Garrison moved to Boston. There he began writing articles about his hopes for abolition. Then on January 1, 1831, Garrison published the Liberator, an anti-slavery newspaper dedicated to the abolition of slavery and in the same year he began the New England Anti-Slavery Society. (17)
The Liberator:
The Liberator stressed the immediate emancipation of slaves, however this was an unpopular view in 1831 and the newspaper had many oppositions. Nevertheless, The Liberator grew and gained support and many people began to read the controversial newspaper. Through the paper, Garrison advocated for the assimilation of slaves into american society, non-violence, and that slaves be entitled to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Garrison would not rest until slaves had become emancipated and ran the newspaper for 35 years with 1,820 issues until finally they were granted freedom.(18)
A Turning Point in Abolitionism:
William Lloyd Garrison was one of the greatest men in the abolition movement. He influenced a long list of abolitionists including, two very notable abolitionists, Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. (19)However, he not only influenced abolitionists, but he influenced everyday people to support the emancipation of slavery. Garrison did this by convincing his public to view slavery from the African American point-of-view. He changed the hearts and minds of people and it was through him and those he influenced that the abolition movement gained support and eventual success.(20)
William Lloyd Garrison was born in Newburyport, Massachusetts in the year 1805. From a young age, Garrison proved to be a quick-learner and an avid reader. At the age of fourteen, William Lloyd Garrison became indentured to Ephraim W. Allen, the proprietor of the Newburyport Herald. Soon after, Garrison published his works anonymously from the Herald. Garrison was then published in other newspapers across Massachusetts and Philadelphia.(16) Then in the late 20’s Garrison moved to Boston. There he began writing articles about his hopes for abolition. Then on January 1, 1831, Garrison published the Liberator, an anti-slavery newspaper dedicated to the abolition of slavery and in the same year he began the New England Anti-Slavery Society. (17)
The Liberator:
The Liberator stressed the immediate emancipation of slaves, however this was an unpopular view in 1831 and the newspaper had many oppositions. Nevertheless, The Liberator grew and gained support and many people began to read the controversial newspaper. Through the paper, Garrison advocated for the assimilation of slaves into american society, non-violence, and that slaves be entitled to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Garrison would not rest until slaves had become emancipated and ran the newspaper for 35 years with 1,820 issues until finally they were granted freedom.(18)
A Turning Point in Abolitionism:
William Lloyd Garrison was one of the greatest men in the abolition movement. He influenced a long list of abolitionists including, two very notable abolitionists, Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. (19)However, he not only influenced abolitionists, but he influenced everyday people to support the emancipation of slavery. Garrison did this by convincing his public to view slavery from the African American point-of-view. He changed the hearts and minds of people and it was through him and those he influenced that the abolition movement gained support and eventual success.(20)