FEBRUARY 1864 ABOLITIONIST NEWSPAPER "THE LIBERATOR" WILLIAM LLOYD GARRISON RARE

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Here is an issue of William Lloyd Garrison's scarce Anti Slavery Newspaper "The Liberator". Garrison published "The Liberator" in Boston continuously from 1831 to 1865. This is the February 12, 1864, issue, Volume XXXIV, No. 7, Whole No. 1723. This original 4 page newspaper measures 18” x 25”. It was printed by J. B. Yerrinton & Son. "The Liberator" earned national notoriety for its uncompromising insistence on "immediate and complete emancipation of all slaves" in the United States. Garrison set the tone for the paper in his famous open letter "To the Public" in the first issue which read in part, 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 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 hand 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. Garrison published the final issue of "The Liberator" at the end of 1865, following the conclusion of the American Civil War and the ratification of the Thirteenth Amendment which abolished slavery throughout the United States. (Some of above paraphrased from Wikipedia) The masthead of "The Liberator" is its most striking aspect. The center features a Christ figure encircled by the words, "I come to break the bonds of the oppressor" with a black man in irons kneeling at the left and a slave holder being banished at the right. The far left panel shows an ongoing auction of "Slaves, Horses & Other Cattle in Lots to Suit Purchaser." An American flag flies over the auction, and the US Capitol can be seen in the distance with a huge banner reading "Slavery." The panel on the right shows a black family about to join the flood of people flowing toward a distant gate called "Emancipation." Farm tools lie cast away on the ground, and a bird cage door stands open. Across the bottom of the masthead floats a banner reading, "Thou Shalt Love Thy Neighbor as Thyself." This issue includes numerous articles and letters, and even some poetry. The paper was often as harshly critical of Northern institutions as it was of the South, never hesitating to condemn incompetent military operations, sluggish government action, and indeed any institution not sufficiently devoted to the anti-slavery crusade. A couple of letters or articles focus on the continuing issue of fair pay for Black Soldiers . A letter signed by Vice President Hamlin and Speaker Colfax forwards money collected at a lecture by Anna Dickinson . One page includes a long list of contributors to the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society . Much more interesting content here. This paper was part of a small stack purchased at a 2012 estate sale in East Dennis, Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Hand written at the top of the first page is the name of subscriber J. S. Howes, almost certainly James Sturgis Howes, born in Yarmouth, Cape Cod, Massachusetts, in 1814, and married to Lydia Spalding in nearby Dennis in 1844. Both Howes and Sturgis were prominent names on Cape Cod in the 19th Century. Condition is not perfect, with small areas of minor paper loss in some places, though there is very little text affected. There are tears along a couple of folds. The masthead is slightly stained but almost entirely intact and still very attractive. There are multiple creases (the large format of the paper probably caused both horizontal and verital folds at the time of publication). The vast majority of content is clear and easily read. The paper should be handled carefully but is not in danger of falling apart. High bidder to pay $6.00 toward US shipping. International would be more. I will ship th... read more

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