Abolitionist James G. Birney

james g. birney, abolitionist publisher press twice destroyed during 1836 cincinnati riots.

in 1833, read paper signed several christian organizations repudiated tenets of american colonization society and, instead, called immediate abolition of slavery. this, along life experience , education, brought birney realization slavery must abolished once , all. inspired correspondence , discussions theodore weld, organizer of lane seminary debates, freed remaining slaves , declared himself abolitionist in 1834.

cincinnati


cincinnati daily post, august, 1835

in august 1835, birney visited cincinnati make contacts friends , fellow members of abolitionist movement there. worked gain support in publishing anti-slavery newspaper. @ time, there 4 newspapers in city, , cincinnati daily gazette released critically-roundabout editorials next day assailed faults of abolitionism in general. 1 paper, daily post (not confused cincinnati post), called lynching set out author anti-slavery literature in city.

the gazette, owned editor charles hammond, came ally of sorts birney , paper. while hammond himself did not support equal rights negroes, did support idea of free press , freedom of speech. resented attempts of south legalize slaveholding in north.

louisville journal, january 1836

in october 1835, birney , family moved cincinnati, ohio prepare publication of abolitionist paper philanthropist, published weekly. arrival, , paper subject of controversy, majority of local newspapers , others doing make him feel unwelcome. louisville journal wrote scathing editorial directly threatened paper. in cincinnati riots of 1836 press printed paper twice destroyed. however, writing newspaper helped him develop ideas fighting slavery legislatively. used them worked salmon p. chase protect slaves escaped ohio. in 1837, american anti-slavery society recruited him officer , corresponding secretary , moved family new york.

liberty party

birney pictured here @ conference in 1840 in large group painting. figure left john beaumont (another abolitionist delegate).

with american anti-slavery society s schism in 1840, resigned position opposed equal rights women. in year, liberty party, newly formed political party aim abolition, nominated birney president. accurately predicting not win, instead went delegate world anti-slavery convention in london. convention named him vice-president , spread writings throughout england. when came back, liberty party made use of legal expertise in efforts defend blacks , fugitive slaves. chose him candidate again in 1844 presidential election.