Liberty party,
A political organization that grew out of the influence of societies formed for effecting the abolition of slavery throughout the republic.
It originated about 1844.
The prime article of its political creed was opposition to
African slavery.
The party cared not whether a man was called Whig or Democrat; if he would declare his unalterable opposition to slavery, slave-holders, and the friends of slave-holders, it gave him the cordial right hand of fellowship.
A man less true to the faith was not admitted within the pale of the party.
It contained, in proportion to its numbers, more men of wealth, talent, and personal worth than any other party.
It was opposed to the annexation of
Texas, for it regarded that as a scheme of the slave-holders to extend their domain and political power.
The party could not vote for
Mr. Polk, for he was favorable to that annexation; it could not vote for
Mr. Clay, for he was a slave-holder: so it nominated
James G. Birney (who had formerly been a slaveholder in
Kentucky, but, from conscientious motives, had emancipated his slaves and migrated to
Michigan) for
President of the
United States.
It polled quite a large number of votes.
In 1848 the
Liberty party was merged into the Free-soil party, and supported
Mr. Van Buren for the Presidency.
