Francis Jackson Garrison, William Lloyd Garrison, 1805-1879; the story of his life told by his children: volume 3

[443] hit, exposing the rest of its body to fresh blows. Hence, not a word in its platform about the repeal of the¹ Fugitive Slave Law, or urging abolition in the District of Columbia, against which, by the way, Fremont, during his² brief Senatorial career, had twice voted. Kansas was the sole vital issue put forward. “The tone of the Republican Party,” Ms. wrote Mr. Garrison to S. J. May, on March 21, 1856, ‘is becoming more and more feeble and indefinite, in order to secure a large vote in the approaching Presidential struggle. At Pittsburg,³ they resolved to vote for the admission of Kansas into the Union as a free State! Wonderful! “Put not your faith in” —politicians!’

His cherished correspondent, like many another⁴ abolitionist, was swept away by the hope of political success into ardent support of Fremont; and such examples encouraged the Democrats in their policy of identifying⁵ the Republicans with the disunion abolitionists. Howell Cobb of Georgia, addressing a Democratic meeting at Portland, Me., on August 6, charged the Republicans that “the only difference between you and Garrison is—he goes at the question boldly, like a man, and you are sneaking around it. Garrison says your Constitution protects slavery, and he is against the Constitution. Well, I admit that he is foolish, but, at the same time, you are obliged to admit that he is bolder and honester than you are.” Lib. 26.133. The editor of the Liberator was beset with inquiries as to⁶ his attitude towards the Republican Party, often from members of it who hoped he would disavow it, in order that the party might disavow him. His replies left no⁷ room for ambiguity. In a long article, reviewing the⁸ duty of abolitionists under the temptation to which Mr. May had succumbed, he held them to the fundamental principle of the disunion position, with this admission: ‘As against Buchanan and Fillmore, it seems to us, the sympathies and best wishes of every enlightened friend of freedom must be on the side of Fremont; so that if there ’