By 1861 William Lloyd Garrison's public image had progressed from that of impulsive fanatic to one of widely respected and influential abolitionist. As editor of The Liberator and president of the American Anti-Slavery Society; he was the acknowledged spokesman for radical antislavery opinion.Garrison was profoundly disturbed by the advent of war. In his correspondence; he kept military events at a distance; focusing on the morality of the conflict; an issue made the more poignant by his eldest son's enlistment in the 55th Massachusetts Regiment in 1863--the same year that his wife suffered a paralytic stroke. Gradually he became convinced that the war would effect the abolition he had sought for so many years.Likewise his attitude toward Lincoln underwent significant changes; he moved from critic to supporter; defending the President's re-election against the arguments of fellow abolitionists. His visit with Lincoln in the White House he described as "a very satisfactory one indeed;" for he was pleased with Lincoln's "spirit; and the familiar and candid way in which he unbosomed himself." With the war ended and his goal as abolitionist achieved; Garrison discontinued The Liberator and withdrew from the American Anti-Slavery Society. Fortunately; friends arranged for a national testimonial that provided financial security. By 1866-1867 he was enjoying an active retirement with honors at home and abroad; and a "plump and cunning" first grandchild. His letters show Garrison as a family man and curious observer as well as a reformer with a vision of a free and peaceful land.
#91116 in Books Harvard University Press 2015-02-25Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.50 x .80 x 5.90l; .0 #File Name: 0674368126288 pagesHarvard University Press
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Wonderful true story about a formerly enslaved mother fight to ...By brooklynbetsyWonderful true story about a formerly enslaved mother fight to get her children back from Cuba during and after the Civil War.0 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Good history bookBy MkrWell written and very informative8 of 8 people found the following review helpful. Moving and enlightening as a story and as history.By shannon griscomThrough the prism of one slave woman's efforts to recover her kidnapped children during the Civil War; Adam Rothman weaves a masterful and gripping story of the cruelty and chicanery of slave owners and slave dealers alike in thwarting the potential freedom of young children. By swiftly transferring her three children to a ship bound for Cuba; the owners sought to hang on to their "property" in the form of three children under 10. Rose fights relentlessly to have her children returned from Cuba; using lawyers and politicians sympathetic and skilled. Rothman keeps the story's excitement keen; and yet also buttresses the events with the attending history of New Orleans from 1862 to 1865. I found this single story a way to learn about the tumult and uncertainty of life in the south during the Civil War: slave owners; wanting to keep their property were prepared to take any number of circuitous routes to capture and re-enslave freed African Americans. Both Confederate and Union sides were capable of taking advantage of the former slaves; and only a few men of principle were willing to try to help a woman reclaim her children. The vision of post Emancipation southern life; especially in places like New Orleans; informs our country even today. The book is a page-turner; fascinating in its unique story and skilled in its writing. I could not sleep until I finished it!
