#abolitionists

I think it’s pretty inconvenient for the Southern narrative of the war that people like that existed. It means that “those were the times” is no excuse.

Honestly, as I grew up, I remember trying to be careful to remember that I wouldn’t think this way if I lived in my state in the 1850s.

And hey, you know what? Actually I think I very well fucking might. I credit former domestic terrorist William Ayers with starting me along this path (I will tell this story another day) but the story is a little tongue in cheek. Ayers didn’t convince me. All he did was show me that another point of view was possible. That was all it took.

No excuses for historical figures. Understanding how they got to where they are, yes. Dissecting their background and bias, yes. Excusing it? No.

Discovered in the Stacks: Abolitionist Serial

Even after inventories and barcoding projects, we still discover materials that have eluded cataloging. This short run (possibly unrecorded until now!) was found with a call number label, but without any record in the online catalog.

The Christian Reformer (renamed The Christian Reformer and Workingmen's Advocate early in the run) was an abolitionist and labor reform serial published at least in 1849-1850. The publisher, editor, and primary author is a Boston area abolitionist named Charles Stearns. Slavery is the prominent topic, and the journal provides accounts of meetings around the region to discuss the cause. The periodical also advocates for improved conditions for the working class (an “extra” insert calls for support of a Boston strike), and also insists on the need for reform of organized Christian religion. On the last point, the author seems particularly bothered by the profession of ministry, where people are paid to preach.

We invite scholars and interested researchers to visit and investigate this long-hidden resource!

The Christian reformer. Boston : [Charles Stearns], -[1849]