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Editorial
May 25, 1839
The Voice Of Freedom
Montpelier, Brandon, Washington County, Rutland County, Vermont
What is this article about?
An editorial mocks 'gradualists' who claim opposition to slavery but fail to support John Quincy Adams' proposal for gradual emancipation measures, suggesting gradualism is a sham and implying a shift toward immediate emancipation.
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Full Text
THE GRADUALISTS!—Where are they? We have been looking and looking, in vain, to see who would back up the proposition of John Quincy Adams, for adopting measures of gradual emancipation. We exchange with upwards of a hundred contemporary editors—all "opposed to slavery as much as any body—but——they can't go this imprudent movement for immediate emancipation.
Oh no! Emancipation must be gradual!"
Well Mr. Adams has given them the lead. No doubt he expected to be cheered by the voice of the undivided north, (with the exception of a few fanatical abolitionists) when he raised that popular standard.
And what is the result? So far as we have been able to discover, the proposal has not met with a solitary response. No! Not from a single colonization paper. Not from a single religious paper. Not from a single political paper. Not from a single commercial paper.
Shall we conclude that the honest gradualists of the past times have all become immediateists? And that the present plea of gradualism is a mere "ruse," as Clarkson found it to be in England—a mere sham?—Goodell
Oh no! Emancipation must be gradual!"
Well Mr. Adams has given them the lead. No doubt he expected to be cheered by the voice of the undivided north, (with the exception of a few fanatical abolitionists) when he raised that popular standard.
And what is the result? So far as we have been able to discover, the proposal has not met with a solitary response. No! Not from a single colonization paper. Not from a single religious paper. Not from a single political paper. Not from a single commercial paper.
Shall we conclude that the honest gradualists of the past times have all become immediateists? And that the present plea of gradualism is a mere "ruse," as Clarkson found it to be in England—a mere sham?—Goodell
What sub-type of article is it?
Slavery Abolition
What keywords are associated?
Gradual Emancipation
Immediate Emancipation
John Quincy Adams
Abolitionists
Gradualists
Slavery Opposition
What entities or persons were involved?
John Quincy Adams
Clarkson
Goodell
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Critique Of Gradual Emancipation Supporters
Stance / Tone
Mocking Gradualists And Advocating Immediate Emancipation
Key Figures
John Quincy Adams
Clarkson
Goodell
Key Arguments
No Contemporary Editors Back Adams' Gradual Emancipation Proposal Despite Claiming Opposition To Slavery
Gradualists Avoid Immediate Emancipation As Imprudent
Adams Expected Support From The North Excluding Abolitionists
Proposal Receives No Response From Colonization, Religious, Political, Or Commercial Papers
Gradualism May Be A Sham Or Ruse Like In England