National Testimonial to William Lloyd Garrison

Alternate Titles

• Boston Public Library (Rare Books Department) William Lloyd Garrison Correspondence (1823-1879)

Description

This letter lauds Garrison for his 31 years at the helm of "The Liberator", and notes the sea change in public perception of him across generational lines (from his being considered as akin to a "wild enthusiast, a fantaic, or a public enemy" to being viewed as a "bold and honest reformer" driven by a "vision of universal justice". In recognition for his life devoted to service of the greater good at the expense of his own personal gain, this letter proposes "a national testimonial, not less than Fifty Thousand Dollars, to our fellow countryman--William Lloyd Garrison" for his "thirty-five years of the most exacting labor, of controversy, [and] peril" to the abolitionist cause. The money raised by the testimonial served as a retirement fund for William L. Garrison.

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