AN ADDRESS, ON THE PROGRESS OF THE ABOLITION CAUSE by Garrison, William Lloyd - 1832

Boston: Garrison and Knapp, 1832. Very good plus.. First edition of this pamphlet printed early in Garrison's career, a fiery and carefully researched summary of anti-slavery efforts, delivered to a Black abolitionist audience. Though Garrison was regularly threatened with physical harm during his editorship of the anti-slavery newspaper THE LIBERATOR, he made frequent public appearances speaking on the evils of slavery. This address, from the year after he founded THE LIBERATOR, was given largely to praise the abolition of the slave trade by Great Britain, and to address by comparison how behind the United States was in its own reform efforts. In it, Garrison outlines the history of the slave trade and rails against its practitioners, as well as offering prescient criticism of American exceptionalism and imperialistic aims. He also touches on the many benevolent societies founded by Black people across the country, and celebrates the work of his audience, the Black-founded African Abolition Freehold Society: "Towards the accomplishment of this mighty victory you have done much" (21).
The rear wrapper further speaks to the audience of this lecture, printing the "Hymn proper to be sung on all occasions by people of color, who do not intend to emigrate to Africa." The lyrics celebrate the United States as the "dear land of our birthright" - "Till force drives us from it, this, this, is our home."
A striking rhetorical survey of the state of abolitionist work by the influential reformer, scarce on the marketplace. 9'' x 5.5''. Original blue wrappers, side-stitched. 24 pages. Wrapper with faint foxing, mild edgewear; one section of stitching perished. Leaves with scattered foxing, more pronounced to first and final leaves. Sound.