The Liberty Party by SMITH, Gerrit - 1850

Peterboro, NY: N.p., 1850. Paperback. 1850 November 28. 4to (8" X 12½"). Self-cover. (4pp). Near fine. Faint age toning at margin. Smith (1797-1874) was an ardent abolitionist and philanthropist and among the founders and leaders of the short-lived Liberty Party. It was founded in 1840 by a group who split off from the American Anti-Slavery Society, whose leader William Lloyd Garrison showed no loyalty to the Constitution and espoused dissolution of the Union. The Liberty Party managed to get Henry Clay defeated in the 1844 presidential election, and together with the Free-Soil party got Lewis Cass defeated in the 1848 presidential election. They were a strongly abolitionist party committed to avoiding slavery in new territories. In this self-published pamphlet, Smith reiterates the original principles of the Liberty Party at length -- of course starting with their strong anti-slavery stance: "...every part of American slavery is condemned by the Federal Constitution... such an abomination, as slavery, is utterly incapable of being legalized...." His primary purpose, though, seems to be to rouse support for a Liberty Party national convention to "put in nomination a candidate for President of the United States.... Since we have taken our candidate for Vice President from one of the Eastern States," he concludes, "is it not expedient to take our candidate for President from the West? Can we not find among the Le Moynes of Western Pennsylvania, and the Lovejoys and Collinses of Illinois, and the Crockers and Julians of Indiana, and the Durkees of Wisconsin, a man whom we shall delight to place in the Presidential Chair?" A fascinating, scarce piece.