Garrisonian Anti-slavery Banner

Artifacts

1843

Massachusetts Historical Society

Color image of a rectangular cloth banner, slightly longer than it is wide. Fabric is a rich reddish brown color and fraying around the edges. The words on the banner read "The Liberator commenced January 1st, 1831. W. L. G. I am in earnest! I will not equivocate! I will not excuse! I will not retreat a single inch! And I will be heard!" The W. L. G. is in the Approximate center of the banner, surrounded by the painting of a green laurel wreath tied with a red bow at the bottom, right in the middle of the banner. The W. L. G. and laurel wreath are also framed by yellow, orange, and red lines, fanning out as if rays from a sun.

This banner celebrating Garrison and The Liberator was hung at Maria Weston Chapman's antislavery fairs. Chapman's Garrisonian agenda contributed to the disbanding of BFASS in April 1840. The evangelical contingent founded the Massachusetts Female Emancipation Society; Chapman, her sisters, and other Garrisonians reestablished BFASS. Both groups continued to advocate for immediate abolition and run antislavery fairs, but Chapman’s fairs dominated thanks to her international contacts, business acumen, and savvy marketing.

This banner honoring William Lloyd Garrison and his abolitionist newspaper The Liberator was displayed at antislavery fairs and festivals in the nineteenth century. The banner features an oakleaf wreath with “W. L. G.” (the initials of William Lloyd Garrison) and a quote from Garrison’s editor’s note in <i>The Liberator</i>’s first issue.

Cotton, paint, silk fringe.

Abolitionism

Demonstration

Words

Artifacts