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Letter from A.G. Gardner, Zanesville, Allen Co[unty], Ind[iana], to William Lloyd Garrison, 1862 Dec[ember] 31st

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Letter from A.G. Gardner, Zanesville, Allen Co[unty], Ind[iana], to William Lloyd Garrison, 1862 Dec[ember] 31st

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A.G. Gardner writes to William Lloyd Garrison to "drop a few thoughts, suggestions, and inquiries to you." He declares that "the present is dark and gloomy, tomorrow is the jubilee," referring to the issue of the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863. Gardner says that they "have fearful forebodings of the future" as "a war man here in Indiana can hardly speak or utter his patriotic heart in behalf of our government." He tells Garrison, "you could not believe the feeling of hatred there is springing up here in the west against New England states" and predicts that if the war continues "much longer without affecting any thing more decisive, there will be a 'compromise,'" consisting of "a union with the revolted states and New England left out." He warns "this feeling is growing and will continue to develop itself until anarchy will prevail." He stresses the need for Union victories in battle to encourage morale and asks, "Now why are the slaves so inactive. I thought they would rise at the 'first tap of the drum ..'" Gardner tells Garrison "now is the time to work, now is time to act" and asks him to "send the abolitionists into the south at once, teach the slaves, yes, revolt, let them smell freedom by the use of gun powder and they will never feel the oppressors lash again." He believes that if the "slaves could be taught their duty and have them organised [sic] into brigades all would be well." Gardner then asks Garrison to send him one copy of the Liberator, stating that he "would not dare to take to take [sic] it as a subscriber I would be mobbed as 'An Abolitionist' however so much I would like to take it regular." He asks for a copy that has a piece sharing Wendell Phillips views of the war.
Courtesy of Boston Public Library

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1862
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Boston Public Library
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Public Domain

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