Abolitionism from a Missourian perspective

In Kristen Layne Anderson’s book, Abolitionizing Missouri, she describes the abolition movement among the German population in Missouri, notably the population in St. Louis. The author argues that among the Germans there was dissent, with one group either not supporting or not caring for emancipation, and the other group starkly more radical in supporting it than the whites of Missouri who were born there. Their radicalism seemed to be a passionate one, given the growing tension between them and the other inhabitants of St. Louis. But as the Germans realized that emancipation of slaves would not serve their interests, the Germans gradually turned away from their radical ideals and even on the people who they claimed to support.

Germans for a Free Missouri, created by Steven Rowan and James Primm, offers somewhat of a different perspective. The book contains translations and some commentary of the St.Louis radical press, giving us more insight as to what the Germans thought about themselves. In this book, Germans are described to be very non-aggressive. That their support for emancipation and abolition was a calm, steady one, rather than something particularly passionate like the previous reading describes.

The two clippings are from the same column in the newspaper Tri-Weekly Messenger from Hannibal, Missouri on 16 Feb 1856. The contents are from a writer with a unique perspective, as he does not support abolitionism, but isn’t necessarily against the Union. The writer describes the abolitionists’ efforts as “crusades” and makes it clear that he believes them to be a lawless and unreasonable group. He seems to lean on the Constitution for what is the “right” way, rather than making a stance for or against the South or the North.