d thousands of societies throughout the free States. But its
beginnings were small and humble enough. "The objects of the society"
were according to the second article of the constitution, "to endeavor
by all means sanctioned by law, humanity, and religion, to effect the
abolition of slavery in the United States, to improve the character and
condition of the free people of color, to inform and correct public
opinion in relation to their situation and rights, and to obtain for
them equal civil and political rights and privileges with the whites."
The means which were immediately adopted by the society for the
accomplishment of these objects were mainly three, than which none
others could have been more effective. These were petitioning Congress
on the subject of slavery. The publication and circulation of
anti-slavery addresses and tracts, and the employment of anti-slavery
agents, "in obtaining or communicating intelligence, in the publication
and distribution of tracts, books, or papers, or in the execution of any
measure which may be adopted to promote the objects of the society."
Such was the simple but unequaled machinery which the New England
Anti-Slavery Society relied upon for success in the war, which it had
declared against American slavery. The executive power of the body, and
the operation of its machinery were lodged in a board of managers of
which Garrison's was the leading, originating mind. The society started
out bravely in the use of its means by memorializing Congress for the
abolition of slavery, "in the District of Columbia and in the
Territories of the United States under their jurisdiction," and by
preparing and distributing an address in maintenance of the doctrine of
immediate emancipation. The board of managers set the machinery in
motion as far and as fast as the extremely limited pecuniary ability of
the society would permit. The membership was not from the rich classes.
It was Oliver Johnson who wittily remarked that not more than one or two
of the original twelve, "could have put a hundred dollars into the
treasury without bankrupting themselves." The remark was true, and was
quite as applicable to any dozen of the new-comers as to the original
twelve. The society was never deficient in zeal, but it was certainly
sadly wanting in money. And money was even to such men and to such a
movement an important factor in revolutionizing public opinion.

The _Liberator_ was made the official organ of t