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The Radical Abolitionist Party (also known as the Radical Political Abolition Party and American Abolition Society) was a political party formed by abolitionists in the United States in the decade preceding the American Civil War as part of a reaction to the Kansas-Nebraska Act. The party was formed following their first convention in 1855 and lasted until the end of the decade. The Radical Abolition Party was distinct from other contemporary political groups of the time for their aims to immediately eliminate the institution of slavery (rather than containing it to where it already existed) and advocate for full citizenship rights for African Americans. They also advocated for other marginalized groups' rights, such as women and Native Americans. Many prominent black and white abolitionists were founders and members including Frederick Douglass, James McCune Smith, William Goodell, Gerrit Smith, and John Brown. It did not elect a candidate to office, rather made significant contributions to political discourse and helped shape the Republican Party's future platform on slavery.

History

Background

The party's roots are found in the Liberty Party of 1840. The Liberty Party split with the more conservative wing evolving into the Free-Soil Party, and the more radical wing evolving into the Radical Abolition Party. Several founding members of the Liberty Party, including Gerrit Smith and William Goodell, became founding members of the Radical Abolition Party.

Formation (Convention of 1855)

The inaugural convention was held in Syracuse, New York in June of 1855, with attendants from ten states and Canada. This was a historically significant moment as James McCune Smith was first black man to chair a national convention.

Disintegration

The party came to its end four years after its conception by February 1859. M. Leon Perkal argues that the party's failure was due to “its refusal to recognize that its constitutional argument challenged the basic convictions and prejudices of the times."

Activities

Publishing and distribution of information

The party distributed printed materials such as pamphlets and newspapers to make their arguments more widely known, especially their constitutional argument against slavery

• Radical Abolitionist (the party's main newspaper, edited by William Goodell)
• Unconstitutionality of Slavery by Lysander Spooner (pamphlet)
• The Kansas Struggle of 1856, In Congress, and in the Presidential Campaign With Suggestions for the Future

Elections

During the presidential election of 1856, the Radical Abolition Party drew a small number of votes away from the Republican candidate, John C. Fremont. Despite being the candidate nominated by the Radical Abolition Party, surprisingly, Gerrit Smith provided financial support for the Republican Candidate. Frederick Douglass also voiced support for Fremont saying, “it was better to have a half a loaf than no loaf at all." The Radical Abolition Party continued to nominate Gerrit Smith as their candidate in the NY Gubernatorial Election of 1858 and Presidential Election of 1860 but was unsuccessful in winning office.   

Ideology

Distinctions from contemporary parties

The primary ideology of the Radical Abolition Party's platform was based in an active form of abolitionism that was distinct from how other political parties of the time approached the issue of slavery. They were ideologically farthest distanced with the Whigs, Democrats, and Know-Nothing parties that supported and actively worked to perpetuate the institution of slavery. The Free Soilers and Republican parties were ideologically closer but held less radical views. Kellie Carter Jackson argues that “while Free Soilers and Republicans were playing defense in terms of slavery's expansion, Radical Abolitionists were taking up an offensive stance. They firmly advocated for African American rights, including citizenship." One could assume the Radical Abolitionist Party were ideologically closest to the American Anti-Slavery Society (or Garrison Party). The Radical Abolitionists believed the Garrison Party's primary strategy of moral suasion was insufficient to eradicate slavery. They also disagreed with the Garrison Party's view regarding the Constitution as the Radical Abolitionists interpreted the Constitution as a fundamentally anti-slavery document.

Constitutional argument for abolishing slavery

William Goodell contributed his formulation of the Constitutional argument against slavery which was grounded in his interpretation of multiple provisions:

• The Due Process Clause of the Fifth Amendment
• The Guarantee Clause (provided for all states a republican form of government, republican government is inconsistent with slavery).
• The Commerce Clause gave Congress the right to determine what was property and prohibit the slave trade among the states
• The Declaration of Independence was part of US Constitutional Law and it prohibited slavery by its equality clause.

John Stauffer argues Goodell's constitutional argument is based on John Quincy Adams' original interpretation, which did not allow immediate emancipation as a realistic possibility. Instead, he believed it would eventually happen through a more gradual process.

The Dred Scott decision hindered Radical Abolitionists' efforts to convince people of the constitutional argument. The majority opinion by Chief Justice Taney and dissenting opinion by Justice Curtis and Justice McLean directly countered the Radical Abolitionists' constitutional interpretation.

Use of violence

Scholars have different interpretations of another distinct feature of the Radical Abolition Party which is their affirmation of using violence as a strategy.

Perkal contends “the question of using violent means to abolish slavery was the most divisive issue at the Convention."

Stauffer argues “the party's platform specifically affirmed violence as a way to end slavery and oppression.” His description of the events at the inaugural convention suggests there was overwhelming support from attendants after letters written by John Brown's sons were read out loud. The letters described the ongoing violence in Kansas following the Kansas-Nebraska Act. Stauffer goes on to describe how John Brown received fervent support including funds and weapons.

Jackson's interpretation aligns with Stauffer as she describes how for Radical Abolitionists, “violence was justified and even sanctioned from a biblical standpoint." She goes on to share a powerful quote from James McCune Smith,

“Our white brethren cannot understand us unless we speak to them in their own language; they recognize only the philosophy of force”

Legacy

Stauffer argues that despite the Radical Abolition Party's brief time, their existence has "…deep cultural relevance…unprecedented moment of interracial unity and collapsing of racial barriers.”

Perkal also emphasizes the party's significance despite the modest results from campaign activities by arguing the party had "an important role in the antislavery movement of the 1850's. The radicals were able to exert some moral influence upon the Republican Party, perhaps preventing further compromise with abolitionist ideals."

Notable members

• Frederick Douglass
• James McCune Smith
• Gerrit Smith
• William Goodell
• John Brown
• Jermain Loguen
• Lewis Tappan

See also

• Liberty Party
• Free Soil Party
• Republican Party
• American Missionary Association

References

1. ^ Stauffer, John (2002). The Black Hearts of Men. Harvard University Press. ISBN 9780674013674.
2. ^ Jackson, Kellie Carter (2019). Force and freedom: black abolitionists and the politics of violence. America in the nineteenth century. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press. ISBN 978-0-8122-5115-9.
3. ^ Perkal, M. Leon (1980). "American Abolition Society: A Viable Alternative to the Republican Party?". The Journal of Negro History. 65 (1): 57–71. doi:10.2307/3031548. ISSN 0022-2992. JSTOR 3031548.

• Third party (United States)