Letter to Oliver Johnson, New York, [New York], to Samuel May, 1864 Oct[ober] 31
Description:
Oliver Johnson writes to Samuel May, Jr. after returnng to New York from Boston and a five week vacation "to resume work with renewed strength and courage." He tells May that at his last meeting in Boston a committee was formed "to inquire into the expediency of the proposed union of the Standard and Liberator" and it is May's "duty to weigh all the facts and circumstances ... and to report your judgement thereupon to the Ex. Comm.". Johnson cites Wendell Phillips as the main opponent of "the proposed union" at the meeting, due to his desire "to kill the Standard" and then states his own reasons for supporting the plan. He says that William Lloyd Garrison, as well as his wife and son, likely support the plan, with Mrs. Helen Garrison telling Johnson that she saw "the union as the only means of rescuing her husband from [the] toils and vexations that are fast wearing out his health". Johnson also speculates that Charles K. Whipple may oppose the plan as it "would deprive him of an organ for his views on other subjects besides slavery." Johnson makes some proposals for announcing the union of the newspapers to the public and declares that this "will not be the death of the Liberator but the augmentation of its life through larger and freer contributions of its Editor."
Holograph, signed.
Title devised by cataloger.
Boston Public Library (Rare Books Department) manuscript composed in black ink on white paper with an embossed crest in the head- spine corner of the first page. Above the salutation, the number "176" is written in pencil.