To the Public

“To the Public” appeared as a front-page editorial in the first issue of William Lloyd Garrison’s newspaper The Liberator. To what extent does it stand on its own as a literary and historical document? To what extent do we need more context to make sense of it?

Is Garrison’s argument in favor of abolition and enfranchisement more emotional or intellectual? What do his rhetorical choices tell us about his strategy for furthering the abolitionist cause?

Garrison concedes that there were exceptions in the South to pro-slavery beliefs. Given this fact, does his use of invective strike you as a good strategy for gaining followers?