Oberlin, Hotbed of Abolitionism: College, Community, and the Fight for Freedom and Equality in Antebellum America

Title Page, Copyright, Dedication, Epigraph

oberlin, Hotbed of Abolitionism This page intentionally left blank oberlin, Hotbed of Abolitionism College, Community, and the Fight for Freedom and Equality in Antebellum America J. Brent Morris The University of North Carolina Press Chapel Hill © 2014 The University of North Carolina Press All rights reserved. Manufactured in the United States of America. Designed by Sally Scruggs and set in Quadraat by codeMantra. The paper in this book meets the guidelines for permanence and durability of the Committee on Production Guidelines for Book Longevity of the Council on Library Resources. The University of North Carolina Press has been a member of the Green Press Initiative since 2003. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Morris, J. Brent. Oberlin, hotbed of abolitionism : college, community, and the fight for freedom and equality in antebellum America / J. Brent Morris. pages cm Includes bibliographical references and index. isbn 978-1-4696-1827-2 (cloth : alk. paper) — isbn 978-1-4696-1828-9 (ebook) 1. Antislavery movements—Ohio—Oberlin—History—19th century. 2. Abolitionists— Ohio—Oberlin—History—19th century. 3. Oberlin (Ohio)—History—19th century. I. Title. f499.o2m67 2014 326'.80977123—dc23 2014002680 18 17 16 15 14 5 4 3 2 1 An earlier version of chapter 5 appeared as J. Brent Morris, “‘All the Truly Wise or Truly Pious Have One and the Same End in View’: Oberlin, the West, and Abolitionist Schism,” Civil War History 57, no. 3 (September 2011). Copyright © 2011 by The Kent State University Press. Reprinted with permission. To John DeCarrico and Louise Sites, our first historians Freemen! Are ye idle yet? Are your hearts on evil set? Do ye still intend to let The slave remain in chains? Do ye not hear his groans, Bursting forth in sorrow’s tones, Caused by Southern vagabonds! Wipe away the stains Which debase your country’s pride, Open all your bosoms wide— Let the land from side to side, Cry “justice for the slave.” Let each gurgling mountain rill— Let each valley, plain, and hill, With the love of freedom thrill In honor to the brave. Let each galling chain be broke— Take away each grievous yoke— Banish at a single stroke Your heaven-daring sin— Lest the God of Truth and right, All your future prospects blight— He’s your strength and he’s your might, If you once begin To pull the Devil’s kingdom down, Tho’ the world with fiendish power Look upon you, there’s a crown Of glory in the skies, Which he’ll give to those who stand Firm for truth and raise the hand Against this demon of the land— Press onward for the prize. edward henry, “Lines Written After Hearing an A.S. Address by Jas. Monroe,” Anti-Slavery Bugle, December 18, 1846 ...