New York Governor William L. Marcy Denounces Abolitionism

This chapter talks about the governor of New York, William L. Marcy, who championed several popular democratic reforms but opposed abolitionism. It explores Marcy's objections to abolitionism, which likely stemmed from his political experience first as New York State comptroller and then as a United States senator. The chapter includes excerpts of Governor Marcy's 1836 address to the New York State legislature, wherein he denounced New York abolitionists as a threat to state and national security. It mentions his suggestion that those who shared his views should assist in regulating the radicalism of their abolitionist neighbors. It also points out the connection between Marcy's remedy for abolitionism and the vigilantism that Rev. Thomas James described in his memoir.