Chapter 40: New York abolitionists found the Liberty Party.

By 1839, the New York wing of the Abolitionist movement is fed up by the lack of progress toward their goal, and conclude that Garrison’s reliance on “moral suasion” lectures and inflammatory editorials will not succeed.

Instead they turn their attention toward passing legislation in Washington similar to what transpired in Britain.

The new party holds it first convention at City Hall in Albany, N.Y., in November 1839, with 121 delegates from six states present. James Birney is nominated to run for President, with Thomas Earle, a noted lawyer and journalist from Pennsylvania, joining the ticket as Vice-President.