National Anti-Slavery Standard facts for kids
The National Anti-Slavery Standard was an important weekly newspaper. It was the official paper of the American Anti-Slavery Society. This newspaper started in 1840. Its first editors were Lydia Maria Child and David Lee Child. The paper was published regularly until 1870. This was when the Fifteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution was approved. This amendment gave African American men the right to vote. The newspaper's motto was "Without Concealment—Without Compromise." This motto meant they would not hide anything or give up. It supported voting rights for both African American men and women. The paper ran from June 11, 1840, to April 16, 1870.
Contents
The Newspaper's Story
The Standard was a weekly newspaper. It was printed in both New York City and Philadelphia (from 1854 to 1865). It shared essays, debates, speeches, and news about slavery in the United States and other parts of the world. Its main readers were members of the American Anti-Slavery Society and other people who wanted to end slavery. These people were called abolitionists.
The paper focused on two main ideas to end slavery: religion and politics. They believed slavery was wrong and evil. They also thought that God was the only one who could truly end slavery. However, they also believed in taking political action. The newspaper was small, with only six columns. But it shared personal stories about slavery. These stories helped people understand the strong feelings about slavery for thirty years. The paper started when the American Anti-Slavery Society was divided. They disagreed on the best ways to achieve emancipation, which means freeing enslaved people.
The American Anti-Slavery Society
The American Anti-Slavery Society started the National Anti-Slavery Standard newspaper. The Society was founded in 1833. Its goal was to spread its message across the country using printed materials. The National Anti-Slavery Standard and The Liberator became the official newspapers of the Society.
The paper featured writings from important abolitionists. These were people who fought for voting rights, equality, and most importantly, freedom for enslaved people. One well-known activist featured often was Charles Lenox Remond. He was a free African American minister. He traveled the country speaking out against slavery. Other famous abolitionists, like Frederick Douglass, also shared powerful stories against slavery in the paper.
Who Were the Editors?
Many different people edited the newspaper over the years:
- N. P. Rogers: 1840–1841
- Lydia Maria Child: 1841–1843
- D. L. Child: 1843–1844
- S. H. Gay: 1844–1854
- Oliver Johnson: 1863–1865
- A. M. Powell: 1866-1870
Lydia Maria Child was also the editor of another important book. It was Harriet Jacobs' Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl. The National Anti-Slavery Standard reviewed this book on February 23, 1861. Today, this book is seen as an American classic.
Other Names for the Paper
After slavery ended, the newspaper changed its name a few times.
- From May to July 1870, it was called Standard: A Journal of Reform and Literature.
- From July 30, 1870, to December 23, 1871, it was known as the National Standard: An Independent Reform and Literary Journal.
- After the Fifteenth Amendment was approved, the paper changed its name again. From January to December 1872, it was called The National Standard: A Temperance and Literary Journal. Its new motto was An Independent, Reform and Literary Journal Justice and Equal Rights for All.
