True American facts for kids

True American was an important antislavery newspaper published in Fayette County, Kentucky in 1845. It was started by a brave politician named Cassius Marcellus Clay. This newspaper was special because it openly spoke out against slavery, a system where people were treated as property and forced to work without pay.

What Was the True American Newspaper?

The True American was a newspaper that fought against slavery. It was founded in 1845 by Cassius Marcellus Clay in Kentucky. At that time, slavery was legal in many parts of the United States, including Kentucky. Clay believed slavery was wrong and used his newspaper to share his strong opinions and encourage others to join the fight for freedom.

Who Was Cassius Marcellus Clay?

Cassius Marcellus Clay was a well-known politician and a strong supporter of ending slavery. He was born in Kentucky and came from a wealthy family, but he chose to speak out against slavery even though it was unpopular and dangerous in his home state. He used his newspaper, the True American, as a way to spread his message and convince people that slavery should be abolished.

Why Was the Newspaper Controversial?

In August 1846, the True American published a very strong article against slavery. This article made many people in Lexington, Kentucky very angry, especially those who supported slavery. They saw the newspaper's message as a threat to their way of life.

Forced to Move: The Newspaper's Journey

Because of the strong reactions, a group of angry citizens forced the True American newspaper to leave Lexington. They used a court order to make Cassius Clay stop printing his paper there. But Cassius Clay did not give up. He moved his publishing company to Cincinnati, Ohio, which was a city known for having more people who were against slavery. He continued to publish the True American from Cincinnati through 1847, showing his dedication to the antislavery cause.