a person who favours abolition of slavery, or the immediate emancipation of slaves.

This term is usually applied to the members of the American Anti-Slavery Society. The condition of the negro population of the United States had, at an early period, attracted the attention of some of its philanthropic citizens, and a society was organized for the purpose of planting colonies of liberated American slaves on the western coast of Africa, where it was anticipated they would open the way for the introduction of Christianity, and operate as an effectual check upon the slave-trade. The spirit and tendency of this colonization scheme, however, soon began to be viewed with suspicion and dislike by the more earnest and uncompromising opponents of slavery, and on the 1st of January 1832, William Lloyd Garrison, and a few other ardent emancipationists, formed themselves at Boston into a society, which became the nucleus of a larger and more influential association, subsequently organized at Philadelphia, under the name of the "American Anti-Slavery Society;" on the principle of immediate and unconditional emancipation. Its members include persons of both sexes, and of all diversities of sentiment on religious and political questions, who agree in the opinion that slavery is a sin, and should be immediately abandoned. The measures adopted by the Abolitionists to promote the object which they have in view, have been prosecuted with untiring energy and zeal, in the face of the most virulent opposition; and the question which they have stirred has awakened great excitement, not only in the United States, but also in Great Britain. Their movements, however, have been weakened by divisions in their own ranks. In 1839, what is called the "Women's Rights Question" was raised, and a large majority of the members of the Anti-Slavery Society having decided that females as well as males should sit on the Committee, the minority immediately seceded, and organized a new association, under the name of the "American and Foreign Anti-slavery Society." In connection with this movement, another element of discord arose. The new society is composed of persons holding evangelical sentiments, and they have made it matter of charge against the original association that many of its members and most prominent office-bearers are the enemies of Christianity, and have mingled infidel arguments and appeals with their advocacy of emancipation.

Mr Garrison and his friends decline to vote or hold office under the present constitution of the United States, on the ground that it sanctions slavery—ordains that fugitive slaves shall be returned to their masters, on proof of their condition; that slave insurrections shall be suppressed by the strong arm of the nation; and that the slaveholders shall virtually have three votes for every five slaves they hold. A preliminary oath to support the constitution is required of every person holding public office in the country, and as the members of the Anti-Slavery Society do not mean to support the constitution in these particulars, they refuse to hold office under such an oath, or to appoint others by their votes to do so.

There are several other Anti-Slavery Societies in the United States, such as the "Liberty Party;" the "Free Soil Party;" and the "Christian Anti-Slavery Association." The "Liberty Party" had its origin in the unconquerable passion of the Americans for political action. Its members aim to be "a Third Party" with the abolition of slavery for their gathering cry. They enter into direct competition with the Whigs and Democrats, they nominate candidates for office, and adopt the usual tactics of party warfare to carry the election of their nominees. The object of the "Free Soil Party" is chiefly to maintain the balance of power in favour of the free states, by preventing the intrusion of slavery into the territories of the union which may eventually become States, and as such, exercise an influence on Congress in favour of the North or the South, as they happen to reject or retain the institution of slavery. The "Christian Anti-Slavery Association" was established at a convention held in Chicago in July 1851. Its name sufficiently explains its constitutional object. (J.T.)