The Ohio Anti-Slavery Society (1835–1845) was an abolitionist Anti-Slavery Society established in Zanesville, Ohio, by American activists such as Gamaliel Bailey, Asa Mahan, John Rankin, Charles Finney and Theordore Dwight Weld.[1]
The Ohio Anti-Slavery Society was originally created as an auxiliary of the American Anti-Slavery Society.[2] Its first meeting took place in Putnam, Ohio, in April of 1835,[3] and gathered delegates from 25 counties, along with four corresponding members from other states, William T. Allan, James G. Birney, James A. Thome and Ebenezer Martin.[4] Later, the society's headquarters moved to Cleveland, Ohio.[2]
The society was created with the purpose of ending slavery in the United States. The Ohio Anti-Slavery Society's constitution stated that its objective was the "abolition of slavery throughout the United States and the elevation of our colored brethren to their proper rank as men."[5]
Along with sponsoring traveling lecturers, the Society made James G. Birney's newspaper The Philanthropist its official press.[6]
During the Cincinnati riots of 1836, pro-slavery citizens protested against the activities of the society and destroyed Birney's printing press.[7] A committee of citizens asked for the closure of the newspaper, but their request was declined by the Society's executive committee on the basis of "freedom of press".[5]
In 1836 – during the Society's first anniversary – the members voted for a new executive board that included: Gamaliel Bailey, James G. Birney, Isaac Colby, C. Donaldson, James C. Ludlow, Thomas Maylin, John Melendy, and Rees E. Price.[8]
Several abolitionists considered the participation of African-Americans in the society unimportant and unnecessary, but John Rankin and Gamaliel Bailey "slowly accepted African American involvement," and "Rankin declared racial prejudice criminal and a violation of the 'law of love.'"[9]
In 1836, the Ohio Anti-Slavery Society grew from 20 chapters to 120 chapters in every part of the state. By December of the same year, ten thousand Ohioans were part of the Society.[6][dead link]
During the 1840 anniversary of the society, its adherents passed a resolution that forbade it from becoming a political force. A portion of its members asked to cut their ties with the American Anti-Slavery Society and to keep a neutral approach in their abolitionist work.
In June 1841, a meeting was held at Mt. Pleasant, where several members vouched for independent political action. Some of the society's officials held a separate meeting exclusive for political abolitionists who eventually supported the Liberty Party.[10]
Due to the post-panic economy, the Society and its official publication The Philanthropist started losing their prominence, and by September 1841 the presses were ravaged in a two-day riot.[10]