Henry Elliot

With the founding of his own newspaper, Garrison used the paper and his association with other abolitionists to advocate for the “immediate and complete” freeing of all slaves. Through his editorials, he became a symbol of the abolitionist movement by pointing out the hypocrisy of the country’s actions versus the ideals set out by the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.

Born into slavery, Douglass became an eloquent spokesperson for both black’s and women’s rights. During and after the Civil War, Douglass became a confidant of presidents Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson. Douglass also argued for African Americans to be allowed to join the Union army in the fight for their own freedom.