South Carolina Resolutions on Abolitionist Propaganda

During the 1830’s abolitionists strived to influence all Americans into ending slavery. A large part of their influence was gained through propaganda, which was visible throughout the country. The South Carolina Resolutions on Abolitionist Propaganda was written December 16, 1835 and it lists the various acts and resolutions established in the state of South Carolina to eliminate the abolitionist’s propaganda. “…most of the states south of Virginia provided severe penalties for printing or speaking anything that might incite insurrection among the slaves, or even for arguing against the institution of slavery.” (280)

The first resolution states that any formation of abolition societies, and acts and doings by abolitionists are “in direct violation of the obligations of the compact of the union”.

The second resolution asserts that a country with true concern for its peace and security will not accept abolition societies without either protesting, surrendering or compromising its rights.

The third resolution requests that the Legislature of South Caroline will suppress all abolition associations and neighboring abolitionist states by penalizing them when propaganda is printed, published, or distributed to newspapers, in order to “excite the slaves of the southern states to insurrection and revolt.”

The fourth resolution emphasizes that each southern state has exclusive control over domestic slavery, and thus no state should interfere by creating propaganda.

The fifth resolution reasserts that “non-slaveholding states are requested to disclaim by legislative declaration, to interfere in any manner with domestic slavery, either in the states, or in territories where it exists.”

The sixth resolution solicits abolition of slavery in the District of Colombia as “a violation of the rights of the citizens in that District”. This resolution invites the citizens of South Caroline to be careful with its government leaders in order for their rights to not be violated.

The last resolution affirms that the legislature of South Carolina has increased its measures of security in the Post Office Department of the United States in order to prevent the United States mail to become a “vehicle for the transmission of the mischievous documents [propaganda]” If this resolution is not fulfilled, Chief Magistrate of the state affirms measures will be taken to “prevent [propaganda] traversing the territory”