Therefore, although he was known for his anti-slavery beliefs, he used the paper as a tool for expressing his views in this matter and for rallying support for the cause. In this sense, he adopted a non-violent means of manifestation. On the other hand, although he had a peaceful means of manifestation, his arguments stood for the complete and unequivocal freedom for slaves. Unlike other abolitionists who argued for either a partial freeing of slaves or for the reduction of the number of slaves through their placement overseas in Northern Africa, in his case, the approach was radical. This was largely due to the fact that throughout his life, he witnessed atrocities that encouraged him to stand up for the rights of the African-Americans as human beings. In this sense, he points out that "on this subject, I do not wish to think, or speak, or write, with moderation. No! no! Tell a man whose house is on fire, to give a moderate alarm; tell him to moderately rescue his wife from the hand of the ravisher; tell the mother to gradually extricate...

I am in earnest -- I will not equivocate -- I will not excuse -- I will not retreat a single inch" (Garrison, 2007).
Concluding, it can be said that the issue of slavery represented indeed a crucial issue for the American society. The historical context and the development of slavery throughout the country determined an increased opposition and an abolitionist movement that would eventually reach its goal. An important figure in this context was William Lloyd Garrison.

References

Garrison, William Lloyd. The Liberator: "To the Public." Africans in America web site. 2007. Accessed 18 December 2007, at http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part4/4h2928t.html

Jenkins, P. A history of the United States. New York: Palgrave, 1997.

Ripley, Peter. Witness for Freedom: African-American Voices on Race, Slavery, and Emancipation. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 1993.