This is the final issue of The Liberator, dated December 29, 1865 (Vol. XXXV, No. 52 / Whole No. 1803). Published in Boston and edited by William Lloyd Garrison, this was the concluding number of the nation's most influential anti-slavery newspaper, which had run weekly since January 1831. This four-page broadsheet marks the end of an era in American abolitionist journalism—closing publication just months after the passage of the 13th Amendment abolishing slavery.

Printed by J.B. Yerrinton & Son, the issue features the iconic masthead illustration depicting Liberty at center, holding a scroll marked "Proclamation of Freedom," with enslaved people breaking their chains on one side and free African Americans engaged in education and work on the other. Above the title is Garrison's motto: “Our Country is the World, Our Countrymen are all Mankind.”

Articles include:

“The Constitutional Amendment” – A major editorial on the significance of the 13th Amendment and the struggle to ensure equal rights for freedmen. It criticizes the limited post-war Reconstruction efforts and warns of the South regaining political power without true reform.

“Senator Wilson’s Remarks” – Quotes Republican Senator Henry Wilson emphasizing the importance of Black suffrage and reconstruction, citing Lincoln's legacy and the ongoing risks of Southern recalcitrance.

“Danger Ahead” – A cautionary column about the potential rollback of emancipation-era gains if the North fails to remain politically vigilant.

Speech of Thaddeus Stevens – Reprinted from the House floor, this fiery address by the Radical Republican urges Congress to impose civil rights and land redistribution in the South, warning that without systemic reform, the old planter aristocracy will reassert control.

“Congratulation and Farewell” – The formal sign-off to readers, recounting the 35-year mission of the newspaper. Garrison reflects on abolition’s triumph, gives thanks to allies and fellow campaigners, and outlines unfinished business—namely, the fight for women’s rights and political equality for all people of color.

“William Lloyd Garrison’s Valedictory” – A deeply personal final editorial by the paper’s founder. Garrison recounts the origins of The Liberator in 1831, revisits key turning points like the publication of Frederick Douglass’s early writings and the formation of the American Anti-Slavery Society, and closes by advocating for continued moral vigilance in the post-slavery age.

Letters from the Public – Contributions from readers, including women and Black abolitionists, express both joy and caution. One notable letter from suffragist Elizabeth Cady Stanton calls for the continuation of the fight: “Universal Suffrage,” she writes, must be the new rallying cry.

“Poetry Section” – Includes the piece “A Farewell to the Liberator” by the poet "Cassius," as well as the somber “Slave’s Funeral March.” These poems celebrate the fall of slavery while hinting at the work left undone.

Advertisements and Notices – Announcements of abolitionist society meetings, tributes to Garrison, and calls for new activism appear in the margins. One promotes The Commonwealth, the Boston-based successor publication aiming to continue the mission of The Liberator.

Historical significance:

Founded in 1831 by William Lloyd Garrison, The Liberator was the single most important voice of American abolitionism. Garrison's uncompromising demand for immediate emancipation and his refusal to compromise with pro-slavery forces helped ignite a national dialogue that ultimately led to the Civil War. Unlike more moderate publications, The Liberator never wavered from its moral mission. Though its circulation was modest, its influence was enormous—both in mobilizing Northern support and in giving voice to Black abolitionists, including Frederick Douglass, whose early writings first appeared in its pages.

This final edition reflects not just the end of a newspaper, but the triumph of its cause. Yet it is filled with warnings: of white backlash, of ongoing racial violence, of the North’s short attention span, and of the need for Black suffrage and equality before the law. The tone is both celebratory and prophetic—reminding the reader that the fall of slavery was only the beginning of a greater struggle for justice and citizenship.

This is a large-format paper, closed, it measures about 18.5" x 26", four-pages.  Shows folds and some discoloration that you can see in the image.  There is a puncture right of center on the center, horizontal fold and other lighter wear.

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