1860 JAMES HARLAN. Shall the Territories be Africanized? Inscribed Abolitionist Charles Sumner.

Not offered at auction since 1964, a very scarce example from one of the leading men among the non-abolitionist wing of the new Republican Party. 

Harlan, Representative of the State of Iowa, was opposed to slavery, but also opposed to black expansion into the territories of the West, whether as slave of free. In the present address, he expresses the view that the new territories are "only for the white race."  This anti-slavery and anti-black sentiment was especially prominent in Iowa. The Iowa Republican Party chose as its campaign slogan for 1860, "We are for land for the landless, not niggers for the niggerless." A similar slogan was adopted in nearby Kansas.

An interesting item for Sumner to be distributing. Usually remembered as one of the leaders of the abolitionist movement, including a public near-death beating he received in Congress by a fellow [Southern] congressman, he grew more ideologically committed to abolitionism over time. He began as more of an "anti-slave" and anti-black" candidate, aligning himself with the white only policies of the Free Soil party. Over time, he became a more committed abolitionist in principle, was critical of Lincoln's leniency toward the South, and was a fierce advocate for freedmen suffrage, etc., after the War. 

Accordingly this work would probably not have been according to his views at the time and distributed as information or explaining the diversity of the coalition of the Republican Party, etc., It was mailed on July 22, 1864. It must have been "send people some articles day" for Sumner. He is also recorded as having mailed several articles for reading to President Abraham Lincoln on the same day [See HERE]. 

Fascinating association copy, apparently gifted by Sumner to a fellow Harvard alumnus, indicating that Sumner had been of the class of 1830. 

Harlan, James. Shall the Territories be Africanized? Speech of Hon. James Harlan, of Iowa. Delivered in the Senate of the United States, January 4, 1860. 8pp.

A good + copy, bound in wraps, nearly disbound. Neatly inscribed in pencil along right side edge of text as a presentation example from Charles Sumner.