Through the Eyes of the Abolitionists: Free Association and Anti-Slavery Expression

When the rights of a private association conflict with the rights of an individual, which have priority? A series of twentieth century free association cases from the Supreme Court of the United States have focused on this issue, but the historical roots trace back as early as the mid-nineteenth century. This historical case study explores the concept of free association in the context of the American abolitionist movement. Specifically, it focuses on abolitionist leader Charles Osborn, whose struggle with the Society of Friends provides one example of how a private threat to expressive association played out prior to the Civil War. Osborn's case sheds light on the historical roots of the tension between individual and organizational expression in the private realm. It also adds a richness of detail to our broad social and political understanding of the right of association, and suggests that this area may be ripe for further historical inquiry.