Hinton Rowan Helper: Abolitionist and Racist

Statistical fanatic, abolitionist, militant racist Hinton Rowan Helper–a statistical fanatic, abolitionist, militant racist, Republican propagandist, ardent patriot, international railway projector, and promoter of inter-American co-operation was a man of great paradox and tragedy. Born and reared a Southerner, he became a caustic and potent critic of slavery, who sought to liberate his people from its burdens. Unlike many of his Northern abolitionist friends, however, he loathed not only the Negro but most non-Anglo-Saxon peoples. It is shocking to read Helper’s violent pleas for abolition and to know of his contempt for the Negro.