LIBERTY PARTY

LIBERTY PARTY A minor political party organized in 1840, the Liberty Party was the political extension of Lewis Tappan's American and Foreign Anti-Slavery Society. As such, it was distinctly an abolitionist party dedicated to the elimination of African American slavery in the United States. In the national presidential election of 1840, the Liberty Party polled only 7,000 votes for its candidate, James Birney. Four years later, Birney ran again for the presidency, this time polling 60,000 votes. The Liberty Party was ultimately incorporated into the Free-Soil movement in 1848. See also: FREE-SOIL PARTY.