The Free Soil Party Comes to Town

Nancy Kendall's description of Mr. McDonald's visit.

" ... a man by the name of MC Donald Came Round. Soliciting Subscribers to his Paper Annouced he would Lecture on Freesoilism and some of the Citizens Said if he did they would Egg him. He came on they were there with their basked of Eggs 4 or 5 of them it was Warm Weather. Stoped with Prairy Team. Stoped in front of the door with their Whips in their hand ..."  - from the Journal of Nancy Kendall*

The Free-Soil Party was a short-lived but influential political party in the pre-Civil War era. The Party opposed extending slavery to the quickly growing western American territories. The party slogan called for "free soil, free speech, free labor and free men."

The news of Mr. McDonald's visit caused considerable consternation among Nancy Kendall's neighbors. With whips and eggs in hand, Mr. McDonald's visit could have led to violence. But, as Nancy continues her story, an interesting dynamic occurred. 

Mr. McDonald arrived at the crowded meeting house and, instead of going inside, he stayed in the doorway so those inside and outside could hear his words. In Nancy's words, "he talked about an hour ther were no Eggs thrown no disturbance of any kind."*

The Free-Soil Party held a state convention in Washington, Iowa, as well. Hoping for a modest turnout, attendance reached far beyond expectations. Nancy cooked "dinner and supper" for 17 people.  Mr. McDonald gave a presentation and many in attendance subscribed to his newspaper.

Description of the Free Soil Party Convention

The head of the Free-Soil Party was Henry Stanton, husband of the suffragette, Susan Cady Stanton. Other well-known abolitionists active in the Free-Soil party included Frederick Douglas, the Beecher family, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Walt Whitman and John Greenleaf Whittier. The Free-Soil Party enjoyed brief revivals in 2014 and gained attention again in 2019. ​

A Free Soil Party Banner from 1848

*Transcribed from Nancy Kendall's journal with original spellings and punctuation.