The Underground Railroad ? Lancaster

The Underground railroad derives its name in part from Lancaster County.  According to historian Robert C.Smealy,  fugitive slaves were hunted and eventually lost track of around Columbia, Lancaster County. In their bewilderment they stated that there must be an ìunderground railroadî somewhere. The organized Underground Railroad flourished between 1830 and 1861(NPS 1).

Although there were not many physical places used in the city of Lancaster many people were involved. The Quaker community has long had the reputation of being very active in the underground railroad, but studies show that only a small minority of them were active in the works of the railroad (Blockson 229). Some Radical Republicans in Congress were a big part in the abolitionist movement. Thaddeus Stevens was one of them, he aided fugitives with legal aspects in their fight for freedom. Stevens refused to seat southern representatives, and aided in passing Reconstruction acts (Encyclopedia). Stevens sincerely wanted a better life for the African Americans, but at the same time he wanted the Republican Party to remain in power. He proposed the fourteenth amendment, guarenteeing civil rights for the African Americans. As President Andrew Johnson continued to veto acts proposed for the betterment of life for African Americans, Stevens lead the proposal to have him impeached. Congress did impeach Johnson, he was not convicted but his program was abandoned.