Here he was in accord with Northern abolitionists.

If such literature as Helper's volume should find its way into the South, it would be no longer possible to palm off upon the unthinking public the patent falsehood that abolitionists of the North were attempting to impose by force a change in Southern institutions.

All that Southern abolitionists ever asked was the privilege of remaining at home in their own South in the full exercise of their constitutional rights.
Southern leaders were undoubtedly aware of the concurrent publications of travelers and newspaper reporters, of which Olmsted's books were conspicuous examples.

Olmsted and Helper were both sources of proof that slavery was bringing the South to financial ruin.

The facts were getting hold of the minds of the Southern people.