although henry stanton had cooperated in the tappans' failed attempt to wrest leadership of the aas from garrison, he was part of another group of abolitionists unhappy with garrison's influence — those who disagreed with garrison's insistence that because the u.s. constitution was a pro-slavery document, abolitionists should not participate in politics and government. a growing number of abolitionists, including stanton, gerrit smith, charles turner torrey, and amos a. phelps, wanted to form an anti-slavery political party and seek a political solution to slavery. they withdrew from the aas in 1840, formed the liberty party, and nominated james g. birney for president. by the end of 1840, garrison announced the formation of a third new organization, the friends of universal reform, with sponsors and founding members including prominent reformers maria chapman, abby kelley foster, oliver johnson, and amos bronson alcott (father of louisa may alcott).