Speaker or author: Reason, Charles Lewis, 1818-1893
Newspaper or publication: Pennsylvania Freeman
Speech dedicating a library for the Institute for Colored Youth stressing the benefits of education to the elevation of the race.
Description of file(s): PDF 13 page, 3,096 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Remond, Charles Lenox, 1810-1873
Newspaper or publication: Pennsylvania Freeman
Brief speech regarding the question of which political party will succeed in abolishing slavery.
Description of file(s): PDF 1 page, 221 word document (text and image)
Speaker or author: Purvis, Robert, 1810-1898
Newspaper or publication: Pennsylvania Freeman
Brief speech expressing opposition to the Fugitive Slave Bill and the governmental "compromises" that were being suggested to avoid complete abolition of slavery.
Description of file(s): PDF 1 page, 271 word document (text and image)
Speaker or author: Purvis, Robert, 1810-1898
Newspaper or publication: Pennsylvania Freeman
The speaker described the injustices suffered by the nominally free black citizens along with the fugitive slaves in a society that continues to stress slavery over justice and humanity. He noted the irony in the fact that the free black citizen must pay school taxes even though he is not allowed to send his children to the school where his tax money is spent.
Description of file(s): PDF 2 page, 419 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Ward, Samuel Ringgold, b. 1817
Newspaper or publication: Pennsylvania Freeman
Detailed account of the history of the Negro race including historical and current accomplishments. The speaker quoted sources who trace humanity itself to origins in Africa, and he stresses the ability of African Americans to accomplish more than they are given credit for.
Description of file(s): PDF 16 page, 3,903 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Ward, Samuel Ringgold, b. 1817
Newspaper or publication: Pennsylvania Freeman
Speech responding to a claim made by Captain Isaiah Rynders that he could prove the Negro race had descended from monkeys. Captain Rynders and a man referred to as Dr. Grant were attempting to convince others of the racial inferiority of the Negro race.
Description of file(s): PDF 2 page, 531 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Pembroke, Stephen
Newspaper or publication: Pennsylvania Freeman
Anecdotal speech regarding one man's experience with slavery and subsequent escape. (Stephen Pembroke is the brother of Rev. J. W. C. Pennington, a well-known black abolitionist and speaker.)
Description of file(s): PDF 3 page, 675 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Brown, William Wells, 1814?-1884
Newspaper or publication: Pennsylvania Freeman
Brief speech in which the speaker noted that although he felt an increase in public support for the abolition of slavery, his experience since childhood had been one of constant contempt from the white population because of his race. (Includes MP3 audio file.)
Description of file(s): PDF 2 page, 314 word document (text and images)