Back to Top
Top Nav content Site Footer
University Home

Archive Research Center

Black Abolitionist Archive
Search for
Subtitle: Political Power and Strength the Legitimate Fruit of a Thorough Knowledge of Ourselves.

Title: Anglo-African - September 3, 1865

Speaker or author: Hamilton, Robert

Newspaper or publication: Anglo-African (1863 - 1865)

Letter to the editor stressing the importance of education to African Americans. Elevation involves political advancement, influence and power, and this is not possible for those without education.

Description of file(s): one scanned, two columned, newspaper page

Title: Charles Lenox Remond

Speaker or author: Purvis, Robert, 1810-1898

Newspaper or publication: National Anti-Slavery Standard

Speech welcoming the return of Parker Pillsbury from his two year trip abroad. The speaker stressed his agreement with Mr. Pillsbury that slaveholders should not be permitted to join the Union (of northern states).

Description of file(s): PDF 2 page, 668 word document (text and images)

Subtitle: Rev. J. P. Campbell, Editor. Thursday, August 17, 1854. Notice to Subscribers.

Title: Christian Recorder - August 17, 1854

Speaker or author: Campbell, Rev. J. P.

Newspaper or publication: Christian Recorder (1852 - 1856)

The editor asks those of his readers who have paid their subscriptions to please send him their names and addresses so that their newspapers can be delivered to them.

Description of file(s): one scanned newspaper column

Subtitle: A Lesson for Young Men.

Title: Colored American - August 4, 1838

Speaker or author: Sears, Robert

Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)

The writer comments on a report regarding the trial of a young man accused of embezzlement. He cautions the young men among his readers to focus on character and ethics in their working lives.

Description of file(s): one scanned, two columned, newspaper page

Subtitle: The Church Must Awake!

Title: Colored American - December 2, 1837

Speaker or author: Sears, Robert

Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)

The writer hopes that the recent murder of a newspaper owner in Illinois will cause the Church to change its position and begin to preach against slavery. By its silence (and even its own slave ownership in some cases), the Church conveyes a message of acceptance of slavery to its congregations. The writer emphasizes the power of the Church to sway public opinion and he hopes this event will stir ministers to action that will put an end to slavery and prejudice.

Description of file(s): one scanned, two columned, newspaper page

Subtitle: On Debating Institutions.

Title: Colored American - July 8, 1837

Speaker or author: Sears, Robert

Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)

The writer stresses the importance of education. The pursuit of knowledge is not only economically beneficial, but also pleasurable.

Description of file(s): one scanned, two columned, newspaper page

Subtitle: Both Sides of the Question.

Title: Colored American - May 27, 1837

Speaker or author: Sears, Robert

Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)

The writer shares a conversation he had with an advocate of colonization who justified his belief that colonization was the only solution to the "problem" of slavery. The Colonizationist believed the Abolitionists were disturbing the "happy union" with their efforts, and that colonization posed to the only hope for the peace and happiness of all concerned.

Description of file(s): one scanned, two columned, newspaper page

Subtitle: A True Picture.

Title: Colored American - May 27, 1837

Speaker or author: Sears, Robert

Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)

Brief anecdote designed to persuade the reader to refrain from drinking alcohol.

Description of file(s): one scanned, one columned, newspaper page

Subtitle: The Theatre.

Title: Colored American - October 28, 1837

Speaker or author: Sears, Robert

Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)

The writer notices that young people are attending plays at a local theater. He consideres this an unhealthy practice and quotes several Greek philosophers who agreed with his point of view.

Description of file(s): one scanned, one columned, newspaper page

Title: Jabez Pitt Campbell

Speaker or author: Campbell, Jabez Pitt (1854-1858)

Newspaper or publication: Christian Recorder (1852 - 1856)

Overview of speech tracing the causes of the Civil War and the continuing opportunity for error, injustice, and restricted freedom. The speaker emphasized the role of political action in encouraging the events that led to the Civil War.

Description of file(s): PDF 9 page, 2,254 word document (text and images)

Title: John Sella Martin

Speaker or author: Martin, J. Sella (John Sella), b. 1832

Newspaper or publication: Presscopy -- John Rylands Library -- Manchester, England

Speech given on the anniversary of the execution of John Brown. The speaker related his experience with John Brown, and praised him as a martyr for the abolition of slavery. He also praised other abolitionists and stressed that the incident at Harper's Ferry was the spark that fueled the current fight to completely end slavery.

Description of file(s): PDF 7 page, 2,698 word document (text and images)

Title: John Sella Martin

Speaker or author: Martin, J. Sella (John Sella), b. 1832

Newspaper or publication: Liberator

The speaker appealed to the people of Great Britain for their support in the fight for emancipation in the U.S. He explained a bit of what was happening in the U.S. regarding the war, and focused on the issue of slavery and the strides being made by the anti-slavery movements there.

Description of file(s): PDF 14 page, 4,006 word document (text and images)

Title: John Sella Martin

Speaker or author: Martin, J. Sella (John Sella), b. 1832

Newspaper or publication: Liberator

Speech delivered before an English audience recognizing the efforts of the National Anti-Slavery League and its members in the fight for universal abolition of slavery.

Description of file(s): PDF 4 page, 949 word document (text and images)

Title: John Sella Martin

Speaker or author: Martin, J. Sella (John Sella), b. 1832

Newspaper or publication: Anti-Slavery Advocate

Brief speech praising the work of William Lloyd Garrison, Wendell Phillips, and John Brown. The speaker said that just because there is no news of discontent from the slaves in the South does not mean that they are happy with their situation.

Description of file(s): PDF 1 page, 134 word document (text and image)

Title: John Sella Martin

Speaker or author: Martin, J. Sella (John Sella), b. 1832

Newspaper or publication: Liberator

Sermon delivered during a celebration of the anniversary of the emancipation of the British West Indies. The speaker emphasized the error in moral judgment made by a country that condoned laws like the Fugitive Slave Law. He compared the plight of the slaves in the U.S. with that of slaves in ancient Egypt. He noted that the poor whites were not treated any better than the slaves were regardless of their skin color. The war for freedom was, to the speaker, a holy war for human liberty.

Description of file(s): PDF 15 page, 4,523 word document (text and images)

Title: John Sella Martin

Speaker or author: Martin, J. Sella (John Sella), b. 1832

Newspaper or publication: National Anti-Slavery Standard

The speaker put forward his assessment of how the situation in the U. S. is currently viewed in England. He noted that opinion differs by class and political affiliation with some siding with the Union and some with the Confederacy. He gave examples and detailed his reasoning when reaching these conclusions.

Description of file(s): PDF 3 page, 628 word document (text and images)

Title: John Sella Martin

Speaker or author: Martin, J. Sella (John Sella), b. 1832

Newspaper or publication: National Anti-Slavery Standard

Brief overview of a speech delivered before an English audience and addressing the criticism by the British of the Civil War. The speaker emphasized that slavery was worse than war and therefore freedom was worth fighting for.

Description of file(s): PDF 1 page, 212 word document (text and image)

Title: John Sella Martin

Speaker or author: Martin, J. Sella (John Sella), b. 1832

Newspaper or publication: National Anti-Slavery Standard

The speaker noted that prejudice was related more to an association of race with slavery than to slavery itself. While slavery had included all races in its long history, it was the particular racial aspect of slavery in the U. S. that distinguished it and set it on the road to its doom. The speaker also addressed the causes for the abolition of slavery in England and the influence of the press in this action.

Description of file(s): PDF 4 page, 927 word document (text and images)

Title: John Sella Martin

Speaker or author: Martin, J. Sella (John Sella), b. 1832

Newspaper or publication: Frederick Douglass' Monthly

Speech delivered before an English audience explaining in general terms the causes and possible outcome of the Civil War. The speaker placed emphasis on the injustice of laws like the Fugitive Slave Law that were being passed in the U.S. just before the war began.

Description of file(s): PDF 6 page, 1,285 word document (text and images)

Title: John Sella Martin

Speaker or author: Martin, J. Sella (John Sella), b. 1832

Newspaper or publication: Non Conformist

Speech addressing those who criticized immediate emancipation. The speaker also addressed the belief that the slave was content in his bondage.

Description of file(s): PDF 3 page, 890 word document (text and images)

Title: John Sella Martin

Speaker or author: Martin, J. Sella (John Sella), b. 1832

Newspaper or publication: Non Conformist

An appeal to the American people on behalf of the newly freed slaves for assistance in adapting to their new condition. Almost immediately after the Emancipation Proclamation the prejudice already prevalent in the country became more pronounced and intense. The speaker called for reason and compassion.

Description of file(s): PDF 3 page, 804 word document (text and images)

Title: John Sella Martin

Speaker or author: Martin, J. Sella (John Sella), b. 1832

Newspaper or publication: Weekly Anglo-African (1859 - 1862)

Overview of speech given in response to the execution of John Brown. The speaker compares John Brown's life to the lives of John the Baptist and Jesus.

Description of file(s): PDF 3 page, 517 word document (text and images)

Title: John Sella Martin

Speaker or author: Martin, J. Sella (John Sella), b. 1832

Newspaper or publication: Liberator

Brief speech in which the speaker defended the African civilization project. He believed that immigrating to Africa, growing cotton there, then selling cotton to England was one of the best way to end slavery in the U.S.

Description of file(s): PDF 1 page, 191 word document (text and image)

Title: John Sella Martin

Speaker or author: Martin, J. Sella (John Sella), b. 1832

Newspaper or publication: Weekly Anglo-African (1859 - 1862)

While introducing Henry Highland Garnet, the speaker said he supported the African Civilization Society's efforts in Africa. He praised Mr. Garnet's work towards freedom and dedication to the cause of abolition.

Description of file(s): PDF 6 page, 1,273 word document (text and images)

Title: John Sella Martin

Speaker or author: Martin, J. Sella (John Sella), b. 1832

Newspaper or publication: Presscopy -- Rhodes House -- MSS British Empire -- G88, Freedman's Aid Society -- Oxford, England

Overview of a speech addressing the pro-slavery argument that the slave is content in his/her situation. This argument includes the idea that the slave has no right to his contentment if it interfers with another person's freedom. The speaker also eloquently addressed the argument of the inferiority of the black race.

Description of file(s): PDF 3 page, 968 word document (text and images)

Back to Top