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Black Abolitionist Archive
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Title: Anonymous

Speaker or author: Anonymous

Newspaper or publication: Liberator

An anonymous address regarding objections to the goals of the Colonization Society, with an emphasis on the negative impact of moving people from their native country.

Description of file(s): PDF 7 page, 2,025 word document (text and images)

Title: Charles Tasco

Speaker or author: Tasco, Charles

Newspaper or publication: Liberator

Brief speech given to encourage African Americans to fight for their country.

Description of file(s): PDF 1 page, 130 word document (text and image)

Title: Ebenezer D. Bassett

Speaker or author: Bassett, Ebenezer D., 1833-1908

Newspaper or publication: Pacific Appeal

Brief speech denouncing the goals of the colonization of Africa by the U.S. government. (Includes MP3 audio file)

Description of file(s): PDF 1 page, 167 word document (text and image)

Title: Ezra R. Johnson

Speaker or author: Johnson, Ezra R.

Newspaper or publication: Pacific Appeal

Speech encouraging patience in the fight for emancipation and emphasizing the speaker's belief that it wouldn't be long before President Lincoln would abolish slavery nationwide.

Description of file(s): PDF 6 page, 1,200 word document (text and images)

Title: H. Ford Douglass

Speaker or author: Douglass, H. Ford

Newspaper or publication: Anti-Slavery Bugle

In this election year, the speaker encouraged continued vigilance in the fight for abolition of slavery. The speaker stressed where each party and each presidential candidate stood on the issue of slavery.

Description of file(s): PDF 12 page, 3,422 word document (text and images)

Title: H. Ford Douglass

Speaker or author: Douglass, H. Ford

Newspaper or publication: Liberator

Speaking in favor of the Stephen A. Douglas candidacy, the speaker emphasized the pro-slavery position of Abraham Lincoln. He noted that even though the Republican party (to which Lincoln belong) was considered the "anti-slavery party," Lincolns actions showed a different perspective. He noted that Lincoln supported the Fugitive Slave Law and expressed that Lincoln was pro-slavery.

Description of file(s): PDF 23 page, 6,716 word document (text and images)

Title: Henry Highland Garnet

Speaker or author: Garnet, Henry Highland, 1815-1882

Newspaper or publication: Liberator

Overview of speech delivered in celebration of the emancipation of Maryland. The speaker encouraged his audience to speak well of Union soldiers and President Lincoln.

Description of file(s): PDF 3 page, 642 word document (text and images)

Title: Henry Highland Garnet

Speaker or author: Garnet, Henry Highland, 1815-1882

Newspaper or publication: Liberator

The speaker read the Emancipation Proclamation aloud to a cheering audience and urged African Americans to join the Union army in the Civil War's continued fighting.

Description of file(s): PDF 3 page, 830 word document (text and images)

Title: Henry Highland Garnet

Speaker or author: Garnet, Henry Highland, 1815-1882

Newspaper or publication: Pacific Appeal

Overview of speech given before a large audience in celebration of the end of slavery in Washington, DC. The speaker was hopeful that this was just the beginning of the end of slavery for the entire U.S.

Description of file(s): PDF 2 page, 270 word document (text and images)

Title: Henry Highland Garnet

Speaker or author: Garnet, Henry Highland, 1815-1882

Newspaper or publication: Christian Recorder (1852 - 1856)

Brief overview of speech given to eulogize Abraham Lincoln and collect money to benefit the church.

Description of file(s): PDF 1 page, 274 word document (text and image)

Title: J. B. Sanderson

Speaker or author: Sanderson, J. B., d. 1875

Newspaper or publication: Pacific Appeal

Enthusiastic speech offered in celebration of the Emancipation Proclamation. The speaker praised Abraham Lincoln and compared him to St. Peter.

Description of file(s): PDF 7 page, 1,425 word document (text and images)

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: James W. C. Pennington

Speaker or author: Pennington, James W. C.

Newspaper or publication: Montreal Witness

Overview of speech addressing the question of what to do with the slaves if they are freed. The speaker offered statistical information on the slave population in the U. S. and the concentration of slaves in various states.

Description of file(s): PDF 4 page, 1,074 word document (text and images)

Title: John B. Smith

Speaker or author: Smith, J. B. (John B.), Rev., fl. 1852-1863

Newspaper or publication: Liberator

The speaker emphasized the desire for equal rights for the newly freed slaves. While he admitted to being surprised by the Emancipation Proclamation, he believed it was God's Will and that justice had finally prevailed. He denounced those who agreed with the Crittenden Compromise, and emphasized that the war was not caused by the abolitionists.

Description of file(s): PDF 1 page, 319 word document (text and image)

Title: John G. Wilson

Speaker or author: Wilson, John G.

Newspaper or publication: Pacific Appeal

Patriotic speech regarding the bravery and heroism of black Union soldiers. The speaker noted that while he realized the Emancipation Proclamation was of military necessity, he praised Abraham Lincoln for seeing the right action in it. He felt as if it was well earned by the blood and courage of those who had fought and died for freedom.

Description of file(s): PDF 11 page, 2,339 word document (text and images)

Title: John Mercer Langston

Speaker or author: Langston, John Mercer, 1829-1897.

Newspaper or publication: Nashville Times and True Union

Speech delivered before a mixed race audience in the House of Representatives. The speaker stressed his hope for a brighter future for the former slaves. He spoke of the injustice suffered by slaves over the years since slavery was first established in the U.S. He paid special attention to the contributions and sacrifices that African Americans had made to the country, and his hope for future racial harmony.

Description of file(s): PDF 9 page, 2,243 word document (text and images)

Title: John Mercer Langston

Speaker or author: Langston, John Mercer, 1829-1897.

Newspaper or publication: Liberator

The speaker emphasized that the law in South Carolina that authorized "the sale of any Negro or Mulatto found in the state more than 12 days" was being used to sell white people more than fugitive slaves. He noted that any man could be called a mulatto and sold under this law. He urged reform and called for the white public to get involved for their own sake.

Description of file(s): PDF 5 page, 1,378 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: Patriot

Speech delivered before an English audience regarding the effects of the Civil War on the English economy. The speaker emphasized that slavery was "perpetual war, and was more cruel and immoral than any." He apologized to the British people for the disruption in cotton importation from the U.S. due to the fighting.

Description of file(s): PDF 3 page, 651 word document (text and images)

Title: John Sweat Rock

Speaker or author: Rock, John S. (John Sweat), 1825-1866

Newspaper or publication: Liberator

Brief speech addressing the fears expressed within the country regarding the emancipation of the slaves. The speaker emphasized that the fear of amalgamation is groundless since it presupposes an "uncommon attraction on the part of the blacks" to the white race and this was not the case. He encouraged his audience to have faith and trust the path to freedom that lay before them.

Description of file(s): PDF 2 page, 336 word document (text and images)

Title: John Sweat Rock

Speaker or author: Rock, John S. (John Sweat), 1825-1866

Newspaper or publication: Liberator

Speech regarding the influence the question of abolition has on decisions being made within the government during the Civil War. The speaker expressed his views about the war and its possible outcome.

Description of file(s): PDF 17 page, 5,123 word document (text and images)

Title: John Sweat Rock

Speaker or author: Rock, John S. (John Sweat), 1825-1866

Newspaper or publication: Liberator

The speaker emphasized the economic impact of emancipation on a country that had become rich on the backs of its slaves. He spoke about the continued war and the battle that lay ahead for those who were now free. He encouraged patriotism among newly freed slaves and stressed that they were now fighting for their own country and their own freedom. He also addressed the issues of prejudice and fears of amalgamation.

Description of file(s): PDF 14 page, 4,083 word document (text and images)

Title: John Sweat Rock

Speaker or author: Rock, John S. (John Sweat), 1825-1866

Newspaper or publication: Liberator

Speech given to celebrate the Emancipation Proclamation. The speaker rejoiced and offered thanks to all those who had sacrificed so much for this day.

Description of file(s): PDF 3 page, 790 word document (text and images)

Title: Octavius V. Catto

Speaker or author: Catto, Octavius V.

Newspaper or publication: Presscopy -- Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College -- Pamphlets

Lengthy speech on the importance of education and its effects on the political and moral aspects of society. The speaker stressed the historical progress of education in Europe and the U.S. He also emphasized the positive influence the Society of Friends has had on its availability to all U.S. citizens.

Description of file(s): PDF 12 page, 3,073 word document (text and images)

Title: Robert Purvis

Speaker or author: Purvis, Robert, 1810-1898

Newspaper or publication: Presscopy -- New York Public Library -- Schomburg Collection

The speaker rejoiced in the recent emancipation of the slaves but stressed that the battle for improving the condition of the formerly enslaved and ending the prevelent prejudice would offer the Abolitionists continued work.

Description of file(s): PDF 6 page, 2,058 word document (text and images)

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