Speaker or author: Beman, Amos Gerry, 1812-1874
Newspaper or publication: North Star
Brief speech expressing the speaker's outrage at the defeat of African American suffrage in Connecticut. The speaker blamed the defeat on Irish voters. (Includes MP3 audio file.)
Description of file(s): PDF 1 page, 228 word document (text and image)
Title: Colored American - June 10, 1837
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)
The editor comments on a story published in the Times about an African American man who was refused a seat on a public bus.
Description of file(s): one scanned, two columned, newspaper page
Title: Elevator - April 21, 1865
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Elevator (1865 - 18??)
The writer describes the funeral procession of Abraham Lincoln through the streets of San Francisco.
Description of file(s): one scanned, two columned, newspaper page
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Elevator (1865 - 18??)
The writer tells his readers a bit about the lawyer who is defending Jefferson Davis during his trial. He believes both Davis and his lawyer to be traitors.
Description of file(s): one scanned newspaper column
Title: Frederick Douglass' Paper - August 25, 1854
Speaker or author: Watkins, William J.
Newspaper or publication: Frederick Douglass' Paper (1851 - 18??)
The writer discusses the injustices of prejudice as it affects segregation in churches and schools. He stresses the distinction made in terms of skin color since an Irish immigrant is granted more consideration than an African American solely because of his skin color.
Description of file(s): three scanned newspaper pages (five columns)
Title: Frederick Douglass' Paper - June 30, 1854
Speaker or author: Watkins, William J.
Newspaper or publication: Frederick Douglass' Paper (1851 - 18??)
The writer briefly comments on the activities of some Irishmen who immigrate to the U.S. His negative remarks are mostly directed towards John Mitchell.
Description of file(s): one scanned, two columned, newspaper page
Speaker or author: Garnet, Henry Highland, 1815-1882
Newspaper or publication: Weekly Anglo-African (1859 - 1862)
Speech denouncing the words and political actions of Charles "Pat" O'Conor when speaking against emancipation of U.S. slaves. The speaker said that he would have assumed the Negro race would have had a friend in Charles "Pat" O'Conor since he was from Ireland. However, O'Conor had cautioned the U.S. government that freed slaves would turn against the white population.
Description of file(s): PDF 3 page, 586 word document (text and images)
Title: Impartial Citizen - November 28, 1849
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Impartial Citizen (1849 - 1851)
The writer offers examples to indicate his belief that African Americans are contributing to their own degradation.
Description of file(s): two scanned, two columned, newspaper pages
Speaker or author: Smith, James McCune, 1813-1865
Newspaper or publication: Weekly Anglo-African (1859 - 1862)
Speech denouncing the words and political actions of Charles O'Conor in his opposition of emancipation. The speaker noted that O'Conor had said that "...slavery is 'ordained by nature' and is 'an institution created by nature itself,' which 'carries with it duties for the black man and duties for the white, which duties cannot be performed except by the preservation and perpetuation of the system;' ..."
Description of file(s): PDF 3 page, 782 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Pennington, James W. C.
Newspaper or publication: National Principia
The speaker reviewed the history of mob action towards slaves and people of color in the U. S. since the 1600's. He then addressed the current mob attack of July, 1863, tracing the actions that culminated in violence. He stressed the influence of nationalism, colonization, education, politics, religion and race in the resulting riot. (This speech is combined here from two issues of the National Principal. Reference unpublished speech 27356.)
Description of file(s): PDF 20 page, 5,200 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Powers, Jeremiah
Newspaper or publication: Weekly Anglo-African (1859 - 1862)
Speech given in response to derogatory remarks made by Charles O'Conor regarding African Americans and slavery.
Description of file(s): PDF 5 page, 1,168 word document (text and images)
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)
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Pacific Appeal (1862 - 188?)
The writer expresses his views on why the government denies African Americans the "Right of Testimony."
Description of file(s): one scanned, two columned, newspaper page
Title: Pacific Appeal - November 15, 1862
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Pacific Appeal (1862 - 188?)
The writer offers an article published in another newspaper as an example of the way fear, hatred and prejudice are spreading through New York as the effective date of the Emancipation Proclamation draws near. The article relates stories of lustful crimes and violence already taking place that the city expects will increase with the official end of slavery.
Description of file(s): one scanned, two columned, newspaper page
Title: Pacific Appeal - September 12, 1863
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Pacific Appeal (1862 - 188?)
The writer urges his readers to conduct themselves as "good citizens" now that the election is over and the state government seems inclined towards freedom and progress. He doesn't recommend at this point agitating for voting rights. He suggests proving the prejudicial pro-slavery factions wrong by demonstrating a strong moral character and a desire for social harmony.
Description of file(s): one scanned newspaper column
Title: Palladium of Liberty - August 28, 1844
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Palladium of Liberty (1843 - 1844)
The writer tells his readers about a store that is refusing service to African American customers when white customers are there. He advises his readers to avoid shopping at stores that mistreat them. Since African Americans offer income to these establishments, the loss of their business will call attention to this problem.
Description of file(s): one scanned newspaper column
Title: Palladium of Liberty - May 22, 1844
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Palladium of Liberty (1843 - 1844)
The writer comments on the opinions of John C. Calhoun and Daniel O'Connell on the subjects of freedom and liberty for both the Irish and the American slaves.
Description of file(s): one scanned newspaper column
Title: Palladium of Liberty - May 22, 1844
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Palladium of Liberty (1843 - 1844)
The writer provides a brief commentary on the various political parties involved in this year's presidential election.
Description of file(s): one scanned newspaper column
Title: Provincial Freeman - June 18, 1859
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Provincial Freeman (1853 - 1859)
The writer discusses the recent judgment in the case of three men accused of murder in Brantford. He discusses the current debate about separating the races in prisons. He emphasizes how race plays a big part in way criminals are punished.
Description of file(s): two scanned, two columned, newspaper pages
Title: Provincial Freeman - March 24, 1853
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Provincial Freeman (1853 - 1859)
The writer points to the cultural divisions in other countries based on religion and region and compares these with the racial divisions in the U.S. He notes that union within a society is important, but not at the expense of individual moral principles.
Description of file(s): one scanned newspaper column
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Provincial Freeman (1853 - 1859)
The writer notes the increase in immigration to Canada from all nationalities previously living in the U.S. He tells his readers that all are welcome in Canada provided they are ready to loyal and tolerant.
Description of file(s): one scanned newspaper column
Title: Provincial Freeman - November 17, 1855
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Provincial Freeman (1853 - 1859)
The writer expresses his thoughts on amalgamation. He believes that once society accepts amalgamation as a natural part of humanity there will be peace and harmony in the world.
Description of file(s): one scanned, two columned, newspaper page
Speaker or author: Ward, Samuel Ringgold, b. 1817
Newspaper or publication: British Banner
Brief speech delivered while seconding a resolution for continued missionary efforts in Ireland.
Description of file(s): PDF 2 page, 350 word document (text and images)
Title: Thomas Cordoza
Newspaper or publication: Weekly Anglo-African (1859 - 1862)
Lively and interesting debate regarding the question "Which has sustained the most injustice at the hands of the American people, the American Indian or the Anglo-African?"
Description of file(s): PDF 5 page, 1,099 word document (text and images)
Title: Voice of the Fugitive - January 15, 1852
Speaker or author: G.
Newspaper or publication: Voice of the Fugitive (1851 - 1852)
The writer responds to an article published in another newspaper urging people of African (and Irish) descent to buy land now in Canada, and settle in a country that's less hostile to them than the U.S.
Description of file(s): two scanned newspaper pages (three columns)