Speaker or author: Francis, Abner H.
Newspaper or publication: North Star
Eulogy for John Quincy Adams stressing the high points and low points of his career. The speaker compared the state of the country to the Roman Empire in its last days.
Description of file(s): PDF 19 page, 4,143 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Remond, Charles Lenox, 1810-1873
Newspaper or publication: Liberator
The speaker noted that Washington, Madison, and Jefferson were all slave holders. He objected to the previous speaker's distinction between pro-slavery men and anti-slavery men since some politically anti-slavery men had been themselves slaveholders.
Description of file(s): PDF 1 page, 175 word document (text and image)
Speaker or author: Remond, Charles Lenox, 1810-1873
Newspaper or publication: National Anti-Slavery Standard
The speaker said that prejudice in New York was just as prevelant as it always had been, that no number of resolutions created in any convention could change this. The speaker called for true reform of the current political system in place in free states with regard to prejudice based on color.
Description of file(s): PDF 2 page, 526 word document (text and images)
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Title: Colored American - August 5, 1837
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)
The writer explains the events surrounding the celebration of the anniversary of the emancipation of the British West Indies that is celebrated on August 1st. The celebration this year included signing petitions to bring about the immediate emancipation of Washington, DC.
Description of file(s): one scanned, two columned, newspaper page
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Title: Colored American - November 20, 1841
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)
The editor tells his readers that while President Tyler does hold two slaves, he has a staff of African American servants who are paid an annual salary for their work. This is the first president to hire an African American as his head butler.
Description of file(s): one scanned newspaper column
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Title: Colored American - November 25, 1837
Speaker or author: Cornish, Samuel E. (Samuel Eli), 1795?-1858
Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)
The writer relates a story of a black British sailor who is arrested in Washington, DC on suspicion that he is a fugitive slave. The law required that a white man step forward to validate his claim that he is a free man or the sailor would be sold into slavery to pay the expense of his arrest.
Description of file(s): one scanned, two columned, newspaper page
Speaker or author: Nickens, David, ca. 1794-1838
Newspaper or publication: Liberator
An address delivered on July 5th, 1832 regarding "cultivating a friendly union among ourselves as oppressed people." A processional march to Walnut St., a four mile canal boat ride (with approximately 100 persons)on the Govenor Washington canal boat, and a church picnic followed.
Description of file(s): PDF 5 page, 1,283 word document (text and images)
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Title: Frederick Douglass' Paper - August 25, 1854
Speaker or author: Watkins, William J.
Newspaper or publication: Frederick Douglass' Paper (1851 - 18??)
The writer asks the rhetorical question "Is color a constitutional disqualifier?" after relating the story of a fugitive slave being refused a passport while in a foreign country since he was black. The official of that country told him that since he was black he couldn't be considered a citizen of the U.S. He addresses the issue of citizenship in the U.S. and how this seems determined by race.
Description of file(s): one scanned, two columned, newspaper page
Speaker or author: Garnet, Henry Highland, 1815-1882
Newspaper or publication: Liberator
The speaker rejoiced that slavery was at that point no longer national but "sectional" since it had just been abolished in Washington, DC. He also noted that a recent bill had passed prohibiting slavery in the Territories of the U. S.
Description of file(s): PDF 1 page, 298 word document (text and image)
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)
Speaker or author: Garnet, Henry Highland, 1815-1882
Newspaper or publication: Morgan State University Library -- Pamphlet Collection
Speech given before the House of Representatives denouncing slavery as an inhumane system in a country founded on freedom. The speaker related his own experiences with slavery and the injustices he had witnessed growing up as a slave. Now that slavery had ended, he asked that the government approach the recovery of the Union with an eye towards racial harmony.
Description of file(s): PDF 20 page, 5,472 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Pennington, James W. C.
Newspaper or publication: Frederick Douglass' Paper
Overview of speech regarding the contributions of black Americans during the previous wars with England. The speaker said that they were told that England had made them slaves and to win the fight against England would be to win their right to freedom.
Description of file(s): PDF 2 page, 413 word document (text and images)
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)
Speaker or author: Moore, John Jamison, 1818-1893.
Newspaper or publication: Pacific Appeal
Speech delivered in celebration of the emancipation of Washington, DC. The speech also commemorated the anniversary of the emancipation of the British West Indies. The speaker stressed the challenges that lay ahead for the country regarding the changes from a slave driven economy to a free wage economy. He traced the history of the abolitionist movement and emphasized his belief in the realization of total U. S. emancipation. (Speech 25858 is combined with this speech and included at the end of speech 25830.)
Description of file(s): PDF 13 page, 2,832 word document (text and images)
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)
Speaker or author: Hayden, Lewis, 1815-1889
Newspaper or publication: Boston Athenaeum -- Pamphlet Collection
Lengthy speech regarding the status of freed African Americans within the order of Freemasonry. The speaker stressed concern over growing racial prejudice within the order. He was also concerned that President Andrew Johnson was not doing anything to combat the increasing racial prejudice within the U.S. The speaker paid special attention to the wording of the Freemason doctrine regarding membership. He also gave a brief history of the order, including its goals, moral obligations and social commitment. This speech contains valuable information regarding the influence of Freemasonry in the founding of the U. S.
Description of file(s): PDF 56 page, 17,480 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Delany, Martin Robison, 1812-1885
Newspaper or publication: Provincial Freeman
Lengthy speech detailing the various ways states were dealing with racial issues. The speaker also touched on issues of colonization and amelioration.
Description of file(s): PDF 19 pages, 4,424 word document (text and images)
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Title: Pacific Appeal - April 19, 1862
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Pacific Appeal (1862 - 188?)
The writer offers further commentary on the abolition of slavery in Washington, D.C. He tells his readers that this news is totally unexpected, yet opens the way for total emancipation for the entire country.
Description of file(s): one scanned, two columned, newspaper page
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Title: Pacific Appeal - August 16, 1862
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Pacific Appeal (1862 - 188?)
The writer hopes that the new legislature of the California state government will see the justice and reason of providing African Americans with the Right of Testimony.
Description of file(s): one scanned newspaper column
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Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Pacific Appeal (1862 - 188?)
The writer describes the current military action by the Union in the southern states that is leading towards emancipation of the slaves. He tells his readers that General Hunter is now organizing African American troops.
Description of file(s): one scanned, two columned, newspaper page
Speaker or author: Brown, Paola
Newspaper or publication: Presscopy -- Toronto Public Library -- Toronto, Canada
Lengthy sermon describing the history of slavery, its continued cruelties, and the influence of the Church in keeping the system in place in the U.S. The speaker emphasized the relationship between Egyptian slaves and those in the U.S., as well as the response of various European countries to the institution of slavery. Included is a denouncement of the Fugitive Slave Bill.
Description of file(s): PDF 73 page, 23,292 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Purvis, Robert, 1810-1898
Newspaper or publication: National Anti-Slavery Standard
The speaker rejoiced in the recent emancipation of the slaves but stressed that the battle for improving the condition of the formerly enslaved and the prevalent prejudice would offer the Abolitionists continued work.
Description of file(s): PDF 7 page, 2,084 word document (text and images)
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)
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: Hubbard, T. H.
Newspaper or publication: Pacific Appeal
Speech given in celebration of the anniversary of the emancipation of the British West Indies, and the recent emancipation of Washington, DC. The speaker emphasized that the time had come to completely end slavery forever.
Description of file(s): PDF 9 page, 1,968 word document (text and images)