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Title: Alfred M. Green

Speaker or author: Green, Alfred M.

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

Overview of a rousing speech denouncing laws against freedom that were being enacted across the country. The speaker pays particular attention to encouraging the repeal of the Personal Liberty Law.

Description of file(s): PDF 2 page, 382 word document (text and images)

Subtitle: Right of Suffrage.

Title: Colored American - July 15, 1837

Speaker or author: editor

Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)

The writer reminds his readers of the importance of the right of suffrage for all Americans. He urges all African Americans to petition the government regarding suffrage legislation and voting rights.

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

Subtitle: Connecticut Coming Round.

Title: Colored American - June 16, 1838

Speaker or author: editor

Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)

The writer tells his readers about recent decisions made in the Connecticut courts that indicate a less prejudiced attitude towards African Americans.

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

Subtitle: Cant' Take Care of Themselves.

Title: Colored American - March 15, 1838

Speaker or author: editor

Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)

The writer explains to his readers that those opposed to emancipation are often under the assumption that the freed slaves will not be able to care for themselves and will become a burden on society. He includes in this editorial a petition presented before the Ohio legislature from the African American community expressing in logical terms that a focus on education and ending prejudice is the key that will allow for a successful emancipation effort. But limited opportunities and rampant prejudice work against them. They ask only for an opportunity to prove their own worth to society.

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

Subtitle: Emigration of Colored People to Canada.

Title: Colored American - November 18, 1837

Speaker or author: Ray, Charles B. (Charles Bennett), 1807-1886

Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)

The writer notes that most African Americans are immigrating to Canada to find relief from prejudice and unemployment. He urges them instead to immigrate to Wisconsin, which is currently being settled. Land there is inexpensive, the territory is beautiful, and people live together harmoniously.

Description of file(s): two scanned newspaper pages (three columns)

Subtitle: The Domestic Slave Trade.

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

Title: David Jenkins

Speaker or author: Jenkins, David

Newspaper or publication: Palladium of Liberty (1843 - 1844)

Brief speech on legislation that taxed African Americans but didn't offer them any of the benefits of this taxation.

Description of file(s): PDF 1 page, 195 word document (text and image)

Title: J. W. C. Pennington

Speaker or author: Pennington, James W. C.

Newspaper or publication: Presscopy -- Congregational Library -- Anti-Slavery Pamphlets

Speech regarding the injustices of slavery and prejudice emphasizing the extreme cruelity that can result from fear and hatred in mass populations. The speaker noted that while slavery intended to make "beasts of burden" of human bodies, the reality of slavery demonstrated that the institution was instead a battle to chain human minds.

Description of file(s): PDF 29 page, 12,568 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: Elevator

Impassioned speech in which the speaker emphasized that along with freedom, African Americans were entitled to all the privileges of citizenship including suffrage, legal, social and political rights. Denying a citizen these rights on the basis of color was illogical, irrational, and uncivilized.

Description of file(s): PDF 10 page, 2,101 word document (text and images)

Title: John S. Jacobs

Speaker or author: Jacobs, John S., 1815-1875

Newspaper or publication: National Anti-Slavery Standard

Overview of speech offered in protest of the Fugitive Slave Bill that was contributing to the kidnapping of nominally free black citizens of New York. Emphasis was placed on the recent experience in this regard of James Hamlet, who escaped after being kidnapped to be sold into slavery.

Description of file(s): PDF 1 page, 333 word document (text and image)

Subtitle: Decision of the Supreme Court.

Title: Northern Star and Freemen's Advocate - March 17, 1842

Speaker or author: editor

Newspaper or publication: Northern Star and Freemen's Advocate (1842 - 18??)

The writer comments on a recent Supreme Court decision that threatens the freedom of the free African Americans living in New York. The law seems to deny protection to African Americans in situations where they can be sold into slavery.

Description of file(s): one scanned newspaper column

Subtitle: Northern Star & Freemen's Advocate. Albany, Thursday, March 3, 1842.

Title: Northern Star and Freemen's Advocate - March 3, 1842

Speaker or author: M.

Newspaper or publication: Northern Star and Freemen's Advocate (1842 - 18??)

The writer notes the inconsistencies in what those who profess to be abolitionists do and say.

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

Subtitle: Our Name.

Title: Pacific Appeal - April 5, 1862

Speaker or author: editor

Newspaper or publication: Pacific Appeal (1862 - 188?)

The writer emphasizes the goals and mission of the newspaper. He adds a short list of places where it is available for sale.

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

Subtitle: Almost Another Victim.

Title: Pacific Appeal - April 5, 1862

Speaker or author: Bell, Philip A.

Newspaper or publication: Pacific Appeal (1862 - 188?)

The editor comments on a story published in another newspaper regarding a African American man who was attacked by a white man.

Description of file(s): one scanned newspaper column

Subtitle: Equitable Laws, or the Practical Result of Legislating on the Principle of "The Greatest Good of the Greatest Number."

Title: Pacific Appeal - October 31, 1863

Speaker or author: editor

Newspaper or publication: Pacific Appeal (1862 - 188?)

The writer sees a more liberal government taking shape. He notes that all the fears associated with the emancipation of slaves have not been realized. He emphasizes that "freemen and freedmen" alike demonstrate loyalty and patriotism despite prejudicial treatment.

Description of file(s): one scanned newspaper column

Subtitle: Palladium of Liberty. Columbus, Wednesday, July 17th. "We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created free and equal."

Title: Palladium of Liberty - July 17, 1844

Speaker or author: editor

Newspaper or publication: Palladium of Liberty (1843 - 1844)

The writer comments on a recent speech delivered by George McDuffie emphasizing the deterioration of life in the southern states. In this, McDuffie seems to pit the economic conditions of the Northern and Southern states against each other.

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

Title: Peter H. Clark

Speaker or author: Clark, Peter H.

Newspaper or publication: Anti-Slavery Bugle

Overview of speech expressing the speaker's view that while the Republican party was an "Anti-Slavery Party," its stance on abolishing slavery was more motivated by dollars than by philanthropy and good will. This, the speaker believed, was sparked by the battle over whether to bring Kansas into the Union as a free or slaveholding state.

Description of file(s): PDF 3 page, 649 word document (text and images)

Subtitle: "Jordan, is a Hard Road to Travel."

Title: Provincial Freeman - April 26, 1856

Speaker or author: editor

Newspaper or publication: Provincial Freeman (1853 - 1859)

The writer laments the fact that in order to escape the tyranny and injustice of the slave system in the United States, people are leaving the homes they love and immigrating to other countries.

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

Title: Provincial Freeman - January 27, 1855

Speaker or author: S.

Newspaper or publication: Provincial Freeman (1853 - 1859)

The writer discusses the recent proposal by the state of Delaware to allow free African Americans to enter the state without being fined. This would revise the current law which forbids this. The writer points out that the state goverment is focusing on the potential economic advantages of this type of revision.

Description of file(s): two scanned newspaper pages (three columns)

Subtitle: Colored People of Indiana.

Title: Voice of the Fugitive - December 3, 1851

Speaker or author: editor

Newspaper or publication: Voice of the Fugitive (1851 - 1852)

Brief overview and reaction to a recent convention in Indiana.

Description of file(s): one scanned newspaper column

Subtitle: Progress of Liberty in Ohio.

Title: Voice of the Fugitive - March 12, 1851

Speaker or author: editor

Newspaper or publication: Voice of the Fugitive (1851 - 1852)

The writer expresses his opinion about the recent attempt to reinstate the black laws in Ohio.

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

Title: William Craft

Speaker or author: Craft, William

Newspaper or publication: Frederick Douglass' Paper

Speech denouncing the Fugitive Slave Law and emphasizing its injustices. The speaker recounted his experiences with this law.

Description of file(s): PDF 3 page, 662 word document (text and images)

Title: William Wells Brown

Speaker or author: Brown, William Wells, 1814?-1884

Newspaper or publication: Inquirer

Speech given during a farewell soiree for William Wells Brown on his departure from England. He discussed the fugitive slave laws in the U.S., along with the general injustice of the existence of slavery in a country founded on freedom.

Description of file(s): PDF 1 page, 142 word document (text and image)

Title: William Wells Brown

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)

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