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Subtitle: The People's Verdict.

Title: Frederick Douglass' Paper - December 8, 1854

Speaker or author: Watkins, William J.

Newspaper or publication: Frederick Douglass' Paper (1851 - 18??)

The writer comments that the "voice of the People" was ignored when the Kansas-Nebraska Act was passed. He believes that "renegade" politicians intent on reinforcing a "slave powered" economy are going to do what they want regardless of how their actions affect the people involved.

Description of file(s): one scanned newspaper column

Title: H. Ford Douglass

Speaker or author: Douglass, H. Ford

Newspaper or publication: Presscopy -- Harvard University, Cambridge -- Rare Books & Manuscripts

Speech discussing the politics of slavery stressing the influence of government and political figures in continuing the institution.

Description of file(s): PDF 3 page, 1,045 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: Martin R. Delany

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)

Subtitle: Missouri vs. New Jersey.

Title: Pacific Appeal - February 28, 1863

Speaker or author: editor

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

The writer comments on peace initiatives proposed by some states as the country prepares for the inevitable end of the Civil War.

Description of file(s): one scanned newspaper column

Subtitle: The Border States and Slavery.

Title: Pacific Appeal - June 27, 1863

Speaker or author: editor

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

Although the Emancipation Proclamation went into effect in January, 1863, some states were slow to free their slaves. The writer comments on some state government restrictions placed on emancipation.

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

Subtitle: The Elections at the East.

Title: Pacific Appeal - November 15, 1862

Speaker or author: editor

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

The writer provides a brief overview of the outcome of two recent political elections

Description of file(s): one scanned newspaper column

Subtitle: The Ensuing Congress.

Title: Pacific Appeal - November 28, 1863

Speaker or author: editor

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

The writer tells his readers that the question of slavery in the border states will be discussed when Congress meets on December 1st. He gives a brief overview of what this may involve.

Description of file(s): one scanned newspaper column

Subtitle: Death and Suicide of Governor Reynolds of Missouri.

Title: Palladium of Liberty - February 28, 1844

Speaker or author: editor

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

The writer briefly comments on the recent suicide of Governor Reynolds of Missouri.

Description of file(s): one scanned newspaper column

Subtitle: Gaines' last Letter on "en masse" Emigration.

Title: Provincial Freeman - April 21, 1855

Speaker or author: S.

Newspaper or publication: Provincial Freeman (1853 - 1859)

The writer comments on a letter regarding Canadian immigration of fugitive slaves written by Mr. Gaines, U.S. politician. He emphasizes the discrepancies in Mr. Gaines' thinking and political rhetoric.

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

Title: Provincial Freeman - November 11, 1854

Speaker or author: S.

Newspaper or publication: Provincial Freeman (1853 - 1859)

The writer shares an article published in another newspaper regarding the ongoing debate over annexation of parts of Mexico by the U.S.

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

Title: Robert Purvis

Speaker or author: Purvis, Robert, 1810-1898

Newspaper or publication: Liberator

Speech denouncing governmental bias towards prejudical action in the U.S., the colonization of Africa, and the overall injustices that continue to be suffred by African Americans. The speaker emphasized the Dred Scott decision and the establishment of the Fugitive Slave Law.

Description of file(s): PDF 14 page, 3,959 word document (text and images)

Title: Thomas Myers Decatur Ward

Speaker or author: Ward, Thomas Myers Decatur

Newspaper or publication: Pacific Appeal

The speaker included several important quotes against slavery by known and respected people. He then traced the history of slavery in the U.S. and praised Abraham Lincoln for its end. He stressed the future need for progress, education, and patience among the newly freed slaves.

Description of file(s): PDF 11 page, 2,307 word document (text and images)

Subtitle: Still they Come.

Title: Voice of the Fugitive - August 27, 1851

Speaker or author: editor

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

Brief note telling readers that fugitive slaves are still arriving in Canada in droves.

Description of file(s): one scanned newspaper column

Subtitle: The Cry is -- Still they Come.

Title: Voice of the Fugitive - October 22, 1851

Speaker or author: editor

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

The writer announces the arrival of another fugitive slave to the free soil of Canada.

Description of file(s): one scanned newspaper column

Subtitle: New York, April 13, 1861. A Carbonari Wanted.

Title: Weekly Anglo-African - April 13, 1861

Speaker or author: editor

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

The writer shares the recent story of a family of fugitive slaves who were captured and returned to bondage. He calls for a stronger response than outrage to these types of events; he calls for revolution.

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

Subtitle: God or Seward--Which?

Title: Weekly Anglo-African - April 6, 1861

Speaker or author: editor

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

The writer expresses his ideas on the increasing political tension over the issue of slavery that seems to be stirring the country as the southern states secede from the Union.

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

Subtitle: The Irrepressible Conflict.

Title: Weekly Anglo-African - December 3, 1859

Speaker or author: editor

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

The writer comments on the current social conflict that is contributing to an atmosphere of political discontent and general apprehension throughout the country.

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

Subtitle: The President's Message.

Title: Weekly Anglo-African - December 7, 1861

Speaker or author: editor

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

Abraham Lincoln's main concern is to preserve the Union. His struggle to find a way of doing this, keeping peace, and finding a way to integrate former slaves into the social structure is frustrating to this writer who looks to the president for a swift solution. At this point, slaves are viewed as property and therefore freed as part of the Union's response to the southern rebellion.

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

Subtitle: The Ottawa Rescuers.

Title: Weekly Anglo-African - January 14, 1860

Speaker or author: editor

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

The writer relates the story of a fugitive slave captured in Illinois who was rescued by a band of citizens and helped to cross the border into Canada.

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

Subtitle: The Anderson Extradition Case.

Title: Weekly Anglo-African - March 2, 1861

Speaker or author: editor

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

The writer relates the story of a fugitive, arrested for murder in Canada, who was freed by a Canadian court on a technicality in the reading of the Ashburton Treaty.

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

Subtitle: "The Fatal Step Backward."

Title: Weekly Anglo-African - September 21, 1861

Speaker or author: editor

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

The Daily Times newspaper has published a letter from the president ordering General Fremont to modify his proclamation relating to the emancipation of slaves. The writer stresses that now is the time to petition Congress and apply pressure for the "Immediate Emancipation" of all slaves.

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

Subtitle: Stopping The Leaks.

Title: Weekly Anglo-African- November 12, 1859

Speaker or author: editor

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

The writer describes the unsettled political atmosphere of the country after John Brown's raid on Harper's Ferry.

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

Title: William J. Watkins

Speaker or author: Watkins, William J.

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

Overview of a brief speech regarding the current situation in the fight for equal suffrage.

Description of file(s): PDF 2 page, 267 word document (text and images)

Title: William Wells Brown

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

Newspaper or publication: Anti-Slavery Bugle

The speaker asked for all present to agree that the government had become a conspiracy against freedom. He read an excerpt from a southern newspaper demonstrating the fear of emancipated slaves that the southern states held, and that they used to continue slavery there. He expressed that recent government legislation was compelling those who were fighting for emancipation to take a more radical approach.

Description of file(s): PDF 5 page, 1,438 word document (text and images)

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