Title: Colored American - August 24, 1839
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)
The writer expresses his views regarding a resolution asking the African American community to withhold their votes in the upcoming election for any candidate who is not in favor of the immediate abolition of slavery.
Description of file(s): one scanned, two columned, newspaper page
Title: Colored American - December 1, 1838
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)
The writer suggests that his readers spend their money on the $250 yearly voter registration fee instead of on expensive clothing and unnecessary travel.
Description of file(s): one scanned, two columned, newspaper page
Title: Colored American - July 29, 1837
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)
The writer reports on the outcome of the Pennsylvania Convention, focusing mainly on the decisions regarding suffrage and constitutional amendments.
Description of file(s): one scanned, two columned, newspaper page
Title: Colored American - October 12, 1839
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)
The writer comments on the state of disfranchisement that free African Americans find themselves in. This condition marginalizes them from the rest of the population and they feel not only that their right to citizenship is in question, but their human rights as well. (This editorial will be continued in upcoming issues.)
Description of file(s): one scanned newspaper column
Title: Frederick Douglass' Paper - February 9, 1855
Speaker or author: Watkins, William J.
Newspaper or publication: Frederick Douglass' Paper (1851 - 18??)
The writer emphasizes the discrepancies in the voting rights of men based on their race. He stresses the injustice of the restrictions and rules that an African American man most follow in order to vote in the states that allow him to.
Description of file(s): one scanned, two columned, newspaper page
Title: Impartial Citizen - May 8, 1850
Speaker or author: Ward, Samuel Ringgold, b. 1817
Newspaper or publication: Impartial Citizen (1849 - 1851)
The writer relates his experiences while travel across New York, New Jersey, and Rhode Island on a lecture tour. He emphasizes the work being done to abolish slavery, promote reform and ensure voting rights in the places he visits.
Description of file(s): three scanned newspaper pages (five columns)
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
Speaker or author: Africanus, S. M.
Newspaper or publication: Liberator
Brief speech regarding the political and civil rights of American citizenship that were being denied to free black citizens. (Includes MP3 audio file.)
Description of file(s): PDF 2 page, 433 word document (text and images)
Title: Voice of the Fugitive - August 13, 1851
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Voice of the Fugitive (1851 - 1852)
The writer gives an overview of a recent convention in New York. During the convention, delegates agreed to oppose the goals and actions of the American Colonization Society. The writer details some of the reasons for this stance.
Description of file(s): two scanned, two columned, newspaper pages
Title: Voice of the Fugitive - November 19, 1851
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Voice of the Fugitive (1851 - 1852)
The writer discusses immigration to Canada and the British West Indies by African Americans. He examines this subject from five perspectives: "commercial, agricultural, social, mental, and political."
Description of file(s): two scanned, two columned, newspaper pages
Title: Weekly Anglo-African - March 31, 1860
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Weekly Anglo-African (1859 - 1862)
The writer provides an overview of the current political climate regarding African American suffrage. He encourages his readers to form "Franchise Clubs" to help African Americans organize for equal rights, education, and access to political publications.
Description of file(s): one scanned, two columned, newspaper page