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)
(page1).jpg.jpg "View item details")
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
(page1).jpg.jpg "View item details")
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
(page1).jpg.jpg "View item details")
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
(page1).jpg.jpg "View item details")
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)
(page1).jpg.jpg "View item details")
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: 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)
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)
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)
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)
spe.pdf.jpg "View item details")
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)
(page1).jpg.jpg "View item details")
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
(page1).jpg.jpg "View item details")
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
(page1).jpg.jpg "View item details")
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
(page1).jpg.jpg "View item details")
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
(page1).jpg.jpg "View item details")
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
(page1).jpg.jpg "View item details")
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
spe.pdf.jpg "View item details")
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)
(page1).jpg.jpg "View item details")
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
(page1).jpg.jpg "View item details")
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)
(page1).jpg.jpg "View item details")
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
(page1).jpg.jpg "View item details")
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
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)
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)
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)