Speaker or author: Anonymous
Newspaper or publication: Liberator
Anonymous speech delivered by a member of the Society cooperating with the General Convention at Philadelphia against the colonization of Africa by freed slaves. (Includes MP3 audio file.)
Description of file(s): PDF 2 page, 442 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Remond, Charles Lenox, 1810-1873
Newspaper or publication: Liberator
Speech regarding the lack of civil rights in the U.S. court system.
Description of file(s): PDF 2 page, 483 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Remond, Charles Lenox, 1810-1873
Newspaper or publication: Liberator
Impassioned speech encouraging the continued efforts towards abolition. The speaker emphasized that he agreed with any method it would take to bring about an end to slavery.
Description of file(s): PDF 8 page, 2,403 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Remond, Charles Lenox, 1810-1873
Newspaper or publication: Liberator
Speech delivered denouncing the legal decision made by Judge Taney. The speaker encouraged his audience to adopt the motto, "No Union with Slaveholders." He said he would rather see the union divided than to give up the fight for freedom and the cause of human liberty.
Description of file(s): PDF 4 page, 960 word document (text and images)
Title: Colored American - December 30, 1837
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)
As Canada experiences revolution, the editor asks for a neutral stance and non-involvement by the U.S. in their difficulties.
Description of file(s): one scanned, one columned, newspaper page
Title: Frederick Douglass' Paper - april 14, 1854
Speaker or author: Watkins, William J.
Newspaper or publication: Frederick Douglass' Paper (1851 - 18??)
The writer calls for an "utter overthrow of 'Slave Power'" during this time of social crisis. He comments on the formation of a "League of Freedom" and the timeliness of such an effort. He calls for action; and ends his commentary with, "Then let all the foes of Oppression unite, and, in solid phalanx, march to the battlefield, and whip the enemy."
Description of file(s): three scanned newspaper pages (five columns)
Title: Frederick Douglass' Paper - December 15, 1854
Speaker or author: Watkins, William J.
Newspaper or publication: Frederick Douglass' Paper (1851 - 18??)
In an effort to push for revolutionary change, a new political party called the Know-Nothing Party has formed. The writer comments on the religious aspects of this party and those who oppose it. It seems to be an objectified tension between Catholicism and Protestantism in a political arena.
Description of file(s): two scanned, two columned, newspaper pages
Title: Frederick Douglass' Paper - December 22, 1854
Speaker or author: Watkins, William J.
Newspaper or publication: Frederick Douglass' Paper (1851 - 18??)
The writer offers commentary on a recent speech by Lajos Kassuth asking for aid from the U.S. where he is living in exile. His goal is to return to power in Hungary. The writer is concerned that the U.S. will become involved in this bloody conflict along with several countries in Europe.
Description of file(s): two scanned, two columned, newspaper pages
Title: Frederick Douglass' Paper - June 23, 1854
Speaker or author: Watkins, William J.
Newspaper or publication: Frederick Douglass' Paper (1851 - 18??)
The writer gave a brief overview of the Liberty Party convention he attended. The central aim of this organization is the overthrow of the American government to free themselves from tyranny.
Description of file(s): one scanned newspaper column
Title: Frederick Douglass' Paper - March 17, 1854
Speaker or author: Watkins, William J.
Newspaper or publication: Frederick Douglass' Paper (1851 - 18??)
The writer calls for African American unity and cooperation in this time of chaos and uncertainty. He notes that the Rochester Convention was the turning point for this in the current unsettled times.
Description of file(s): two scanned newspaper pages (three columns)
Speaker or author: Johnson, Henry W., abolitionist
Newspaper or publication: North Star
Speech delivered during a celebration of the August 1st emancipation of the British West Indies. The speaker stresses the plight of those still enslaved in this country but is encouraged by events that he sees must lead the U.S. to emancipation.
Description of file(s): PDF 24 page, 5,038 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Green, J. E., of Michigan
Newspaper or publication: Liberator
Overview of a brief speech in which the speaker noted the emancipation of slaves in other countries based on their patriotism and willingness to fight for their countries. He compared this to the withholding of freedom from African Americans who had fought bravely for the U. S.
Description of file(s): PDF 2 page, 456 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: Smith, James McCune, 1813-1865
Newspaper or publication: Presscopy -- Congregational Library -- Boston, Massachusetts -- Anti-Slavery Pamphlets
A lecture on the history of the Haytian Revolutions with a "character sketch" of Toussaint L'Ouverture given to benefit the Colored Orphan Asylum. The lecture outlines the class structure in Hayti and the timeline leading up to the revolutions from 1791 through 1803. (Speeches 06086, 06136, 06196, 06220, 06242, 06269, and 06309 are duplicates of this speech.)
Description of file(s): PDF 26 page, 9,292 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Smith, James McCune, 1813-1865
Newspaper or publication: Presscopy -- Boston Public Library -- Anti-Slavery Pamphlets
Speech given on the basic idea that slavery is irrational, immoral, and in opposition to the core beliefs of the founding fathers. Emphasis is placed on the destiny and potential future of the Negro race in the U.S.
Description of file(s): PDF 17 page, 6,176 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Holly, James Theodore
Newspaper or publication: Presscopy -- New York Public Library -- Schomburg Collection
Speech detailing the history of the Haitian revolution given in order to demonstrate the capabilities of the Negro race, and disprove ideas regarding the inequality of races in terms of intelligence and ability.
Description of file(s): PDF 44 page, 14,391 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Wilson, John G.
Newspaper or publication: Pacific Appeal
Patriotic speech regarding the bravery and heroism of black Union soldiers. The speaker noted that while he realized the Emancipation Proclamation was of military necessity, he praised Abraham Lincoln for seeing the right action in it. He felt as if it was well earned by the blood and courage of those who had fought and died for freedom.
Description of file(s): PDF 11 page, 2,339 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Langston, John Mercer, 1829-1897.
Newspaper or publication: Presscopy -- New York Historical Society -- Pamphlet Collection
The speaker traced the history of the human struggle for freedom, justice and liberty. He emphasized that the struggle for emancipation of the slaves was part of this universal, human struggle for freedom. The speaker stressed that all human beings have an innate desire to be free, and this is their birthright.
Description of file(s): PDF 25 page, 8,341 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Langston, John Mercer, 1829-1897.
Newspaper or publication: Presscopy -- New York Historical Society -- Pamphlet Collection
The speaker traced the history of the human struggle for freedom, justice and liberty. He emphasized that the struggle for emancipation of the slaves was part of this universal, human struggle for freedom. The speaker stressed that all human beings have an innate desire to be free, and this is their birthright.
Description of file(s): PDF 25 page, 8,341 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Langston, John Mercer, 1829-1897.
Newspaper or publication: Liberator
The speaker emphasized that the law in South Carolina that authorized "the sale of any Negro or Mulatto found in the state more than 12 days" was being used to sell white people more than fugitive slaves. He noted that any man could be called a mulatto and sold under this law. He urged reform and called for the white public to get involved for their own sake.
Description of file(s): PDF 5 page, 1,378 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Rock, John S. (John Sweat), 1825-1866
Newspaper or publication: Presscopy -- Boston Athenaeum -- Pamphlet Collection
The speaker made a plea for equal rights now that the slaves had been freed. He noted the heroism and patriotism displayed by black soldiers and emphasized the sacrifices they had made for liberty, freedom, and justice. All that they asked for at this point was to be granted the civil rights that every Union soldier had fought and died for.
Description of file(s): PDF 3 page, 892 word document (text and images)
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 expresses his ideas that emancipation is eminent. History has provided an example of how to do this so that all concern benefit. In order to avoid a civil war, now is the time to prepare for emancipation of the slaves.
Description of file(s): three scanned newspaper pages (five columns)
Title: Provincial Freeman - May 13, 1854
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Provincial Freeman (1853 - 1859)
The writer comments on the recent activities of John Mitchel and his political ideology.
Description of file(s): two scanned newspaper pages (three columns)
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: Voice of the Fugitive - June 17, 1852
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Voice of the Fugitive (1851 - 1852)
The writer provides brief commentary on the new Emperor of Hayti.
Description of file(s): one scanned, two columned, newspaper page