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Title: Francis Ellen Watkins Harper

Speaker or author: Harper, Frances Ellen Watkins, 1825-1911.

Newspaper or publication: Christian Recorder (1852 - 1856)

Brief overview of speech expressing concerns over the direction of national policy after the Civil War and during Reconstruction.

Description of file(s): PDF 1 page, 203 word document (text and image)

Subtitle: The "League of Freedom."

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)

Subtitle: Senator Douglas and His Bantling.

Title: Frederick Douglass' Paper - April 28, 1854

Speaker or author: Watkins, William J.

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

The writer suggests that Stephen A. Douglas in his fight for the passage of the Nebraska Bill is actually helping the fight against slavery by bringing the issue to the public eye. There is now a very pronounced distinction between "the north" and "the south" as the country divides on the issue of slavery in the new territories.

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

Subtitle: The New Political Party.

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

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

Subtitle: "One Thing Thou Lackest."

Title: Frederick Douglass' Paper - February 10, 1854

Speaker or author: Watkins, William J.

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

The writer offers commentary on the good intentions of Abolitionists who sometimes do more harm than good. He suggests that the idea of conquering prejudice is indeed the way towards freedom, but that Abolitionists must overcome their own prejudices first.

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

Subtitle: The Cuban Question.

Title: Frederick Douglass' Paper - February 9, 1855

Speaker or author: Watkins, William J.

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

The writer describes the current status of the negotiations with Spain as the U.S. attempts to obtain Cuba. The issue of slavery is playing a major role in this.

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

Subtitle: Sentence of Booth, and Rycraft--Imprisonment--their liberation on a Writ of Habeas Corpus!

Title: Frederick Douglass' Paper - February 9, 1855

Speaker or author: Watkins, William J.

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

The writer discusses the case of Joshua Glover, a fugitve slave who sought asylum in Wisconsin. A band of men rescued him after he was caught and jailed. The two men who aided Glover and were instrumental in his escape were imprisoned and fined.

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

Subtitle: Senator Seward.

Title: Frederick Douglass' Paper - January 26, 1855

Speaker or author: Watkins, William J.

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

The writer presents his views on the political life of Senator Seward. Although he is "much hated" by other politicians and maybe not the best choice to represent African Americans in Congress, he offers the strongest hope for the abolition of slavery at that point.

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

Subtitle: The Nebraska Bill Passed the Senate.

Title: Frederick Douglass' Paper - March 10, 1854

Speaker or author: Watkins, William J.

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

The writer alerts his readers to the passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Act by the Senate. He still holds out hope that it will not pass the House of Representatives.

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

Title: Henry W. Johnson

Speaker or author: Johnson, Henry W., abolitionist

Newspaper or publication: Frederick Douglass' Paper

Speech denouncing the motivation behind the American Colonization Society and the Fugitive Slave Bill. The speaker stressing the irony that the U.S. will welcome fleeing Hungarian refugees to its shores but does not provide a welcome to the refugees of slavery who already reside here.

Description of file(s): PDF 24 page, 2,934 word document (text and images)

Subtitle: Editorial Correspondence.

Title: Impartial Citizen - October 5, 1850

Speaker or author: Ward, Samuel Ringgold, b. 1817

Newspaper or publication: Impartial Citizen (1849 - 1851)

The writer offers further commentary on the Fugitive Slave Bill that he began in a previous editorial.

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

Subtitle: The Cause.

Title: Lunar Visitor - February, 1862

Speaker or author: editor

Newspaper or publication: Lunar Visitor (1862 - 18??)

The writer comments on the causes of the Civil War. He notes that slavery is the primary cause with Southern rebellion as the secondary cause of the war.

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

Subtitle: Congress.

Title: Pacific Appeal - December 19, 1863

Speaker or author: editor

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

The writer comments on the recent session of Congress, noting the dramatic difference since the days before the Emancipation Proclamation. This Congress seems determined to remove all traces of slavery from the country. Radical bills have been introduced, some suggesting amending the Constitution.

Description of file(s): one scanned newspaper column

Subtitle: Our Candidate for the Presidency.

Title: Pacific Appeal - January 9, 1864

Speaker or author: editor

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

The writer tells his readers why Abraham Lincoln is the presidential candidate of choice for African Americans.

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

Subtitle: Conclusion of our Second Volume.

Title: Pacific Appeal - March 26, 1864

Speaker or author: editor

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

The editor marks the end of another year of publication by reviewing all that the newspaper has helped accomplish since it began. He urges his subscribers to help the newspaper stay in publication by making their subscription payments on time.

Description of file(s): one scanned newspaper column

Subtitle: Texas or Disunion.

Title: Palladium of Liberty - June 12, 1844

Speaker or author: editor

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

The writer comments on the current political debate regarding the annexation of Texas.

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

Title: Robert Purvis

Speaker or author: Purvis, Robert, 1810-1898

Newspaper or publication: Presscopy -- New York Public Library -- Schomburg Collection

The speaker rejoiced in the recent emancipation of the slaves but stressed that the battle for improving the condition of the formerly enslaved and ending the prevelent prejudice would offer the Abolitionists continued work.

Description of file(s): PDF 6 page, 2,058 word document (text and images)

Subtitle: Southern Sophistry.

Title: Voice of the Fugitive - October 8, 1851

Speaker or author: editor

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

The writer responds to what he sees as a new "system of argument" for the continuation of slavery by the Southern Press. He tells his readers that anyone who doesn't question what is printed in newspapers like this may fall for the seeming plausibility of the argument in favor of such a system. The writer uses this same method to make his argument against slavery in response.

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

Subtitle: The Narrowing of the Circle.

Title: Weekly Anglo-African - December 21, 1861

Speaker or author: editor

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

As the debate about what to do with the freed slaves continues, the writer notes that suggestions for their relocation are moving closer to home (from Africa to Central America and even Florida).

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

Subtitle: The New York "Tribune" and the Southern Chivalry.

Title: Weekly Anglo-African - February 18, 1860

Speaker or author: editor

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

The writer offers his thoughts on what he believes is taunting from the New York Tribune in its attempt to stir up trouble between the northern and southern states.

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

Subtitle: Swift Retribution.

Title: Weekly Anglo-African - February 8, 1862

Speaker or author: editor

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

The writer briefly describes events that justify any retribution the country may set in motion once the Civil War is over. He holds the South and southern slave holders accountable for most of the problems that have occured within the national government.

Description of file(s): one scanned newspaper column

Subtitle: Wanted--A Press.

Title: Weekly Anglo-African - January 18, 1862

Speaker or author: editor

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

The writer questions whether there is such a thing as a "free press" in the U.S. He cites a couple of incidents that seem to imply the contrary.

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

Subtitle: Trimming the Theological Sails.

Title: Weekly Anglo-African - November 26, 1859

Speaker or author: editor

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

The writer discusses the effects of John Brown's actions on the politics of slavery. He tells his readers that this was a revolutionary act and that it has opened the way to reform.

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

Title: William C. Nell

Speaker or author: Nell, William C. (William Cooper), 1816-1874.

Newspaper or publication: Liberator

Speech given during the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society. The speaker emphasized the great work and efforts the society has realized over the years.

Description of file(s): PDF 2 page, 489 word document (text and images)

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