Speaker or author: Martin, J. Sella (John Sella), b. 1832
Newspaper or publication: Liberator
Sermon delivered during a celebration of the anniversary of the emancipation of the British West Indies. The speaker emphasized the error in moral judgment made by a country that condoned laws like the Fugitive Slave Law. He compared the plight of the slaves in the U.S. with that of slaves in ancient Egypt. He noted that the poor whites were not treated any better than the slaves were regardless of their skin color. The war for freedom was, to the speaker, a holy war for human liberty.
Description of file(s): PDF 15 page, 4,523 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Rock, John S. (John Sweat), 1825-1866
Newspaper or publication: Liberator
Speech regarding the influence the question of abolition has on decisions being made within the government during the Civil War. The speaker expressed his views about the war and its possible outcome.
Description of file(s): PDF 17 page, 5,123 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Purvis, Robert, 1810-1898
Newspaper or publication: Anti-Slavery Advocate
The speaker expressed his doubts that the present government would ever abolish slavery since they refused to allow African Americans to become soldiers. He also pointed out that the Dred Scott decision demonstrated the government's true position on the idea of emancipation.
Description of file(s): PDF 1 page, 269 word document (text and image)
(page1).jpg.jpg "View item details")
Title: Weekly Anglo-African - February 8, 1862
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Weekly Anglo-African (1859 - 1862)
The writer responds to some ideas about how the government will fund the Civil War.
Description of file(s): one scanned, two columned, newspaper page
(page1).jpg.jpg "View item details")
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
(page1).jpg.jpg "View item details")
Title: Weekly Anglo-African - January 7, 1860
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Weekly Anglo-African (1859 - 1862)
The writer discusses the current political situation in the country, focusing mostly on the recent actions of the Republican party. Radical Republicans have just choosen an unlikely presidential candidate. The party no longer seems concerned with issues regarding the rights of people of African heritage.
Description of file(s): one scanned, two columned, newspaper page
(page1).jpg.jpg "View item details")
Title: Weekly Anglo-African - November 2, 1861
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Weekly Anglo-African (1859 - 1862)
The writer enthusiastically shares an order handed down from the Secretary of War to the military commander of the Naval Expedition instructing him to accept the services of anyone who offers it, whether a fugitive slave or not. The writer credits Fremont's actions towards emancipation for this change in policy.
Description of file(s): one scanned newspaper column
(page1).jpg.jpg "View item details")
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)
(page1).jpg.jpg "View item details")
Title: Weekly Anglo-African - September 28, 1861
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Weekly Anglo-African (1859 - 1862)
The writer believes that President Lincoln's letter to Fremont regarding Fremont's recent proclamation of martial law contributed to the Union's defeat at Lexington.
Description of file(s): one scanned newspaper column
(page1).jpg.jpg "View item details")
Title: Weekly Anglo-African - September 7, 1861
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Weekly Anglo-African (1859 - 1862)
The writer notices the change taking place within the country regarding the public acceptance of racial prejudice. He points out several examples of this change.
Description of file(s): two scanned newspaper pages (three columns)
Speaker or author: Nell, William C. (William Cooper), 1816-1874.
Newspaper or publication: Liberator
Speech given celebrating the Emancipation Proclamation and honoring those who fought for this glorious event. The speaker acknowledged the contributions of African American heroes of the Civil War, the American Revolution, and the long struggle for emancipation.
Description of file(s): PDF 3 page, 760 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Craft, William
Newspaper or publication: Halifax Courier
Speech regarding the current political opinion on the question of continuing slavery in the U.S. by legalizing it in new states. The speaker also related his own experience with slavery and his subsequent escape.
Description of file(s): PDF 3 page, 962 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Day, William Howard, d. 1900
Newspaper or publication: Anglo-African
Speech given on the anniversary of the emancipation of slaves in the British West Indies. The speaker emphasized that now the U.S. could claim its place among the countries that had abandoned slavery. He expressed gratitude for those who had fought and died in the Civil War in the cause of freedom.
Description of file(s): PDF 7 page, 1,697 word document (text and images)