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Speaker or author: Smith, J. B. (John B.), Rev., fl. 1852-1863
Newspaper or publication: Liberator
Short anecdotal speech regarding one man's experience with slavery.
Description of file(s): PDF 1 page, 149 word document (text and image)
Speaker or author: Hood, J. W. (James Walker), 1831-1918
Newspaper or publication: Christian Recorder (1852 - 1856)
The speaker stressed that the ideas of colonization and "exportation" were nonsense. He emphasized that African Americans had four major requests: 1) the allowance to testify in court, 2) the right to serve on a jury, 3) the right to act as counsel for a black defendant, 4) the right to vote.
Description of file(s): PDF 2 page, 404 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Anderson, John, b. 1831?
Newspaper or publication: Presscopy -- National Library of Scotland
Anecdotal story regarding one man's escape from slavery. (Includes MP3 audio file.)
Description of file(s): PDF 2 page, 659 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Anderson, John, b. 1831?
Newspaper or publication: Presscopy -- National Library of Scotland
Anecdotal story regarding one man's life and escape from slavery.
Description of file(s): PDF 7 page, 2,044 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Anderson, John, b. 1831?
Newspaper or publication: Toronto Globe
Brief anecdotal speech regarding one man's escape from slavery. (Speech 24147 is a duplicate of this speech.) (Includes MP3 audio file.)
Description of file(s): PDF 2 page, 367 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Jackson, John Andrew
Newspaper or publication: Christian News
Anecdotal speech regarding one man's experience with slavery. The speaker was presenting his story and the story of one other slave in hopes of raising enough money to purchase his father's and sister's freedom.
Description of file(s): PDF 4 page, 1,024 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Smith, J. B. (John B.), Rev., fl. 1852-1863
Newspaper or publication: Liberator
The speaker emphasized the desire for equal rights for the newly freed slaves. While he admitted to being surprised by the Emancipation Proclamation, he believed it was God's Will and that justice had finally prevailed. He denounced those who agreed with the Crittenden Compromise, and emphasized that the war was not caused by the abolitionists.
Description of file(s): PDF 1 page, 319 word document (text and image)
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Speaker or author: Smith, J. B. (John B.), Rev., fl. 1852-1863
Newspaper or publication: Liberator
Brief speech in which the speaker advocted the African Civilization Project. He emphasized consideration of this endeavor to gain the "...respect of their enemies."
Description of file(s): PDF 1 page, 195 word document (text and image)
Speaker or author: Smith, J. B. (John B.), Rev., fl. 1852-1863
Newspaper or publication: Weekly Anglo-African (1859 - 1862)
Commentary on a speech given to encourage African Americans to immigrate to Africa or Hayti. The commentator believes the speaker made deliberate exaggerations in order to make money off the plight of the slaves.
Description of file(s): PDF 3 page, 566 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Smith, J. B. (John B.), Rev., fl. 1852-1863
Newspaper or publication: Weekly Anglo-African (1859 - 1862)
The speaker gave a brief overview of the Boston Convention including a "controversy" between Henry Highland Garnet and George T. Downing. He said that the convention participants had agreed that they would remain in the U.S., their birth place. He also stressed the importance of cotton in continuing the system of slavery.
Description of file(s): PDF 3 page, 532 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Brown, John, fl. 1854
Newspaper or publication: West Briton
Overview of an anecdotal speech regarding one man's experience and escape from slavery. The speaker found himself without support in England and was telling his story to earn funds to return to Canada.
Description of file(s): PDF 2 page, 595 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Brown, John, fl. 1854
Newspaper or publication: Plymouth and Devonport Weekly Journal
Narrative regarding the life of John Brown and his experiences growing up as a slave.
Description of file(s): PDF 7 page, 2,808 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Britton, John G.
Newspaper or publication: Presscopy -- Foner and Walker, Eds.
Brief introductory speech regarding what the speaker believed were the important factors affecting African Americans at that point in time. These included voting rights, colonization, and the migration of fugitive slaves to Canada. (Includes MP3 audio file.)
Description of file(s): PDF 2 page, 562 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: Gaines, John J.
Newspaper or publication: Anti-Slavery Bugle
Speech describing the effects of prejudice in the U.S. on living arrangements and education.
Description of file(s): PDF 4 page, 872 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Moore, John Jamison, 1818-1893.
Newspaper or publication: Pacific Appeal
Speech delivered in celebration of the emancipation of Washington, DC. The speech also commemorated the anniversary of the emancipation of the British West Indies. The speaker stressed the challenges that lay ahead for the country regarding the changes from a slave driven economy to a free wage economy. He traced the history of the abolitionist movement and emphasized his belief in the realization of total U. S. emancipation. (Speech 25858 is combined with this speech and included at the end of speech 25830.)
Description of file(s): PDF 13 page, 2,832 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Moore, John Jamison, 1818-1893.
Newspaper or publication: Presscopy -- Harvard University, Cambridge -- Rare Books and Manuscripts
The speaker addressed the issue of suffrage for all African Americans. He expressed his belief that African Americans had earned their civil and equal rights through patriotism, patience, loyalty, and fighting for their country. He asked that they be given only what any American would claim as a U.S. citizen.
Description of file(s): PDF 7 page, 1,638 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: Weekly Anglo-African (1859 - 1862)
Patriotic speech urging patience while waiting for what the speaker believes is the inevitability of the end of slavery. The speaker emphasizes the duty of all citizens to defend their country and to fight heroically. He believes that England, France and the entire civilized world are expecting the U.S. to end slavery.
Description of file(s): PDF 3 page, 635 word document (text and images)
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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: Langston, John Mercer, 1829-1897.
Newspaper or publication: Jefferson City, [MO] Democrat
Overview of speech delivered before the House of Representatives. The speaker spoke for the suffrage and civil rights of the newly freed slaves. He emphasized that they were newly acquired citizens of the U.S. and deserved all the rights that went along with that status.
Description of file(s): PDF 5 page, 1,117 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Langston, John Mercer, 1829-1897.
Newspaper or publication: Presscopy -- Harvard University -- Anti-Slavery Pamphlets
Eloquent comment denouncing the Fugitive Slave Law. The speaker noted that a just law "...commands what is right, and prohibits what is wrong," and that the Fugitive Slave Law has made a mockery of this basic tenet.
Description of file(s): PDF 1 page, 307 word document (text and image)
Speaker or author: Langston, John Mercer, 1829-1897.
Newspaper or publication: National Anti-Slavery Standard
Speech regarding the ways in which slavery has "...corrupted the whole mass of American society." The speaker points out political issues as well as women's issues that have been and continue to be affected by the political and economic power of the institution of slavery. (Speech 16796 is a duplicate of this speech.)
Description of file(s): PDF 10 page, 2,761 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Langston, John Mercer, 1829-1897.
Newspaper or publication: Presscopy -- Boston Athenaeum -- Pamphlet Collection
Brief overview of a speech made at the National Convention of Colored Men held in Syracuse, New York. The speaker emphasized that all races were made slaves if the system of oligarchy were allowed to continue.
Description of file(s): PDF 1 page, 197 word document (text and image)
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)