Speaker or author: Beman, Amos Gerry, 1812-1874
Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)
Speech regarding the principles, goals and value of the New York Committee of Vigilance in its assistance to people of color.
Description of file(s): PDF 11 page, 2,773 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Beman, Amos Gerry, 1812-1874
Newspaper or publication: Emancipator
Excerpt of a speech delivered before the Congregational Church in Hartford, Connecticut and published in the Emancipator newspaper. The newspaper notes that: "Mr. B. endeavors successfully, in his address, to show, that the colored race may be elevated in this country, in respect to property, intelligence, and moral worth; which he declares are the elements of true happiness and prosperity. Having concluded his argument, he makes an eloquent and earnest appeal to his hearers, to inspire them with resolution to overcome the obstacles in the way of their elevation." (Includes MP3 audio file.)
Description of file(s): PDF 3 page, 657 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Beman, Amos Gerry, 1812-1874
Newspaper or publication: North Star
Brief speech expressing the speaker's outrage at the defeat of African American suffrage in Connecticut. The speaker blamed the defeat on Irish voters. (Includes MP3 audio file.)
Description of file(s): PDF 1 page, 228 word document (text and image)
Speaker or author: Reason, Charles Lewis, 1818-1893
Newspaper or publication: National Anti-Slavery Standard
Speech denouncing the plans and goals of the American Colonization Society. The speaker stressed that this idea is just a scheme to remove African Americans from the U.S.
Description of file(s): PDF 5 page, 1,221 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Reason, Charles Lewis, 1818-1893
Newspaper or publication: National Anti-Slavery Standard
Speech given against the goals of the American Colonization Society and the speaker's belief that colonization of Africa simply offered another type of enslavement to African Americans.
Description of file(s): PDF 11 page, 3,314 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Reason, Charles Lewis, 1818-1893
Newspaper or publication: Pennsylvania Freeman
Speech dedicating a library for the Institute for Colored Youth stressing the benefits of education to the elevation of the race.
Description of file(s): PDF 13 page, 3,096 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Reason, Charles Lewis, 1818-1893
Newspaper or publication: Impartial Citizen
Brief speech by Charles Reason, professor at New York Central College describing the college and the area surrounding its location.
Description of file(s): PDF 1 page, 179 word document (text and images)
spe.pdf.jpg "View item details")
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: 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: 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)
spe.pdf.jpg "View item details")
Speaker or author: Langston, John Mercer, 1829-1897.
Newspaper or publication: Anti-Slavery Bugle
Brief speech discounting the Democratic party's pro-slavery stance and the laws that had resulted from its influence.
Description of file(s): PDF 2 page, 491 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: 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: 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: 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 -- 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: Elevator (Incomplete)
Eloquent speech regarding the positive changes the speaker could already see as a result of the end of the Civil War and the emancipation of the slaves. The speaker stressed, however, that more changes were needed before racial equality could be realized.
Description of file(s): PDF 5 page, 1,141 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Langston, John Mercer, 1829-1897.
Newspaper or publication: Anti-Slavery Bugle
The speaker stressed that where there is one person legally enslaved in the U.S., there is no liberty for anyone. Slavery makes slaves of us all. When a government encourages slavery, it evokes a need to control the slaves. This requires laws which limit freedom for everyone. The speaker offered examples to substantiate his ideas.
Description of file(s): PDF 12 page, 3,349 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Langston, John Mercer, 1829-1897.
Newspaper or publication: Anti-Slavery Bugle
Speech regarding the inhumanity of slavery, emphasizing the government backing the institution of slavery receives that keeps it strongly in place.
Description of file(s): PDF 4 page, 973 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)
Speaker or author: Lewis, John N.
Newspaper or publication: Emancipator
Speech regarding the irony of missionary work in Africa by men who are slaves in the U.S. and not allowed to read the Bible. Emphasis is placed on the question of civil rights in the U.S.
Description of file(s): PDF 6 page, 1,278 word document (text and images)
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Speaker or author: Lewis, John W., Eld.
Newspaper or publication: Liberator
Brief comments on the upcoming presidential election, voting, and the influence of the Church in continuing slavery. The speaker expressed his amazement that any government would pass a law like the Fugitive Slave Law.
Description of file(s): PDF 1 page, 198 word document (text and image)
Speaker or author: Clarke, Lewis Garrard, 1812-1897
Newspaper or publication: Signal of Liberty
Narrative about one man's experience as a slave in Kentucky.
Description of file(s): PDF 5 page, 1,511 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Hayden, Lewis, 1815-1889
Newspaper or publication: Boston Athenaeum -- Pamphlet Collection
Lengthy speech regarding the status of freed African Americans within the order of Freemasonry. The speaker stressed concern over growing racial prejudice within the order. He was also concerned that President Andrew Johnson was not doing anything to combat the increasing racial prejudice within the U.S. The speaker paid special attention to the wording of the Freemason doctrine regarding membership. He also gave a brief history of the order, including its goals, moral obligations and social commitment. This speech contains valuable information regarding the influence of Freemasonry in the founding of the U. S.
Description of file(s): PDF 56 page, 17,480 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Hayden, Lewis, 1815-1889
Newspaper or publication: Frederick Douglass' Paper
Debate between Mr. Hayden and Mr. Githell, a slaveholder, over the morality of slavery. The speaker said it was immoral to hold human beings as property. Mr. Githell's point was that while he was against slavery, each of his slaves represented a monetary investment that he wanted to be compensated for. Mr. Githell believed God would end slavery, but that this couldn't happen yet because the slave offered economic prosperity to the slaveholder.
Description of file(s): PDF 2 page, 433 word document (text and images)