Speaker or author: Harris, Andrew, of Philadelphia
Newspaper or publication: Emancipator
Speech against the injustices and horrors of slavery given at the annual meeting of the American Anti-Slavery Society.
Description of file(s): PDF 4 page, 1,165 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Augustus William Hanson
Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)
Rambling speech regarding the inherent rights of human beings in a free society regardless of race.
Description of file(s): PDF 13 page, 3,785 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Blyden, Edward Wilmot, 1832-1912.
Newspaper or publication: Presscopy -- Lynch, Black Spokesman: Selected Published Writings of Edward Wilmot Blyden, pp. 11-20
Speech supporting the African colonization efforts of freed slaves. The speaker emphasized the benefits of African Americans immigrating to Africa.
Description of file(s): PDF 12 page, 4,287 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Blyden, Edward Wilmot, 1832-1912.
Newspaper or publication: Presscopy -- Our Origin, Dangers and Duties -- Lynch, Black Spokesman: Selected Published Writings of Edward Wilmot Blyden, pp. 25-33
The speaker encouraged those of African descent to return to their "fatherland" and help cultivate and develop Africa. He believed that Africa offered opportunity and freedom that freed slaves could never find in America.
Description of file(s): PDF 11 page, 3,827 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Blyden, Edward Wilmot, 1832-1912.
Newspaper or publication: Presscopy -- Lynch, Black Spokesman: Selected Writings of Edward Wilmot Blyden, pp. 63-65
Speech regarding the issues facing Liberia at the time. The speaker believed that the desire to be rich had created too much foreign dependency and not enough development of internal values for the Liberian population in terms of morality, education, and economics. (Includes MP3 audio file.)
Description of file(s): PDF 3 page, 911 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Blyden, Edward Wilmot, 1832-1912.
Newspaper or publication: Presscopy -- Lynch, Black Spokesman: Selected Published Writings of Edward Wilmot Blyden, pp. 219-222
Inaugural address given at the opening of Liberia College in the newly formed colony of Liberia in West Africa. The speaker gave a brief history of the Africa people who had been captured into slavery and were now given the opportunity to return to their "fatherland" and establish a successful country based on freedom and liberty.
Description of file(s): PDF 5 page, 1,686 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Blyden, Edward Wilmot, 1832-1912.
Newspaper or publication: African Repository
Speech delivered on the 18th anniversary of Liberian Independence. The speaker stressed the accomplishments of the nation of Liberia and suggested amendments to its constitution.
Description of file(s): PDF 10 page, 4,406 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Blyden, Edward Wilmot, 1832-1912.
Newspaper or publication: African Repository
Speech describing the geographical and cultural aspects of Ethiopia, Liberia and other explored areas of Africa. The speaker encouraged an evangelical approach to colonization of Africa.
Description of file(s): PDF 18 page, 7,230 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Blyden, Edward Wilmot, 1832-1912.
Newspaper or publication: African Repository
Inaugural speech given at the founding of the first college in West Africa. The speaker stressed the importance of education in the formation of Liberia.
Description of file(s): PDF 22 page, 8,619 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Blyden, Edward Wilmot, 1832-1912.
Newspaper or publication: African Repository
The speaker described life in Africa with the U.S. colonization efforts taking place there. He encouraged freed slaves to immigrate and participate in the colonization of Liberia and Ethiopia.
Description of file(s): PDF 4 page, 1,331 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Blyden, Edward Wilmot, 1832-1912.
Newspaper or publication: Presscopy -- Lynch, Black Spokesman: Selected Writings of Edward Wilmot Blyden, pp. 67-75
-- Copyright Permission Pending -- Eulogy given for the Reverend John Day tracing his life through childhood to death, emphasizing his challenges and triumphs. The speaker focused on the Reverend's impact on the world around him and his influence in the work for the abolition of slavery.
Description of file(s): PDF 11 page, 3,731 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Blyden, Edward Wilmot, 1832-1912.
Newspaper or publication: Presscopy -- Our Origin, Dangers and Duties -- Lynch, Black Spokesman: Selected Published Writings of Edward Wilmot Blyden, pp. 77-79
The speaker called for an amendment to the Constitution of the newly formed Liberian government to extend the term of president from two years to "six to eight" without an option for immediate re-election to that office. He also called for an amendment to allow the president the power to dismiss government employees when necessary. The speaker included other suggestions to improve the Constitution of Liberia.
Description of file(s): PDF 3 page, 1,099 word document (text and images)
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Title: Frederick Douglass' Paper - April 11, 1854
Speaker or author: Watkins, William J.
Newspaper or publication: Frederick Douglass' Paper (1851 - 18??)
The writer expresses his views on what it takes to be a reformer in an oppressive society.
Description of file(s): one scanned, two columned, newspaper page
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Title: Frederick Douglass' Paper - April 12, 1854
Speaker or author: Watkins, William J.
Newspaper or publication: Frederick Douglass' Paper (1851 - 18??)
The writer comments on a speech delivered by former president Millard Fillmore delivered in New Orleans during his tour of the southern states.
Description of file(s): one scanned, two columned, newspaper page
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Title: Frederick Douglass' Paper - April 14, 1854
Speaker or author: Watkins, William J.
Newspaper or publication: Frederick Douglass' Paper (1851 - 18??)
The writer speaks out against the Kansas-Nebraska Bill currently under consideration. He believes this bill will not become law.
Description of file(s): one scanned, two columned, newspaper page
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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)
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Title: Frederick Douglass' Paper - April 28, 1854
Speaker or author: Watkins, William J.
Newspaper or publication: Frederick Douglass' Paper (1851 - 18??)
The writer comments on further developments in the evolution of the Kansas-Nebraska Act currently being considered in Congress.
Description of file(s): one scanned newspaper column
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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
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Title: Frederick Douglass' Paper - August 18, 1854
Speaker or author: Watkins, William J.
Newspaper or publication: Frederick Douglass' Paper (1851 - 18??)
The writer comments briefly on his visit to Toronto, Canada and the work being done there on behalf of its black citizens.
Description of file(s): one scanned, two columned, newspaper page
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Title: Frederick Douglass' Paper - August 25, 1854
Speaker or author: Watkins, William J.
Newspaper or publication: Frederick Douglass' Paper (1851 - 18??)
The writer asks the rhetorical question "Is color a constitutional disqualifier?" after relating the story of a fugitive slave being refused a passport while in a foreign country since he was black. The official of that country told him that since he was black he couldn't be considered a citizen of the U.S. He addresses the issue of citizenship in the U.S. and how this seems determined by race.
Description of file(s): one scanned, two columned, newspaper page
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Title: Frederick Douglass' Paper - August 25, 1854
Speaker or author: Watkins, William J.
Newspaper or publication: Frederick Douglass' Paper (1851 - 18??)
The writer describes some his experiences in several cities he visited during his speaking tour of New York and Connecticut.
Description of file(s): two scanned, two columned, newspaper pages
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Title: Frederick Douglass' Paper - August 25, 1854
Speaker or author: Watkins, William J.
Newspaper or publication: Frederick Douglass' Paper (1851 - 18??)
The writer discusses the injustices of prejudice as it affects segregation in churches and schools. He stresses the distinction made in terms of skin color since an Irish immigrant is granted more consideration than an African American solely because of his skin color.
Description of file(s): three scanned newspaper pages (five columns)
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Title: Frederick Douglass' Paper - December 1, 1854
Speaker or author: Watkins, William J.
Newspaper or publication: Frederick Douglass' Paper (1851 - 18??)
The writer begins to answer the question "What have the Abolitionists done?" by explaining what they have not done. He will respond further to this question in another editorial.
Description of file(s): two scanned newspaper pages (three columns)
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Title: Frederick Douglass' Paper - December 1, 1854
Speaker or author: Watkins, William J.
Newspaper or publication: Frederick Douglass' Paper (1851 - 18??)
The writer gives brief comments on the results of the current election in a few states. He offers an overview of the way the election is proceeding at that point.
Description of file(s): one scanned newspaper column
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Title: Frederick Douglass' Paper - December 15, 1854
Speaker or author: Watkins, William J.
Newspaper or publication: Frederick Douglass' Paper (1851 - 18??)
The writer alerts his readers to an upcoming lecture by Cassius M. Clay.
Description of file(s): one scanned newspaper column