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: Harper, Frances Ellen Watkins, 1825-1911.
Newspaper or publication: National Anti-Slavery Standard
Eloquent speech regarding the ongoing issue of free versus slave state designation as new states enter the Union. The speaker told of her experience as witness to the continued degradation suffered by slaves.
Description of file(s): PDF 4 page, 1,277 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Harper, Frances Ellen Watkins, 1825-1911.
Newspaper or publication: Liberator
Overview of speech emphasizing the speaker's concerns regarding national government policy on Reconstruction following the Civil War.
Description of file(s): PDF 2 page, 547 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Harper, Frances Ellen Watkins, 1825-1911.
Newspaper or publication: Liberator
Overview of speech expressing concern regarding the direction and motivation of Reconstruction efforts under the guidance of President Andrew Johnson.
Description of file(s): PDF 2 page, 598 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Harper, Frances Ellen Watkins, 1825-1911.
Newspaper or publication: National Anti-Slavery Standard
Speech denouncing the continuation of the system of slavery in the U.S.
Description of file(s): PDF 2 page, 666 word document (text and images)
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)
Speaker or author: Rock, John S. (John Sweat), 1825-1866
Newspaper or publication: Liberator
Speech given during the 23rd anniversary of the emancipation of the British West Indies. The speaker gave a brief overview of the current condition of the West Indies, and the work that still lies ahead for the population there.
Description of file(s): PDF 4 page, 914 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Rock, John S. (John Sweat), 1825-1866
Newspaper or publication: Frederick Douglass' Paper
The speaker addressed the issue of categorizing human beings in terms of race. He noted how "...in undertaking to prove too much they prove nothing." He touched on the history of slavery and denounced the Fugitive Slave Law, predicting its downfall.
Description of file(s): PDF 6 page, 1,419 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Rock, John S. (John Sweat), 1825-1866
Newspaper or publication: Liberator
The speaker addressed the assertion that slaves lacked the same courage as white men or Indians or they wouldn't have allowed themselves to be slaves. The speaker asked if white men and Indians hadn't also been enslaved. If so, who can be said to have more courage or less? The speaker addressed several such irrational beliefs that were being offered regarding the essential nature of black Americans.
Description of file(s): PDF 8 page, 2,426 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Rock, John S. (John Sweat), 1825-1866
Newspaper or publication: Liberator
Speech addressing the current question of "what is to be done with the free colored people?" At the time, there were several issues regarding what would happen to the country if the slaves were set free. The speaker addressed the national fears; amalgamation; ideas regarding colonization or "removal"; and irrational concerns about violence. He assured his audience that both races were capable of living together in harmony.
Description of file(s): PDF 18 page, 5,281 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Rock, John S. (John Sweat), 1825-1866
Newspaper or publication: Liberator
Brief speech addressing the fears expressed within the country regarding the emancipation of the slaves. The speaker emphasized that the fear of amalgamation is groundless since it presupposes an "uncommon attraction on the part of the blacks" to the white race and this was not the case. He encouraged his audience to have faith and trust the path to freedom that lay before them.
Description of file(s): PDF 2 page, 336 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Rock, John S. (John Sweat), 1825-1866
Newspaper or publication: Christian Recorder (1852 - 1856)
Brief overview of a speech regarding the refusal of the government to arm and accept as soldiers African Americans during the Civil War. This situation would alter as the war neared its end.
Description of file(s): PDF 2 page, 440 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Rock, John S. (John Sweat), 1825-1866
Newspaper or publication: Liberator
The speaker emphasized the economic impact of emancipation on a country that had become rich on the backs of its slaves. He spoke about the continued war and the battle that lay ahead for those who were now free. He encouraged patriotism among newly freed slaves and stressed that they were now fighting for their own country and their own freedom. He also addressed the issues of prejudice and fears of amalgamation.
Description of file(s): PDF 14 page, 4,083 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Rock, John S. (John Sweat), 1825-1866
Newspaper or publication: Liberator
Speech given to celebrate the Emancipation Proclamation. The speaker rejoiced and offered thanks to all those who had sacrificed so much for this day.
Description of file(s): PDF 3 page, 790 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Rock, John S. (John Sweat), 1825-1866
Newspaper or publication: Liberator
Eloquent speech addressing the influence of government legislation that implied prejudicial bias regarding race.
Description of file(s): PDF 8 page, 2,175 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Rock, John S. (John Sweat), 1825-1866
Newspaper or publication: Presscopy -- Boston Athenaeum -- Pamphlet Collection
The speaker made a plea for equal rights now that the slaves had been freed. He noted the heroism and patriotism displayed by black soldiers and emphasized the sacrifices they had made for liberty, freedom, and justice. All that they asked for at this point was to be granted the civil rights that every Union soldier had fought and died for.
Description of file(s): PDF 3 page, 892 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Rock, John S. (John Sweat), 1825-1866
Newspaper or publication: Liberator
The speaker emphasized that the fight for freedom during the Civil War would be won through the work of the abolitionists. He then went on to praise two abolitionists in particular.
Description of file(s): PDF 11 page, 3,196 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: Rock, John S. (John Sweat), 1825-1866
Newspaper or publication: Liberator
Speech delivered during a celebration of the August 1st anniversary of the emancipation of the British West Indies. The speaker noted that it was only a matter of time before the U.S. would also abolish slavery. He stressed the challenges of prejudice, lack of education and unemployment that lay ahead for African Americans when slavery is abolished in the U. S.
Description of file(s): PDF 11 page, 3,267 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Gibbs, Jonathan C. (Jonathan Clarkson), 1831-1874
Newspaper or publication: Presscopy -- Presbyterian Historical Society -- Pamphlets
Lengthy sermon discussing the place of the African American in the ministry. The speaker emphasized the dedication and determination required to answer a divine calling to preach the gospel.
Description of file(s): PDF 19 page, 7,725 word document (text and images)
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Speaker or author: Gibbs, Jonathan C. (Jonathan Clarkson), 1831-1874
Newspaper or publication: Weekly Anglo-African (1859 - 1862)
Brief overview of a lecture on Geology given at the Institute for Colored Youth.
Description of file(s): PDF 2 page, 279 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Grimes, Leonard A., 1815-1874
Newspaper or publication: Liberator
Brief speech in which the speaker urged all African American men in New England to take up arms against the Confederacy since they had now been given the opportunity to do so. He reminded his listeners that they had offered to help fight the war in the past and had been refused. Now was the time to prove themselves worthy of the opportunity to fight that the government was giving to them.
Description of file(s): PDF 1 page, 288 word document (text and image)
Speaker or author: Grimes, Leonard A., 1815-1874
Newspaper or publication: National Anti-Slavery Standard
Speech relating the efforts of the speaker to buy the fugitive slave Anthony Burns from his master.
Description of file(s): PDF 2 page, 381 word document (text and images)