Speaker or author: Crummell, Alexander, 1819-1898
Newspaper or publication: African Repository
Lengthy speech published in two issues of the African Repository newspaper (combined here into one speech). The speaker noted the similarities between the enslaved people in the U.S. and those enslaved in Israel and Egypt in ancient times. The speaker believed colonization of Africa offered the way to freedom. He emphasized the positive aspects of the new colonies in Monrovia and Liberia.
Description of file(s): PDF 13 page, 5,353 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Crummell, Alexander, 1819-1898
Newspaper or publication: New York Public Library -- Schomburg Collection
The speaker stressed the history, benefit, and continued need of missionary work in Africa. He emphasized the work of Jewish, Baptist, Episcopalian, Catholic, Evangelical, Presbyterian and Protestant missionaries.
Description of file(s): PDF 19 page, 5,354 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Crummell, Alexander, 1819-1898
Newspaper or publication: Liberator
The speaker expressed his joy at the progress being made through emancipation in the U. S., and welcomed any African American interested in moving to Liberia to teach and/or add benefit to the continent of Africa.
Description of file(s): PDF 4 page, 999 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Crummell, Alexander, 1819-1898
Newspaper or publication: African Repository
The speaker offered a report on the progress being made in Liberia over the previous four years. Trade, education and immigration had increased, and the future for the country looked bright and hopeful.
Description of file(s): PDF 1 page, 388 word document (text and image)
Speaker or author: Green, Alfred M..
Newspaper or publication: Presscopy -- Foner and Walker, Eds. -- Proceedings of the Black State Conventions 1840-1865, (1979) Vol. 1, pp. 139-166
Eloquent, rational, and meaningful speech delivered before the Convention of the Colored People of Pennsylvania expressing a legal argument for civil rights. The speaker asked that African Americans be given their civil rights, be allowed to vote, hold jobs equal to those of the white population, and be given the opportunity to prove themselves worthy citizens of the U.S.
Description of file(s): PDF 1 page, 480 word document (text and image)
Speaker or author: Remond, Charles Lenox, 1810-1873
Newspaper or publication: Liberator
Brief speech in which the speaker expressed his belief that emancipation had failed. He believed that new states entering the Union should do so only on "...the basis of free suffrage, free religion and free social and civil rights."
Description of file(s): PDF 1 page, 167 word document (text and image)
Speaker or author: Remond, Charles Lenox, 1810-1873
Newspaper or publication: Anglo-African
Overview of speech encouraging the audience to continue their efforts for freedom until "... the ruling power was shamed into doing them justice." The speaker stressed the necessity of fighting for African American suffrage even though they were now free.
Description of file(s): PDF 1 page, 187 word document (text and image)
Speaker or author: Remond, Charles Lenox, 1810-1873
Newspaper or publication: National Anti-Slavery Standard
The speaker noted that while slavery had ended, as long as equality did not exist between the races, the work of the Anti-Slavery movement would continue. He believed that now was not the time to abandon work for civil rights and social acceptance of the newly freed slaves.
Description of file(s): PDF 4 page, 955 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: 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)
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: Vashon, George Boyer, 1824-1878
Newspaper or publication: Presscopy -- Foner and Walker, Eds. -- Proceedings of the Black State Conventions 1840-1865, (1979) Vol. 1, pp. 139-166
Brief overview of speech in which the speaker expressed his view that a country that is not administered by a just and impartial government was not secure or permanent.
Description of file(s): PDF 1 page, 377 word document (text and image)
Speaker or author: Garnet, Henry Highland, 1815-1882
Newspaper or publication: Morgan State University Library -- Pamphlet Collection
Speech given before the House of Representatives denouncing slavery as an inhumane system in a country founded on freedom. The speaker related his own experiences with slavery and the injustices he had witnessed growing up as a slave. Now that slavery had ended, he asked that the government approach the recovery of the Union with an eye towards racial harmony.
Description of file(s): PDF 20 page, 5,472 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Garnet, Henry Highland, 1815-1882
Newspaper or publication: Christian Recorder (1852 - 1856)
Brief overview of speech given to eulogize Abraham Lincoln and collect money to benefit the church.
Description of file(s): PDF 1 page, 274 word document (text and image)
Speaker or author: Campbell, Jabez Pitt (1854-1858)
Newspaper or publication: Christian Recorder (1852 - 1856)
Overview of speech tracing the causes of the Civil War and the continuing opportunity for error, injustice, and restricted freedom. The speaker emphasized the role of political action in encouraging the events that led to the Civil War.
Description of file(s): PDF 9 page, 2,254 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Harris, James H., 1832-1891
Newspaper or publication: Christian Recorder (1852 - 1856)
Brief speech in which the speaker encouraged the newly freed slaves to stay in the southern states and not migrate to the north. The speaker felt that African American had more friends among the white population in the south than in the north.
Description of file(s): PDF 2 page, 412 word document (text and images)
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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: Parker, John, fl. 1861-1864
Newspaper or publication: Liberator
Brief overview of a speech given by a recently freed slave who served in the Confederate army. He believed the South's greatest ally was the divided opinion of slavery expressed by those in the North.
Description of file(s): PDF 1 page, 207 word document (text and image)