Speaker or author: Martin, J. Sella (John Sella), b. 1832
Newspaper or publication: National Anti-Slavery Standard
The speaker noted that prejudice was related more to an association of race with slavery than to slavery itself. While slavery had included all races in its long history, it was the particular racial aspect of slavery in the U. S. that distinguished it and set it on the road to its doom. The speaker also addressed the causes for the abolition of slavery in England and the influence of the press in this action.
Description of file(s): PDF 4 page, 927 word document (text and images)
spe.pdf.jpg "View item details")
Speaker or author: Martin, J. Sella (John Sella), b. 1832
Newspaper or publication: Liberator
Brief speech in which the speaker defended the African civilization project. He believed that immigrating to Africa, growing cotton there, then selling cotton to England was one of the best way to end slavery in the U.S.
Description of file(s): PDF 1 page, 191 word document (text and image)
Speaker or author: Martin, J. Sella (John Sella), b. 1832
Newspaper or publication: Weekly Anglo-African (1859 - 1862)
While introducing Henry Highland Garnet, the speaker said he supported the African Civilization Society's efforts in Africa. He praised Mr. Garnet's work towards freedom and dedication to the cause of abolition.
Description of file(s): PDF 6 page, 1,273 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Martin, J. Sella (John Sella), b. 1832
Newspaper or publication: Liberator
Impassioned and emotional speech given the day of John Brown's death. The speaker praised John Brown and compared the trails and convictions of his life with those of Jesus and John the Baptist. The speaker saw John Brown's death as more a crucifixion than an execution. This event marked a turning point in the efforts to find a peaceful solution to the issue of slavery.
Description of file(s): PDF 10 page, 2,873 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Martin, J. Sella (John Sella), b. 1832
Newspaper or publication: Western Reserve Historical Society, Cleveland Ohio -- Sella Martin Book
The speaker traced in detail the benefits and the drawbacks of raising cotton. He stressed the value of the crop itself and its positive influence on the American economy. He linked this with the work of slaves who had given their health and lives to produce it. The remainder of the speech stressed the predicament that the emancipation of the slaves placed on those involved with cotton production. He also emphasized that the Negro was not inferior to the white race and he offered several examples to prove this. He believed the future of the production of cotton and other crops was with science not with "brute" man power. The idea of inferiority of one race was not a sound argument for slavery. He argued for the right of all human beings to be free.
Description of file(s): PDF 13 page, 3,682 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Martin, J. Sella (John Sella), b. 1832
Newspaper or publication: Frederick Douglass' Monthly
Speech delivered before an English audience explaining in general terms the causes and possible outcome of the Civil War. The speaker placed emphasis on the injustice of laws like the Fugitive Slave Law that were being passed in the U.S. just before the war began.
Description of file(s): PDF 6 page, 1,285 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Martin, J. Sella (John Sella), b. 1832
Newspaper or publication: National Anti-Slavery Standard
The speaker put forward his assessment of how the situation in the U. S. is currently viewed in England. He noted that opinion differs by class and political affiliation with some siding with the Union and some with the Confederacy. He gave examples and detailed his reasoning when reaching these conclusions.
Description of file(s): PDF 3 page, 628 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Martin, J. Sella (John Sella), b. 1832
Newspaper or publication: Liberator
Sermon delivered during a celebration of the anniversary of the emancipation of the British West Indies. The speaker emphasized the error in moral judgment made by a country that condoned laws like the Fugitive Slave Law. He compared the plight of the slaves in the U.S. with that of slaves in ancient Egypt. He noted that the poor whites were not treated any better than the slaves were regardless of their skin color. The war for freedom was, to the speaker, a holy war for human liberty.
Description of file(s): PDF 15 page, 4,523 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Martin, J. Sella (John Sella), b. 1832
Newspaper or publication: Liberator
Speech delivered before an English audience recognizing the efforts of the National Anti-Slavery League and its members in the fight for universal abolition of slavery.
Description of file(s): PDF 4 page, 949 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Martin, J. Sella (John Sella), b. 1832
Newspaper or publication: Liberator
The speaker appealed to the people of Great Britain for their support in the fight for emancipation in the U.S. He explained a bit of what was happening in the U.S. regarding the war, and focused on the issue of slavery and the strides being made by the anti-slavery movements there.
Description of file(s): PDF 14 page, 4,006 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Martin, J. Sella (John Sella), b. 1832
Newspaper or publication: Anti-Slavery Advocate
Brief speech praising the work of William Lloyd Garrison, Wendell Phillips, and John Brown. The speaker said that just because there is no news of discontent from the slaves in the South does not mean that they are happy with their situation.
Description of file(s): PDF 1 page, 134 word document (text and image)
Speaker or author: Martin, J. Sella (John Sella), b. 1832
Newspaper or publication: National Anti-Slavery Standard
Brief overview of a speech delivered before an English audience and addressing the criticism by the British of the Civil War. The speaker emphasized that slavery was worse than war and therefore freedom was worth fighting for.
Description of file(s): PDF 1 page, 212 word document (text and image)
Speaker or author: Martin, J. Sella (John Sella), b. 1832
Newspaper or publication: Patriot
Speech delivered before an English audience regarding the effects of the Civil War on the English economy. The speaker emphasized that slavery was "perpetual war, and was more cruel and immoral than any." He apologized to the British people for the disruption in cotton importation from the U.S. due to the fighting.
Description of file(s): PDF 3 page, 651 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Martin, J. Sella (John Sella), b. 1832
Newspaper or publication: Non Conformist
An appeal to the American people on behalf of the newly freed slaves for assistance in adapting to their new condition. Almost immediately after the Emancipation Proclamation the prejudice already prevalent in the country became more pronounced and intense. The speaker called for reason and compassion.
Description of file(s): PDF 3 page, 804 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Martin, J. Sella (John Sella), b. 1832
Newspaper or publication: Presscopy -- John Rylands Library -- Manchester, England
Speech given on the anniversary of the execution of John Brown. The speaker related his experience with John Brown, and praised him as a martyr for the abolition of slavery. He also praised other abolitionists and stressed that the incident at Harper's Ferry was the spark that fueled the current fight to completely end slavery.
Description of file(s): PDF 7 page, 2,698 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Martin, J. Sella (John Sella), b. 1832
Newspaper or publication: Presscopy -- Rhodes House -- MSS British Empire -- G88, Freedman's Aid Society -- Oxford, England
Overview of a speech addressing the pro-slavery argument that the slave is content in his/her situation. This argument includes the idea that the slave has no right to his contentment if it interfers with another person's freedom. The speaker also eloquently addressed the argument of the inferiority of the black race.
Description of file(s): PDF 3 page, 968 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Martin, J. Sella (John Sella), b. 1832
Newspaper or publication: Liberator
The speaker praised George Thompson for his accomplishments on behalf of African Americans. He compared the treatment of the slave in the northern states with the treatment of the slave in the southern states and concluded that African Americans were treated better in the south.
Description of file(s): PDF 3 page, 711 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Martin, J. Sella (John Sella), b. 1832
Newspaper or publication: Liberator
Speech delivered before an English audience requesting that the British government refuse aid and assistance to the Confederacy.
Description of file(s): PDF 1 page, 289 word document (text and image)
Speaker or author: Martin, J. Sella (John Sella), b. 1832
Newspaper or publication: Liberator
Speech given before an English audience asking for their support in the process of emancipation that was now in effect in the U.S. The speaker expressed his idea that immediate emancipation was better than the gradual emancipation that some promoted.
Description of file(s): PDF 6 page, 1,641 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Martin, J. Sella (John Sella), b. 1832
Newspaper or publication: Weekly Anglo-African (1859 - 1862)
Overview of speech given in response to the execution of John Brown. The speaker compares John Brown's life to the lives of John the Baptist and Jesus.
Description of file(s): PDF 3 page, 517 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Martin, J. Sella (John Sella), b. 1832
Newspaper or publication: Non Conformist
Speech addressing those who criticized immediate emancipation. The speaker also addressed the belief that the slave was content in his bondage.
Description of file(s): PDF 3 page, 890 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Delany, Martin Robison, 1812-1885
Newspaper or publication: Presscopy -- Meharry Medical College, Nashville, Tennessee -- Ullman Papers
Eulogy on the life and history of the Reverend Fayette Davis. The speaker traces Rev. Davis' life from Virginia where he was born free, through his childhood in Kentucky (a slave state where his opportunities were limited), his marriage, his career choice as a member of the clergy, and finally his early death.
Description of file(s): PDF 12 page, 3,286 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Delany, Martin Robison, 1812-1885
Newspaper or publication: Provincial Freeman
Lengthy speech detailing the various ways states were dealing with racial issues. The speaker also touched on issues of colonization and amelioration.
Description of file(s): PDF 19 pages, 4,424 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Delany, Martin Robison, 1812-1885
Newspaper or publication: North Star
Brief account of a speech regarding the way Church ministers seemed to be encouraging slavery and considering it a "Divine" institution, thus condoning its continuation.
Description of file(s): PDF 3 page, 679 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Delany, Martin Robison, 1812-1885
Newspaper or publication: Chatham Tri-Weekly Planet (with portions taken from the Chatham Weekly Planet)
The speaker gave an account of his recent explorations in Liberia including geological and geographical information. He also stressed the kindness, curiosity and willingness to learn of the people he encountered in Africa.
Description of file(s): PDF 3 page, 630 word document (text and images)