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: Jones, Josiah, abolitionist
Newspaper or publication: Western Herald
Speech given during an anniversary celebration of the emancipation of the British West Indies by African American troops stationed in Chatham, Australia.
Description of file(s): PDF 2 page, 286 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Lane, Lunsford, b. 1803.
Newspaper or publication: Western Citizen
Speech given by Lunsford Lane describing how he purchased his family from slavery.
Description of file(s): PDF 10 page, 2,551 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Wright, Theodore S. (Theodore Sedgwick), 1797-1847
Newspaper or publication: Herald of Freedom
Speech given before the New York State Anti-Slavery Society on the acceptance and adoption of the annual report with emphasis placed on the efforts toward emancipation that the society had accomplished since its inception.
Description of file(s): PDF 10 page, 2,502 word document (text and images)
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Speaker or author: Craft, William
Newspaper or publication: Western Times
Speech relating the speaker's experiences as a slave and his subsequent escape. The speaker also denounced the recently passed Fugitive Slave Law.
Description of file(s): PDF 4 page, 1,219 word document (text and images)
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Speaker or author: Brown, William Wells, 1814?-1884
Newspaper or publication: Western Times
Speech denouncing the Fugitive Slave Law and stressing its cruel uses.
Description of file(s): PDF 5 page, 1,655 word document (text and images)