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: 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)
(page1).jpg.jpg "View item details")
Title: Mirror of the Times - August 22, 1857
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Mirror of the Times (1857 - 1862)
The writer expresses to his readers that while things seem to be prosperous for African Americans living in California, there are no laws in place to protect them. He adds that there is also always the potential for laws that limit African Americans even further. He urges his readers to pay close attention to political action in their state.
Description of file(s): two scanned newspaper columns (two pages)
Speaker or author: Ward, Samuel Ringgold, b. 1817
Newspaper or publication: Manchester Examiner and Times
Speech against the precepts of the Fugitive Slave Law. The speaker noted that there were some church denominations that countenanced slavery and that this discouraged abolition in the U.S. (Speech 15626 is a duplicate of this speech.)
Description of file(s): PDF 1 page, 293 word document (text and image)
Speaker or author: Remond, Sarah Parker, 1826-1887?
Newspaper or publication: Warrington Times
Overview of speech delivered before an English audience regarding the abuses suffered by women and mulattoes held in slavery in the U.S.
Description of file(s): PDF 2 page, 524 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Remond, Sarah Parker, 1826-1887?
Newspaper or publication: Warrington Times
Overview of a speech given before an audience in England relating examples of the horrors of slavery. The speaker noted especially the plight of women and children who were held in slavery.
Description of file(s): PDF 9 page, 2,698 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Remond, Sarah Parker, 1826-1887?
Newspaper or publication: Manchester Weekly Times
Impassioned speech delivered before an English audience. The speaker recounted examples of the horrors and moral degradation of slavery. She noted that the economics of cotton ruled the mind and morals of slaveholders. She stressed that slavery had not only denied freedom to millions of human beings, but had created a population of poor white people who could not earn a livable wage due to its existence.
Description of file(s): PDF 9 page, 2,862 word document (text and images)
spe.pdf.jpg "View item details")
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)
Speaker or author: Allen, William G., fl. 1849-1853
Newspaper or publication: Leeds Times
The speaker offered his views on the ways in which the African race had distinguished itself over countless generations as a race focused on morality and love of mankind. He denounced plans regarding the colonization of Siberia with nominally free black citizens, and emphasized the love of America that was pervasive among the African American people. (Includes MP3 audio file.)
Description of file(s): PDF 5 page, 1,590 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Brown, William Wells, 1814?-1884
Newspaper or publication: Bristol Times
Anecdotal speech given before a meeting on American slavery held in Bristol, England. The speaker recounted stories from his life and the lives of others who had experienced the cruelties of slavery. He spoke of the injustices of slavery, and stressed the importance of the support of the British people in the abolition of slavery in the U.S. (Includes MP3 audio file.)
Description of file(s): PDF 3 page, 995 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Brown, William Wells, 1814?-1884
Newspaper or publication: Manchester Examiner and Times
Speech delivered before a British audience denouncing the Fugitive Slave Law, and emphasizing the irony of a country founded on freedom continuing to depend on and encourage slave labor.
Description of file(s): PDF 10 page, 3,290 word document (text and images)
spe.pdf.jpg "View item details")
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)