Speaker or author: Francis, Abner H.
Newspaper or publication: North Star
Speech delivered to celebrate the anniversary of the emancipation of the British West Indies. The speaker recounted the history of slavery, the successes of those who had overcome slavery in the past, and the potential of those abolitionists who he believes will abolish slavery forever after.
Description of file(s): PDF 17 page, 4,145 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Crummell, Alexander, 1819-1898
Newspaper or publication: Presscopy -- New York Public Library -- Schomburg Collection
Lengthy speech justifying the idea of colonization based on evangelization of Africa. The speaker believed that this was the divine duty of the Negro race since Africa was their spiritual home. The speaker presented a history of Africa and slavery to provide a basis for his reasoning.
Description of file(s): PDF 38 page, 11,220 word document (text and images)
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: Presscopy -- New York Public Library -- Schomburg Collection
Lengthy sermon regarding the important role of God and religion in government. The speaker addressed issues of slavery and society throughout the history of the world.
Description of file(s): PDF 21 page, 5,823 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Crummell, Alexander, 1819-1898
Newspaper or publication: Presscopy -- New York Public Library -- Schomburg Collection
Lengthy sermon in which the speaker compares the plight of those held in bondage in the U.S. with the experiences of slaves in ancient Egypt. The speaker believed that it was God's Will that the people of Africa should be converted to Christianity.
Description of file(s): PDF 21 page, 6,407 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Crummell, Alexander, 1819-1898
Newspaper or publication: Presscopy -- British Library
Lengthy sermon regarding the history of slavery, the abuses suffered by slaves in the U.S., and the necessity for evangelizing (and colonizing) Africa.
Description of file(s): PDF 40 page, 14,207 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Green, Alfred M.
Newspaper or publication: Weekly Anglo-African (1859 - 1862)
Overview of a rousing speech denouncing laws against freedom that were being enacted across the country. The speaker pays particular attention to encouraging the repeal of the Personal Liberty Law.
Description of file(s): PDF 2 page, 382 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Steward, Austin
Newspaper or publication: Presscopy -- Onondaga County Public Library [Coles, Howard W., The Cradle of Freedom, (1941), pp. 23-26]
At the termination of slavery in the U.S., the speaker reflected on what had been an accepted economic mainstay in the system of slavery and what potential for change was now available for all U.S. citizens. He urged his audience to take advantage of the opportunity to prosper by adopting a Christian lifestyle, avoiding "hard spirits," and focusing on civil rights.
Description of file(s): PDF 10 page, 2,307 word document (text and images)
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Title: Colored American - May 6, 1837
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)
The writer stresses that in order for African Americans to be accepted as vital and useful members of society, they must present an industrious, moral, and educated image to the community. This involves shaking off old habits, and adopting new goals toward improvement both mentally and physically.
Description of file(s): one scanned, two columned, newspaper page
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Title: Colored American - November 16, 1839
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)
The writer notes the success of immediate emancipation in other countries, and expresses his belief that the U.S. must follow suit.
Description of file(s): one scanned, two columned, newspaper page
Speaker or author: Blyden, Edward Wilmot, 1832-1912.
Newspaper or publication: African Repository
Speech describing the geographical and cultural aspects of Ethiopia, Liberia and other explored areas of Africa. The speaker encouraged an evangelical approach to colonization of Africa.
Description of file(s): PDF 18 page, 7,230 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. 25-33
The speaker encouraged those of African descent to return to their "fatherland" and help cultivate and develop Africa. He believed that Africa offered opportunity and freedom that freed slaves could never find in America.
Description of file(s): PDF 11 page, 3,827 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: 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: Garnet, Henry Highland, 1815-1882.
Newspaper or publication: Presscopy -- Yale University -- Anti-Slavery Pamphlets
Speech detailing the history of the Negro race from its great African kings and queens of the past, to its victims of slavery. Included is a look forward to the successes that will come with its future generations.
Description of file(s): PDF 26 page, 7,813 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Pennington, James W. C.
Newspaper or publication: Christian News
Review of a speech calling for unconditional emancipation of slaves in the U.S. in similar fashion to the way slaves were freed in Egypt. The speaker disagreed with the idea of financial compensation of the slaveholders for each freed slave.
Description of file(s): PDF 4 page, 1,100 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Pennington, James W. C.
Newspaper or publication: Presscopy -- Connecticut Historical Society -- Pamphlets
The speaker approached the subject of emancipation on the anniversary of the abolition of slavery in the British West Indies. He traced the history of emancipation from the 1700's, and emphasized through example the clever ways some slave holders continued the system without calling it slavery.
Description of file(s): PDF 16 page, 4,467 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Pennington, James W. C.
Newspaper or publication: Presscopy -- Congregational Library -- Anti-Slavery Pamphlets
Speech regarding the injustices of slavery and prejudice emphasizing the extreme cruelity that can result from fear and hatred in mass populations. The speaker noted that while slavery intended to make "beasts of burden" of human bodies, the reality of slavery demonstrated that the institution was instead a battle to chain human minds.
Description of file(s): PDF 29 page, 12,568 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: Brown, Paola
Newspaper or publication: Presscopy -- Toronto Public Library -- Toronto, Canada
Lengthy sermon describing the history of slavery, its continued cruelties, and the influence of the Church in keeping the system in place in the U.S. The speaker emphasized the relationship between Egyptian slaves and those in the U.S., as well as the response of various European countries to the institution of slavery. Included is a denouncement of the Fugitive Slave Bill.
Description of file(s): PDF 73 page, 23,292 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Randolph, Paschal Beverly, 1825-1874
Newspaper or publication: Presscopy -- Boston Athenaeum -- Pamphlet Collection
Impassioned speech urging patience, persistence, and patriotism as the Civil War continued. The speaker emphasized to his audience that liberty and justice would prevail.
Description of file(s): PDF 3 page, 886 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Bell, Philip A.
Newspaper or publication: Pacific Appeal
Brief speech comparing Jewish slavery with American slavery. The speaker emphasized the Biblical history of slavery. (Includes MP3 audio file)
Description of file(s): PDF 2 page, 348 word document (text and images)
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Title: Provincial Freeman - October 13, 1855
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Provincial Freeman (1853 - 1859)
The writer questions the prejudice towards slaves and fugitive slaves felt by free African Americans. He encourages them to see all human beings as part of the same family of man.
Description of file(s): 2 scanned, three columns, newspaper pages
spe.pdf.jpg "View item details")
Speaker or author: White, Sampson
Newspaper or publication: Weekly Anglo-African (1859 - 1862)
Brief speech expressing feelings of sorrow and loss with the death of John Brown.
Description of file(s): PDF 1 page, 195 word document (text and image)
Speaker or author: Ward, Samuel Ringgold, b. 1817
Newspaper or publication: Pennsylvania Freeman
Detailed account of the history of the Negro race including historical and current accomplishments. The speaker quoted sources who trace humanity itself to origins in Africa, and he stresses the ability of African Americans to accomplish more than they are given credit for.
Description of file(s): PDF 16 page, 3,903 word document (text and images)