Speaker or author: Crummell, Alexander, 1819-1898
Newspaper or publication: Patriot
The speaker expressed opposition to the recently passed Fugitive Slave law and emphasized that slavery was a "...disposition on the part of the strong and selfish to use and employ the weak and miserable part of creation as their own instruments...." The speaker felt that the only remedy for this situation was to improve and elevate the condition of the race. He believed that a type of colonization of Africa based in missionary work was the answer, although he expressed that this was not related to a scheme to remove the race from the U.S. as some believed.
Description of file(s): PDF 3 page, 936 word document (text and images)
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Title: Anglo-African Magazine - November, 1859
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Anglo-African Magazine (1859 - 1860)
Detailed account of the raid on Harper's Ferry by John Brown published originally in the Baltimore American and New York Herald. Included is an interview with John Brown shortly after his capture, and a brief account of his statements before the Grand Jury before his trial.
Description of file(s): eight scanned magazine pages (14 columns)
Speaker or author: Burns, Anthony, 1834-1862
Newspaper or publication: Frederick Douglass' Paper
Overview of speech detailing one man's experience with the injustice of the Fugitive Slave Law. The speaker expressed his belief that the Church was involved in continuing the system of slavery.
Description of file(s): PDF 7 page, 1,834 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Langston, C. H. (Charles Henry), b. 1821?
Newspaper or publication: Presscopy -- State Historical Society of Wisconsin -- Pamphlet Collection
Eloquent speech delivered before a court about to pronounce sentence on the speaker for his actions in working against the Fugitive Slave Law. After his impassioned call for reason, justice, and humanity in the exercising of the Fugitive Slave Law, the speaker was fined $100 and sentenced to 20 days in jail.
Description of file(s): PDF 13 page, 4,108 word document (text and images)
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Speaker or author: Langston, C. H. (Charles Henry), b. 1821?
Newspaper or publication: Presscopy -- Harvard University -- Anti-Slavery Pamphlets
Brief speech expressing the speaker's agreement that the U. S. government is based on a pro-slavery ideal.
Description of file(s): PDF 1 page, 396 word document (text and image)
Speaker or author: Remond, Charles Lenox, 1810-1873
Newspaper or publication: Liberator
Speech denouncing the Fugitive Slave Law; and lamenting the loss of motivation in those who had formed anti-slavery societies and had for so long fought untiringly for freedom.
Description of file(s): PDF 4 page, 1,026 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Remond, Charles Lenox, 1810-1873
Newspaper or publication: Liberator
The speaker noted that Washington, Madison, and Jefferson were all slave holders. He objected to the previous speaker's distinction between pro-slavery men and anti-slavery men since some politically anti-slavery men had been themselves slaveholders.
Description of file(s): PDF 1 page, 175 word document (text and image)
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Title: Colored American - March 11, 1837
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)
The editor explains a petition that was sent to the New York state government requesting an end to limited civil rights for free African Americans. The petition included a request for trial by jury, a repeal of the law authorizing slavery, and a restoration of voting rights. He notes that before 1821, free black men were allowed to vote and that this freedom has now been taken from them without just cause.
Description of file(s): one scanned, one columned, newspaper page
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Title: Frederick Douglass' Paper - December 16, 1853
Speaker or author: Watkins, William J.
Newspaper or publication: Frederick Douglass' Paper (1851 - 18??)
The writer briefly described his experience on a recent speaking tour.
Description of file(s): one scanned, two columned, newspaper page
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Title: Frederick Douglass' Paper - December 8, 1854
Speaker or author: Watkins, William J.
Newspaper or publication: Frederick Douglass' Paper (1851 - 18??)
The writer continues his answer to the question "What have the Abolitionists done?" that he began in a previous issue. He explains that abolitionists have kept the focus on the issue of slavery by agitation, speeches, aid to fugitives, and an untiring devotion to the cause of freedom. The have suffered imprisonment, shame, and personal attacks for what they believe is right.
Description of file(s): three scanned newspaper pages (five columns)
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Title: Frederick Douglass' Paper - January 27, 1854
Speaker or author: Watkins, William J.
Newspaper or publication: Frederick Douglass' Paper (1851 - 18??)
The writer reviews the horrors of slavery in the past from its entry into this country, and the continued cruelties that accompany it in the present. He details slavery's horrible progress to the present day, but offers hope for the future where he sees its demise.
Description of file(s): three scanned, two columned, newspaper pages
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Title: Frederick Douglass' Paper - June 2, 1854
Speaker or author: Watkins, William J.
Newspaper or publication: Frederick Douglass' Paper (1851 - 18??)
The writer comments on an incidence in Boston where a U.S. Marshall was murdered in an effort to prevent the return a fugitive slave to the person determined to be his owner.
Description of file(s): one scanned, two columned, newspaper page
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Title: Frederick Douglass' Paper - June 2, 1854
Speaker or author: Watkins, William J.
Newspaper or publication: Frederick Douglass' Paper (1851 - 18??)
The writer tells his readers that the Nebraska Act has stirred up political focus on the question of continued slavery and is succeeding in dividing the country politically in this regard.
Description of file(s): one scanned newspaper column
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Title: Frederick Douglass' Paper - June 30, 1854
Speaker or author: Watkins, William J.
Newspaper or publication: Frederick Douglass' Paper (1851 - 18??)
The writer notes with irony the amount of money being sent to the widow of James Batchelder, a U.S. Marshal who was killed trying to stop the failed rescue of fugitive Anthony Burns.
Description of file(s): one scanned newspaper column
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Title: Frederick Douglass' Paper - March 3, 1854
Speaker or author: Watkins, William J.
Newspaper or publication: Frederick Douglass' Paper (1851 - 18??)
The writer comments on speeches delivered at Fanuiel Hall regarding the Kansas-Nebraska Act that is currently being debated.
Description of file(s): one scanned, two columned, newspaper page
Speaker or author: Douglass, H. Ford
Newspaper or publication: Presscopy -- Harvard University -- Anti-Slavery Pamphlets
Speech given in response to a resolution offered at the convention. The speaker denounced the Fugitive Slave Law and expressed his belief that the "... Constitution of the United States is pro-slavery...."
Description of file(s): PDF 2 page, 773 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Douglass, H. Ford
Newspaper or publication: Liberator
Speaking in favor of the Stephen A. Douglas candidacy, the speaker emphasized the pro-slavery position of Abraham Lincoln. He noted that even though the Republican party (to which Lincoln belong) was considered the "anti-slavery party," Lincolns actions showed a different perspective. He noted that Lincoln supported the Fugitive Slave Law and expressed that Lincoln was pro-slavery.
Description of file(s): PDF 23 page, 6,716 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Garnet, Henry Highland, 1815-1882
Newspaper or publication: Patriot
Brief speech outlining the conditions under which the slaves in the U.S. were living. The speaker emphasized the roles the Church and the continued purchasing of slave-produced products in England were playing in continuing the institution of slavery in the U.S.
Description of file(s): PDF 1 page, 282 word document (text and image)
Speaker or author: Garnet, Henry Highland, 1815-1882
Newspaper or publication: Belfast Newsletter
Speech denouncing the Fugitive Slave Law and emphasizing its cruelty and potential to contribute to continued prejudice. The speaker emphasized that the Irish who were immigrating to the U.S. by the hundreds could offer tremendous aid in abolishing slavery.
Description of file(s): PDF 4 page, 1,217 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Garnet, Henry Highland, 1815-1882
Newspaper or publication: Liberator
Speech denouncing the Fugitive Slave Bill and recounting brief stories of those who escaped to freedom in Canada. He noted that slaveholders were not open to reason or compassion when it came to the question of slavery.
Description of file(s): PDF 3 page, 681 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Garnet, Henry Highland, 1815-1882
Newspaper or publication: Anti-Slavery Reporter
Speech denouncing the Fugitive Slave Law, and focusing on the efforts of the Church in the continuation of the system of slavery.
Description of file(s): PDF 2 page, 882 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Garnet, Henry Highland, 1815-1882
Newspaper or publication: Patriot
Speech denouncing the Fugitive Slave Law, emphasizing its inhumanity and injustice.
Description of file(s): PDF 3 page, 901 word document
Speaker or author: Garnet, Henry Highland, 1815-1882
Newspaper or publication: Christian News
Speech before a British audience condemning the Fugitive Slave Law and slavery in the U.S. The speaker pointed out the irony of the American stance on freedom when it continued to enslave millions of people.
Description of file(s): PDF 4 page, 1,131 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Holly, James Theodore
Newspaper or publication: Presscopy -- New York Public Library -- Schomburg Collection
Speech detailing the history of the Haitian revolution given in order to demonstrate the capabilities of the Negro race, and disprove ideas regarding the inequality of races in terms of intelligence and ability.
Description of file(s): PDF 44 page, 14,391 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Pennington, James W. C.
Newspaper or publication: Montreal Witness
Overview of speech addressing the question of what to do with the slaves if they are freed. The speaker offered statistical information on the slave population in the U. S. and the concentration of slaves in various states.
Description of file(s): PDF 4 page, 1,074 word document (text and images)