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Subtitle: President Pierce's Inaugural.

Title: Aliened American - April 9, 1853

Speaker or author: editor

Newspaper or publication: Aliened American (1853 - 1877)

The writer provides commentary on the inaugural speech of President Franklin Pierce. In his address, Pierce offered his thoughts on issues ranging from economic growth, westward expansion, and the continuation of slavery in the Southern states. He carefully refers to slavery as "involuntary servitude," and tells his audience that this is constitutional in the states that allow it.

Description of file(s): four scanned newspaper pages (seven columns)

Subtitle: Revival of Slavery.

Title: Anglo-African - August 12, 1865

Speaker or author: editor

Newspaper or publication: Anglo-African (1863 - 1865)

The writer comments on an article published in a Nashville, Tennessee newspaper urging readers to vote for Governor Campbell and a return to the institution of slavery.

Description of file(s): one scanned, two columned, newspaper page

Subtitle: Northern Humiliation and Southern Spirit.

Title: Anglo-African - August 26, 1965

Speaker or author: editor

Newspaper or publication: Anglo-African (1863 - 1865)

The writer comments on the demeanor of Robert E. Lee as he surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant. The writer notes that there was no humility in this surrender and it seemed to be based more on the South's inability to feed its troops than on any admission of wrong. This, he believes, leaves open the question of continuing the institution of slavery.

Description of file(s): two scanned, two columned, newspaper pages

Subtitle: The Thirty-Ninth Congress.

Title: Anglo-African - December 23, 1865

Speaker or author: editor

Newspaper or publication: Anglo-African (1863 - 1865)

The writer comments on the proceedings of the first session of the Thirty-Ninth Congress. Debate about laws and civil rights for the newly freed slaves after Reconstruction made this session an important one.

Description of file(s): two scanned newspaper pages (three columns)

Subtitle: Thanks to God for Victory.

Title: Anglo-African - December 23, 1865

Speaker or author: editor

Newspaper or publication: Anglo-African (1863 - 1865)

The writer celebrates the ratification of the Thirteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution that abolishes slavery forever in the U.S. and provides for the protection of freedom for all citizens.

Description of file(s): one scanned, two columned, newspaper page

Subtitle: New York, November 11, 1865. Reconstruction.

Title: Anglo-African - November 11, 1865

Speaker or author: editor

Newspaper or publication: Anglo-African (1863 - 1865)

The writer offers his views regarding the current governmental ideas on Reconstruction after the Civil War. He tells his readers that he speaks for all African Americans in saying that the country should work towards ensuring freedom for all and providing all American people with the rights of citizenship regardless of color.

Description of file(s): two scanned newspaper pages (three columns)

Subtitle: The New Evangel.

Title: Anglo-African - October 7, 1865

Speaker or author: editor

Newspaper or publication: Anglo-African (1863 - 1865)

The writer expresses the fears that permeate African American communities that the white slaveholders will demand a return to the system of slavery, and be granted this by the government. The majority of African Americans, however, are determined to resist and not allow this to happen without a fight.

Description of file(s): two scanned newspaper pages (three columns) (blank sections throughout)

Subtitle: Emancipation Proclamation Ignored, And a New Scheme of Southern Despotism Boldly Initiated.

Title: Anglo-African - September 3, 1865

Speaker or author: editor

Newspaper or publication: Anglo-African (1863 - 1865)

The writer tells his readers of the current violence following in the aftermath of the Civil War. Although slavery has been abolished, it has created an atmosphere of hatred in the Southern states as the newly freed slaves stand as a symbol of the defeat of the Confederacy. This is resulting in wholesale murder and mob violence.

Description of file(s): two scanned, two columned, newspaper pages

Subtitle: The Southern Field and the Proper Agents.

Title: Anglo-African - September 9, 1865

Speaker or author: editor

Newspaper or publication: Anglo-African (1863 - 1865)

The writer explains that African Americans from the northern states are traveling south to offer education to the newly freed slaves. This action, he believes, is more beneficial to them than the good intentions of white educators who may unconsciously instill a feeling of inferiority and low self-esteem to those they teach. These well-intentioned white teachers in referring to newly freed slaves as "poor unfortunate creatures" are already assuming that the rescue of those they consider less than human.

Description of file(s): two scanned newspaper pages (three columns)

Subtitle: The Nat Turner Insurrection.

Title: Anglo-African Magazine - December, 1859

Speaker or author: editor

Newspaper or publication: Anglo-African Magazine (1859 - 1860)

Detailed confession of Nat Turner as he was being held in prison shortly after capture. The editor compares Nat Turner's actions with those of John Brown's. Included is a list of African Americans (both slaves and free) who were charged in the conspiracy.

Description of file(s): seven scanned magazine pages (23 columns)

Subtitle: Apology. (Introductory)

Title: Anglo-African Magazine - January, 1859

Speaker or author: editor

Newspaper or publication: Anglo-African Magazine (1859 - 1860)

The writer stresses the strength and determination of African Americans as they have endured injustices over the history of African slavery and prejudice. He mentions several anecdotal stories to prove his point, and assures his readers that African Americans will not only prevail but continue to outnumber the white population.

Description of file(s): three scanned magazine pages (7 columns)

Title: Charles V. Caples

Speaker or author: Caples, Charles V.

Newspaper or publication: Liberator

Short address on the second anniversary of the Colored Young Men's Debating Society in which the speaker acknowledged the benefits and successes of the society.

Description of file(s): PDF 2 page, 320 word document (images and text)

Subtitle: Prejudice in the Church. No. III.

Title: Colored American - April 1, 1837

Speaker or author: editor

Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)

The writer stresses that the Church is encouraging the continuation of slavery by its implied approval of the system.

Description of file(s): one scanned, one columned, newspaper page

Subtitle: The American Citizen--Canada Mission--Ourself.

Title: Colored American - April 10, 1841

Speaker or author: editor

Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)

The writer replies to an article in the American Citizen newspaper indicating that fugitives are being aided in their escape to Canada. He says that the belief that African Americans who succeed in other countries will reflect positively on those left in the U.S. is just another scam to realize the goals of Colonization. He wonders why it's necessary for African Americans to leave their home country to show their own worth when they can do this now where they are.

Description of file(s): two scanned newspaper pages (three columns)

Subtitle: Prejudice in the Church. No. IV.

Title: Colored American - April 15, 1837

Speaker or author: editor

Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)

The writer offers an anecdote of his recent experience with prejudice in the Church.

Description of file(s): one scanned, one columned, newspaper page

Subtitle: Our Elevation.

Title: Colored American - April 17, 1841

Speaker or author: editor

Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)

The writer tells his readers that the system of slavery has left a legacy through generations of social separation of the American people. Only by improving themselves morally, physically, and socially will African Americans overcome this racial prejudice based in a history of slavery's injustice and inhumanity.

Description of file(s): one scanned newspaper column

Subtitle: Kentucky -- What Will They Do?

Title: Colored American - April 17, 1841

Speaker or author: editor

Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)

Brief note alerting readers to the current legal question in Kentucky of whether a law prohibiting slaves from entering the state is unconstitutional.

Description of file(s): one scanned newspaper column

Subtitle: Abolition.

Title: Colored American - April 25, 1840

Speaker or author: editor

Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)

The writer expresses his opinion regarding the work of abolitionists. He is disappointed, however, to learn that some prominent African American men are actually opposed to the abolition movement saying that it does more harm than good.

Description of file(s): one scanned, two columned, newspaper page

Subtitle: The Present an Age of Hope.

Title: Colored American - April 8, 1837

Speaker or author: Ray, Charles B. (Charles Bennett), 1807-1886

Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)

The writer emphasizes the hope and expectation for universal emancipation, civil rights, and acceptance that African Americans desire.

Description of file(s): one scanned, two columned, newspaper page

Subtitle: Our Friends hinder our Improvement.

Title: Colored American - August 12, 1837

Speaker or author: editor

Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)

In an effort to help, the friends of free African Americans are pushing them through an inadequate education and sending them into a prejudiced society unprepared for the challenges that await them there. By assuming that African Americans are not capable of more than this, those who are acting on their behalf, are doing more harm than good, even though their intentions are well meaning.

Description of file(s): one scanned, two columned, newspaper page

Subtitle: Continued from our last.

Title: Colored American - August 24, 1839

Speaker or author: editor

Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)

The writer expresses his views regarding a resolution asking the African American community to withhold their votes in the upcoming election for any candidate who is not in favor of the immediate abolition of slavery.

Description of file(s): one scanned, two columned, newspaper page

Subtitle: Moral Reform Convention.

Title: Colored American - August 26, 1837

Speaker or author: editor

Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)

The writer expresses his disappointment in the proceedings of the Moral Reform Society's convention.

Description of file(s): one scanned, two columned, newspaper page

Subtitle: The Signs of the Times No. 3. Continued from our last.

Title: Colored American - August 31, 1839

Speaker or author: editor

Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)

The writer continues his commentary on a proposed resolution which states that African Americans will deny their vote to any candidate who does not support the immediate abolition of slavery.

Description of file(s): one scanned newspaper column

Subtitle: The World's Convention.

Title: Colored American - August 8, 1840

Speaker or author: editor

Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)

The writer reports on a recent anti-slavery convention that welcomed representatives from almost every recognized country. The writer was surprised by how women were received as delegates without deference placed on gender.

Description of file(s): one scanned, two columned, newspaper page

Subtitle: Methodist Church.

Title: Colored American - December 16, 1837

Speaker or author: editor

Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)

The writer reports on his recent visit to a local Methodist Church. While he enjoyed the sermon and the decor of the church itself, the question of slavery still remains a sensitive issue to Methodist dogma. The preacher believed it best to say as little as possible about what he believed to be a "semi-political" issue. Yet by his silence on the issue, he allowed for an implied condoning of it by the Church. Although the preacher felt lack of action by the Church carried little weight, this effectively aided in continuing the system since no one was encouraged to oppose it.

Description of file(s): one scanned, two columned, newspaper page

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