Speaker or author: Francis, Abner H.
Newspaper or publication: Impartial Citizen
Speech given during the presentation of a silver pitcher to Gerrit Smith from the Colored Ladies of Buffalo, New York, to honor his work to abolish slavery.
Description of file(s): PDF 4 page, 920 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Crummell, Alexander, 1819-1898
Newspaper or publication: Presscopy -- New York Public Library -- Schomburg Collection
Lengthy speech describing the current situation in the new colony of Monrovia in Liberia, Africa. The speaker emphasized the positive aspects of an abundance of natural resources, a freedom based society and a just government available there. (speech 23971 is a duplicate of this speech)
Description of file(s): PDF 16 page, 4,524 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: African Repository
Lengthy speech describing the current conditions in Africa, the new colony in Monrovia and in Liberia. The speaker emphasized the abundance of natural resources, the stability of the freedom based government, and the availability of education to everyone. (Speech 24099 is a duplicate of this speech. Speech 24140 offers another version of this speech.)
Description of file(s): PDF 13 page, 5,852 word document (text and images)
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: Remond, Charles Lenox, 1810-1873
Newspaper or publication: Liberator
Speech regarding the abuses, injustices, and horrors of slavery emphasizing how the very existence of slavery was in opposition to the beliefs set forth in the American Constitution.
Description of file(s): PDF 2 page, 318 word document (text and images)
Title: Colored American - July 8, 1837
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)
The writer expresses his dismay at the irony of a country founded on freedom that continues to hold millions of slaves. Continuing the system of slavery in this country is a sin against God and humankind.
Description of file(s): one scanned, two columned, newspaper page
Title: Colored American - March 25, 1837
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)
The writer calls for an end to slavery throughout the U.S. He advises those African Americans who live in states without slavery to present a religious life of morality and "industry" in order to promote emancipation and gain support for the cause.
Description of file(s): one scanned, one columned, newspaper page
Title: Colored American - September 28, 1839
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)
Preliminary proceedings to decide jurisdiction of one part of the Amistad case involving the capture and bondage of three children.
Description of file(s): one scanned, two columned, newspaper page
Title: Colored American - September 29, 1838
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)
The writer shares a letter he received from a former slave describing his experiences. The focus is mostly on how prejudice and intolerance have effected religious services in the southern states.
Description of file(s): one scanned, two columned, newspaper page
Title: Elevator - December 22, 1865
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Elevator (1865 - 18??)
While there was slavery in the ancient world, the writer points that the U.S. is the only country that added racial prejudice to the experience. The writer gives a historic overview of the system of slavery and its continued influence on current U.S. society.
Description of file(s): three scanned, two columned, newspaper pages
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Elevator (1865 - 18??)
The writer argues that political elections seem to always ignore the needs of African Americans. He argues for equal rights and the privileges of citizenship that seem to be easier for immigrants to this country to acquire than for African Americans to realize.
Description of file(s): two scanned newspaper pages (three columns)
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)
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)
Title: Frederick Douglass' Paper - February 2, 1855
Speaker or author: Watkins, William J.
Newspaper or publication: Frederick Douglass' Paper (1851 - 18??)
The writer encourages his readers to be patient regarding the inevitable end of slavery. But patience is not a matter of simply waiting for something to happen. It is instead a way of looking for opportunities towards action. He assures them that freedom that is fought for is sweeter than freedom that is "bestowed upon us."
Description of file(s): two scanned newspaper pages (three columns)
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
Speaker or author: Garnet, Henry Highland, 1815-1882
Newspaper or publication: Gateshead Observer
Passionate speech regarding the suffering of human beings under slavery in the U.S. The speaker emphasized the abuses and injustices inflicted upon "... as many human beings held in bondage in the United States as there were inhabitants...in all Scotland."
Description of file(s): PDF 5 page, 1,246 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 -- 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: 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)
Title: Provincial Freeman - December 22, 1855
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Provincial Freeman (1853 - 1859)
The editor relates the story of the life history of a fugitive slave who he has befriended.
Description of file(s): three scanned newspaper pages (five columns)
Title: Provincial Freeman - January 29, 1859
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Provincial Freeman (1853 - 1859)
The writer tells his readers about a family of slaves who were purchased by a committee of free men of African descent from slave traders at auction.
Description of file(s): one scanned newspaper column
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
Speaker or author: Remond, Sarah Parker, 1826-1887?
Newspaper or publication: Frederick Douglass' Paper
Speech delivered before an English audience in which the speaker stressed the irony of slavery in the U.S., a country founded on freedom. She explained the details regarding the Dred Scott decision and the goals of the Fugitive Slave Law.
Description of file(s): PDF 5 page, 1,128 word document (text and images)