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: Shadd, Abraham D.
Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)
Speech given on the anniversary of the emancipation of the British West Indies stressing the political implications of this and the continued slavery in the U.S.
Description of file(s): PDF 10 page, 2,565 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: Crummell, Alexander, 1819-1898
Newspaper or publication: Presscopy -- New York Public Library -- Schomburg Collection
Lengthy and eloquent eulogy on the life and character of Thomas Clarkson. The speaker spoke about Clarkson's early years, his struggles, and his accomplishments. He included the history of slavery, the current situation with the slaves and freed people of color, and his hopes and beliefs in a positive future.
Description of file(s): PDF 60 page, 17,894 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Crummell, Alexander, 1819-1898
Newspaper or publication: AD -- New York Public Library -- Schomburg Collection
-- Copyright Permission Granted September 2007 -- Handwritten sermon on spiritual improvement for the people of color with a strong emphasis on Christian moral ethics.
Description of file(s): PDF 10 page, 3,138 word document (text and images)
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)
Speaker or author: Beman, Amos Gerry, 1812-1874
Newspaper or publication: Emancipator
Excerpt of a speech delivered before the Congregational Church in Hartford, Connecticut and published in the Emancipator newspaper. The newspaper notes that: "Mr. B. endeavors successfully, in his address, to show, that the colored race may be elevated in this country, in respect to property, intelligence, and moral worth; which he declares are the elements of true happiness and prosperity. Having concluded his argument, he makes an eloquent and earnest appeal to his hearers, to inspire them with resolution to overcome the obstacles in the way of their elevation." (Includes MP3 audio file.)
Description of file(s): PDF 3 page, 657 word document (text and images)
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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
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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
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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)
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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)
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: Black Republican - April 15, 1865
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Black Republican (1865)
The editor encourages his readers to not take freedom lightly but to work to justify the righteousness of it with a focus on education, honesty, industry, temperance, and religion.
Description of file(s): one scanned, two columned, newspaper page
Speaker or author: Smith, James McCune, 1813-1865
Newspaper or publication: Edinburgh Observer
Speech delivered before a group of abolitionists in Edinburgh, Scotland, during a breakfast meeting. The speaker presented the perspective of the black abolitionist in the struggle for emancipation, and emphasized the politics involved as well as the injustice of slavery and slaveholding.
Description of file(s): PDF 4 page, 970 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Remond, Charles Lenox, 1810-1873
Newspaper or publication: National Anti-Slavery Standard
Speech given in London before the British and Foreign Anti-Slavery Society regarding the political implications of continued slavery in the U.S. after British emancipation.
Description of file(s): PDF 4 page, 1,342 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Remond, Charles Lenox, 1810-1873
Newspaper or publication: Anti-Slavery Reporter
Speech delivered in London before the British and Foreign Anti-Slavery Society (attended by the Duke of Sussex and other dignitaries), regarding the plight of the slave in the United States.
Description of file(s): PDF 3 page, 904 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Remond, Charles Lenox, 1810-1873
Newspaper or publication: Liberator
Impassioned speech encouraging the continued efforts towards abolition. The speaker emphasized that he agreed with any method it would take to bring about an end to slavery.
Description of file(s): PDF 8 page, 2,403 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Remond, Charles Lenox, 1810-1873
Newspaper or publication: Liberator
The speaker noted the unsettled atmosphere of the U.S. as the country heads for war. The speaker was responding in part to a resolution that William Lloyd Garrison offered that emphasized adopting the motto, "No Union with Slaveholders."
Description of file(s): PDF 4 page, 1,078 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Remond, Charles Lenox, 1810-1873
Newspaper or publication: Liberator
Brief speech in which the speaker expressed his belief that emancipation had failed. He believed that new states entering the Union should do so only on "...the basis of free suffrage, free religion and free social and civil rights."
Description of file(s): PDF 1 page, 167 word document (text and image)
Speaker or author: Remond, Charles Lenox, 1810-1873
Newspaper or publication: National Anti-Slavery Standard
The speaker noted that while slavery had ended, as long as equality did not exist between the races, the work of the Anti-Slavery movement would continue. He believed that now was not the time to abandon work for civil rights and social acceptance of the newly freed slaves.
Description of file(s): PDF 4 page, 955 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Remond, Charles Lenox, 1810-1873
Newspaper or publication: Liberator
Overview of brief speech given in celebration of the anniversary of the emancipation of the British West Indies. The speaker was enthusiastic about the future and the potential for total emancipation in the U.S. He praised the efforts of the abolitionists and condemned the idea of colonization.
Description of file(s): PDF 1 page, 203 word document (text and image)
Speaker or author: Remond, Charles Lenox, 1810-1873
Newspaper or publication: Anti-Slavery Reporter
Speech against the goals and ideals of the American Colonization Society. The speaker stressed that this society works against and not for the free people of color. He also addressed a secret resolution passed in Virginia in 1800 and again in 1816 that attempted to establish a colony in Louisiana for free people of color in order to remove them from Virginia.
Description of file(s): PDF 7 page, 2,703 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Remond, Charles Lenox, 1810-1873
Newspaper or publication: Liberator
Speech regarding the speaker's belief that slaves fleeing to Canada were making a mistake. He said that he found just as much prejudice there as in the U.S. and it seemed to him that the black people were perpetuating this themselves.
Description of file(s): PDF 2 page, 564 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Remond, Charles Lenox, 1810-1873
Newspaper or publication: Liberator
Speech given in response to a resolution presented before the American Abolition Society meeting. The speaker said that so far all attempts at a peaceful resolution to the issue of slavery have failed. He could see the direction the country was going, and while he didn't agree with dissolving the Union, he could understand the need for radical change at that point.
Description of file(s): PDF 10 page, 2,925 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Remond, Charles Lenox, 1810-1873
Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)
Speech delivered before the Rhode Island State Anti-Slavery Society in response to a resolution regarding the help of abolitionists in finding employment for freed slaves.
Description of file(s): PDF 3 page, 795 word document (text and images)