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: Green, Alfred M..
Newspaper or publication: Presscopy -- Foner and Walker, Eds. -- Proceedings of the Black State Conventions 1840-1865, (1979) Vol. 1, pp. 139-166
Eloquent, rational, and meaningful speech delivered before the Convention of the Colored People of Pennsylvania expressing a legal argument for civil rights. The speaker asked that African Americans be given their civil rights, be allowed to vote, hold jobs equal to those of the white population, and be given the opportunity to prove themselves worthy citizens of the U.S.
Description of file(s): PDF 1 page, 480 word document (text and image)
Speaker or author: Remond, Charles Lenox, 1810-1873
Newspaper or publication: National Anti-Slavery Standard
The speaker chastised a white member of the convention who was unwilling to donate money but was willing to occupy time. The speaker noted that while many believed in the anti-slavery notion of the U.S. Constitution, there were few who would actually work towards liberating even one slave.
Description of file(s): PDF 1 page, 337 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: National Anti-Slavery Standard
This speech is a continuation of a previous speech (not included). Speech addresses the wording of the Constitution in that it does not include provisions for slavery. Also addressed are issues regarding women's rights and inequality based on race and sex.
Description of file(s): PDF 5 page, 1,309 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Remond, Charles Lenox, 1810-1873
Newspaper or publication: Liberator
Brief speech in which the speaker expressed that what African Americans wanted most in this country were equal rights and equal citizenship recognition.
Description of file(s): PDF 2 page, 111 word document (text and images)
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Title: Colored American - August 12, 1837
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)
The writer expresses his belief that by paying African Americans half the amount that a white worker is paid, those who provide these jobs in an effort to help are doing more harm than good. The writer urges employers to provide equal pay for equal work regardless of race.
Description of file(s): one scanned, two columned, newspaper page
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Title: Colored American - July 15, 1837
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)
The writer expresses his belief that in order to overcome prejudice, African Americans must focus on "elevation" and "improvement" intellectually and morally. The focus must be on education, economy, temperance, and on living a moral life.
Description of file(s): one scanned, one columned, newspaper page
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Title: Colored American - July 29, 1837
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)
The writer reports on the outcome of the Pennsylvania Convention, focusing mainly on the decisions regarding suffrage and constitutional amendments.
Description of file(s): one scanned, two columned, newspaper page
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Title: Colored American - July 7, 1838
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)
The writer expresses to the community that all African Americans want from them is to be treated equally, to be able to educate their children, and to be afforded the rights and privileges enjoyed by all American citizens.
Description of file(s): one scanned, one columned, newspaper page
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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
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Title: Colored American - May 13, 1837
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)
The editor includes an excerpt from an 1827 issue of the Freedom's Journal to prove that the majority of African Americans have never agreed with the idea of colonization. Colonization presented some grand ideas and goals, but the decesdants of slaves born in the U.S. have only considered the U.S. their home. The majority of African Americans are committed to the belief that equality and racial harmony are reasonable and achievable goals in this country.
Description of file(s): two scanned newspaper pages (three columns)
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Title: Colored American - May 18, 1839
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)
Brief remarks regarding the work of Fanny Wright.
Description of file(s): one scanned newspaper column
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Title: Colored American - May 27, 1837
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)
The writer expresses his appreciation for the work, sacrifice, and dedication of all abolitionists.
Description of file(s): one scanned, two columned, newspaper page
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Title: Colored American - November 4, 1837
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)
The writer expresses his view that even the white Americans who are motivated to help African Americans and approaching this endeavor with the purest of intentions believe that the African American is inferior and incapable of helping him/herself. These ideas work against self-esteem and a basic acceptance that all races are human beings and share a common Creator.
Description of file(s): one scanned, two columned, newspaper page
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Title: Colored American - September 2, 1837
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)
The writer encourages his readers to pay the bills they owe to their fellow African Americans, including doctors, teachers, and ministers. He notes that these bills are usually paid last while those owed to white establishments get paid first.
Description of file(s): two scanned newspaper pages (three columns)
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Title: Colored American - September 22, 1838
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)
The writer expresses the injustices of prejudice that have been adopted not only by society in general but the Church in particular. He describes the way African Americans are treated when they attempt to attend church services with their white brethren.
Description of file(s): one scanned, two columned, newspaper page
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Title: Colored American - September 9, 1837
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)
The writer traces the changes in racial prejudice over the previous ten years, and denies the popular belief that prejudice has increased due to the efforts of abolitionists.
Description of file(s): one scanned, two columned, newspaper page
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Title: Elevator - April 7, 1865
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Elevator (1865 - 18??)
The editor briefly explains the newspaper's motto, "Equality before the Law."
Description of file(s): one scanned newspaper column
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Title: Frederick Douglass' Paper - August 25, 1854
Speaker or author: Watkins, William J.
Newspaper or publication: Frederick Douglass' Paper (1851 - 18??)
The writer discusses the injustices of prejudice as it affects segregation in churches and schools. He stresses the distinction made in terms of skin color since an Irish immigrant is granted more consideration than an African American solely because of his skin color.
Description of file(s): three scanned newspaper pages (five columns)
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Title: Frederick Douglass' Paper - July 14, 1854
Speaker or author: Watkins, William J.
Newspaper or publication: Frederick Douglass' Paper (1851 - 18??)
The writer relates his recent speaking tour. He finds that public sentiment is now changing and the idea of continuing slavery is now repugnant to most intelligent people in the country. Although he views the current Presidential Administration as being "pro-slavery," he believes that it is the strength of public sentiment that will succeed in ending slavery.
Description of file(s): two scanned, two columned, newspaper pages
Speaker or author: Vashon, George Boyer, 1824-1878
Newspaper or publication: Presscopy -- Foner and Walker, Eds. -- Proceedings of the Black State Conventions 1840-1865, (1979) Vol. 1, pp. 139-166
Brief overview of speech in which the speaker expressed his view that a country that is not administered by a just and impartial government was not secure or permanent.
Description of file(s): PDF 1 page, 377 word document (text and image)
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Title: Impartial Citizen - April 11, 1849
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Impartial Citizen (1849 - 1851)
The writer discusses the idea of prejudice based on skin color. He compares distinctions of caste made in other countries with the injustice in this country based on race. He notes that in some churches they are told "you'll be white in Heaven." But if being white on earth is comparable to being white in Heaven, he wants no part of it. He urges his readers to be true to themselves and live virtuous lives.
Description of file(s): two scanned newspaper pages (three columns)
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: Paul, Nathaniel, 1792 or 3-1839
Newspaper or publication: Friend of Man
Speech given regarding the detrimental effect of prejudice on the abolition of slavery.
Description of file(s): PDF 4 page, 969 word document (text and images)