Speaker or author: Remond, Charles Lenox, 1810-1873
Newspaper or publication: Liberator
Impromptu speech given in response to a remark made by a government official comparing granting freedom to the slaves with allowing wild animals to roam free.
Description of file(s): PDF 3 page, 920 word document (text and images)
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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 asks the rhetorical question "Is color a constitutional disqualifier?" after relating the story of a fugitive slave being refused a passport while in a foreign country since he was black. The official of that country told him that since he was black he couldn't be considered a citizen of the U.S. He addresses the issue of citizenship in the U.S. and how this seems determined by race.
Description of file(s): one scanned, two columned, newspaper page
Speaker or author: Pennington, James W. C.
Newspaper or publication: Emancipator
Speech comparing the doctrines of Christianity with the doctrines of war. War used as a metaphor for the continued fight against slavery.
Description of file(s): PDF 3 page, 489 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Wilson, John G.
Newspaper or publication: Pacific Appeal
Patriotic speech regarding the bravery and heroism of black Union soldiers. The speaker noted that while he realized the Emancipation Proclamation was of military necessity, he praised Abraham Lincoln for seeing the right action in it. He felt as if it was well earned by the blood and courage of those who had fought and died for freedom.
Description of file(s): PDF 11 page, 2,339 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Langston, John Mercer, 1829-1897.
Newspaper or publication: Jefferson City, [MO] Democrat
Overview of speech delivered before the House of Representatives. The speaker spoke for the suffrage and civil rights of the newly freed slaves. He emphasized that they were newly acquired citizens of the U.S. and deserved all the rights that went along with that status.
Description of file(s): PDF 5 page, 1,117 word document (text and images)
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Title: Pacific Appeal - January 23, 1864
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Pacific Appeal (1862 - 188?)
The writer comments on the way African American soldiers have distinguished themselves on the battlefield and proven wrong those who believed they would not fight for their country. He suggests that other misconceptions and fears about African Americans are being proven incorrect one by one.
Description of file(s): one scanned, two columned, newspaper page
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Title: Pacific Appeal - January 24, 1863
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Pacific Appeal (1862 - 188?)
The writer describes the series of Presidential Administrations during what he describes as "the zenith of the slave-power" in this country. Now that the Emancipation Proclamation has taken effect, he predicts that "Truly, a bright future awaits us."
Description of file(s): one scanned newspaper column
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Title: Pacific Appeal - July 12, 1862
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Pacific Appeal (1862 - 188?)
The writer offers his views on what caused the Civil War.
Description of file(s): two scanned newspaper pages (three columns)
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Title: Pacific Appeal - July 25, 1863
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Pacific Appeal (1862 - 188?)
The writer comments on an article published in the Evening Journal newspaper regarding Attorney General Edward Bates' opinion on citizenship.
Description of file(s): one scanned, two columned, newspaper page
Speaker or author: Purvis, Robert, 1810-1898
Newspaper or publication: Liberator
Speech denouncing governmental bias towards prejudical action in the U.S., the colonization of Africa, and the overall injustices that continue to be suffred by African Americans. The speaker emphasized the Dred Scott decision and the establishment of the Fugitive Slave Law.
Description of file(s): PDF 14 page, 3,959 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Ward, Samuel Ringgold, b. 1817
Newspaper or publication: Pennsylvania Freeman
Detailed account of the history of the Negro race including historical and current accomplishments. The speaker quoted sources who trace humanity itself to origins in Africa, and he stresses the ability of African Americans to accomplish more than they are given credit for.
Description of file(s): PDF 16 page, 3,903 word document (text and images)
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Title: Voice of the Fugitive - August 13, 1851
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Voice of the Fugitive (1851 - 1852)
The writer provides a brief glimpse into the sometimes complex living situations of slave families.
Description of file(s): one scanned newspaper column
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Title: Weekly Anglo-African - July 30, 1859
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Weekly Anglo-African (1859 - 1862)
The writer comments on an article published in a New Orleans newspaper praising the African American community in New Orleans. He compares the reporting of newspaper editors in New Orleans with that of editors in New York and finds the northern editors lacking honesty and integrity.
Description of file(s): one scanned newspaper column
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Title: Weekly Anglo-African - November 16, 1861
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Weekly Anglo-African (1859 - 1862)
The writer comments on a portion of a speech delivered by Abraham Lincoln to the Swedish Minister. This speech addresses the U.S.'s commitment to "maintain the rights of human nature, and the man of capacity for self-government." The writer wonders how this ties in with the current social status of African Americans, both free and enslaved.
Description of file(s): two scanned, two columned, newspaper pages
Speaker or author: Watkins, William J.
Newspaper or publication: Presscopy -- Harvard University -- Widener Library -- Anti-Slavery Pamphlets
Speech given before a legislative committee to request the formation of an independent militia of black citizens. The speaker gave a detailed account of his request and logical reasoning for granting it.
Description of file(s): PDF 21 page, 8,061 word document (text and images)