Speaker or author: Francis, Abner H.
Newspaper or publication: North Star
Eulogy for John Quincy Adams stressing the high points and low points of his career. The speaker compared the state of the country to the Roman Empire in its last days.
Description of file(s): PDF 19 page, 4,143 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Remond, Charles Lenox, 1810-1873
Newspaper or publication: Liberator
The speaker noted that Washington, Madison, and Jefferson were all slave holders. He objected to the previous speaker's distinction between pro-slavery men and anti-slavery men since some politically anti-slavery men had been themselves slaveholders.
Description of file(s): PDF 1 page, 175 word document (text and image)
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Title: Frederick Douglass' Paper - February 2, 1855
Speaker or author: Watkins, William J.
Newspaper or publication: Frederick Douglass' Paper (1851 - 18??)
The writer reviews a debate presented by the Union Literary Association.
Description of file(s): one scanned newspaper column
Speaker or author: Garnet, Henry Highland, 1815-1882
Newspaper or publication: Morgan State University Library -- Pamphlet Collection
Speech given before the House of Representatives denouncing slavery as an inhumane system in a country founded on freedom. The speaker related his own experiences with slavery and the injustices he had witnessed growing up as a slave. Now that slavery had ended, he asked that the government approach the recovery of the Union with an eye towards racial harmony.
Description of file(s): PDF 20 page, 5,472 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Pennington, James W. C.
Newspaper or publication: Frederick Douglass' Paper
Overview of speech regarding the contributions of black Americans during the previous wars with England. The speaker said that they were told that England had made them slaves and to win the fight against England would be to win their right to freedom.
Description of file(s): PDF 2 page, 413 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Campbell, Jabez Pitt (1854-1858)
Newspaper or publication: Christian Recorder (1852 - 1856)
Overview of speech tracing the causes of the Civil War and the continuing opportunity for error, injustice, and restricted freedom. The speaker emphasized the role of political action in encouraging the events that led to the Civil War.
Description of file(s): PDF 9 page, 2,254 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Martin, J. Sella (John Sella), b. 1832
Newspaper or publication: Liberator
The speaker appealed to the people of Great Britain for their support in the fight for emancipation in the U.S. He explained a bit of what was happening in the U.S. regarding the war, and focused on the issue of slavery and the strides being made by the anti-slavery movements there.
Description of file(s): PDF 14 page, 4,006 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Hayden, Lewis, 1815-1889
Newspaper or publication: Boston Athenaeum -- Pamphlet Collection
Lengthy speech regarding the status of freed African Americans within the order of Freemasonry. The speaker stressed concern over growing racial prejudice within the order. He was also concerned that President Andrew Johnson was not doing anything to combat the increasing racial prejudice within the U.S. The speaker paid special attention to the wording of the Freemason doctrine regarding membership. He also gave a brief history of the order, including its goals, moral obligations and social commitment. This speech contains valuable information regarding the influence of Freemasonry in the founding of the U. S.
Description of file(s): PDF 56 page, 17,480 word document (text and images)
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Title: Pacific Appeal - May 2, 1863
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Pacific Appeal (1862 - 188?)
The writer addresses the question of whether African Americans should celebrate the July 4th holiday since it doesn't really mark their freedom like it does for white Americans. He suggests that from now on the celebration of the emancipation of the British West Indies (usually celebrated on August 1st) be celebrated on July 4th. This way, the Fourth of July could truly be a national holiday giving all Americans a way to celebrate freedom.
Description of file(s): one scanned, two columned, newspaper page
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Title: Palladium of Liberty - July 10, 1844
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Palladium of Liberty (1843 - 1844)
The writer briefly comments on reports of recent activities of members of the Liberty Party.
Description of file(s): one scanned newspaper column
Speaker or author: Brown, Paola
Newspaper or publication: Presscopy -- Toronto Public Library -- Toronto, Canada
Lengthy sermon describing the history of slavery, its continued cruelties, and the influence of the Church in keeping the system in place in the U.S. The speaker emphasized the relationship between Egyptian slaves and those in the U.S., as well as the response of various European countries to the institution of slavery. Included is a denouncement of the Fugitive Slave Bill.
Description of file(s): PDF 73 page, 23,292 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 - January 1, 1852
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Voice of the Fugitive (1851 - 1852)
The writer identifies with the life experience of Lajos Kossuth, a Turkish exile and political leader. He tells his readers that currently Kossuth is the "most popular man in the known world."
Description of file(s): one scanned, two columned, newspaper page
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Title: Weekly Anglo-African - December 10, 1859
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Weekly Anglo-African (1859 - 1862)
The writer describes the unsettled state of the country after the incident at Harper's Ferry and the execution of John Brown. He praises John Brown's life and heroic death.
Description of file(s): two scanned, two columned, newspaper pages
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Title: Weekly Anglo-African - October 7, 1859
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Weekly Anglo-African (1859 - 1862)
The writer comments on the recent election of Mr. Caldwell to the New York State Senate.
Description of file(s): one scanned newspaper column
Speaker or author: Johnson, William Henry, 1833-1918.
Newspaper or publication: Presscopy -- Albany Institute of History and Art
The speaker traced the history of freedom in the U.S. during a July 4th celebration in Philadelphia. He emphasized the irony of continued slavery in a country founded on freedom and liberty for all.
Description of file(s): PDF 15 page, 5,184 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Watkins, William J.
Newspaper or publication: Anti-Slavery Bugle
The speaker emphasized that he was not in favor of dissolving the union. He was in favor of ending slavery at all costs, however, including revolution.
Description of file(s): PDF 6 page, 1,575 word document (text and images)
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)
Speaker or author: Alston, William Johnson
Newspaper or publication: Weekly Anglo-African (1859 - 1862)
At the outset of the Civil War, the speaker calls for a National Day of Prayer and Fasting. In his sermon, he refers to the Declaration of Independence and Bible passages to prove the inherent human freedom of all races.
Description of file(s): PDF 13 page, 3,164 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Brown, William Wells, 1814?-1884
Newspaper or publication: Pine and Palm
The speaker described the turbulent history of Hayti in detail stressing the battles and triumphs of its military heroes. He stressed that those seeking to immigrate to Hayti would find it rich in natural resources, especially cotton and coffee, which offered competition to slave-grown produce in the U.S. [This speech is a continuation of speech 24115, published in the June 15, 1861 issue of the Pine and Palm.]
Description of file(s): PDF 13 page, 3,436 word document (text and images)