Black Abolitionist Archive

Title: John Sella Martin

Speaker or author: Martin, J. Sella (John Sella), b. 1832

Newspaper or publication: Non Conformist

An appeal to the American people on behalf of the newly freed slaves for assistance in adapting to their new condition. Almost immediately after the Emancipation Proclamation the prejudice already prevalent in the country became more pronounced and intense. The speaker called for reason and compassion.

Description of file(s): PDF 3 page, 804 word document (text and images)

Title: T. H. Hubbard

Speaker or author: Hubbard, T. H.

Newspaper or publication: Pacific Appeal

Speech given in celebration of the anniversary of the emancipation of the British West Indies, and the recent emancipation of Washington, DC. The speaker emphasized that the time had come to completely end slavery forever.

Description of file(s): PDF 9 page, 1,968 word document (text and images)

Title: Ezra R. Johnson

Speaker or author: Johnson, Ezra R.

Newspaper or publication: Pacific Appeal

Patriotic speech regarding the pride the speaker felt towards the black troops who were fighting and dying for their country in the Civil War. He was most impressed with how well they were received and celebrated for their heroism by the general population.

Description of file(s): PDF 11 page, 2,386 word document (text and images)

Title: Thomas H. Street

Speaker or author: Street, Thomas H.

Newspaper or publication: Pacific Appeal

Speech delivered during a celebration of the first anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation. The speaker traced the history of slavery from its ancient beginning to the progress made since emancipation. He stressed that it takes both the white and black races of American people working together to make the country great. He encouraged all African Americans to continue to improve themselves to meet the social challenges that lay ahead.

Description of file(s): PDF 12 page, 2,711 word document (text and images)

Title: Thomas Myers Decatur Ward

Speaker or author: Ward, Thomas Myers Decatur

Newspaper or publication: Pacific Appeal

Hopeful speech regarding the future of African Americans now that the Emancipation Proclamation has been delivered and the slaves are free. The speaker stressed the sacrifice of those who had fought and died for freedom.

Description of file(s): PDF 10 page, 2,200 word document (text and images)

Title: John G. Wilson

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)

Subtitle: "Truth Crushed to Earth will Rise Again."

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

Title: David Jenkins

Speaker or author: Jenkins, David

Newspaper or publication: Palladium of Liberty (1843 - 1844)

Speech given on the organization of a convention held in Columbus. Stress is placed on the privilege of free speech and the right to assemble.

Description of file(s): PDF 2 page, 334 word document (text and images)

Title: William H. Johnson

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)

Title: John Sweat Rock

Speaker or author: Rock, John S. (John Sweat), 1825-1866

Newspaper or publication: Presscopy -- Boston Athenaeum -- Pamphlet Collection

The speaker made a plea for equal rights now that the slaves had been freed. He noted the heroism and patriotism displayed by black soldiers and emphasized the sacrifices they had made for liberty, freedom, and justice. All that they asked for at this point was to be granted the civil rights that every Union soldier had fought and died for.

Description of file(s): PDF 3 page, 892 word document (text and images)

Title: William Howard Day

Speaker or author: Day, William Howard, d. 1900

Newspaper or publication: Presscopy -- Boston University -- Starr Collection

Brief speech regarding the heroic accomplishments of black soldiers, and a request for recognition of these accomplishments by the white population. (Includes MP3 audio file)

Description of file(s): PDF 2 page, 596 word document (text and images)

Title: John Jamison Moore

Speaker or author: Moore, John Jamison, 1818-1893.

Newspaper or publication: Presscopy -- Harvard University, Cambridge -- Rare Books and Manuscripts

The speaker addressed the issue of suffrage for all African Americans. He expressed his belief that African Americans had earned their civil and equal rights through patriotism, patience, loyalty, and fighting for their country. He asked that they be given only what any American would claim as a U.S. citizen.

Description of file(s): PDF 7 page, 1,638 word document (text and images)

Title: Mrs. William H. Butler

Speaker or author: Butler, Mrs. William H.

Newspaper or publication: Weekly Anglo-African (1859 - 1862)

Short speech in which the speaker encourages the members of the Clinton Lyceum to live in harmony and peace as the Civil War continues on around them. (Includes MP3 audio file.)

Description of file(s): MP3 spoken word audio recording

Subtitle: The Reserve Guard.

Title: Weekly Anglo-African - August 24, 1861

Speaker or author: editor

Newspaper or publication: Weekly Anglo-African (1859 - 1862)

The writer argues for the establishment of a reserve guard composed of African American volunteers ready to fight for freedom.

Description of file(s): two scanned newspaper pages (three columns)

Subtitle: Facts for Patriotic Abolitionists.

Title: Weekly Anglo-African - May 11, 1861

Speaker or author: editor

Newspaper or publication: Weekly Anglo-African (1859 - 1862)

The writer comments on an excerpt from a letter written from one politician to another saying that the president intends no attack on the "property of any state." Since slaves are regarded as property, he takes this to mean that there may not be an end to slavery after all.

Description of file(s): one scanned newspaper column

Subtitle: Emancipation or Extermination.

Title: Weekly Anglo-African - April 27, 1861

Speaker or author: editor

Newspaper or publication: Weekly Anglo-African (1859 - 1862)

The writer proclaims the patriotism and devotion to country of all African Americans even though they must face prejudice, injustice, and lack of protection under federal law.

Description of file(s): one scanned newspaper column

Title: J. W. C. Pennington

Speaker or author: Pennington, James W. C.

Newspaper or publication: Weekly Anglo-African (1859 - 1862)

Overview of a brief speech encouraging continued patriotism while still demanding full emancipation.

Description of file(s): PDF 2 page, 296 word document (text and images)

Title: William J. Wilson, Jr.

Speaker or author: Wilson, William, Jr.

Newspaper or publication: Weekly Anglo-African (1859 - 1862)

Speech given to commemorate the August 1st anniversary of the emancipation of the British West Indies. The speaker argued that the rationality used to end slavery in the British West Indies could be used in the U.S. as well. The fears of U.S. citizens of what may happen if the slaves are freed are proven unfounded by the history of events in the West Indies.

Description of file(s): PDF