Black Abolitionist Archive

Title: Shadrach Howard

Speaker or author: Howard, Shadrach

Newspaper or publication: Pacific Appeal [supplement]

Lengthy speech denouncing slavery and praising the work of abolitionists. The speaker offered the emancipation of the British West Indies as an example of the successful work of various abolitionists.

Description of file(s): PDF 17 page, 3,761 word document (text and images)

Title: H. Ford Douglass

Speaker or author: Douglass, H. Ford

Newspaper or publication: Pine and Palm

The speaker said he believed the first element of success for African Americans was establishing a "nationality." His approach to the abolition of slavery was philosophical. Slavery was not rational in his view and slaveholders, he believed, must come to realize this.

Description of file(s): PDF 5 page, 1,294 word document (text and images)

Title: H. Ford Douglass

Speaker or author: Douglass, H. Ford

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

Speech discussing the politics of slavery stressing the influence of government and political figures in continuing the institution.

Description of file(s): PDF 3 page, 1,045 word document (text and images)

Title: John Sella Martin

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

Newspaper or publication: Presscopy -- John Rylands Library -- Manchester, England

Speech given on the anniversary of the execution of John Brown. The speaker related his experience with John Brown, and praised him as a martyr for the abolition of slavery. He also praised other abolitionists and stressed that the incident at Harper's Ferry was the spark that fueled the current fight to completely end slavery.

Description of file(s): PDF 7 page, 2,698 word document (text and images)

Subtitle: Spirit of the Anti-Slavery Press.

Title: Voice of the Fugitive - July 29, 1852

Speaker or author: editor

Newspaper or publication: Voice of the Fugitive (1851 - 1852)

Beginning with an overview of a recent convention in Maine, the writer briefly summarizes state by state newspaper articles describing the current political position on the issue of slavery.

Description of file(s): two scanned, two columned, newspaper pages

Subtitle: Gerrit Smith Elected.

Title: Voice of the Fugitive - November 18, 1852

Speaker or author: editor

Newspaper or publication: Voice of the Fugitive (1851 - 1852)

Brief announcement that Gerrit Smith has been elected to Congress.

Description of file(s): one scanned newspaper column

Subtitle: A Speech and a Comment.

Title: Weekly Anglo-African - February 1, 1862

Speaker or author: editor

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

Brief review of a speech delivered by Charles Lenox Remond on the 29th anniversary of the Massacusetts Anti-Slavery Society. The speaker praised the work of the society and addressed issues of the day.

Description of file(s): one scanned, two columned, newspaper page

Subtitle: The Conversion of Gov. Wise.

Title: Weekly Anglo-African - December 31, 1859

Speaker or author: editor

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

Political tensions grow between the North and the South. The writer includes quoted threats from Virginia's Governor Wise to hang Frederick Douglass and drive the abolitionists out of the Union (or create a Confederacy).

Description of file(s): one scanned, three columned, newspaper page

Subtitle: Gerrit Smith's Letter.

Title: Weekly Anglo-African - April 26, 1862

Speaker or author: editor

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

The writer comments on a letter Gerrit Smith sent to the Postmaster General regarding the Civil War, military activities, race relations, and the end of slavery.

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

Subtitle: Wise Silence -- Just Speech.

Title: Weekly Anglo-African - May 4, 1861

Speaker or author: editor

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

The writer comments on the American Anti-Slavery Society's decision to postpone their annual meeting.

Description of file(s): one scanned, two columned, newspaper page

Subtitle: What a Breeze!

Title: Weekly Anglo-African - November 12, 1859

Speaker or author: editor

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

The writer describes the fearful atmosphere of the country following the actions of John Brown and during the days of his trial.

Description of file(s): one scanned, two columned, newspaper page

Subtitle: The Emancipation Message.

Title: Weekly Anglo-African - March 22, 1862

Speaker or author: editor

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

The writer discusses a proposal for emancipation that Abraham Lincoln sent to Congress. This represents the first legislative step towards the abolition of slavery and the realization of freedom for millions of slaves.

Description of file(s): two scanned, two columned, newspaper pages

Subtitle: Frederick Douglass at Home.

Title: Weekly Anglo-African - June 16, 1860

Speaker or author: editor

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

The writer discusses the return of Frederick Douglass as chief editor of his newspaper publication.

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

Subtitle: What of the Night?

Title: Weekly Anglo-African - January 25, 1862

Speaker or author: editor

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

The writer expresses renewed hope that the Civil War will result in the abolition of slavery. He notes various reasons for this feeling.

Description of file(s): one scanned, two columned, newspaper page

Subtitle: Conservatism on the Move.

Title: Weekly Anglo-African - March 31, 1860

Speaker or author: editor

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

The writer questions the actions of Church leaders who gave permission for a lecture to be delivered in their church only to later deny the event without explanation.

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