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Black Abolitionist Archive
Title: Edward Wilmot Blyden Speaker or author: Blyden, Edward Wilmot, 1832-1912. Newspaper or publication: African Repository Speech delivered on the 18th anniversary of Liberian Independence. The speaker stressed the accomplishments of the nation of Liberia and suggested amendments to its constitution. Description of file(s): PDF 10 page, 4,406 word document (text and images) |
Title: Alexander Crummell Speaker or author: Crummell, Alexander, 1819-1898 Newspaper or publication: African Repository Lengthy speech published in two issues of the African Repository newspaper (combined here into one speech). The speaker noted the similarities between the enslaved people in the U.S. and those enslaved in Israel and Egypt in ancient times. The speaker believed colonization of Africa offered the way to freedom. He emphasized the positive aspects of the new colonies in Monrovia and Liberia. Description of file(s): PDF 13 page, 5,353 word document (text and images) |
Title: Alexander Crummell Speaker or author: Crummell, Alexander, 1819-1898 Newspaper or publication: African Repository The speaker offered a report on the progress being made in Liberia over the previous four years. Trade, education and immigration had increased, and the future for the country looked bright and hopeful. Description of file(s): PDF 1 page, 388 word document (text and image) |
Title: William Howard Day Speaker or author: Day, William Howard, d. 1900 Newspaper or publication: Anglo-African Speech given on the anniversary of the emancipation of slaves in the British West Indies. The speaker emphasized that now the U.S. could claim its place among the countries that had abandoned slavery. He expressed gratitude for those who had fought and died in the Civil War in the cause of freedom. Description of file(s): PDF 7 page, 1,697 word document (text and images) |
Title: Charles Lenox Remond Speaker or author: Remond, Charles Lenox, 1810-1873 Newspaper or publication: Anglo-African Overview of speech encouraging the audience to continue their efforts for freedom until "... the ruling power was shamed into doing them justice." The speaker stressed the necessity of fighting for African American suffrage even though they were now free. Description of file(s): PDF 1 page, 187 word document (text and image) |
Title: Lewis Hayden 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) |
Title: Jabez Pitt Campbell 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) |
Title: Henry Highland Garnet Speaker or author: Garnet, Henry Highland, 1815-1882 Newspaper or publication: Christian Recorder (1852 - 1856) Brief overview of speech given to eulogize Abraham Lincoln and collect money to benefit the church. Description of file(s): PDF 1 page, 274 word document (text and image) |
Title: James H. Harris Speaker or author: Harris, James H., 1832-1891 Newspaper or publication: Christian Recorder (1852 - 1856) Brief speech in which the speaker encouraged the newly freed slaves to stay in the southern states and not migrate to the north. The speaker felt that African American had more friends among the white population in the south than in the north. Description of file(s): PDF 2 page, 412 word document (text and images) |
Title: James Walker Hood Speaker or author: Hood, J. W. (James Walker), 1831-1918 Newspaper or publication: Christian Recorder (1852 - 1856) The speaker stressed that the ideas of colonization and "exportation" were nonsense. He emphasized that African Americans had four major requests: 1) the allowance to testify in court, 2) the right to serve on a jury, 3) the right to act as counsel for a black defendant, 4) the right to vote. Description of file(s): PDF 2 page, 404 word document (text and images) |
Title: John Peck Speaker or author: Peck, John, of Pittsburgh Newspaper or publication: Christian Recorder (1852 - 1856) Brief speech in which the speaker stressed unity of purpose and a coordinated effort among white as well as black citizens to reach the goals of equality, moral elevation, and racial harmony. Description of file(s): PDF 3 page, 564 word document (text and images) |
Title: John Mercer Langston Speaker or author: Langston, John Mercer, 1829-1897. Newspaper or publication: Elevator Impassioned speech in which the speaker emphasized that along with freedom, African Americans were entitled to all the privileges of citizenship including suffrage, legal, social and political rights. Denying a citizen these rights on the basis of color was illogical, irrational, and uncivilized. Description of file(s): PDF 10 page, 2,101 word document (text and images) |
Title: John Mercer Langston Speaker or author: Langston, John Mercer, 1829-1897. Newspaper or publication: Elevator (Incomplete) Eloquent speech regarding the positive changes the speaker could already see as a result of the end of the Civil War and the emancipation of the slaves. The speaker stressed, however, that more changes were needed before racial equality could be realized. Description of file(s): PDF 5 page, 1,141 word document (text and images) |
Title: John Mercer Langston 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: William Wells Brown Speaker or author: Brown, William Wells, 1814?-1884 Newspaper or publication: Liberator The speaker expresses his concern that the promises made by Abraham Lincoln and the freeing of the slaves would not be realized. He urges the abolitionists to continue fighting for freedom and suffrage. (Includes MP3 audio file.) Description of file(s): PDF 2 page, 580 word document (text and images) |
Title: Alexander Crummell Speaker or author: Crummell, Alexander, 1819-1898 Newspaper or publication: Liberator The speaker expressed his joy at the progress being made through emancipation in the U. S., and welcomed any African American interested in moving to Liberia to teach and/or add benefit to the continent of Africa. Description of file(s): PDF 4 page, 999 word document (text and images) |
Title: William Howard Day Speaker or author: Day, William Howard, d. 1900 Newspaper or publication: Liberator Speech delivered during a celebration of the anniversary of the August 1st emancipation of the British West Indies. The speaker emphasized the potential positive future for African Americans now that the war was over and they were free. The speaker stressed that their future success was up to them now. Description of file(s): PDF 3 page, 714 word document (text and images) |
Title: Frances Ellen Watkins Harper Speaker or author: Harper, Frances Ellen Watkins, 1825-1911. Newspaper or publication: Liberator Overview of speech emphasizing the speaker's concerns regarding national government policy on Reconstruction following the Civil War. Description of file(s): PDF 2 page, 547 word document (text and images) |
Title: Frances Ellen Watkins Harper Speaker or author: Harper, Frances Ellen Watkins, 1825-1911. Newspaper or publication: Liberator Overview of speech expressing concern regarding the direction and motivation of Reconstruction efforts under the guidance of President Andrew Johnson. Description of file(s): PDF 2 page, 598 word document (text and images) |
Title: William Andrew Jackson Speaker or author: Jackson, William Andrew, b. 1832 Newspaper or publication: Liberator Brief overview of a speech by the former coachman of Jefferson Davis expressing his opinion about how to include the southern states into the union after the Civil War. Description of file(s): PDF 1 page, 325 word document (text and image) |

