The Negro in Our History |
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abolition African American antislavery army attacked authority became become blacks brought called carry cause century churches citizens Civil colonization color condition Congress considerable Constitution continued course desired developed District early economic effect effort emancipation equal escape established evidence extended fact field finally followed force free Negroes freedom fugitives further given ground Henry History House human important increase industrial institution interest James John labor land later less liberty live masters ment movement natural never North officers opinion opportunity organized passed persons political position President prevent prohibited promote Quakers question race reason result schools secure Senate sent served slave trade slavery slaves social Society South South Carolina southern supply territory tion trade Union United unusual Virginia Washington West York
Popular passages
Page 367 - I believe that to have interfered as I have done, as I have always freely admitted I have done in behalf of His despised poor, I did no wrong, but right. Now, if it is deemed necessary that I should forfeit my life for the furtherance of the ends of justice and mingle my blood further with the blood of my children and with the blood of millions in this slave country whose rights are disregarded by wicked, cruel and unjust enactments, I say, let it be done.
Page 215 - We are now far into the fifth year, since a policy was initiated with the avowed object and confident promise of putting an end to slavery agitation. Under the operation of that policy, that agitation has not only not ceased, but has constantly augmented. In my opinion, it will not cease, until a crisis shall have been reached and passed. ' A house divided against itself cannot stand.
Page 349 - I will be as harsh as truth, and as uncompromising as justice. On this subject, I do not wish to think, or speak, or write, with moderation . . . urge me not to use moderation in a cause like the present.
Page 371 - American pledge his life, his property, and his sacred honor — let every man remember that to violate the law is to trample on the blood of his father, and to tear the charter of his own and his children's liberty.
Page 350 - ... hath made of one blood all nations of men to dwell on all the face of the earth...
Page 66 - There shall be neither slavery nor involuntary servitude in the said territory, otherwise than in the punishment of crimes, whereof the party shall have been duly convicted. Provided always that any person escaping into the same from whom labor or service is lawfully claimed in any one of the original States, such fugitive may be lawfully reclaimed and conveyed to the person claiming his or her labor or service as aforesaid.
Page 370 - At what point then is the approach of danger to be expected ? I answer, If it ever reach us it must spring up amongst us; it cannot come from abroad. If destruction be our lot we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen we must live through all time, or die by suicide.
Page 367 - I admire the truthfulness and candor of the greater portion of the witnesses who have testified in this case,— had I so interfered in behalf of the rich, the powerful, the intelligent, the so-called great, or in behalf of any of their friends, either father...
Page 361 - There is no permanent class of hired laborers amongst us. Twentyfive years ago I was a hired laborer. The hired laborer of yesterday labors on his own account to-day, and will hire others to labor for him to-morrow. Advancement — improvement in condition — is the order of things in a society of equals.
Page 215 - A house divided against itself cannot stand." I believe this government cannot endure, permanently half slave and half free. I do not expect the Union to be dissolved — I do not expect the house to fall — but I do expect it will cease to be divided. It will become all one thing, or all the other. Either the opponents of slavery, will arrest the further spread of it, and place it where the public mind shall rest in the belief that it is in...