She was one of six founding members of the influential rochester ladies anti. Clements library is the repository of the correspondence and other records of the rochester new york ladies antislavery society formed in 1851 to promote the antislavery cause. Founded at rochester in 1842, the western new york antislavery society was unique in that it welcomed as members men and women, african americans and. Preface by william lloyd garrison published in 1849 edition p r e f a c e. The most celebrated orator of his day, douglass powerful language, resolute denunciations of slavery, and forceful examination of the constitution challenge us to think about the histories we tell, the values they. Autographs for freedom, published in 1853, is an anthology of literature designed to help sweep away from this otherwise happy land, the great sin of slavery.
The rochester ladies antislavery society papers consist of documents generated by the society as well as correspondence to and from various members of. Clements library of the university of michigan, say they helped 58 fugitive slaves in 1855 and 68 in 1866. Oration, delivered to the rochester antislavery sewing society. It was something the great abolitionist and orator frederick douglass said 161 years ago. American antislavery society aass, founded in new york city, december 1833, disbanded 1870. The rochester ny ladies antislavery society papers 18481868 were selected to be fully digitized and made accessible online in a new digitized manuscripts platform that launched in 2019. Publication date 1836 topics ladies newyork city antislavery society, antislavery movements new york n. Reading frederick douglass together mass humanities. Rochester ladies antislavery society quick reference rochester, new york, was a rapidly growing commercial center in the early nineteenth century, with a diverse economic, political, and social climate. Fourteen summers earlier, douglass had escaped from. The rochester ny ladies antislavery society papers 18481868 consist of the societys incoming correspondence about slavery, fugitive slaves, the conditions of freemen, and other progressive issues.
I would unite with anybody to do right, douglass told the rochester ladies antislavery society. Rochester ladies antislavery society oxford reference. Two letters in the clements library do shed some light. In what is considered one of the greatest abolitionist speeches, douglass presented what to the slave is the fourth of july. Image of letter to post from anthony post worked for womans rights as well as for the abolition of slavery, and was involved in the womans rights movement from its inception in 1848. On july 5, 1852, in rochester, new york, he gave one of his most famous speeches, the meaning of july fourth for the negro. Rochester ladies antislavery society secretarys report, 1863. As a society devoted to the immediate abolition of slavery, the antislavery movement forms the context of most of the correspondence in the collection, but the.
On july 5, 1852, frederick douglass gave a speech at an independence day celebration organized by the rochester ladies antislavery society. Thoughts on a speech delivered at the rochester ladies. Though a biting critique of the federal governments support of slavery and the recently passed fugitive slave act, the 500 to 600 people in attendance at corinthian hall heartily supported douglass. The antislavery society organised meetings, arranged the signing of petitions, printed and distributed antislavery propaganda and employed people to go on lecture tours of the united states. Frederick douglass esq dear sirthe ladies of the rochester antislavery sewing society, desire me to return you their most sincere thanks for the eloquent and able address delivered in corinthian hall, on the 5th of july.
From this point on the rochester ladies annual reports were made up entirely of. On july 5th of 1852, douglass, who referred to himself as a black, dyed in the wool republican, addressed the rochester ladies antislavery society in rochester, new york. The speech is perhaps the most widely known of all of frederick douglass writings save his autobiographies. This is the actor james earl jones reading the historic address during a performance of howard zinns voices of a peoples. Douglass gave his seminal what to the slave is fourth of july speech in 1852 at corinthian hall in new york, addressing the rochester ladies antislavery society. He was addressing the rochester ladies antislavery society. This is james earl jones reading the historic address during a performance of howard zinns voices of a peoples history of the. Douglass, in turn, asked the prominent rochester businessman and abolitionist, samuel drummond porter, to take part in the celebration. The civil war was being fought to guarantee freedom.
Slavery, according to the constitution of the rochester ladies antislavery society, is an evil that ought not to exist, and is a violation of the inalienable rights of man. Schopieray will provide an overview of the collection and digitization process, as well as an opportunity to view materials. Rochester ladies antislavery society worldcat identities. Rochester ladies antislavery society social networks.
Six women responded, and on august 20, 1851, formally organized themselves into the rochester ladies antislavery sewing society the sewing was. Rochester ladies antislavery society papers 18481868. Rochester ladies antislavery society lc linked data. During his passionate speech, douglass said, take the constitution according to its plain reading. The two met in london, england, during douglass tour of the british isles in 184547. The reports do not specify the type of aid rendered. First annual report of the ladies newyork city antislavery society. As a black american, i dont celebrate the fourth of july. From the colonial period to the age of frederick douglass. Rochester ladies antislavery society the university of michigans william l. Sewing society also raised money for douglass newspaper and other abolitionist.
Douglass, of course is himself the preeminent abolitionist, a man who escaped slavery and went on to champion not just the cause of freedom for american slaves but for all people, including the nearslaves of ireland who received him with great warmth. By 1840 the society had 250,000 members, published more than twenty journals and 2,000 local chapters. Publication date 1854 topics slavery united states antislavery movements. The rochester ladies antislavery society had invited douglass to deliver the keynote address for their fourth of july celebrations in 1852. Rochester ladies antislavery society in encyclopedia of african american history, 16191895. Pamphlet of oration, delivered to the rochester antislavery society i. Porter was an active member of the rochester ladies antislavery society from its beginning and assisted in gathering material for its two anthologies, both titled autographs for freedom, which were issued in 1853 and 1854. It was reported and reprinted in northern newspapers and was published and sold as a fortypage pamphlet within weeks of its delivery. At the invitation of the rochester ladies antislavery society, frederick douglass delivered this speech on july 5, 1852, at corinthian hall in rochester, new york. He delivered the fourth of july speech on july 5, 1852, in rochester, new york, to the rochester ladies antislavery society. In the month of august, 1841, i attended an antislavery convention in nantucket, at which it was my happiness to become acquainted with frederick douglass, the writer of the following narrative. Born into slavery around 1818, douglass became a key leader of the abolitionist movement.
The rochester ladies antislavery society papers consist of documents generated by the society as well as correspondence to and from various members of the society about slavery, the conditions of freemen, and other progressive issues. In 1849, griffiths joined douglass in rochester, new york, and edited. Why you should read what to the slave is the fourth of. Douglass also sheltered runaway slaves who were running away to freedom and held meetings for the rochester ladies antislavery sewing society. Julia griffiths 21 may 1811 1895 was a british abolitionist who worked with the american freed slave frederick douglass. Rochester ladies antislavery society papers 18511868. Frederick douglass delivered best fourth of july speech in. Reverberations of the fourth of july national endowment. The fourth of july is yours, not mine frederick douglass frederick douglass. In 1849, griffiths joined douglass in rochester, new york, and edited, published and promoted his work. I defy the presentation of a single proslavery clause in it.
A lecture before the rochester ladies antislavery society 1855 by frederick douglass author visit amazons frederick douglass page. On july 5, 1852, frederick douglass delivered a famous speech to the rochester ladies antislavery society in rochester, n. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. In the summer of 1851, notices were distributed throughout rochester, n. Rochester ladies antislavery society papers, 18511868 rochester ladies antislavery society. Speaking on july 5, the day after independence day something douglass had insisted upon, and before a predominantly white audience, douglass eloquently explained why the fourth of july. James earl jones reads a frederick douglass writing about. Meeting sponsored by the rochester ladies antislavery society, rochester hall, rochester, n. On july 5, 1852, while citizens across the country were still celebrating american freedom, frederick douglass, the countrys most prominent former slave, delivered arguably the centurys most powerful antislavery speech at the rochester ladies antislavery societys independence day celebration. Rochester, new york, was a rapidly growing commercial center in the early nineteenth century, with a diverse economic, political, and social climate. Admission to the speech was 12 cents, and the crowd at the rochester ladies antislavery society was. The speech, what to the slave is the fourth of july.
Pennsylvania society for promoting the abolition of slavery. Douglass, of course is himself the preeminent abolitionist, a man who escaped slavery and went on to champion not just the cause of freedom for american slaves but for all people, including the nearslaves of. In 1852 the rochester ladies antislavery society chose him to address their fourth of july meeting. History slavery, according to the constitution of the rochester ladies antislavery society, is an evil that ought not to exist, and is a violation of the inalienable rights of man in the summer of 1851, notices were distributed throughout rochester, n. Slavery, according to the constitution of the rochester ladies antislavery society, is an evil that ought not to exist, and is a violation of the inalienable rights of man in the summer of 1851, notices were distributed throughout rochester, n. Historic marker commemorates frederick douglass house in. It was put together by the rochester ladies antislavery society and includes the only published fiction of frederick douglass, who would go on to become the first black citizen to hold high rank in the us government. Thoughts on a speech delivered at the rochester ladies anti. To illustrate the full shame of slavery, douglass delivered a speech that took aim at the pieties of the nation the cherished memories of its revolution, its principles. In his speech to the rochester ladies antislavery society in 1852, what did frederick douglass point out to his mostly white audience a. On july 5th, 1852 frederick douglass delivered a speech to the rochester ladies antislavery society, rochester hall, new york. Post home western new york antislavery society freethought.
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