Transcripts For CSPAN3 13th Amendment And Slavery 20150216

We are open 365 days a year. We are always free from 10 00 until 5 00 every day. When you come to washington d it is a wonderful place to visit. Theres always something in bloom. Theres always something to see and hopefully something you have not seen before. You are watching American History tv 48 hours of programming on American History every weekend on cspan3. Follow us on twitter for information on our schedule of upcoming programs and to keep up with the latest history news. Next on American History tv pastors, historians, Church Choirs and an actor portraying Frederick Douglass reflect on the passage of the 13th amendment which abolished slavery. The event is held at the new york avenue Presbyterian Church. That is where president lincoln frequently worshiped. This Lincoln Group of d. C. Event marking the 150th anniversary of the 13th amendment, is about two hours. As roger started to allude, this is lincolns home church. We try to keep the Current Ministry and legacy of lincolns participation alive. This is not the Original Church. This church was 20 and replaced with this church in the exact spot, very similar to the Original Church in 1950. The pew was preserved. That is where the president and his family would sit in about that position. This was the pulpit from the Original Church and used up to the time of Peter Marshall in this church. We preserved his memory in the lincoln window dedicated in 1968. Maybe at the end, you can look to the one second from the last with lincoln standing in prayer, which was his custom when sitting in this pew during services. You probably passed the hitching post in front. That would have been used by the president when he attended trade that has not been moved. You may have heard the bells of this church, the lincoln chimes. They were a gift of the Robert Lincoln family, lincoln sung the left lincoln lincolns son. After his death, his wife and son presented it to the church. It is the own memorial to the president given by the president s family. We are proud to have that here. The furniture downstairs lincoln would have sat in that we have those items preserved. Along with numerous personal items from the president of first lady. We also have the gym of the collection, a document written by lincoln and signed by him on april 16, 1862, right after he would have signed the d. C. Emancipation. He created the next document which is on view downstairs. That document describes a comprehensive emancipation pams last effort to get the slaveholding border states to sell their slave to the federal government so they could be out of that. When he predicted that, he immediately moved on to begin to discuss the process of the emancipation proclamation. That happened based on the president s extends politically. But also as we believe and is wrong white point ron white points out in his wonderful book the pastor girly relationship with mr. Lincoln helped lincoln develop a higher understanding of his relationship with god and allowed him to think through more clearly from a religious perspective how the manson in estimation the less emancipation proclamation can best be described and encompassed. We are ready to begin the program. I would like to introduce edna green medford and she is a history professor and chairperson at Howard University. She holds degrees from Hampton Institute and the university of illinois. Her phds in history from the university of maryland in college park. She specializes in 19thcentury United States history and teaches courses on the jacksonian era slavery, and the civil war and reconstruction. She lectures widely around the country. She frequently does cspan productions. That is what the cameras are here for today. We are being filmed by cspan for later broadcast. Shes featured in several smithsonian documentaries, one currently on view. She is a member of many Advisory Boards dedicated to the study and promotion of civil war history, including the lincoln bicentennial foundation, the lincoln Study Foundation at knox college and she is a member of the executive committee of the lincoln form. Her many honors include the 2013 professor of the year award at Howard University from the undergraduate students association. And the 2012 lincoln award from the Lincoln Group of the District Of Columbia any special bicentennial edition of the order of lincoln granted to 30 International Recipients by the state of illinois. With all the demands on her time, she has never hesitated to help with the Lincoln Group projects. It is with great pleasure i introduce her to you today, dr. Edna green medford. [applause] good afternoon. Can you hear me now . You can. I would like to thank john obrien and karen legal meagle and members of the Lincoln Group of columbia for the opportunity to participate in this special program commemorating the 13th amendment. Shortly before Abraham Lincoln took his birth the last first oath of office as president , Congress Passed a resolution that sought to guarantee the federal government could never impose its will on the states in regards to slavery. This action resulted from concerns of the crisis. Seven states had already left the union. It was feared that more would follow. A peace conference was convened under the leadership of former president john tyler of virginia. I should stop to indicate john tyler was from my home county in virginia, charles city county. I dont ever let that pass without pointing that out. He may not have been the most popular president , but he was president. The 131 delegates from 21 states settled on resolutions recommended to congress and adopted as the corwin amendment named after Thomas Corwin of ohio. The measure prohibited congress from enacting any law that would allow it to abolish or interfere with the domestic institutions of any state including that of persons held to labor or service by the laws of that state. Within three weeks of the president taking office, he performed his official duty by sending the resolution to the states for ratification. Only ohio and maryland approved the measure before war ended the ratification process. Just four years later, on january 31, 1865, Congress Approved another resolution which was later ratified as the 13th amendment. Rather than protecting slavery in perpetuity however, it prohibited the institution throughout the nation except as punishment for crime. This reversal of sentiment within a few short years reflected the changes wrought about by war. The election of a republican president who enthusiastically supported his Party Platform to challenge the extension of slavery stoped stoked longstanding concerns on behalf of the slaveholding states. The new president could not convince southerners their property and slaves them in slaves with safe under his administration. Having failed to quell the rebellion of 11 states, lincoln had encouraged the slaveholding union states to implement a plan of abolition. His hope was the seceded states would realize their numbers would never increase to beyond where it currently stood and would give up their bid for independence. When none made an effort to rid itself of slavery, he issued a proclamation of emancipation based on military necessity. Lincoln and supporters of emancipation recognized his decree might not be sustainable once the war ended. Moreover, they understood its provisions were limited by his authority as commanderinchief. Affecting only those enslaved in states still in rebellion, its provisions were withheld from upwards of 830,000 people. But we should keep in mind that more than 3 Million People were promised freedom through the proclamation. How to eliminate slavery throughout the country and for all time became the subject of intense debate. The adoption and ratification of a constitutional amendment however obvious it may appear to us today, was not a foregone conclusion. With the exception of the bill of rights, the constitution had been amended only twice. No new amendment had been ratified since 1804, and many believed no further revision was indicated. Nevertheless, the Political Climate and public sentiment encouraged support for an amendment as casualties mounted. Northerners became convinced the device of this cost by slavery anywhere in the country was too great a cost to bear. Swayed by the argument that universal emancipation was the only solution to preserving the union and ridding the nation of the potential of such future disagreements, northern residents sent petitions to Congress Calling for action. Indicative of this effort was the Womens National Little League which under the leadership of Elizabeth Cady stanton and Susan B Anthony collected 100,000 signatures. In the winter of 1864, presented them to the radical republican senator, Charles Sumner, for presentation to the senate. By summer, the number of signatures had reached 400,000. Simultaneously in the border states, growth in the ranks of antislavery democrats pressed the cause of perpetual freedom for all. In the meantime, in december 1863 republican congressman james ashley of ohio proposed a bill that would amend the National Constitution prohibiting slavery or involuntary servitude in all the states and territories now owned or which may be hereafter acquired by the United States. The ashley proposal was followed by another from Iowa Republican congressman james wilson. When the blended bill reached the floor, it encountered considerable opposition. Primarily and predictably from democrats and representatives from kentucky. As you know, kentucky always has problems with any issues regarding the removal of slavery from the nation. It was not only a thorn in lincolns side, but a thorn in the side of the rest of the north in terms of how it protected slavery. The subsequent vote, 93 in favor to 65 against, failed to meet the necessary two thirds majority needed to have it passed. In the senate, john brooks henderson of missouri introduced a joint resolution that sought the same end. As a senator from a border state, henderson represented the kind of leadership on the destruction of slavery that lincoln had sought in the first year of the war. Andersons bill had been sent to the Judiciary Committee for consideration. If every 10, the chairman of the committee recorded the revised measure to the entire senate. The bill incorporated features of several proposals submitted for consideration in both houses of congress. Absent from the revised measure with a proposal by senator sumner that had been more radical than his fellows in congress could abide. Its stipulation that all persons are equal before the law so that no person can hold another as a slave aimed to guarantee quality as well as abolish slavery. The senate opened debate on the proposed amendment in late march with senator trumbull offering a plea for passage. If the amendment one was adopted, he argued, we are forever free of this troublesome question. We accomplish what the statesman of this country have been struggling to accomplish for years. We take this question away from the politics of the country. We relieve colic verse congress of sectional strife. And what is better than all, we restore to a whole race that freedom which is theirs by a gift of god but which we have for generations wickedly denied them. The largely republican argument in favor of the amendment was strengthened by supported democrats such as the one from maryland gave a passionate speech during the debate in which he argued and urged fellow legislators to outlaw slavery to ensure a prosperous and permanent peace. When the senate voted on april 8, it approved the amendment 386. Support for a constitutional amendment from border state senators and representatives did not imply that there was a lessening of objections to extending rights to African Americans. In response to suggestions that abolition would lead to Political Rights for the newly emancipated, henderson argued we give the slave no right except his freedom and leave the rest to the states. Of course, few were naive enough to believe that any of the states in the confederacy or in the union slaveholding states what extent any political or social rights to the free people. We can go even further than that. There are many states in the north that were denying black men certain rights as well. Black women of course, women nowhere were given the right to vote of course. The issue was mostly about Voting Rights for black men. As the debates unfolded in the house and senate in early 1864, the president refrained from publicly expressing any opinion on the merits of a constitutional amendment. When the illinois congressman isaac arnold pressed him to use the occasion of his annual message to congress in december 1863 to recommend such an amendment, lincoln the client declined, a purely because he continued to favor statecontrolled abolition. Two months later, the congressman from indiana suggested he send a message to congress endorsing an amendment that would prohibit slavery forever. It would be your measure, he stressed. If not done some, the proposition will be presented by the democracy and claimed by them as their proposition. Lincoln offered a terse reply. Our own friends have this under consideration now and will do as much without a message as with it. He would not offer public support for such an amendment until june, after the senate had approved the measure but before it felt to defeat in the house. Aware of the growing northern opposition to slavery and eager to maintain their preeminence as the antislavery party the republicans used the occasion of their National Convention to remind the electorate that their policy had the best chance for success. Meeting in baltimore and now calling themselves the National Union party, they adopted a platform that blamed slavery for the current state of affairs. Argued that justice and National Safety demanded its destruction and called for a constitutional amendment that would quote the less terminate and forever prohibit the existence of slavery within the limits of the jurisdiction of the United States. Despite concerns on the part of certain leaders that the president might not be able to win reelection, he was nominated on the first ballot. When notified of his victory, he expressed gratitude for the partys continuing confidence in him and anticipated he would accept renomination officially after he read the platform. But for now, he wanted them to know he approved the Party Declaration favoring a constitutional amendment. He recalled the seceded states had been given 100 days to return to the union and had been promised no harm would come to slavery. The states ignored the notice such an amendment of the constitution as is now proposed became a fitting and necessary conclusion to the final success of the union cause your code. He urged union men everywhere to give it legal form and practical effects. He was on board by this time. There is some indication even before this, he was on board. He was encouraging the Convention Attendees to say more about this issue of a constitutional amendment. He was encouraging it from afar. When the democrats met in chicago for convention nearly three months later, they ignored the shift in public opinion. Rather than endorse the constitutional amendment, they reverted to condemnation of the lincoln administration. The platform declared the party a was to preserve the federal union and the rights of the states unimpaired. It demanded immediate efforts to be made for secession of hostilities and called for the restoration of peace at the earliest practical moment on the basis of the federal union of the states. The president ial election was far from won in the summer of 18 city four. 1864. The Traditional Democratic party candidate, former Union General george mcclellan, the guy who never wanted to advance because he never felt he had the advantage, remained a serious threat. Mcclellan was supported by democrats although he was not himself a piece democrat and by those who apparently believed state rights should try over human rights, at least in regard to African Americans. Mcclellans willingness to negotiate a less restrictive agreement in contrast to lincolns insistence, made the president s reelection less likely and convinced even his most ardent supporters that republican defeat was imminent. Despite pessimistic forecasts, lincoln prevailed, winning with a stunning Electoral College victory of 21221. He garnered 55 of the popular vote, aided by the support of Union Soldiers and sailors allowed to cast absentee ballots or were furloughed home sometimes at lincolns request to vote in key states. Anyone who does not understand what a great politician this man was to not know Abraham Lincoln. He could play the game as good as any of them could. With the election behind him lincoln returned his attention to the house of representatives where the debate over the 13th amendment was again underway. The struggle in the house the second time differed significantly from what had transpired in the senate the previous year. While the republicans dominated the senate, the partys Numerical Strength was not as great in the house where 102 republicans sat among 75 democrats. Nevertheless, lincoln proposed the current members who had already voted the bill down in june reconsider it before the new congress convened. In his annual message to congress on december 6, 1864, he suggested the recent election had signaled public support for the constitutional amendment and that almost certainly the newly elected congress would approve the bill if the current body failed to do so. There is only a question of time as to when the proposed amendment will go to the states for their action, he declared. As it is to so go, at all events , may we not agree that the sooner the better . Of course, talks in the confederacy surrounding the issue of freeing and enlisting black and could not have but had an impact on northerners who had already been treated to the great advantage is session had in the form of an enslaved labor force. Black men served in every conceivable capacity as involuntary military laborers. As blacksmiths teamsters etc. Freeing wightman to fight. What good would it do to continue to support an institution that even southerners were having to reconsider, at least until their cards cause had been won. The border states of maryland and missouri have decided to end slavery. Slowly but surely, the institution was coming to an end in the union slaveholding states. Either by legislative action or by the frictions of war lincoln had warned about earlier. Once the emancipation proclamation had been issued black residents of border states, although excluded them his provision, used whatever means to secure their freedom as well, including joining the union army. In the debates that ensued opponents to the amendment offered a variety of reasons why it should not be pursued. From arguments that it challenged states rights to concerns over what would be done with the friedman and women. Some men were arguing he needed to colonize everyone freed by the 13th amendment. Prominent among the concerns was the fear such an amendment would confer a quality on the freed people or at least encourage them to seek the same rights as white men and women. When the war is done freeing the negroes, one opponent offered the war is to go on to give them a vote and seat in the jury box, etc. That fear was not unwarranted. African americans have taken the opportunity throughout the war to press for those rights enjoyed by other americans. Once black men have been enlisted in the union army black leaders such as Frederick Douglass argued their Citizenship Rights could not be denied given the support they rendered to the union cause. Throughout the north and in certain areas of the south as well, African Americans thought Voting Rights sought Voting Rights or protested segregated street cars. Freedom would be denied. Full citizenship, not simply the absence of slavery. In the house, congressman ashley maneuvered toward a favorable vote. Among the representatives to speak in favor of passage was Thaddeus Stevens of pennsylvania. The ardent abolitionist delivered an impassioned speech that reflected many years of service to the cause of freedom. We have suffered from slavery more than all the plagues of egypt, he declared. We still hard in our hearts and refuse to let the people go. He warned that until slavery men you to gods demands and the demands of humanity and voted for abolition, the scourge of slavery would remain. While ashley used his considerable political skills to win over the faint of heart lincoln used his own powers of persuasion to reverse the votes of a halfdozen or more democrats and convinced others to show up this time having declined to participate at all the first time around. On the floor of the House Chamber and privately, critical votes were secured in exchange for political favors and possibly other considerations. Whether these were offered with the knowledge and approval of the president , we are still debating the extent to which lincoln was involved in some shenanigans. I kind of hope you was because it makes them a little more human. The less i kind of hope he was because it makes him a little more human. At the final tally, the vote taken on january 31 stood at 11956 against, barely securing the necessary two thirds majority. Although not required to do so, lincoln signed the measure on february 1 and send it on to the states for ratification. The first to do so was his own illinois. After the indent the year on december 6 1855, georgia supply the required number to make the amendment part of the constitution. Several states ratified after the requisite number had been reached. Three of them, delaware, kentucky, and mississippi are notorious for how late it took them to do that. [laughter] with delaware ratifying in 1901, kentucky in 1976, and mississippi in 1995. Ok . The passage of the 13th amendment by the house of representatives did not elicit the emotional response evidenced by the emancipation proclamation. Perhaps it was because americans found celebration premature since the required number of states would have to ratify it before it became an amendment. But neither was it ignored. Within days of passage by Congress Henry highland garnet was invited to deliver a sermon celebrating the event in the House Chamber. The house was not in session, but he was allowed to speak from there. He is been a pastor of 15th Street Presbyterian Church in the district and became the first African American to speak in the capitol building. Titled let the monster parish, his sermon outline the destruction of slavery on the nation and in while he was pleased that congress had saved generations from oppression and from the wrath of god, he suggested that the struggle was not yet over. The champion of freedom must rest only when all unjust and heavy burden shall be removed from everyman in the land, when all insidious and prescriptive distinctions show be blotted out from our laws, when emancipation shall be followed by enfranchisement and all men holding allegiance to the government should enjoy every right of american citizenship. Garnet reminded his audience that black soldiers while sacrificing themselves on the field of battle were denied the right to a political voice and could not expect promotion to the higher ranks. Frederick douglas responded similarly a few months later on the occasion of the 32nd annual meeting of the Antislavery Society. In response that the society should disband because its work had been done, douglas suggested, whether this constitutional amendment is law or not, i hold that the work of the abolitionist is not done. It can make our liberty under that provision a delusion, a mockery, and a smear. He argued that until flagmen have secured the burden, the vote could testify in a court of law and had received the right to bear arms, slavery is not abolished. On march 4 the president delivered his second inaugural address. He began his remarks with reference to the previous inaugural address when the nation had burst on civil war. Although both sides thought to a burden, he suggested the cause of the war was the peculiar and powerful interest in the Southern States in the form of enslaved people and the desire of those states to strengthen, perpetuate, and extend the slaveholding interest. But he declined to vilify the south or to hold it singly responsible for the war. Instead, he chose to emphasize the common bond between the two sections. Both read the same bible and pray to the same god, and each invokes his aid against the other. And if some thought it strange that anyone should ask gods assistance, lincoln cautioned them to judge not lest they be judged. Is it was gods will that the war continue until every drop of blood drawn by the lash be drawn by the sword, the American People will have to endure it. Lincoln ended his address with a call to honor the debt owed to those who sacrificed themselves on the battlefield. He called for american unity and brotherhood with malice towards none where antagonisms will be resolved. While it was a call for reconciliation africanamericans saw in the address opportunities for which they had so long struggled. Later that evening, Frederick Douglass made his way to the white house, fully aware that his presence would likely be received with disdain. He approached and sought admission. When policeman refused to admit him, he protested that the newly reelected president would never have sanctioned such behavior. As providence would have it, a passerby observed the incident accepted douglassrequest to inform lincoln of what was happening. Upon his intervention, douglas was admitted. The president greeted his guest quarterly and asked him cordially what he thought of the address. Gone was the criticism. Douglas was one of lincolns big list biggest critics. In the place was a hopefilled anticipation of Better Things to come. The left hoping lincoln would bring to his people the freedom he envisioned. Lincoln said he hated slavery because of its monstrous injustice, because it deprives the republican example of just influence in the world, enabling the enemies of free institutions to taunt us as hypocrites, causes friends of freedom to doubt our sincerity. The 13th amendment would bestow on america the honorable name that lincoln sought. The measure about the president championed during his journey through the house of representatives became the first of three reconstruction amendments. The other two, gave meaning to the freedom that have been declared by the first. A century and a half later, as recent events have tragically demonstrated, we find ourselves in need of a renewed commitment to freedom, one that shields american citizens of color from the continuing disabilities. Imposed by persistent racial views that an pair unfairly target and maligned them. May the generations to come enjoy a last of freedom secured by the commitment of all americans to the justice and equality invoked by the 13th amendment. [applause] dr. Medford, thank you for those wonderful words. A perfect observation of the events and what they let up to. The next segment will talk about activities in the District Of Columbia that occurred up to and after the 13th amendment as typified by key churches. An abolitionist said i have no moderate. The constitution is a slaveholder document. It was the Abolitionist Movement that prompted a secessionist movement. The white mans support abolition is based on the believe that no man can own another. The precivil war narrative of evolution was of white activists providing resources to help refugees escape oppression culminating in the figure of Abraham Lincoln as the great emancipator. Without diminishing those, we can talk about free blacks. They open their homes and businesses to refugees, provided the boots on the ground guidance and local knowledge to provide credible intelligence. The organization of African American communities follow the one vehicle most commonly available to them in an oppressive and white dominated society in washington dc and that was the churches. In the city of washington, the power of the Church Community was potent because of the interests of congressman. They tended to participate in many of the africanamerican church celebrations. Those helps to drive legislative movements. Among the most prominent of the africanamerican churches on the africanamerican Methodist Churches, 19th street baptist church, ashbury, and 15th street presbyterian. It is good to have two of those churches with us today with the pastoral leadership and support to talk about some of the important activities of those churches prior to and during the civil war leading up to the 13th amendment. On the far left, the pastor of the metropolitan church, william. With him is themla, the church historian. Sitting next to me is robert bell, the pastor of 15th street presbyterian. Lets begin. Good afternoon. It is an honor to be here, a part of this oh. [laughter] thank you, thank you. [applause] head and shoulders above everyone else. [laughter] again, good afternoon and thank you for this honor of making me a part of the 150th anniversary commemoration. For the next few minutes i will share with you some information about the history of the african Methodist Church. The history of ame church in the District Of Columbia. And the history of the civil war ame churches. And the prelate of those churches. The parent church grew out of an antisegregation protest at the predominantly white st. Georges Methodist Episcopal Church in philadelphia in the late 1780s. One sunday, the black members of st. George were told they could no longer occupy pews on the main floor of the sanctuary. Henceforth they would have to sit in the balcony. Upon hearing this directive, a group of the blacks from st. Georges under the leadership overturned allen walked out and formed their own church which they called bethel Methodist Episcopal Church. Reverend allen and his group of followers purchased property and constructed a church in philadelphia. It was the first black Methodist Church in the city. In 1816, reverend allen called a conference of black methodists who were interested in forming an autonomous denomination. Delegates came from delaware new jersey, pennsylvania, and maryland to philadelphia. When the conference concluded, the ame church had been organized and bishop allen had been consecrated the first prelate. In the District Of Columbia, because of racial segregation, black members withdrew from a church in 1820. In 1822, the petitioned to be a part of the ame. Thus, the first ame in the city, israel bethel, was created in the city. A few years later, they were worshiping at the hill. In 1838, members of israel bethel residing west and in georgetown organized an ame church in their neighborhood. They felt it was a hardship to walk on unpaved, muddy, snowy, cold streets from their homes, the one or two miles to services at israel bethel on capitol hill. The new church was named union bethel ame. During the civil war years, the presiding prelate was the right reverend daniel payne. Of the four churches under his charge, israel bethel and union bethel were the largest. Israel bethel was an especially politically active church. The Church Pastor was involved in local and national politics. In the spring of 1862, the legislation to emancipate the enslaved in the District Of Columbia was working its way through congress and on to president Abraham Lincoln for his signature. Reverend turner preached sermons and made israel bethel available for meetings supportive of the legislation. Bishop payne went to the white house in mid april, met with the president , and spoke in support of the legislation. The sunday after president lincoln signed the manumission bill, there was a Citywide Service to celebrate. Bishop payne preached a celebratory sermon, welcome to the ransom. He stressed that liberation brings the responsibility of good citizenship. The following year, reverend turner was a lead in the campaign to allow blacks to serve in the union army. He also held recruiting drives at union bethel. Reverend turner joined his recruits when he became the first black union army chaplain. Union Bethel Ame Church was the scene of several historic event in 1862, 1863, and 1864. In 1862, a white clergymen described as the commissioner of immigration convened a meeting of prominent black men. The topic was the proposal to transport free blacks and the formerly enslaved out of the United States. At the meeting, five men were selected to meet with the president. Although none of the men were union bethel members, they returned on the day of the meeting and walked from the church to the white house. You can find details of the meeting in the digitized lincoln papers at the university of michigan. After slavery was abolished in the District Of Columbia thousands of blacks came into the city, mainly from virginia and maryland. Most of them were destitute and in dire need of food and clothing and shelter. In october of 1862, reverend james handy helped form the Union Relief Association. The association was one of Many Organizations created to alleviate a crisis in the community. The Union Relief Association gathered contributions of money, food, and clothing, and held fundraising events at the church. Donations came to the association from ame members across the northern part of the United States. The dressmaker for mary lincoln was a member in the early years of the civil war. In late 1862, she was president of the contraband relief association. She obtained donations of money and clothing from the lincoln family for the association. Reports of the fundraising am speaking tours in philadelphia and new york and boston made frontpage news. Union bethel held a meeting to recruit men for the first colored regiment. The church followed up the meetings with meetings about caring for those who enter military service and their families. One unusual meeting in september of 1864 discussed raising funds for procuring a substitutes for black drafties. One provision of the 13th amendment was not a part of the final legislation. It passed the house of representatives in 1865. I conclude with postcivil war events. Most methodist denominations meet as a delegated group every four years in a convention called the general congress. The 1868 general congress was held in washington at israel bethel near the capital. When the conference convened in may, the representative was ill. He had been the last member of the u. S. House to speak on behalf of the 13th amendment. To show the appreciation of his nomination for that speech and for all that stevens had done on behalf of black americans, an ame delegation visited him in his home. He died a few months later. Thank you. [applause] reverend robert bell of 15 street presbyterian. [applause] thank you. And again, we appreciate the opportunity to say a few words about 15 streets role and the invitation and some of his research which has been diligent, very wonderful. As john said at the beginning, a couple of things helped in the District Of Columbia, the number of free blacks, which was 21. From the black leadership side it made a difference in moving us towards this legislation. A couple of things and a couple of names about 15 street and how they helped. In october of 1851, john cook, who was the minister, petitioned the presbyterians. They were one level up in the levels of heaven. To become a minister of the Presbyterian Church. He came under the care of the minister from the fourth Presbyterian Church at that time, john smith. Following his approval to get licensed as a presbyterian pastore the first black pastor in the District Of Columbia, there was a notice issued inviting all black members and persons, an open notice, to join a new church. This meeting to inform the church was held at the home of david carol in november of 1841 and they were formally recognized by the presbytery in may of 1842. I assure you, our presbytery does not act that fast in todays world. Gathered were prominent black and other citizens from a series of churches, first church, second here, fifth church, even down from new york city. Reverend cook, as you may know was a great educator in the District Of Columbia. He had to take a leave of absence during the snow riots until that calmed down. They met and eventually build a church in 1852 on mcpherson square. Reverend cook, john cook who is well known, another name from 15 street not as well known William Slade. Mr. Slade was president lincolns valet. He was also a ruling elder at 15th presbyterian and at the white house, more than a valet he would take dispatches for the president and deliver them. His children played with the lincoln children. He was a force in the movement as well. One of the things and i attribute this to john obriens Good Research year but i was unaware of is that William Slade and cook helped form the fcsa, an organization working together black businesses and Church Leaders so they could coordinate and improve the opportunities for the district citizens, africanamericans, advocating suffrage for male blacks. They did their homework well and as an example, Reverand Cook compile statistics on taxes paid by black businesses to refute the idea that public funds should not be used to educate black children in the district. They work through these organizations and institutional mentality. Reverend code went to the white house to meet with president lincoln in august of 1862. They did not get all they asked for, the full enfranchisement and black citizenship, but one writer put it this way. The blacks that worked at the white house were the cream of the crop and many of them went to the 15th Street Church. Let me mention the names, john rock of boston delivered a speech in may of 1862. A plea for my race, it was entitled, to a biracial audience. He was the brother of Charles Sumner who would be the first black man to argue a court. Frederick douglass gave a speech in 1964 after john cook ended his tenure in 1855. Seceding ministers that help the cause, william cato and john martin. Following him, francis grimke. Anecdotally, reverend grimke performed in second wedding of Frederick Douglass, not at the church but very close to the church. Reverend grimke was pastor for 50 years. There were a couple of years off for Good Behavior but basically for 50 years. Reverend grimke was a charter member of the forerunner of the naacp. Not all members of 15 Street Church were committed to strictly legal and nonviolent methods to obtain their freedom. A printmaker was one of five blacks who participated in john browns raid on harpers ferry. He was one who escaped with a white colleague. He later wrote an account of that called a voice from harper ferry. It was published in canada to set the record straight about the amount of support the raid had in the black community which i understand was being diminished, being careful not to identify anyone. And now i will conclude very humbly by mentioning a couple of words about henry highland arness. If you will bear with me and correct any mistakes. This is certainly a very prominent player from 15 street that helped with the cause. He was a great abolitionist and educator, he decided to become a preacher as that was the most effective way to carry the cause. Antecdotally about his life, he walked with a limp due to an accident when he was a child. I joke at my church in a sermon that i can never say anything at 15th street that will be more audacious, wild, or radical. Frederick douglass thought he was too radical at times and disassociated himself from him. He had made some comments about armed insurrection unfortunately 20 years before the civil war. He was no pacifist, he was a great believer, different from reverend cook and others in immigration and colonization. He believed mexico was a possibility as well as africa. Finally, the speech that dr. Medford spoke about. An invitation came from lincoln at the prodding of other ministers to address a joint session of congress. In reading descriptions, it was a packed house with both blacks and whites on that february 12 1865, a couple of weeks after the house had passed it but before the senate confirmation. And before it was ratified by the states. Two months before lee surrendered at appomattox. One writer put it this way. He entered with a choir from 15 Street Presbyterian Church, made his way on crutches because of his limp to the speakers rostrum. He stood erect listening to his choir sing. They themselves are unwilling to lift a finger to move them. He proceeded to denounce the institution of slavery encouraging the lawmakers, telling of his first experiences with slavery as a child. Another quote from that speech great god, i would as soon attempt to enslave the angels gabriel and michael as enslave a man made in the image of god for whom christ died. Quoting constantine, leon x. The words, if not the deeds, of washington and jefferson and franklin. I will end with another quote if i could from that speech. He stated honorable senators, and representatives, illustrious rulers of this great nation, i cannot refrain this day from invoking upon you in gods name the blessings of millions who were ready to perish but for whom a new and better life has been opened by your humanity justice, and patriotism. You have said let the constitution be so amended that slavery shall no longer exist in the United States. Truly an act so sublime cannot escape divine notice, and doubtless the deed has been reported in the archives of heaven. Concluding, favored men and honored of god, speedily finish the work he has given you to do. Emancipate, enfranchise, educate, and give the blessings of the gospel to every american. [applause] the newspaper reported that Henry Ward Beecher was in the white house visiting with the president and appeared at the window of the white house. Said in my wildest dreams i never expected that i would one day stand in the window of the white house in washington and aggressive crowd that had come to congratulate the president on the passage of an act proposing the abolition of slavery and particularly this president , Abraham Lincoln. We are going to move the program, we want to get to the next piece, but i know the pastor would want you to know that Frederick Douglass did regularly attend metropolitan ame and was buried from that church. Thank you all very much, i appreciate this, and i will begin to introduce Frederick Douglass. Thank you. [applause] there are two excellent books about washington, d. C. And the Suffrage Movement and the underground railroad. Published in 2003, Stanley Herald published a book called subversives. It is about the underground railroad and the d. C. Players in that movement. Kate wrote forevermore, describing africanamerican groups that moved forward on suffrage after emancipation. The book is proclaimed throughout the land. Kevin was born and raised in d. C. He is an awardwinning actor who is started plays such as dream girls, keep the faith, and the meeting, where he portrayed malcolm x and Martin Luther king. The is currently based in chicago where he is leading a project to train young men in the acting profession. He has done some bigtime conventions as well. William lloyd garrison would introduce Frederick Douglass as excelling in wit and use of language. He compares favorably with Patrick Henry for his stirring revolutionary speech. May he continue to grow that he may be of service in people. I have the honor of presenting mr. Frederick douglass. [applause] [humming] oh freedom oh freedom woah freedom over me and before i be a slave, i will be buried in my grave and go home to my lord and be free do you mind if i sing that again . Oh freedom woah freedom woah freedom over me and before i be a slave, i will be buried in my grave and go home to my lord and be free oh, freedom. Sweet freedom. You will i how good it is to sing a free song. The melody that was bitter in my bondage tastes of sweet honey and nectar in my freedom. I am Frederick Douglass. I was born a slave in Talbot County on the Eastern Shore of maryland. Many were the atrocities that i witnessed there. At the age of seven, i was sent to live with my brother in the city of baltimore. And against my objections, i learned to read. And as i read the very thing that he feared came through because now i saw the roots of all slavery. I was ready to argue with any man who argued for slavery because you see, whether he was kind or whether he was cruel the slaveholder was a slaveholder. With every hour that he robbed a man of their rights, he was sharpening the knife of revenge. And speaking of the principles for which our country was founded, he spoke the very reasons that gave the slaves a right to rebel. I could not stop thinking of freedom and liberty. I heard freedom in every sound and saw it in every object. Freedom shone from every star, it breathed in every wind. Although i found a better life in baltimore, i did not find happiness because true happiness and slavery can never coincide. On a monday, the third day of september, 1838, i boarded a train to philadelphia. I arrived at afternoon in philadelphia and new york city the next morning, free, black, and 20 years old with my slave days behind me. I have heard of the Abolitionist Movement as a child in baltimore but i did not know of the work that they did until i read my first copy of the liberator. Is paper found a place in my heart second only to the bible. For the writers of the liberator hated slavery. They demanded the complete freedom of my race. I love that newspaper and its editor, mr. William lloyd garrison. Shortly thereafter, i heard mr. Garrison speak. I heard his words, mighty. I did not know it then but a new life was beginning for me. I became a lecturer and agent for the massachusetts Antislavery Society. I spoke so well and elegantly that many thought i was never a slave at all so to prove that i spoke the truth, i wrote a book about my life. Names, dates, and places to prove that i was still the Frederick Bailey of Talbot County. I changed my name to the character of sir Walter Scotts lady in the lake. I became Frederick Douglass. To become independent, i added an additional s on the end. [laughter] when i wrote the book, i had to flee to england, where i stayed 22 months. I spoke so well and elegantly there that they treated me as a diplomat. The Antislavery Society in england bought my freedom. I returned to the United States officially a free man. Are you with me . Let me try again. Are you with me . Yeah. I settled in rochester, new york and started a newspaper called the north star. Truth is of no color. God is the head of us all. And we are all brethern. When the war broke out with the north and the south, i predicted that this form would not be fought entirely by white men. Every months experience during these years has confirmed this opinion, war carried out for the perpetual enslavement of black men called loudly for colored men to help suppress it. The arm of the slave was the best defense against the arm of the slaveholder. When [indiscernible] let my people go oppress our heart, they could not stand let my people go go down, moses way down in egypt lay tell old pharaoh let my people go [humming] let my people go [humming] let my people go [humming] i hope you do not mind if i sing for a while. I sure would appreciate it if you would join me along with the choir. My eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the lord is trampling out the places where the grapes of wrath are stored he has loosed the faithful lightning of his terrible sword the truth is marching on come on, everybody. Glory, glory, hallelujah glory, glory, hallelujah glory, glory, hallelujah his truth is marching on give yourselves a round of applause. [applause] when first the rebel canon shot at the walls of fort sumter and drove away the starving garrison, i predicted that the war then and there inaugurated would not be fought entirely by white people. War undertaken and brazenly carried on for the perpetual enslavement of colored men calls logically and loudly for colored men to help suppress it. Only a moderate share of sagacity was required to see that the arm of the slave was the best defense against the arm of the slaveholder. I have implored this imperiled nation to unchain against her foes her powerful black hand. Slowly and reluctantly, that appeal is beginning to be headed. It may not have been best and that it should not, that is not the time to discuss this question. Leave it to the future. When the war is over, peace is established, and the black mans rights are secured as they will be, history, with an impartial hand, will dispose of the questions. Action. Action, not criticism is the duty of this hour. Words are notable only as they stimulate the blows. The office of speech is only used to point out when, where, and how to strike. There is no time to delay. From east to west, from north to south, the sky is written all over. Now or never. Are you still with me . Yes. Liberty won by white men would lose half its luster. Better to die free than live slaves. This is the sentiment of the brave colored men amongst us. They are weak and there are cowardly men amongst us. The tell you that this is a white mans war, but you will be no better off after than before the war, that the getting of you into the army is a sacrifice. Cowards themselves, they do not wish to have their cowardice shamed by your brave example. I have not thought lightly of the words i am now addressing you. The council that i give comes of close observation and with the deep conviction that this is your hour. After the best deliberation, i now for the first time during this war feel that liberties have called and counseled you to arms. Every consideration that binds us with enslaved countrymen and the peace and welfare of your nation. For the freedom and equality of yourself and your children. By all that ties the blood that makes us one group of brief colored men fighting in louisiana and south carolina, i urge you to rise up and smite with the power that will bury the government and your liberty in the same hopeless grave. Are you still with me . Yes. I wish i could tell you that new york calls you to this high honor. For the moment she is silent but she will speak by and by. The constitutional authorities are silent but they will speak on the right side. We are not compelled to wait. We can get to the throat of treason and slavery through the state of massachusetts. She was first in the war of independence, first to break the chains of her slaves, first to make the black man equal before her laws, first to admit colored children in her common schools. And she was first to answer the call with her blood, with its capital within minutes of rebels. You know Charles Sumner. Need i say more . Massachusetts now calls you to arms and soldiers. She has but a small population so we need you to go quickly and become the first black regiment from the north. More than 20 years of unswerving devotion to our common cause may give me some humble claim to be trusted in this momentous crisis. I will not argue. To do so implies hesitation and doubt, and you do not hesitate you do not doubt. It is given to you to end in a day the bondage of centuries. The morning star is bright upon the horizon. Millions of our brothers and sisters will march out into liberty. We can win for ourselves the respect from Common People from all varieties of men. You remember plessey of charleston . Do you remember Nathaniel Turner of southampton . Copeland, who followed noble john brown and that is a martyr. Remember that the almighty makes no attribute to take sides with the oppressor. This is our golden opportunity. Let us win for ourselves the respect of the country and the best blessings of all posterity. There is no time to delay. Not hesitate. Do not doubt. Men of valor, to arms. He has sounded out the trumpet that will never sound retreat. He is sifting out the hearts of men before his judgment seat be swift my soul to answer him be jubliant my feet his truth is marching on glory, glory hallelujah glory, glory hallelujah glory, glory hallelujah his truth is marching on glory, glory hallelujah i wish i could hear you glory, glory hallelujah glory glory, glory hallelujah his truth is marching on [applause] kevin, ladies and gentlemen. American history tv visited fords theatre in washington dc to learn about the widow lincoln, a play commission to mark the april anniversary of president lincolns assassination 150 years ago. On the night of april 14, 1865, ever was mortally wounded at