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The Duty of Disobedience to the Fugitive Slave Act
Work from the 19th Century American abolitionist and women's rights activist.
- GenresHistory
40 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1860
About the author
Lydia Maria Child
369 books49 followersLydia Maria Child (1802-1880) was an activist and writer of novels, pamphlets, and works for children. She often used her writing to advocate for slaves, women, and Native Americans. Lydia Maria Child was born in Medford, Massachusetts, where her grandfather’s house, which she celebrates in her poem, still stands.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
June 21, 2017
Child could write a very impassioned speech. She focuses on the hardships of both men and women in terms of slavery, in particular showing the blood relationships that might occur. This edition also includes the act and debates surronding it.
August 22, 2018
Yet another piece of history.
The fugitive slave law was insult to injury for the North. Massachusetts certainly lead the pack in protests! There are some details here about the ultimate fate of some of the 'returned' I hadn't heard before. Other than that, well, there's nothing like a blistering denunciation to get the old blood moving.
The fugitive slave law was insult to injury for the North. Massachusetts certainly lead the pack in protests! There are some details here about the ultimate fate of some of the 'returned' I hadn't heard before. Other than that, well, there's nothing like a blistering denunciation to get the old blood moving.
February 4, 2021
Published by the American Anti-Slavery Society, 1860, Boston.
This speech was given by Lydia Maria (that is Mah-RYE-ah), Francis Child (1802-80) to the Massachusetts legislators in 1860. This speech seemed a little dramatic, but considering the topic, timeframe, and author, it is understandable. The only passage that stood out for me was the following:
”If you cannot be induced to reform this great wickedness, for the sake of outraged justice and humanity, then do it for the honor of the State, for the political welfare of our own people, for the moral character of our posterity. For, as sure as there is a Righteous Ruler in the heavens, if you continue to be accomplices in violence and fraud, God will not "save the Commonwealth of Massachusetts."
Child and her husband, David Lee Child, read the works of William Lloyd Garrison, a prominent abolitionist, and were influenced by his support of abolition. Maria Child herself believed that white women were on par with Negro slaves in that both groups were under the thumb of white men; she was also a women’s rights activist and wrote about Indian rights. She also was a prolific writer of stories and books.
This speech is worth reading and can be a valuable source for research. It was a short enough read for a half hour evening read.
This speech was given by Lydia Maria (that is Mah-RYE-ah), Francis Child (1802-80) to the Massachusetts legislators in 1860. This speech seemed a little dramatic, but considering the topic, timeframe, and author, it is understandable. The only passage that stood out for me was the following:
”If you cannot be induced to reform this great wickedness, for the sake of outraged justice and humanity, then do it for the honor of the State, for the political welfare of our own people, for the moral character of our posterity. For, as sure as there is a Righteous Ruler in the heavens, if you continue to be accomplices in violence and fraud, God will not "save the Commonwealth of Massachusetts."
Child and her husband, David Lee Child, read the works of William Lloyd Garrison, a prominent abolitionist, and were influenced by his support of abolition. Maria Child herself believed that white women were on par with Negro slaves in that both groups were under the thumb of white men; she was also a women’s rights activist and wrote about Indian rights. She also was a prolific writer of stories and books.
This speech is worth reading and can be a valuable source for research. It was a short enough read for a half hour evening read.
February 14, 2015
A very eloquent discourse
A very eloquent speech made before the Massachusetts state assembly urging the repeal of the infamous1850 Fugitive Slave Act. This act of Congress, deemed unconstitutional by the speech maker, prohibited free states from harboring escaped slaves, and compelled them to assist slave owners in their capture and return.
A very eloquent speech made before the Massachusetts state assembly urging the repeal of the infamous1850 Fugitive Slave Act. This act of Congress, deemed unconstitutional by the speech maker, prohibited free states from harboring escaped slaves, and compelled them to assist slave owners in their capture and return.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews