to visit the matter what time of year, time of day there is always something in bloom and something to the. [captioning performed by the national captioning institute, which is responsible for its caption content and accuracy. visit ncicap.org] [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2015] >> up next, american history tv, pastors, historians, church choirs and and after picturing abolitionist. reflecting on the passage of the 13th amendment that abolish slavery. the event is held at the new york avenue presbyterian church where president link when frequently worship. this group marking the 130 -- 50th anniversary of the passage of the 13th amendment is two hours.

>> this by the way is not the original church. this church was torn down and replaced with this church in the exact spot similar to the original church in 1950. the pew was preserved where he and his family would sit. he would be listening to passage or any of girly you with the profitable it. this was the original church used up until the time of futile -- peter marshall. we preserved his memory through the lincoln window. these stain -- think less windows were dedicated 1968. maybe in the end you can book to the one second in the last of lincoln standing in prayer which was his custom fitting in this pew during the services here. you probably past the hitching post out front.

that would have been used by the president that would not have been moved. you may have heard the bells of this church, the lincoln chimes for a gift of the robert lincoln family, his son after robert died his wife and daughter presented the church in 1927 with the terms that were brought forward to the new church. it is only memorial to the president given by the president family, and we're proud to have that here. the asterisk furniture downstairs he would have sat in that seriously have his items preserved along with numerous personal items president and first lady, letters from mary. his is that on this way downstairs. we also have the real gem of the collection to see a real document graseck -- written by lincoln and sci-fi him on april 18 1862, right after he would have signed the emancipation.

he created the next generation of emancipation document which is on view downstairs. that document describes a compensated advances patient plan his last effort at trying to get the border states to sell their slaves to the federal government. so they could be out of the business. he immediately began moving on discussions the emancipation proclamation, which happens based upon the president experience politically and also we believe is wrong white points out in the second inaugural address, that the relationship with mr. lincoln health mr. lincoln developed a higher under the ending of his relationship with his thought and allow him to think more clearly from a religious perspective how the emancipation proclamation eventually the 13th amendment can best be described.

with that, we are ready to begin the program. i would like to introduce the doctor in and agreement for. a history professor and chairperson at howard university. she will degrees from hampton institute at the university of illinois at urbana and phd in history from the university of maryland college park. he specializes in 19th-century united dates history and keep -- teaches courses on the jacksonian area and civil war and reconstruction. she lectures widely around the country and frequently does c-span productions and that is what the cameras are here for today. she is featured in several smithsonian documentaries. one currently on beer from emancipation proclamation to civil rights and a member of mental -- many advisory boards dedicated to the promotion of civil war history including

lincoln bicentennial foundation, lincoln center at knox college the advisory group. member of the executive committee or lincoln forum. her many honors include the 2013 letter of the year award at howard university. in 2000 12 lincoln award from the lincoln for the district of via an peschel bicentennial edition of the order of lincoln, granted 30 international recipients by the state of illinois. she never has -- he is never hesitated to help with the lincoln group projects and with great pleasure i introduced her to you today, dr. edna green medford. [applause] >> could act -- good afternoon.

i would like to thank john o'brien and the members of the lincoln group of the district of columbia for the opportunity for -- to participate in this very special program commemorating the 13th amendment. shortly before abraham lincoln took his first oath of office as president congress passed a resolution that ought to guarantee the federal government could never impose its will on the state. this action resulted from the growing concession crisis. it is fair more would follow. in attempts to save the southern withdrawal, a peace conference was convened under the leadership of john tyler of virginia. i should stop to indicate john tyler was from my home county in

virginia, charles city county. i do not ever let that pass without pointing that out. it may not have been the most popular president but he was president. the 131 delegates from 21's aides signed resolutions that were recommended to congress and a doctorate the brain and nine men named after thomas corwin of ohio. the measure prohibited congress from entering -- from enacting any law that would allow it to abolish or interfere with the domestic institution of any state including that of persons labor or service by the laws of that state. within three weeks of the president taking office, he performed his official duties by sending the resolution to the states for ratification. only ohio and maryland approved the measure before the war ended ratification process.

just four years later, january 31, 1865, congress approved another resolution, which was later ratified as the 13th amendment. rather than protecting slavery in perpetuity, it prohibited the institution to allow the nation to accept as punishment for crime. this reversal of sentiment within a few short years reflected the changes brought about by war. the election of a republican president who is enthusiastic we supported his party's platform to challenge the extension of slavery stoked long-standing concerns on the part of the slaveholding they. try as he might the new president could not convince that enters their property and slaves was safe under his administration. having failed to slow the rebellion, now 11 states. at the end of the first year war

lincoln encouraged slaveholding unions aides to implement a plan of abolition. his plan was the succeeded states would realize their numbers would never increase to beyond where it currently start. and hence, would give up the bid for independence. when they made an effort to bring -- rid itself of slavery he issued a proclamation of emancipation based upon military nurses there -- necessary. they've recognize this might be sustainable once the war had ended. moreover, they understood the provisions were limited by its authority as commander-in-chief affecting only those enslaved in states still in rebellion, the provisions were withheld from upwards of 830,000 all. he should -- we should keep in mind for the 3 million were

promised freedom through emancipation. how to eliminate slavery and for all time and begin the subject of intense debate. however obvious it may appear today was not a foregone conclusion. with the exception of the bill of rights, the constitution was amended only twice. no new amendment was ratified since 1804, and many believed no further revision was indicated. nevertheless, the political time it and public sentiment encouraged support for an amendment as casualties mounted. northerners became convinced the divisiveness's law -- caused by slavery's presence anywhere in the country was too great a cost to their. weighed by the argument that irrevocable universal emancipation was the only solution to preserving the union

and rating the nation of a potential for such future disagreements residents sent petitions to congress calling for action. indicative of the effort was the women's national lawyerly, which under the leadership of elizabeth cady's canton and susan b anthony collected 100,000 signatures. in the winter of 1864 permitted them to radical republican senator charles sumner for delivery to the senate. by summer, the number of signatures had reached 400,000. simultaneously in the border states, growth in the ranks of antis debris democrats pressed the cause of perpetual freedom for all. in the meantime, december 1860 three, republican congressman james ashley of ohio proposed a bill that would" amend the bill for constitution for slavery nor

involuntary servitude and all that 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 in predictability from peace democrats and representatives from kentucky, and kentucky always had problems with any issues regarding the removal of slavery from the nation. it was not only a foreign in lincoln's side but a thorn in the side of the rest of the north as well in terms of how it protected slavery. the subsequent vote, 93 in favor to 65 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. 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. henderson's bill had been sent to the senate judiciary committee for consideration, and on february 10, senator ryan trumbull, chairman of the committee reported the revised measure to the entire senate. the bill incorporated features of the proposals submitted for consideration in both houses of congress. absent from the revised measure with a proposal by senator sumner that have been more radical than fellows in congress codified. it's stipulation that all persons" are equal before the law also that no person can hold another as slaves" aim to guarantee quality as well as

abolish slavery. the senate open debate on the proposed amendment in late march with senator trumbull offering a plea for passage. if the amendment was adopted, he argued, we are forever free of the troublesome question. we adopted than what the statesman had been struggling to accomplish for years. they take this question entirely away from the politics of the country. we believe congress in what is all better than all, we've restored to a whole race the freedom that is there is the biggest of god but which for -- but which we have generations have denied them. the largely republican argument in favor and amendment was strengthened by supportive democrats such as johnson of maryland who gave an impassioned speech during the debate in which he argued his fellow legislators to outlaw slavery in

order to ensure a prosperous and permanent peace. when the senate voted on april 8, and approved the amendment 38-6. support or constitutional amendment from border states editors and representatives such as henderson and johnson did not imply 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, hansen argued, we get the slave no rights except his freedom, and leave the rest to the state's. of course, few were naive enough to believe any of the states in the confederacy or union slaveholding states for that matter, would extend any political or social life to free people. we can go further in that that

had many states in the north outwards and denying black men certain rights as well. black women -- women know where were given the right to vote. it was about mostly, the issue was about voting rights for black men. as debates enfolded in the house and senate with 1864, the president refrained from publicly expressing any opinions on the merits of constitutional amendment. when illinois congressman isaac arnold pressed him to win the occasion to congress in december 1863 to recommend such an amendment, lincoln declined. apparently because he continued to favor state-controlled abolition. two months later john from indiana suggested he send a message to congress endorsing an amendment that would fit his debris forever. it would be your measure.

if not done very soon, the proposition will prove -- will be presented by the democracy and claimed by the proposition. lincoln offered a terse reply, our own friends have this under consideration now and will do just as much with our message as with it. he would not offer public support for such an amendment until june until after the princeton -- they had approved the measure. the growing opposition to slavery and eager to maintain preeminence as the anti-slavery party. republicans used the occasion of the national convention to remind the electorate the policies have the best chance for success. while meeting in baltimore june 7 and eighth and calling themselves the national union

party, they adopted a platform that blames slavery for the current state of affairs, argues justice and national safety demanded destruction and calls for a constitutional amendment that will terminate and forever prohibits the existence of slavery within the limits of the jurisdiction of the united states. despite concern from the part of certain leaders 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 parties continuing confidence in him and said he would accept renomination officially after he had read the form, but for now, he wanted them to know he approved the parties declaration favoring a constitutional amendment. he recalled the succeeded states were given 100 days to return to the union and have been promised that no harm would come to

slavery. when the states had ignored the notice he said such an amendment of the constitution as is now proposed became a fitting and necessary conclusion to the final success of the union cause. here's union men everywhere to give it legal form and practical effect. he was on board by this time, and there are indications that even before this he was on board. he was encouraging the convention attendees to actually say more. he was encouraging it from afar. when the democrats met and convention in chicago nearly a month later, they ignored a shift. rather than endorsed a constitutional amendment they resorted to condemnation of the lincoln administration. the platform declared the parties aimed was to preserve

the federal union and the right of the state unimpaired. it demanded immediate effects -- efforts to be made forces stationed of hostilities and called for the restoration of peace at the earliest practical moment from the basis of the federal union and they -- of the state. the presidential election was far from one in the summer of 1864, although opposition from john c fremont, nominee of the newly formed democracy party had fizzled, the traditional democratic party hinted it, former union general george b mcclellan, the guys who never wanted to advance because he never felt the -- guilty have the advantage remained a serious threat. mcclellan was supported by democrats but not insult of peace democrat. five is apparently believed states rights should triumph over human rights, at least in

regard to african-americans. his willingness to negotiate a less restricting piece of agreement with the confederacy in contrast to lincoln's insistence that peace can be had only of slavery were destroyed made the president reelection less likely and convinced the artist reporters that public and defeat was eminent. despite pessimistic forecast lincoln prevails winning with a stunning electoral college victory at 212-21. he garnered 55% of the popular vote. aided by the support of union sailors who were allowed to cast absentee ballots or were furloughed home, sometimes at lincoln's request to vote in key states. anyone who does not understand what a great politician this man was, they just do not know abraham lincoln. he could play the game as well as any of them could.

with the election behind them, he returned attention to the house of representatives where the debate over the 13th amendment was again underway. the struggle in the house differed significantly from what had transpired in the senate the previous year. while the republicans dominated the senate, the parties numerical strength was not as great in the house where 102 republicans sat among 75 democrats. nevertheless, lincoln proposed the congress members who had already voted the bill down in june 3 consider before the new congress convened. in his annual message to congress in 1864, he suggested the recent election had signaled public support for the constitutional amendment and that's 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 action he declared. and as it is to so go, at all events, may we not agree the sooner, the better. of coarse talks in the confederacy surrounding the issue of freeing and surrounding black men could not have an impact on northerners who had always been treated to the great advantage that succession is had in the form of the next claimed labor of force. this is an voluntary military labor. freeing white men to fight. what good would it do then to continue to support an institution that even southerners that are having to reconsider until the cars have been one.

-- cause had been warned. the border states of maryland and missouri had decided to end slavery and be a jurisdiction. slowly but most assuredlyinstitution was coming to an end in the inland -- union slaveholding states either by legislative action or by the frictions of war lincoln had warned about earlier. what is -- once the emancipation proclamation had been issue border states although excluded from the provisions used whatever nene -- whatever means to secure their provisions as well, including joining the year -- including joining the army. opponents to the member offered a variety of reasons why it should not be pursued from arguments it challenged states rights to concerns over what would be done with the free men and women. some people were arguing you needed to colonize every single one of them by the 13th

amendment. prominent among the concerns was the fear such an amendment would confer it while lady or at the least encourage them to seek the same rights as right men -- white men and women. when the war is done from seeing -- freeing the negroes want a phone offered, the worst to go on to give them a vote seat in the jury box, etc.. that deal was not unwarranted. african-americans have taken the opportunity throughout the war to press for those rights enjoyed by other americans. once black men had been in list it in the union army, black leaders such as friendless -- frederick douglass argued their citizen rights could not be denied given the support they render to the union cause. throughout the north and in certain areas of the south as well, african-americans sought voting rights for the abolition of black cloth or here in the district of columbia protested

segregated streetcars. freedom would indeed be defined as full citizenship, not simply the acts -- absence of slavery. meanwhile in the house congressman ashley maneuvered fellow representatives toward a favorable vote. among the representatives to be in favor of passage was that he is stevens of pennsylvania, the abolitionist delivered an impassioned age that reflected many years of service to the cause of freedom. we have suffered from slavery more than all of the plagues of egypt he declared. we shall still part in our hearts and refuse to let the people go. stevens warned until slavery meant to yield to guide demand and demands of humanity and in voted for abolition, this courage of slavery would remain. while ashley used his

considerable skills to win over the things of hearts, you can -- lincoln used his own powers to reverse the votes of a half-dozen 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 in exchange for political favors and possibly other considerations. whether these were offered with the knowledge and approval of the president we're still debating the best to which lincoln was actually involved in some shenanigans. kind of hope he was because it makes them a little bit more human. i would like that lincoln who was there with his sleeves rolled up negotiating with the best of them. at the final tally the votes taken january 31 1855 stood at 119 four and 56 seconds.

the necessary majority, although not required to do so, he signed the measure of february 1 and sent it on to the state for ratification. the first to do so was his own state of illinois. at the end of the year, 1865 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. with delaware ratifying in 1901, kentucky in 1970's, and mississippi in 1995. the passage of the 13th amendment by the house of representatives did not u.s. and the emotional response evidenced by the emancipation proclamation.

perhaps it was because americans found celebration somewhat 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 the passage by congress and re-card that was invited to deliver a sermon celebrated -- celebrated by the house chamber. the house was not in session but he was allowed to speak there. garnet, the pastor from the 15th street presbyterian church in the district can the first african-american to begin the capital building. titled "let the monster parish" he and numerator against the bond men and bond women while he was pleased congress had quote save the succeeding generation from the guilt of oppression and from the wrath of god, he suggested the struggle was not yet over. ".

the champion of freedom must rest only when all unjust and heavy burdens shall be removed from every man in the land when all in city is an prescriptive distinctions shall be blotted out from our walls. when emancipation shall be garnet reminded his audience that black soldiers, while sacrificing themselves on the field battle, or denied the -- were denied the right to a political voice, and could not expect promotion to the higher ranks. frederick douglas responded similarly on the occasion of the 32nd annual meeting of the american antislavery society. in response to the argument of some, that the societies to disband because it's working been done, douglas suggested whether this amendment is law or not, i hold that the work of the abolitionist is not done.

the south could make our liberty under that provision a delusion, a mockery, and a snare. douglas argued that until the black man has secured the vote could testify in a court of law and has received the right to bear arms, slavery is not abolished. on march 4, the president delivered his second inaugural address. he makes reference to the previous inaugural address. lincoln turned his attention to the central theme. he suggested that the cause of the war was the powerful interest in the southern states in the form of enslaved people and the desire of the states to strengthen, perpetuate and extend the slaveholding interest.

he declined to vilify the south or to hold it singularly responsible for the war. instead, he chose to emphasize the common bonds between the two sections. both read the same bible and pray to the same god, and each invokes his aim against the other. and if some thought it strange that anyone should ask god's assistance and exploiting the labor of another, lincoln cautioned them to judge not lest they be judged. he saw the burdens of war shared equally by north and south as atonement to black bondage. if it was god's 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 and charity for all for old antagonisms will be resolved. and a just and lasting peace would prevail. while it was a call for national reconciliation between brothers who had waged war against each other african-americans encouraged by the pending constitutional amendment saw in the president's address opportunity for which they had so long struggled. later that evening, frederick douglass made his way to the white house, where the inaugural reception was underway. fully aware that his presence would likely be received with disdain by celebrants, he nonetheless approached the door and sought admission.

when two policemen refused to admit him on the grounds they were ordered to keep people of color away, douglass protesting saying the newly elected president would never allow such behavior. as providence would have it, a passerby observed the incident accepted douglass'request to inform lincoln of what was happening. he was admitted, and the president greeted his guest quarterly and asked him cordially what he thought of the inaugural address. mr. lincoln, that was a sacred effect. gone was the criticism. in the place was a hope-filled anticipation of better things to come. the former bondsman left the reception doubtless believing that the second term of the lincoln administration would bring to its people the freedom they had envisioned.

lincoln had once declared 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 eradicate the stain of slavery and would bestow on america the honorable name that lincoln sought. unfortunately, he would not see it ratified. after hearing that address where the president advocated voting rights for the class, john wilkes booth decided to kill him. the measure about the president championed during his journey through the house of representatives became the first of three reconstruction amendments.

the other two, securing citizens -- citizenships and voting rights 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. 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 importance of the events of the day, and what they led 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. william lord garrison published his first issue of "deliver -- "the liberator," and abolitionist paper. it said "i have no moderate. the constitution is a slaveholder document." it was the abolitionist movement that prompted a secessionist movement. the white man's support for abolition is based on the believe that no man can own another. that negroes who want to escape -- would want to escape slavery if given the opportunity. the pre-civil war narrative of

evolution was of white activists providing resources to help during runaway -- daring runaway refugees escape oppression culminating in the figure of abraham lincoln as the great emancipator. without diminishing these important roles, recent scholarship has developed a much more complex relationship where free blacks opened their homes to refugees, and provided boots on the ground knowledge and guidance to provide intelligence to refugees and their white partners. the organization of african american communities follow the one vehicle most commonly available to them in an oppressive and white dominated society in washington, d.c. 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 lived among us and

tended to anticipate an african-american church celebrations. those numbers helped to drive legislative movements. and they were here in our community. among the most prominent of the african-american churches on the african-american 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 lamarr. within is thelma dean jacobs the church historian. sitting next to me is robert bell, the pastor of 15th street presbyterian.

let's 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. israel bethel, union bethel, and the prelate of those churches. the bishop daniel a pain. i will show the end two post-civil war events. the parent church grew out of an anti-segregation protest at the predominantly white st. george's methodist episcopal church in philadelphia in the late 1780's. 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. george's under the leadership overturned allen walked out and formed their own church which they called bethel methodist episcopal church. by 1794, 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. these numbers felt it was a

hardship for them 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. further, 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. at the service, 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 , the reverend james mitchell described as the commissioner of immigration, convened a meeting of prominent black men. this was a unit bethel church. -- at union bethel church. 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 front-page 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.

i say it passed the house of representatives in 1865. i conclude with post-civil 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 street's 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 2-1. 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. you are 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 today's 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 lincoln's 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 o'brien's good research year -- but i was unaware of is that william slade and reverend cook held formal was there is the social civic and statistical association.

the fcsa, an organization working together black businesses and church leaders so they could coordinate and improve the opportunities for the district citizens, african-americans, 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 brown's 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 speaker's 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 god's 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. except in punishment for crime. 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." thank you. [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 address a 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." though he may be slow, he is sure, and his lived into his word. 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 african-american 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 award-winning actor who has starred in such plays 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 won a black theater alliance ward for best leading actor, he has been featured in the democratic national convention in the national council of negro women. he has done some big-time 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. 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. for his own throat. 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. are you with me? a leader settled in message -- i leaders settled in massachusetts. 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." this 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 sat way in the back and listen to his mighty words, mighty and true in simple artistry. i did not know it then but a new life was beginning for me. i became a lecturer and agent for the massachusetts anti-slavery 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 scott's "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 women's anti-slavery 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." where right is of no sex, 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. are you still with me? every month's 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] in each of land -- in egypt land 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. hence, with every reverse to the national arms, with every exulting shout of victory raised by the slaveholding rebels, 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 man's 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.

who would be free themselves must strike the blow. 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 man's 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 country. i every aspiration you cherish -- for every aspiration you cherish for the freedom and equality of yourself and your children. by all that ties the blood that makes us one with the brave 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. -- menaced by 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. are you still with me? 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.

the chances given to you to end in a day the bondage of centuries. the day dawns. the morning star is bright upon the horizon. the iron gate of our prison has opened. we will fling it wide open while 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. do you remember denmark plessey of charleston? do you remember nathaniel turner of southampton?

remember shield, green and copeland, who followed noble john brown and died a glorious martyr for the cause of the slaves. remember that in a contest with oppressors, the almighty makes no attribute to take sides with the oppressor. the cases before you -- the case is before you. 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 color, to arms.

♪ he has sounded out the trumpet that will never sound retreat ♪ ♪ she is listing out the souls of men but for his judgment ♪ ♪ b swift my soldier, answer him ♪ ♪ his truth is marching on ♪ quakes i wish you would help me. ♪ glory, glory hallelujah ♪ ♪ glory glory hallelujah. ♪ glory ♪

♪ glory glory hallelujah ♪ ♪ his truth is marching on ♪ ♪ glory glory hallelujah ♪ collects i wish i could hear you. ♪ glory ♪ ♪ hallelujah ♪ ♪ his truth is marching on ♪ [applause]

collects quakes you are watching american history tv. all weekend, every weekend on c-span three. to join the conversation, like us on facebook. points >> next, author hugh howard talks about portraits of george washington. it explores the works of gilbert stuart and john trumbull focusing on how the artist captured the spirit of the first president and how modern audiences can learn from washington. mr. howard is the author of "the painter's chair," george washington's mount vernon hosted this hour-long event. >> good afternoo