An Address to the Slaves of the United States

Henry Highland Garnet delivered this address at the National Negro Convention of 1843. In it, Garnet declares that mourning on behalf of slaves is no longer enough. He urges the slaves of the South to rise against their oppressors, saying, “let it no longer be a debatable question whether it is better to choose Liberty or death.” While the speech fell short of gaining the convention’s official approval, it documents an important part of civil discussion about race.