Colored American Newspaper 343sought to inspire and empower their readers to further as-
sert their birthrights.
In addition to sanctioning the activism of free black
abolitionists, the paper provided a forum for opposition
to so-called abolitionists who advocated an end to slavery
predicated on the eventual removal of all black people back
to Africa or to Canada. Th e case against emigration had
many levels, and the editors directed initial protest against
the early colonizers. In an article published on April 15,
1837, the editors argued against those who abandoned the
abolitionist cause in the United States by fl eeing for other
countries. A year later, in response to the claims published
in the newspaper of the Pennsylvania Colonization Society,
the editors of the Colored American denounced the policy
of emigration as hypocrisy. Despite the changes in owner-
ship and editorial contributions, the opinions refl ected in
the Colored American on emigration and colonization did
not change.
Th e encouragement of education for young people was
paramount to the editors, and aft er Charles B. Ray took
over ownership and writing in 1839, he saw fi t to establish
a special column designated “Th e Youth Department.” Th e
column encouraged young adults to value education, be
kind to others, show respect for elders, and live temperate
and industrious lives. Th e most frequently used teaching
tools came in the form of such tales as “Th e Robin and the
Squirrel” or “Th e Lost Child” that imparted lessons in pru-
dence, obedience, and humility.
Black publishers, editors, and reporters were some
of the most infl uential agents of change in the history of
American race relations. Collectively, they were prolifi c,
steadfast, and courageous in using the written word to edu-
cate and infl uence the thoughts and actions of a nation. Th e
Colored American was one of the most respected among
these. With a reputation for impeccable ethics and a com-
mitment to providing inspiring commentary on current
events in America, it provided a solid foundation for fur-
ther activism through journalism.
See also: Abolition, Slavery; Bell, Philip A.; Cornish, Sam-
uel; Ray, Charles; Smith, James McCuneMary Jo FairchildBibliography
Horton, James Oliver, and Lois E. Horton. In Hope of Liberty: Cul-
ture, Community, and Protest among Northern Free Blacks,
1700–1860. New York: Oxford University Press, 1997.persons of the state, regardless of complexion; and provi-
sions giving African Americans more opportunities to un-
dertake educational endeavors.
Th ird, Cornish emphasized that blacks must be the
ones to achieve these goals. Aft er acknowledging the work
of white abolitionists in the cause to end slavery and the
achievement of full citizenship for free blacks, Cornish
emphasized that the cause belonged to black people. To be
sure, one of the most divisive issues among black abolition-
ists was the presence and the help of white abolitionists.
Although Cornish and other contributors to the Colored
American respected the eff orts of white abolitionists such as
the Tappan brothers and William Lloyd Garrison, they em-
phasized that whites could not truly feel the burden of race
as a black person did. In the editorial published to celebrate
the fi rst year of publication, Cornish depicted the relation-
ship between white and black abolitionists as analogous to a
relationship between a doctor and patient. Although a doc-
tor may understand the nature of an illness, only the patient
suff ers the pain.
Education was the chief means of adhering to the fourth
objective, and the subject frequently occupied the pages of
the Colored American. For free black males, the newspaper
promoted expansion of studies to include curriculum in phi-
losophy, history, chemistry, rhetoric, astronomy, and com-
position. An editorial published on May 27, 1837, persuaded
black men to enroll in universities. On the other hand,
the education of black women was much less progressive.
In March 1837, Charles B. Ray wrote that because young
women were destined to become only wives and mothers,
all they needed was curriculum addressing domestic issues.
Ironically, Ray managed to further establish gender stereo-
types while attempting to eliminate discrimination and la-
beling by race.
Finally, Cornish asserted that the newspaper would
have the power to inspire its readers to join the fi ght against
slavery. Th e editors of the Colored American claimed the
rights of citizenship promised by the founders of the coun-
try in order to strengthen their case for the emancipation
of slaves as well as to enjoy the same civil liberties as white
Americans. Even the name of the newspaper underscored
this passion. In an era of increasing immigration of people
from Europe to the United States, Cornish declared that free
people of color and slaves were more American than most
whites, especially recent immigrants. By asserting owner-
ship of the founding principles of the country, the editors