Search the Political Rhetoric Archive

PRA is a searchable collection of speeches, newsprint editorials, letters, government documents, and fragments of speech/text primarily arranged by historical event.

Choose an era to see its topics.

Address at Cooper Institute by Abraham Lincoln

"No title" Editorial on Harper's Ferry

"The Cloud in the Distance No Bigger then a Man's Hand - The First Battle of the 'Irrepressible Conflict.'" Editorial.

“Men of Color to Arms!” by Frederick Douglass

Speech at Hartford Connecticut by Abraham Lincoln

"The Harper's Ferry Insurrection." Editorial.

"Another Word to Colored Men" by Frederick Douglass

"The True Policy." Editorial.

"Where the Responsibility Belongs." Editorial

Lincoln-Douglas Debate Two (Freeport); Douglas's Opening Remarks

Dred Scott Decision

Lincoln-Douglas Debates Four (Charleston); Lincoln Rebuttal

Inaugural Address of John Quincy Adams

The Way to Assure an Enduring Peace Not Through Perfidy and Vengeance, but through Justice and Love by Gerrit Smith.

“Fighting Rebels With Only One Hand” by Frederick Douglass

"A Caution." Editorial.

Lincoln-Douglas Debate Three (Jonesboro); Douglas Opening Remarks

The 14th Section by Abraham Lincoln

Inaugural Address by John F. Kennedy

Lincoln-Douglas Debates Six (Quincy); Lincoln Opening Remarks