There were a host of others who struck out against slavery. Many of these were ex-slaves and free-born Blacks. The Convention of free Blacks in 1817 who met at Philadelphia's Bethel AME Church declared, "Resolved, that we never will separate ourselves voluntarily from the slave population in this country; they are our brethren by the ties of consanguinity, of suffering, and of wrong; and we feel that there is more virtue in suffering privatations with them, than fancied advantage for a season."
The free-born Black, David Walker, published the famous Walker's Appeal in 1829 demanding that Blacks everywhere take up arms against slavery. He stated, "Look upon your children and answer God Almighty; and believe this, that it is no more harm for you to kill a man, who is trying to kill you, than it is for you to take a drink of water when thirsty." Walker's message, though aimed specifically at those Blacks in America, held a distinct Pan-Africanist approach as it called out to the "Coloured Citizens of the World:" Blacks in Africa, South America, and the West Indies.
Henry Highland Garnet was another such freedom fighter. The grandson of a Congolese slave, Garnet was brought to freedom when his father escaped slavery from Maryland. His family being a strong advocate of education sent him to school where he became a Presbyterian Minister. In 1843 at a convention in Buffalo New York held for Free Men of Color, Garnet called for a general slave revolt, urging slaves to act for themselves. He stated fervently, "Hear the cries of your poor children! Remember the stripes your father bore. Think of your wretched sisters, loving virtue and purity, as they are driven into concubinage and are exposed to the unbridled lusts of incarnate devils. Think of the undying glory that hangs around the...name of Africa..." The speech shocked and disturbed a number of abolitionists who feared the use of violence. So controversial was the speech that a vote was taken to decide which position the representatives would advocate: a forceful and if neccessary violent approach or various methods of nonviolence. The position that Garnet advocated failed by one vote. (Information and photo courtesy of Before the Mayflower and Maryland's African-American Heritage)
Electronic Version of David Walker's Appeal