The Trial of Theodore Parker / For the "Misdemeanor" of a Speech in Faneuil Hall against Kidnapping, before the Circuit Court of the United States, at Boston, April 3, 1855, with the Defence

Name: The Trial of Theodore Parker / For the "Misdemeanor" of a Speech in Faneuil Hall against Kidnapping, before the Circuit Court of the United States, at Boston, April 3, 1855, with the Defence
Author: Theodore Parker

By Theodore Parker

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History - American History - Modern (1750+)Law & Criminology Politics Religion/Spirituality

About This Book

The volume collects the court proceedings and the author's legal defence arising from his 1855 prosecution for delivering an anti‑slavery speech in Boston, presenting a trial transcript, the full defence address, a preface, and introductory remarks. The author contrasts an Idea of Freedom—natural, equal, unalienable rights and democratic government—with an Idea of Slavery rooted in power and inequality, and argues on moral, religious, and constitutional grounds for the right to speak against kidnapping and slaveholding. Legal argument, rhetorical force, and political reflection are combined to contest the charges and to defend freedom of speech.

About the Author

Theodore Parker

Theodore Parker (1810-1860) was an influential American Transcendentalist minister, abolitionist, and social reformer. Known for his passionate advocacy for social justice and civil rights, Parker's sermons and speeches often addressed the moral imperatives of his time, particularly the abolition of slavery. His notable works include the multi-volume "Speeches, Addresses, and Occasional Sermons," which reflect his deep commitment to ethical living and social reform. Parker's eloquence and conviction made him a prominent figure in the Unitarian movement and a key voice in the fight against injustice, leaving a lasting impact on American thought and literature.