This section represents a small collection of speeches by William Perkins Black, as well as one long lecture. Unlike the substantial number of speeches by John which have been preserved, only a few of the many speeches by William have survived.
There are however numerous newspaper Chicago articles that announced a wide-ranging of topics upon which he frequently spoke during the period from 1880 to 1910. Some of the organizations that he addressed often included ones characterized as liberal or outspoken for the times----such as the National Liberal League, the Tammanyites, and the Citizens’ League.
Newspapers also frequently announced sermons he would deliver at various churches. And as a frequently mentioned candidate for Chicago Bar positions and local judgeships, he often publicly addressed various legal issues.
The materials that appear in this section are:
• A speech on “Motherhood” addressed to the 1899 convention of veterans of the Society of the Army of Tennessee.
• A speech on “Socialism.”
• A lecture to the Chicago Liberal League on “Russia and Nihilism.”
The last two of these three represent very thoughtful and extremely well-researched pieces that provide a substantial amount of insight into William’s political leanings and intellect.