Frederick Douglass

The government, I fear, was still clinging to the idea that positions of honor in the service should be occupied by white men, and that it would not do to inaugurate just then the policy of perfect equality.

The first of January, 1863, was a memorable day in the progress of American liberty and civilization.

Guilty or not guilty, to be accused was to be sure of a flogging.

I shall leave to the statesman, the philosopher, and historian, the more comprehensive discussion of this document, and only tell how it touched me, and those in like condition with me at the time.

It must be the end of all compromises with slavery--a declaration that thereafter the war was to be conducted on a new principle, with a new aim.

It would be a full and fair assertion that the government would neither trifle, or be trifled with any longer.

Remembering those in bonds as bound with them, we wanted to join in the shout for freedom, and in the anthem of the redeemed.

It was a measure apparently inspired by the low motive of military necessity, and by so far as it was so, it would become inoperative and useless when military necessity should cease.

Its meaning to me was the entire abolition of slavery, wherever the evil could be reached by the Federal arm, and I saw that its moral power would extend much further.

It was in my estimation an immense gain to have the war for the Union committed to the extinction of Slavery, even from a military necessity.

I, however, faithfully believed, and loudly proclaimed my belief, that the rebellion would be suppressed, the Union preserved, the slaves emancipated, and the colored soldiers would in the end have justice done them.

Do you dare to contradict me, you rascal?” was a final silencer of counter-statements from the lips of a slave.