Frederick Douglass

The criminal was always dumb--and no slave was allowed to testify, other than against his brother slave.

There were, of course, no conflicting rights of property, for all the people were the property of one man, and they could themselves own no property.

It was seldom that a slave, however venerable, was honored with a surname in Maryland, and so completely has the south shaped the manners of the north in this respect that their right to such honor is tardily admitted even now.

It goes sadly against the grain to address and treat a negro as one would address and treat a white man.

There was even at that time something a little inconsistent and laughable, in my mind, in the blending of prayer with punishment.

While this lad could not associate with ignorance without sharing its shade, he could not give his black playmates his company without giving them his superior intelligence as well.

A man’s character always takes its hue, more or less, from the form and color of things about him.

Reason is imprisoned here and passions run wild.

This treatment was a part of the system, rather than a part of the man.

They wielded the lash without any sense of responsibility.

The anti-slavery platform had performed its work, and my voice was no longer needed.

Heaven’s blessing must attend all, and freedom must soon be given to the millions pining under a ruthless bondage.