While slavery continued, of course this very natural desire could not be safely gratified; for my presence among slaves was dangerous to the public peace, and could no more be tolerated than could a wolf among sheep, or fire in a magazine.
Douglass explains why he could not safely return to his former home while slavery persisted, likening his presence among enslaved people to a dangerous catalyst.
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Old and young, sick and well, were turned loose to the open sky, naked to their enemies.
The nation or people which shall comply with them will rise, and those which violate them will fall, and perhaps will disappear altogether.
They were sent away empty-handed, without money, without friends, and without a foot of land to stand upon.