I saw that there was fear as well as rage in the manner of speaking of the abolitionists, and from this I inferred that they must have some power in the country, and I felt that they might perhaps succeed in their designs.
Douglass observes the mixed reactions of fear and rage towards abolitionists, leading him to infer their growing influence and potential for success.
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We could not but believe that there existed at the South a latent and powerful Union sentiment which would assert itself at last.
Our very lack of preparation for the conflict disposed us to look for some other than the way of blood out of the difficulty.
The friendless and hungry boy, in his extremest need, found himself in the strong protecting arms of his mother.
The anti-slavery platform had performed its work, and my voice was no longer needed.