Frederick Douglass: “The waters of all the oceans would not suffice to wash out the infamy.”

On the record

The waters of all the oceans would not suffice to wash out the infamy.

Said by

Frederick Douglass

Source

He emphasizes the irreparable damage to the nation's reputation that would result from committing such an atrocity against Black people.

More from Frederick Douglass

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If I have had kicks, I have also had kindness.

Jan 1, 1881

That the mother was a slave was enough for its deadly purpose.

Jan 1, 1881

A son of toil himself, he was linked in brotherly sympathy with the sons of toil in every loyal part of the republic.

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The friendless and hungry boy, in his extremest need, found himself in the strong protecting arms of his mother.