It would seem that education and emigration go together with us, for as soon as a man rises amongst us, capable, by his genius and learning, to do us great service, just so soon he finds that he can serve himself better by going elsewhere.
Douglass reflects on the unfortunate trend where educated and talented Black individuals often leave their communities to find opportunities elsewhere.
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Father he might be, and not be husband, and could sell his own child without incurring reproach, if in its veins coursed one drop of African blood.
A son of toil himself, he was linked in brotherly sympathy with the sons of toil in every loyal part of the republic.
Land is not worth much where there are no people to occupy it, and a mule is not worth much where there is no one to drive him.