Frederick Douglass
The Public Record
Frederick Douglass was an American social reformer, abolitionist, orator, writer, and statesman. He was "the most important leader of the movement for African-American civil rights in the 19th century".
Jan 1, 1855
It was truly felt to be a matter of life and death with us; and we fully intended to fight as well as run, if necessity should occur for that extremity.
Jan 1, 1855
The glory of success, and the shame and confusion of failure, could not be matters of indifference to me.
Jan 1, 1855
To balance probabilities, where life and liberty hang on the result, requires steady nerves.
Jan 1, 1855
Any white man is authorized to stop a man of color, on any road, and examine him, and arrest him, if he so desires.
Jan 1, 1855
It is precious, alike to the pauper and to the prince—to the slave, and to his master; and yet, I believe there was not one among us, who would not rather have been shot down, than pass away life in hopeless bondage.
Jan 1, 1855
The life which he has, may be lost, and the liberty which he seeks, may not be gained.
Jan 1, 1855
All that he has is at stake; and even that which he has not, is at stake, also.
Jan 1, 1855
No man can tell the intense agony which is felt by the slave, when wavering on the point of making his escape.
Jan 1, 1855
The case, sometimes, to our excited visions, stood thus: At every gate through which we had to pass, we saw a watchman; at every ferry, a guard; on every bridge, a sentinel; and in every wood, a patrol or slave-hunter.
Jan 1, 1855
The nearer are the lines of a slave state and the borders of a free one, the greater the peril.