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, 1881
That message liberated, set free, and brought within the pale of civilization eight hundred thousand people, who, till then, had been esteemed as beasts of burden.
Jan 1, 1881
Whoever else may forget or slight the claims of this day, it can never be other to us than memorable and glorious.
Jan 1, 1881
Emancipation in the West Indies was the first bright star in a stormy sky; the first smile after a long providential frown; the first ray of hope; the first tangible fact demonstrating the possibility of a peaceable transition from slavery…
Jan 1, 1881
The emancipation of our brothers in the West Indies comes home to us and stirs our hearts and fills our souls with those grateful sentiments which link mankind in a common brotherhood.
Jan 1, 1881
But while I have the sympathy and approval of men and women like these before me, I shall give with joy my latest breath in support of your claim to justice, liberty, and equality among men.
Jan 1, 1881
Within that circumference, there resides a people which have no superiors in point of enlightenment, liberality, and civilization.
Jan 1, 1881
In doing honor to the memory of our friend and liberator, we have been doing highest honors to ourselves and those who come after us; we have been fastening ourselves to a name and fame imperishable and immortal; we have also been…
Jan 1, 1881
But dying as he did die, by the red hand of violence, killed, assassinated, taken off without warning, not because of personal hate--for no man who knew Abraham Lincoln could hate him--but because of his fidelity to union and liberty, he…
Jan 1, 1881
He knew the American people better than they knew themselves, and his truth was based upon this knowledge.