From those courts which have solemnly sworn to support the Constitution and that yet treat this provision of it with contempt we appeal to the people, and call upon our friends to remember our civil rights at the ballot-box.
Douglass appeals to the public to uphold civil rights, criticizing the courts for their failure to protect constitutional provisions.
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But we are not here to applaud manly courage, save as it has been displayed in a noble cause.
It only abolished slavery where it did not exist, and left it intact where it did exist.
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.