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.
Douglass asserts the universal preciousness of life but reveals the profound despair of enslaved people who would choose death over continued existence in hopeless bondage.
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The anti-slavery platform had performed its work, and my voice was no longer needed.
It was in the air, and men breathed it and were permeated by it, often when they were quite unconscious of its presence.
I looked into this kitchen with peculiar interest, and remembered that it was there I last saw my mother.