Douglass, Frederick.

Independence Day Speech

Summary
Frederick Douglass begins his by mentioning his shortcomings and trepidations as an orator. He notes
that it is uncommon for him to address an audience on the 4th of July and apologizes for his lack of
preparation. He states that it is a long and arduous toad from the plantation to this platform. He dives in
by emphasizing how young America is as a nation. He notes the malleability of a new nation as
compared to an old nation and that it is easier to change the course of a new nation than a old nation.
He uses the analogy of a river to describe the course of a nation when he states that a river can be the
source of fertility or destruction of a nation by overflowing or drying up. That Americas future is tied to
the course the river takes. He identifies the source of Americas new nation as being due to the burdens
and restrictions imposed upon them by the British, who had Americas best interests at heart. Douglass
states that he holds that same opinions on British excess as Americas forefathers. He notes that the
forefathers ideas may have been unpopular at the time but they were the right ideas. He applauds the
forefathers persistent and just approach to Englands tyranny and the British reactions to Americas
attempts at persuasion. He notes that the forefathers held on tight to their convictions despite Royal
disapproval. Douglass feared that reasons for the forefathers course of action against the British is lost
upon the present dy rulers. He applauds Americas separation from Britain as the final remedy against
tyranny. He goes on to state how the oppressor hates change and favors the status quo. He describes
the Declaration of Independence as the anchor to the new nations destiny and states that its principles
should be respected and protected at all cost. He notes that Americas fight for independence was based
on eternal principles of justice and freedom.
Douglass then jumps to present day America. He compares the plight of Americas slaves to that of the
Jews in antiquity. He asksif the principles of the Declaration of Independence extended to Americas
slaves. He rails at the irony of Independence for some but not the slaves on July 4th. He wonders if his
speech is a mockery. He wonders if he like the slaves are there for their for Americas amusement. He
wonders if America expects all African Americans to be happy with their lot. He compares Americas
tyranny of slaves to the British tyranny of Americans. Douglass then takes a turn and begins to describe
Americas celebration from a slaves point of view. He berates the hypocrisy of the celebration. He states
why waste time arguing over assertions that are inherently true. He states that the appropriate
response to Americas peculiar institution is condemnation. He derides Americas use of laws to enforce
slavery, by stating if slaves are not a man, why not apply those laws to beasts. He then compares and
attacks foreign and Americas internal slave trade. He puts a human face on Americas internal slave
trade. He then describes his childhood experiences of the slave trade and slave traders. He next turns his
attention to the Fugitive Slave Law and states that the law nationalizes the rights of slave holders. He
states that law implies that it is the duty of every citizen to comply with the law. He describes the onesidedness of law and how Judges abuse of the law through bribes. He states Judge gets ten dollars for
every victim he consigns to slavery and five dollars when he fails. He challenges all to disprove his
statements. He then attacks the role of churches in regards to the fugitive slave law and slavery period.
He notes that any attempt to outlaw church rituals by the state would be met with contempt. Slavery,
however held no such position in American churches. He notes that the American church not only
ignores the abuse of slavery but actively supports slavery in its interpretation of church scripture. He
decries the sins of omission and commission by the American church. Federick moves on to compare
the American church to the English church. He notes the British abandonment of slavery as compared to

the continued fostering of the institution on Americas soil. He notes the hypocrisy of Americas cry for
liberty abroad but not at home. He list the churches faults and implores the church to cast off slavery.
Douglass next attacks arguments that state the Constitution promotes slavery. He notes l defy the
presentation of a single pro slavery clause in it. On the other hand it will be found to contain principles
and purposes, entirely hostile to the existence of slavery.
Interpretation
I was surprised at Douglasss militant tone in his speech. His attack on church principles. He applied
Americas arguments against British tyranny to his arguments against slavery. He exposed the hypocrisy
of church and state in regards to slavery. The fact that he gave the speech to The Ladies of the
Rochester Anti-Slavery Sewing Society is indicative of the role of women , especially northern women
played in the abolition movement. The text notes the significance of Outspoken women such as
Sojourner Truth, Maria Steward and Francis Harper (282) American Stories to the anti-slavery
movement. Douglass was well spoken and articulate. As John Green states, Fredericks elegance and
sophistication of arguments become a strong argument for abolition. The arguments for enslavement
and the inherent inferiority of African Americans, cant account for a man like Frederick Douglass.
Nineteenth Century Reforms (US #15). Douglass speech supplies amno against the nineteenth century
pseudo science of phrenology used to justify African inferiority thru physical measurements. The
Chapter 12 : Lecture 3 on The Falsity of Linear Development: Ulterior Motives, states that Phrenology
was both liberating and dangerous. Its liberating Because it asserted that the mind could be improved,
freeing Americans from the doctrine of the Original Sin. Its dangerous because it encouraged the
belief that anatomy was destiny. Chapter 12, Lecture 3.
What are the after effects of the American Colonization Societys actions on Liberia?
Did colonization make sense in regards to the fact that African Americans were a generation or more
removed from their originating homelands?