"Fellow citizens, why am I called upon to speak here to-day? What have I, or those I represent, to do with your national independence? Do you mean, citizens, to mock me, by asking me to speak today? What, to the American slave, is your Fourth of July?"
Douglass's Fourth of July address is abolition's rhetorical masterpiece. -- David Blight
HISTORY: In his fiery July 5, 1852 speech, the great orator famously took exception to being asked to commemorate the signing of the Declaration of Independence. What brought him to this moment? What did he try to achieve? Was he un-patriotic or ultra-American? Did he actually dissociate himself from American citizenship or embrace it with this speech? It behooves us to read the speech and learn.
1838
1845
1850
1852
Frederick Bailey escapes from slavery and settles in New Bedford, MA, where he takes the name Douglass.
A radicalized Frederick Douglass publishes his Narrative, announcing to the world he is an escaped slave. He then leaves New England to avoid capture by slave catchers while he travels and lectures in England, supporters buy his freedom.
Passage of the Fugitive Slave Act -- it is now a federal offense to harbor a person who is "legally" a slave.
In his Independence Day speech, Douglass, who clearly feels like an American (why else return?), goes so far as to refer to your United States and your Founding Fathers.
HISTORY: In his fiery July 5, 1852 speech, the great orator famously took exception to being asked to commemorate the signing of the Declaration of Independence. What brought him to this moment? What did he try to achieve? Was he un-patriotic or ultra-American? Did he actually dissociate himself from American citizenship or embrace it with this speech? It behooves us to read the speech and learn.
