Written in indignation, Frederick Douglass’s ‘Fourth of July’ speech held divided nation accountable

Douglass was incensed that “merciless slave hunters” lawfully tracked down and captured runaways trying to flee to freedom. Legally, there was nowhere in the country for slaves to hide.

“Slavery has been nationalized in its most horrible and revolting form,” Douglass said in his speech. “By that act, Mason and Dixon’s line has been obliterated; New York has become as Virginia; and the power to hold, hunt, and sell men, women, and children as slaves remains no longer a mere state institution, but is now an institution of the whole United States.”

The political climate in the country was tense when Douglass gave his speech, Blight said: 1852 was a presidential election year in which three parties – Whig, Democratic and Free Soil – vied for the presidency. The Whigs and the Democrats supported slavery in the South. Politicians debated how to approach the division in the country between free and slaveholding states. A conflict was brewing in the country, which erupted into the Civil War nearly a decade later. 

One of the secrets to the success of Douglass’ speech was how it was framed, Blight said. Douglass first acknowledged that the nation’s Founding Fathers were “brave” and “great” men. He then spoke from a former slave’s point of view and used the Declaration of Independence to urge white people to fight against slavery.

“It’s a bitter critique of American hypocrisy, but at the very end, he lets the audience back up,” Blight said. “He gives the audience and the country hope. He’s saying your principles and your ideals are fine, but you’ve got to live up to it. And until you do, you’re simply not the country you say you are.”

Article Appeared @https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2021/07/03/frederick-douglass-legacy-4th-july-speech/7817064002/

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