Blayne Stonecipher
U.S. In Global Perspective
Dr. Peter Porsche
4/15/2023
Frederick Douglass: A Man Partial to None
Many figures throughout American history have earned the right to be named champions of liberty. One man who deserves this title is Frederick Douglass because of his work and pursuit of abolition, his constitutional ideals, and his grounding in always doing what is right, regardless of the cost. I have no doubt that Frederick Douglass is an obvious choice when deciding who should be considered a champion of liberty, however, I would like to delve deeper into the obvious issues and explain more than just what Douglass did that was so important in cultivating American liberty, but why he did those things. It is important to scrape
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A part of Douglass’s life which is little discussed in the American Public classroom is his private arguments with, then president, Abraham Lincoln. These debates reveal the argumentative genius Douglass was, and his fiery-eyed pursuit of liberty for all men, under God, henceforth and always. Frederick Douglas believed that “A simple leaden bullet and a few grains of powder are sufficient in the shortest limit of time to blast and ruin all that is precious in human existence.” By this, in reference to Abraham Lincoln’s First Inaugural Address, he meant that Lincoln’s efforts were vital to the raging battle against the evil of slavery. However, Douglass had his disagreements. He is documented as having had a sharp tone with President Lincoln upon their first meeting, and he rebuked him harshly for his slow-emancipation philosophy. After months of building a friendship with Lincoln, though, Douglass came to respect and see the legitimacy of his position more and more as their arguments became increasingly friendly and persuasive. This relationship caused Douglass to be a more open-minded and cooperative abolitionist. He wanted liberty for all, and he wanted it done lawfully and peacefully, just as did “The black man’s …show more content…
His morals were so deeply entrenched in those of Christ’s that he could not help but continue to grow in his love for mankind every day, and hate the wicked acts of the world more with every passing moment. Abolishing slavery was not at all about quality of life or prosperous living to Douglass, but about establishing justice and peace on the earth. He knew that God alone informs good will and defines what righteousness is. So, just as God is the Great Liberator of all men, Douglass, in his imitation of Him, became a liberator for those to whom he was entrusted, namely: African-American slaves. Even as a child, when playing with his free friends, his “playfellows had no tendency to weaken [his] love of liberty.” From childhood, Douglass had ingrained in him that same moral virtue which is the right of all mankind, the right to be free, the right to liberty. This is the foremost reason why Frederick Douglass should be considered a champion of liberty. He sought to do what was right because it was good, and he knew it was good because God had declared it to be
With that being said, one can wonder if between these men was as described. It is difficulty to know if Douglass was very focused on Lincoln, and if Lincoln was very concerned with Douglass as portrayed in this book. It is important that we remember that although the two were once opponents, politics of racism and the emancipation allocated them to be closer, to the point that both would ultimately become heroes of American history. Furthermore, despite continued points of views on various concepts, Douglass emotionally spoke highly of Lincoln after he was assassinated. As Oakes speaks on this, one can find the uniqueness in their relationship.
Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass were heroic men who fought for freedom for all people. Many people were influenced by Lincoln and Douglass, Lincoln was able to speak about how slavery was horrid and Douglass was able to tell people about how it was to be a slave. “I felt like one who had escaped a den of hungry lions.” (SB p. 71) Douglass gave an image to people who hadn’t seen the evil of slavery for themselves. People were able to look up to Lincoln as a leader, as a captain who could lead them through the tough times of civil war.
Many things Douglass achieved during his time as a slave could be taken as courageous and dangerous, but a few examples stand out. “Mistress, in teaching me the alphabet, had given me the inch, and no precaution could prevent me from taking the ell” (Douglass 44). This quote shows Frederick Douglas’s determination to seek the truth once he learned how
Douglass was a man needed during his time, who could inspire any crowd for the better. He was born into slavery and separated from his mother when he was an infant so he is more than experienced to know the hardships of being black. If it wasn’t for Douglass history might of been different for not just blacks but every ethnic group. Douglass is one of if not the most important inspirational leaders of the United States history ever
Douglass aimed for a direct approach to change what was an evil that required removal, however Lincoln was more in favor of reunite the divided country first. In retrospect, given Lincoln’s circumstances, he had to keep his approval rate tolerable and also follow his own beliefs, but he could not do both of these at the same time. Both men shared a respect for each other despite their differences, and were grateful for their partnership for their shared opinion of social and political restructure. During the period of reconstruction, when Lincoln started it and when it had carried on to Andrew Johnson, there was still a period of unrest. There was no more support from Lincoln due to his untimely death, and so Douglass had to carry his word around with only his supporters to aid him.
Some people aren't the same, but that doesn't mean they have to be treated different then others. Frederick defended how slaves should not be treated harshly, and how they needed to be treated like a real human that have freedom and have rights. Douglass overall purpose was to shine a light on how slavery is terrible for slaves, and how it supports even the nicest people. People who defended slavery believed that slavery does not affect anybody, and that all slave owners were the nicest people in the world. Douglass wanted them to completely understand how it corrupts the good people into having a evil soul.
Daniel Donahue CCP English 28 November 2022 America’s history is undoubtedly pronounced throughout the world. Many great challenges were overcome through resilience and courage from those willing to make a change. One of those changes are the abolishment of slavery. The push against slavery was a long hard fought battle lead by many people but most notably Frederick Douglass. Douglass was slave of mixed race born into slavery.
He also struggled for stopping the racial violation and helped the fleeing slaves to escape. One of the main point of Douglass’s speech was slavery should be stopped. And he also argued that what’s the point of celebrating Fourth July if the term liberty doesn’t apply equally for all? He also exhibited that a slave is also a human being like others. If white people have the right to utilize all the rights and facilities as a citizen, on the whole as a human, why will the black people lead a life as sub human?
Frederick Douglass is a strong, independent abolitionist who used his intense, strong words to impact and help change the lives of thousands. This all started by his bestselling book “An American slave” published in 1845. In which describes his horrid life of living as a black man during the 1820’s through 1840’s. In his first biography he uses influential language to convey not only his story but his emotional tolls as well. He brings this affluential emotion to every page with every word.
“With them, justice, liberty and humanity were “final”; not slavery and oppression.” This relates to the hardships and the fact that the people don’t recognize how terrible it is. And that these meanings of these “free” words mean something else to him and other slaves. He shows that the changes are hard but once they are made everything will be peaceful. Rhetorical features and strategies are Douglass’ forte’ in engaging with the audience.
The legendary abolitionist and orator Frederick Douglass was one of the most important social reformers of the nineteenth century. Being born into slavery on a Maryland Eastern Shore plantation to his mother, Harriet Bailey, and a white man, most likely Douglass’s first master was the starting point of his rise against the enslavement of African-Americans. Nearly 200 years after Douglass’s birth and 122 years after his death, The social activist’s name and accomplishments continue to inspire the progression of African-American youth in modern society. Through his ability to overcome obstacles, his strive for a better life through education, and his success despite humble beginnings, Frederick Douglass’s aspirations stretched his influence through
At last, Douglass brings the point of freedom and justice the one person has every right to him than any other, and no man has the authority to rule over
Most of his time was in the movement of the abolition of slavery. He did not want any other black person to face brutality, humiliation, and pain. His arguments became very useful in the anti-slavery movement. It is through his experiences of being a slave that he urged for the abolition of slavery (Douglass, 1845). Douglass’ style of narration makes the reader to be involved in the story emotionally.
Douglass points to the vast unwillingness from the group of whites that refuses to fully perceive and accept African-Americans as deserving and equal citizens of the nation. Based on his personal experiences as a slave, Douglass is abundantly aware that the battle to abolish slavery is not an easy task. For the first twenty years of his life, he witnessed firsthand the abject cruelty of that institution in our country. Tactfully, Douglass seizes this opportunity to publicly highlight the unmerited and coarse differences in the treatment between the whites as opposed to the blacks living in the United States during this time period. He makes a “powerful testaments to the hypocrisy, bigotry and inhumanity of slavery” (Bunch 1).
Annotated bibliography Douglass, Frederick. Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass. New York: Dover Publications, 1995. Print.