Frederick Douglass, the Orator - Monroe County Library System

Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County · Historic Monographs Collection
LIFE OF FREDERICK DOUGLASS. Ill
a that! I sincerely believe, that the weight of
the argument is in favor of the unity of origin of
the human race, or species—that the arguments
on the other side are partial, superficial, utterly
subversive of the happiness of manv and insulting
to the wisdom of God. Yet, what if we grant
they are not so? What, if we grant that the
case, on our part, is not made out ? Does it follow,
that the negro should be held in contempt ?
Does it follow, that to enslave and imbrute him is
either just or wise? I think not. Human rights
stand upon a common basis ; and by all the reason
that they are supported, maintained, and defended,
for one variety of the human family, they
are supported, maintained, and defended for all
the human family; because all mankind have the
same wants, arising out of a common nature. A
diverse origin does not disprove a common nature,
nor does it disprove a united destiny. The essential
characteristics of humanity are everywhere
the same. In the language of the eloquent Curran,
' No matter what complexion, whether an
Indian or an African sun has burnt upon him,'
his title deed to freedom, his claim to life and to
liberty, to knowledge and to civilization, to society
and to Christianity, is just and perfect. It is
registered in the courts of heaven, and is enforced
by the eloquence of the God of all the earth.
" I have said that the negro and white man are