Frederick Douglass, the Orator - Monroe County Library System

Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County · Historic Monographs Collection
LIFE OF FREDERICK DOUGLASS. 169
base line of the republic. Liberty has supplaiited
slavery, but I fear it has not supplanted the spirit
or power of slavery. Where slavery was strong,
liberty is now weak.
"Oh, for a Supreme Court of the United States
which shall be as true to the claims of humanity,
as the Supreme Court formerly was to the demands
of slavery! When that day comes, as
come it will, a Civil Rights Bill will not be declared
unconstitutional and void, in utter and
flagrant disregard of the objects and intentions of
the national legislature by which it was enacted,
and of the rights plainly secured by the constitution."
In Washington, D. C, in August of 1885, a
large audience assembled in the Nineteenth
Street Baptist Church, to pay respect to the
memory of the late General U. S. Grant. Hon.
John M. Langston presided. Mr. Douglass was
one of the speakers and paid a glowing tribute to
the character of General Grant. In his beautiful
peroration he concludes with the remark which
doubtless would have been of prophetic import
but for the sudden death of Mr. Conkling in 1888.
Here are a few extracts:—
" It is too early to give a complete analysis of
this great man's character, or to state in full our
debt of gratitude to him for his work in the world.
But this may be said of him, for it will meet no