Frederick Douglass, the Orator - Monroe County Library System

Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County · Historic Monographs Collection
226 LIFE OF FREDERICK DOUGLASS.
What an inspiring example of possibilities the
life of Frederick Douglass has set before young
men! A hungry slave boy in trousers, tussling
with the dog " Tip" for a crust of bread,—the
signboards are made his alphabet. From this he
advances to the devourer of the contents of books;
the carrier of great thoughts, the orator,the writer,
lecturer, editor, author, the foreign traveler; the
consort and counselor with great men and great
women. He is the United States Marshal of the
District of Columbia, the Recorder of Deeds, the
Foreign Diplomat, and then the Haytien Commissioner
at the World's Columbian Exposition.
He stands second to none in courage and abilities,
among Garrison, Sumner, Phillips, Ward,
Payne, Rock, and other brave and pure men and
women, in the anti-slavery conflict. How full his
life! How completely rounded out! How interwoven
in the warp and woof of American history!
When any of the great questions involving his
country's interest, or his people's welfare, had
been spoken upon or written about, then what
Douglass had to say was eagerly looked for.
Because he always said something that gave an
old subject a new setting, and threw upon a trite
question a new light.
His comprehensive scrutiny and logical expressions
in brief and best English compelled the
discerning mind, though prejudiced, to say, " We