Frederick Douglass, the Orator - Monroe County Library System

Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County · Historic Monographs Collection
298 LIFE OF FREDERICK DOUGLASS.
till the war assumed an antislavery attitude and
the negro was enlisted on the loyal side. In
every way possible,—in the columns of my paper,
and on the platform, in my letters to friends at
home and abroad,—I did all that I could to impress
my conviction upon this country."
And when the general government finally
came to its senses, and Governor Andrew of
Massachusetts was given permission to raise two
colored regiments, it was through the columns of
his paper that the cry rang out, " Men of color,
to arms, to arms!" It was his pen that wrote the
burning words," Liberty won by white men would
lose half its luster. Who would be free, themselves
must strike the blow." "Better even die
free than to live slaves." "By every consideration
which binds you to your enslaved fellow-countrymen
and to the peace and welfare of your country;
by every aspiration which you cherish for
the freedom and equality of yourselves and your
children; by all the ties of blood and identity
which make us one with the brave black men
now fighting our battles in Louisiana and in
South Carolina,—I urge you to fly to arms, and
smite with death the power that would bury the
government and your liberty in the same hopeless
grave." He also took a very active interest
in securing just and fair treatment for the colored
soldier, after his services were accepted. To this