Frederick Douglass, the Orator - Monroe County Library System

Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County · Historic Monographs Collection
LIFE OF FREDERICK DOUGLASS. 3O9
O fall'n at length that tower of strength
Which stood foursquare to all the wftids that blew."
To those of us who are members of the race
with which he was identified, let me say, let us
keep his shining example ever before us. Let
each one of us, individually and personally, endeavor
to catch his noble spirit, to walk upon the
same lofty plane of a pure and exalted manhood
upon which he moved; and together, in the consciousness
of the fact that he is no longer with
us, let us consecrate ourselves, with whatever
powers we may possess, to the furtherance of the
great cause to which he gave his life.
And may I not also, in his name, appeal to the
members of the opposite race, especially to those
who revere his memory, to join with us in continuing
to fight for the great principles for which
he contended, until in all sections of. this fair
land there shall be equal opportunities for all,
irrespective of race, color, or previous condition
of servitude ; until, to borrow the language of another,
" character, not color, shall stamp the man
and woman," and until black and white .shall
clasp friendly hands, in the consciousness of the
fact that we are all brethren and that God is the
Father of us all.