Frederick Douglass, the Orator - Monroe County Library System

Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County · Historic Monographs Collection
CHAPTER VI.
BANQUET IN RECOGNITION OF HIS PUBLIC SERV-
ICES.—THE DOUGLASS IN HIS HALL.
ON the first of January, 1883, the twentieth
anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation, a
banquet was tendered Hon. Frederick Douglass,
in recognition of his high personal attainments,
and of his eminent public services in behalf of
his race and humanity, at Freund's, Washington,
D. C. The entertainment was not only a social
event of unusual interest, but one worthy of the
occasion. No more brilliant array of talent has
ever assembled to do honor to a great man of our
race. The tables were beautifully decorated, and
laden with the choicest viands. They were so
arranged as to group the company about the
distinguished guest, who sat at the head of the
central table. There were present doctors of
divinity, bishops, lawyers, doctors of medicine,
members of Congress and northern state legislatures,
professors of colleges, authors, and editors
of newspapers.
After prayer by Bishop John M. Brown, the
company spent two hours in partaking of the
excellent dinner placed before them. It was ten
o'clock when ex-Senator Bruce introduced Mr.