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PREFACE.

Throughout the week out-of August, 1841, I attended an anti-thraldom convention in Nantucket, from which it absolutely was my pleasure in order to become familiar with Frederick Douglass, mcdougal of following the Story. He had been a stranger so you’re able to nearly every person in one to muscles; but, having recently generated their escape from this new south jail-house away from slavery, and you may perception their curiosity thrilled to look for the prices and you will methods of the abolitionists,-out-of who he previously heard a fairly unclear breakdown while he was a slave,-he had been induced to offer his attendance, into event alluded so you can, even in the event at that time a citizen when you look at the The fresh new Bedford.

Fortunate, extremely fortunate thickness!-lucky into the many their manacled brethren, but really panting for deliverance from their awful bondage!-fortunate towards the reason behind negro emancipation, and of common freedom!-lucky into property off their beginning, he has done so far to save and you may bless!-fortunate to own a big community away from family unit members and you can acquaintances, whoever sympathy and you can affection he’s got firmly secure of the of many sufferings they have endured, from the their virtuous traits regarding profile, by their previously-abiding remembrance of these who are during the ties, as being sure using them!-fortunate into multitudes, in numerous components of our very own republic, whoever minds he has enlightened dedicated to thraldom, and you can have been melted to help you tears by their pathos, or roused so you’re able to virtuous indignation from the their stirring eloquence up against the enslavers of males!-fortunate getting himself, since it simultaneously produced him to the world of social convenience, “gave the nation guarantee off a person,” quickened the new slumbering efforts regarding his spirit, and consecrated him toward great performs regarding damaging the pole of your own oppressor, and you can enabling brand new oppressed wade free!

I shall never forget his first address during the meeting-new extraordinary emotion it excited in my brain-the brand new effective perception it written through to a crowded auditory, totally drawn because of the wonder-the new applause and therefore used from the beginning towards stop from his felicitous statements. I think We never ever disliked slavery so greatly as the at this moment; yes, my effect of your own immense outrage which is inflicted by it, with the godlike character of their victims, try rendered even more obvious than ever before. Truth be told there endured one to, inside physical ratio and you can stature commanding and you may direct-within the intelligence richly blessed-within the absolute eloquence an excellent prodigy-when you look at the spirit manifestly “created but a little lower than new angels”-yet a servant, ay, a beneficial fugitive servant,-trembling for his safeguards, hardly adventurous to trust one to with the Western crushed, an individual white individual might possibly be located who befriend your after all problems, on passion for God and you will humanity! With the capacity of high attainments because the an intellectual and you may ethical becoming-in need of only a fairly few cultivation and work out him an ornament to help you society and you may a blessing so you can their competition-by the law of one’s house, by the sound of those, from the terms of brand new slave code, he had been merely some possessions, a monster out-of burden, a beneficial chattel individual, still!

A precious friend out of The newest Bedford been successful on the Mr. Douglass to deal with the brand new seminar. The guy appeared toward the working platform that have an effective hesitancy and pity, fundamentally the fresh new attendants off a delicate mind in such a manuscript standing. Just after apologizing for his lack of knowledge, and you will reminding the viewers one thraldom was a negative college or university to possess the human being intelligence and you may cardio, the guy continued to help you narrate a few of the issues in the very own history while the a slave, plus in the category off their address provided utterance to a lot of commendable advice and you can exciting reflections. Once he had taken his chair, filled up with guarantee and you will admiration, We rose, and you may age, never ever produced a demonstration way more eloquent regarding factor in versatility, as compared to one to we had simply listened to from the lips of these hunted fugitive. Therefore i considered at the time-such as are my religion now. I reminded the audience of the danger and therefore encircled which thinking-emancipated child within North,-in Massachusetts, on crushed of Pilgrim Dads, among the many descendants out of innovative sires; and i appealed in it, if they carry out ever before allow your to-be sent to thraldom,-law or no law, constitution or no constitution. The new response is actually unanimous as well as in thunder-tones-“Zero!” “Do you really succor and you may include your as the a sister-man-a citizen of your dated Bay State?” “Sure!” shouted the whole mass, having an electrical power therefore startling, your high pressure tyrants southern area out of Mason and Dixon’s line you are going to nearly be aware the fresh great burst out-of feeling, and you may recognized it as this new promise from an invincible devotion, for people that offered it, not to ever betray him you to definitely wanders, however, to full cover up the brand new outcast, and you can completely to help you abide the effects.

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