Life and Times of Frederick Douglass (1881)

Their wordsThen, again, if the declared purposes of an instrument are to govern the meaning of all its parts and details, as they clearly should, the Constitution of our country is our warrant for the abolition of slavery in every State of the Union.

Their wordsI answer, first, not by establishing for our use high schools and colleges. Such institutions are, in my judgment, beyond our immediate occasions and are not adapted to our present most pressing wants.

Their wordsThe truth is, dear madam, we are here, and here we are likely to remain. Individuals emigrate—nations never.

Their wordsEvery effort made to put down agitation only served to impart to it new strength and vigor.

Their wordsWhat he had lost by the sword, he had more than gained by the truth. Had he wavered, had he retreated or apologized, the case had been different.

Their wordsFrom the first, I, for one, saw in this war the end of slavery; and truth requires me to say that my interest in the success of the North was largely due to this belief.

Their wordsOnly a moderate share of sagacity was needed to see that the arm of the slave was the best defense against the arm of the slaveholder.

Their wordsLiberty won by white men would lose half its luster.

Their wordsWe fought the rebellion, but not its cause. The key to the situation was the four million of slaves; yet the slave who loved us, was hated, and the slaveholder who hated us, was loved.

Their wordsIt is not a bad thing to have individuals or nations do right though they do so from selfish motives.

Their wordsI have often said elsewhere what I wish to repeat here, that Mr. Lincoln was not only a great President, but a GREAT MAN—too great to be small in anything.

Their wordsUntil it shall be safe to leave the lamb in the hold of the lion, the laborer in the power of the capitalist, the poor in the hands of the rich, it will not be safe to leave a newly emancipated people completely in the power of their former masters, especially when such masters have not ceased to be such from enlightened moral convictions but by irresistible force.

Their wordsThe ballot in the hands of the negro was necessary to open the door of the school house, and to unlock the treasures of knowledge to him.

Their wordsPlainly enough, the exodus is less harmful as a measure than are the arguments by which it is supported. The one is the result of a feeling of outrage and despair; but the other comes of cool, selfish calculation.

Their wordsIn anything like a normal condition of things, the South is the best place for the negro. Nowhere else is there for him a promise of a happier future.

Their wordsIn a word, I have never yet been able to find one consideration, one argument, or suggestion in favor of man’s right to participate in civil government which did not equally apply to the right of woman.

Their wordsI have urged upon them self-reliance, self-respect, industry, perseverance, and economy—to make the best of both worlds—but to make the best of this world first because it comes first, and that he who does not improve himself by the motives and opportunities afforded by this world gives the best evidence that he would not improve in any other world.