Frederick Douglass free essay sample

Douglass begins his speech by addressing Mr.. President, Friends and Fellow Citizens. Here, he is likely addressing the president of the Anti-Slavery Society not the president of the United States. It is noteworthy that Douglass considers himself a citizen, an equal to the spectators in attendance. Throughout this speech, as well as his life, Douglass advocated equal justice and rights, as well as citizenship, for blacks. He begins his speech by modestly apologizing for being nervous in front of the crowd and recognizes that he has come a long way since his escape from slavery.He tells the audience that they have gathered to celebrate the Fourth of July, but he reminds them that the nation is young, and, like a young child, it is still impressionable and capable of positive change. He touches on the history of the American Revolutionaries fight for freedom against their legal bondage under British rule. He was an abolitionist, an orator, and editor of the North Star (later renamed Frederick Douglass Paper).