Frederick Douglass communicates very powerful ideas in his Fifth of July Speech. The nature of the arguments presented in this speech are very persuasive. He has been asked to give a speech celebrating the United States Independence Day, and instead he names all the reasons why instead of celebrating, he is in mourning. He argues that it is Independence Day only for white men. Because slavery still exists in America, it is not his Independence Day. Furthermore, this is a most serious stain on a the soul of a country that professes great ideas and whose principles, as laid out in the Declaration of Independence, are being shamed by the very existence of slavery.
There is not a more disgraceful act, he argues, then slavery. Furthermore, because two years prior to the speech slavery had been nationalized, he argues that the stain now extends to the entire country. He goes on to point out that it is an outrage that even the institution of religion has joined forces with the government to support slavery. He would prefer atheism then to ally himself with a religion that justifies such barbarism. He goes on to attack America’s hypocrisy in condemning tyrants abroad, claiming divinity and superior religion, while supporting the subjugation of a whole community within its own borders.
His arguments are very powerful because all he is asking for himself his people is equal treatment and the basic freedoms that other human beings enjoy in the same land. He isn’t asking for any special treatment, or demanding that the country bend over backwards to accommodate his unique needs. They arguments become even more powerful because he chooses a day where the rest of America is celebrating ideas they claim to be universal. The irony just couldn’t be any more biting.
Douglass correctly argues that the end to slavery is inevitable. Douglass’s point that the contradictions between the existence of slavery on the soil of a country that professes such great freedom and liberty cannot stand the test of time is one of his most powerful points. He forewarns that this will not be a quiet end. Douglass predictions that America needs “…the storm, the whirlwind, and the earthquake” proves to all be true. Tragically, as it turns out, his predictions are manifested a few short years later with the civil war to finally bring an end to slavery. The war takes the literal manifestations of Douglass’s predictions. Douglass would prefer for slavery to just be ended peacefully, but he makes the point that it is too deeply entrenched within American culture and society for this to be possible.
The solution Douglass proposes is so simple and basic that it seems it would be impossible to argue against it from any moral position. Because of all his powerful ideas and statements, his solution as presented in his speech, leave the reader with hope. Douglass’s passion and determination are passed onto the reader, leaving one with no doubt that his words will come true.
Foner, Philip S. , ed. The Life and Writings of Frederick Douglass. New York: International Publishers Co., Inc., 1950.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part4/4h2927t.html
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