Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1854-11-20
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NO 6
Fred Douglas.

us copy of speech delivered by this
noted negro orator, on the 3oth ult., to all
audience Of about 1900, including men
and women.a There are evident marks Of
ability in the speech but the amount Of
impudercs and bragadocio ia supeIabuu-
dant. Below we give an extract. The
paper in which this speech is published
with a great flourish, is the lvading Wing
paper Of Illinois, and the constant advocate
of KnowN othingism, Abolitionism. and
the like. While in one column Fred
Douglas is termed the great patriot, phi
lanthropist, and celoreJ orator Of Amer
in another Stephen A. Douglas, is called
the traitor Douglas i
One other remark and it shall be in
regard to matter about which you wish
to hear at once, It touches the matter in
yolved in my mission here. wish not
only TO stand within my rights as a man,
but to stand approved at the bar Of prepri-
ETY., as a gentleman, which, as IN this case,
| can do SO without the sacrifice Of princi-
pie. 1t has been gwen out, believe, by
some friends, and also by some Of the ene-
mics of the principles am here to sustain,
that have come into this State to confront,
in public debate my distinguished name.
sake, the Hon. Stephen A. Douglas.
Fellow citizens, wish to disclaim SO
much Of this report as can possibly imply
the slightest disrsspect for the talents Of
our honorable Senator. His fame as an
orator, and as a man of energy and perse-
verance, has not risen higher anywhere
than in my own judgment. He is man
of the people. He came up from among
them, and that by the native energy OF his
character and his manly industry. ! am
ever pleased to see man rise among the
people. Every such man is prophetic Of.
the good TIME coming have watched
him during the past winter, when appa-
renuy overwhelmed with learning and
eloiuence, rise again, and with more than
the tact and skill OF veteran, drive ait
before him. There is perhaps something
in a name, and that may possibly explain
the peculiar interest with which have
watched and contemplated the fortunes Of
Mr.. S. A. Douglas.
This feeling, | think, you will admit, is
quite natural. No man likes to read in &
newspaper Of the hanging of man BEAR
Ing his own name. =.
On the other hand no man bearing the
name of Douglas, would think less of his
name, if this great nation should in the
abundance OF its goodness be pleased to
place that name in the scroll Of its Presi- $
dents; and this notwithstanding the trite
saying, that lose by any other name
would smell as sweet.
But the times. the times bid US to have
done with names. Names have lost their
significance, in more ways than one
deeds, no. H5.eis, are the order Of the day
names are valued SO long as they are asso-
ciated with honor. justice and liberty
and become execrable when associated
with lalsehood5 treachery and tyranny.
It is alleged that am come 10 this State
to insult Senator Douglas. Among gen-
tlemen, that is only an Insult which is in
tepded TO be such, and disavow all such
intention. | am not even here with the
desire to meet in public debate, that gem
tleman.. am here precisely as Twas in
this State one year ago-with no other
change in my relations TO you, or to the
great question OF human freedom, than
time and circumstances have brought about
| shall deal with the subject in the same
spirit now as then; approving such men -
and such measures as look to the security
of liberty in the land and with my whole
beart condemning all men and measures as
serve to subyert or endanger it. ~ sfi..s3s q