Minnesota weekly times. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1859, 1854-11-14
SPEECH OF FREDERICK DOUGLASS, A
CHICAGO.

SPEECH OF FREDERICK DOUGLASS, AT
CHICAGO.
Yesterday we alluded to the speech of this col
ored orator, at Chicago, and as many will be
glad to see what he had to say, and how he said
it, we copy that portion which he devotes to him.
self in justification of his right to speak on the
present exciting question of the day. His argu-
ments in answer to the advocates of the Nebraska
measure, are pointed and strong, exhibiting a
logical and discriminating mind. This part of
his speech is too lengthy for our columns. We
copy from the Chicago Tribune:
FRIENDS AND, FELLOw-C CITIZENS:
great national question, question of tran
scendent importance-one upon which the public
mind is deeply moved, and not my humble name
has assembled this multitude of eager listeners in
Metropolitan Hall this evening. You have come
up here in obedience to hu"an0 and patriotio
impulse, to consider the requirements of patriot
ism and humanity, at an important crisis in the
affairs of this nation.
In this patriotic and holy purpose, 1 hail your
presence here with grateful, sincere, and heart
felt pleasure. am anxious to address you on
the great subject which has called you together
and will do so-but circumstances will justify
me in saying a few words first of personal ma
ture.
l have the misfortune of being deemed an in
truder by some of your fellow-citzens. My visit
among you is thought to be untimely, and to sa-
vor of impudence, and the like. Upon this mat
ter have word to say in my own defence. A
man that will not defend himself is not fit to de-
fend good cause.
And first, ladies and gentlemen, am not sure
that visit on my part to Chicago would at any
time, afford those who are now complaining of me
any special pleasure. But, gentlemen, l am not
ashamed of being called an intruder. have met
il a Thousand times n thOuSand iii fpront nlaceS
and am quite prepared to meet it now-and here,
as l have met it, at other times and in other
places.
Every inch of ground occupied by the colored
man in this country is sternly disputed. At the
ballot box and at the altar-in the church and in
the State-he is deemed an intruder. He is, in
fact, seldom a welcome visitor anywhere. Mar
vel not, therefore, if | seem somewhat used to
the charge of intrusiveness, and am not more en-
barrasscd in meeting it. Men have been known
to get used to conditions and objects which, at
the first, seemed utterly repulsive andinsuferabe.
And SO mayI.
One reason why am not ashamed to be here
is this l have right to be here, and duty to
perform here. That right is constitutional
right, us we'll as natural right. 1t belongs to
every citizen Of the United States. 1t belongs
not less to the humblest than to the most exalted
citizen. The genius of American institutions
knows no privileged class or classes. The plebi-
an and the (would be) patrician stand here upon
| common level of equality, and the last man in
the world who should complain of this is the ear
nest advocate of popular sovereignty.
have right to come into this State to prose-
cute any lawful business in a lawful Manner
This is natural right, and is part of the SUI
preme law Of the land. By that law the citizens
of each State are the citizens of the United States,
with rights alike and equal in all the States
The only question of right connected with my
case here respects my citizenship. If l am a
citizen, am clothed all over with the star-span-
gied banner and defended by the American Con-
stitution, in every State of the American Union.
That Constitution knows no man by the color OF
| his skin. The men who made it were too noble
for any such limitation of humanity and human
| rights. The word white is modern term in the
legislation of this country. 1t was never used in
the better days of the Republic, but has sprung
up within the period of our national dcgeneracy.
claim to be an American citizen. The consti-
tuition knows but two classes: Firstly, citizens,
and secondly, aliens. l am not an alien and
am, therefore, o citizen. am moreover a free
citizen. Free, thank God not only by the laws
of the State in which was born and brought up,
but free by the laws of nature.
In the State of New York where live, am q
citizen and legal voter, and may therefore be
presumed to be citizen of the United States.
am here simply as an American citizen, having a
stake in the veal or woe of the nation, in COM
mon with other citizens. l am not even here as
the agent of any sect or party. Parties are too
polite and sects too sectaran, to select one
of my odious class, and of my radical opinions,
at this important time and place, to represent
them. Nevertheless, | do not stand alone here.
There are noble minded men in Illinois who are
neither ashamed of their cause nor their company.
Some of them are here tonight, and | expect to
may travel. But, pray, hold no man nor party
responsible, for my words, for am no man's
agent; and l am no parties agent and Ibeg
that my respected friends-the Reporters-will
be good enough to make note of that. l have a
very good reason for making this request-a rea-
son which may, some day give to the world, but
which need not give now.
One other remark and it shall be in regard To
a matter about which you wish to hear at once
1t touches the matter involved in my mission here.
wish not only to stand within my rights as a
man, but to stand approved at the bar of propri-
ETY., as gentleman, when, IN this case, l can
do SO without the sacrifice of principle. 1t has
been given out, believe, by some friends, and
also by some OF the enemies of the principles l
am here to sustain, that have come into this
State to confront in public debate my distinguish
ed namesake, the Hon. Stephen A. Douk,,..S.
Fellow Citizens, wish to dsclaim so much of
this report possibly imply the slightest dis
respect for the talents of your honorable Senator.
His fame as an orator, and as a man of energy
ohu perseverance,, HIS uOt IiSeu ulSner 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 man
ly industry. | am ever pleased to see man rise
from among the people. Every such man is
prophetic Of the good time coming. l have watch
ed him during the past winter, when apparently
overwhelmed with learning and eloquence, rise
again, and with more than the tact and skill of a
veteran, drive all before him. There is perhaps
something in name, and that may possibly ex-
plain 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 a newspaper
OF the hanging of q man bearing his own name.
On the other hand, no man bearing the name
OF Douglas, would think less of his name, if thi.
great nation should, in the abundance of its good
ness be pleased to place that name in the scroll
| OF its Presidents; and this, notwithstanding the
trite saying, that a rose 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, not words, arr
the order of the day names are valued SO long
as they are associated with honor, justice and lib.
erty; and become execrable when associated will
falsehood, treachery and tyranny.
| 1t is alleged that am come to this State to in
suit Senator Douglns. Among gentlemen, tina
is only an insult which is intended to be such
and disavow all such intention. L am not eve,
here with tho doaivo tn m ae< -; ,,,,hl;. a..