Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1860-09-25
sOHNABLE sHOWN UPI

DousIas and the DecIaratIon Of Indepen
asuce--Extruct from the speech Of Gar
sehursat sPringheid, Brass,, Jan. a. 1880
| Mr.. Douglass ambiguous position, whiel
makes il possible for him to cheat either th'
North or the South, without adding a new
inconsistency 70 those already committed
makes it at the same time necessary for hin
to put his dOuble-laced theories upon al
historical basis which relieves him Of the
necessity Of expressing a moral conviction or
the matter Of slavery either way. To say
that slavery is right would certainly dis
please the North to say that slavery is wrong,
would inevitably destroy him at the South
In order to dodge this dangerous dilemma, he
! finds il expedient to construe the history oi
this country 50 as to show that this question
Of right or wrong in regard to slavery had
nothing whatever to do with the fundamental
principles upon which the American Republic
was founded. Dealing with slavery only as
a matter Of fact and treating the natural
rights ofman and the relation between slavery
and republican institutions as matter OF
complete indifference, he is bound TO demon
strate that slavery neYerWas seriously deemed
inconsistent with liberty, and that the black
never was seriously supposed to possess any
rights which the white man was bound tore
spect.
But here he enconnters the Declaration Of
Independence, laying down the fundamental
principles upon which the Republic was to do
velop itself; he encounters the ordinance Of
1887, the practical application of those prin-
afn1n1. 10th hf-ko~s.a1 OF &c rRo LET,
born as they are sublime. But as Mr.. Doug
las had no logic to guide him in his theories,
so he had no conscience to restrain him in his
historical constructions. To interpret the
Declaration of Independence according to the
meaning ofits words would certainly displease
the South 70 call it self-evident lie would
certainly shock the moral sensibilities Of the
North. So he recognises it as a venerable
document but makes the language, which is
so dear to the hearts Of the North, express a
meaning which comedies with the ideas of
the South.
We have appreciated his exploits as To-
gioian; let US follow him in his historical dis
coyeries.
Let your imagination carry you back to the
year l776. You stand in the hall of the old
Colonial Courthouse of Philadelphia
the open door you see the Continen-
tai Congress assembled the moment of a great
decision Is drawing near. Look at the earnest
faces of the men assembled there, and consider
what you may expect ofthem. The philosophy
of the eighteenth century counts many of
them among its truest adopts. They well
coined heartily in their scattered towns and
plantations the new ideas brought forth by
that sudden progress of humanity, and, med
itating them in the dreary solitude of virgin
nature, they had enlarged the compass of their
and peopled their imaginations
with lofty ideals A classical education flor
most of them are by no means illiterste men)
has put all the treasures Of historical know
ledge at their disposal, and enabled them to
apply the experience of past centuries to the
new problem they attempt to solve. See
others there of simple but strong cast OF |
mind whom common sense would call its |
truest representatives. Won't to grapple with |
the dangers and difficulties of an early set
tiers life, OF, if inhabitants of young uprising
cities, wont to carry quick projects into |
speedy execution, they have become regard
less of obstacles and used to strenuous activity.
The constant necessity to help themselves has |
developed their mental independence; and, |
injured to political strife by the continual /
defence of their colonial lselEgovernment they |
have at last become familiar with the idea, /
% introduce into practical existence the prin-
ciples which their vigorous minds have quietly |
built up into theory.
The first little impulses to the general up
heaving of the popular spirit-the tea tax,
the stamp act-drop into insigni6cance they |
are almost forgotten; therevolutionary spirit |
has risen far above them. 1t disdains to |
Justify it self with petty pleadings; it spurns
diplomatic equivocation; it places the claim
10 independence upon the broad basis ofeternal /
rights, as selfevident as the sun, as broad as |
the world, as common as the air Of heaven. |
The struggle ofthe colonies against the usurp- |
ing Government of Great Britain has risen to
the proud dimensions of struggle Of man
for liberty and equality. Behold, FIVE men
are advancing towards the table of the Presi-
dent. First, Thomas jefferson, whose phi
spirit gTasps the generality Of things
and events; then Benjamin Franklin, the
great apostle of common sense, the clear
wisdom Of real life beaming in his serene eye;
then the undaunted John Adams, and two
others Now Jefferson reads the Declaration
Of Independence, and loudly proclaims the
fundamental principle upon which it rests
" All men are created free and equalp 1t is
said; history tells you what it meant. The
sceptre of royalty is flung back across the |
ocean; the prerogatives of nobility are trodden |
into the dust; every man king, every man |
a baron; seven Of the original colonies the /
shackles Of the black man struck of; every !
where the way prepared for gradual emsnei
patton. I" No recognition Of the right of
property in manP says Madison. 'sLet |
slavery be abolished by law |" says Washing
ton. Not only the supremacy Of Old England |
is to be shaken of, but new organization of |
society is to be built up on the basis of liberty |
and equality. That is the Declaration of In |
dependencel That is the American Revolu- |
ton. All men free and equal Not even
the broad desert Of the Atlantic ocean stops
the triumphant shout Behold, the nations Of
the Old World are rushing to arms. Bastiles
are blown into the dust as by the trumpets Of
Jericho, and, like pillar of fire by highland
a pillar of cloud by day, the great WatehWord
of the American Revolution shows forever the
way to struggling humanity. Long-cOn-
tinued applause All men are created free
and equal Whence the supernatural power
in these seven words2
Turn your eyes away from the sublime
spectacle Of 1776, from that glorious galaxy
Of men whose hearts were large enough for
all mankind, and let me recall you to the So
Der year Of 1857. There is Springfield, the