New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1871-04-27
san Domingo.
Lecture by Frederick Douglass.


Some three or four hundred people incIud.
'aga number of the prominent gentlemen of the
city, listened TO u lecture at the Bethel Church
Saratoga street, on the 23i instant, which
whether taken as an OratOrical effort or an
instructive essay, was decidedly one of the best
that Baltimore has been favored with during
the season. The speaker was no less man
than Mr.. Frederick Douglass, and his theme
Santo Domingo. \ few minutes after p NJ
the distinguished gentleman entered the church,
accompanied by Rev. Dr. Deuison, of Wash
ington, d. c., and Bishop Wayman, of Balti.
more. After singing and prayer (the services
being conducted by Or. Denison,) Mr. Doug.
lass was introduced, and for two hours dis
SDurSed OF SantO Domingo To an audience that
applauded a great deal and smiled all the time.
Mr. Douglass has keen sense of the humorous
and the faculty OF communicating the fun that
sparkies in his own eyes to those who hear
MIN lie had a written lecture, from which
ne would read few sentences and then
/ throw it down and launch out into an explain.
atory argument that was generally conyinc-
lns aud always enlivened by some humorous
hats. He apOlogized for bringing his manu-.
script with him. lie was IN the habit of speak.
ing eXtemporaneously, but on this all-import-
ant theme he was apprehensive that there were
some shades of thought that he might fail to
express IT he permitted himself to be carried
away by his enthusiasm upon the subject 1t
is difficult to speak in a Methodist Church
without giving way to the emotions He
scarcely hoped to say anything new about
Santo Domingo. The Senate of the United
States has listened to series Of magnificent
oratlOus, in which the whole policy of annex
alton has been dIscussed-the people have read
those speeches, and it is difficult to say any
thing better upon the subject. 1t is perfectly
proper, however, that this discussion should 60
on. We shall never be done admiring the
wisdom and sagacity Of the Fathers when they
incorporated into the Constitution the right OF
free discussion the right Of Cauyassing public
measures. Ii is our duty to examine every
question that concerns the public veal, to the
end that we may form an Intelligent judgment
thereon. To COlOred men especially il Is i'm
portant that they should canvass every cues
tion that concerns the Governments in order
that they may learn their duties as citizens
They are no longer chattels, but men among
men--not only men, but citizens The Fathers
laiI deep III the Constitution the right OF free
discussion, and to 10 other rights is the country
more indebted for its intelligence, its enter.
prise, and It's prosperity.
The question of the annexation of Santa
Domingo l. one OF peculiar interest to the col,
Ored people for the reason that so distinguish
ed a Senator as Charles Sumner, whose clear
ness and moral vision has placed him In the
very front rank OF craftsmanship, dissents from
the policy of annexation, aud his opposition
thereto is grounded largely upon the fact that
1t would be injurious to the colored people.
The fact that such man dissents should put
every man upon the inquiry and lead him to
investigate for himself II is very different
thing to advocate the annexation Of territory
now from what it was twenty years ago. When
our statesmen talked of extending the area of
American liberty those in the ring understood
it to mean the area of African slavery He
was opposed TO annexation then. He did not
want Canada, for that would have cut off the
retreat Of some of the brethren; to have ex,
tended the area southwark would have opened
up new slave markets. But now, since over
our national gateway we have inscribed "no
distinction of race or color or privilege" he
wished the domain Of freedom extended ia all
directions