Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1873-03-20

TINE WAY FREDERICK DoUGLAss
ESCAPED FROM SLAVERY.
The EarIy Trials or she Great Orator.
The New York Times of Tuesday
contained the following abstract of
Frederick Douglas lecture in Phila-
delphia, in which the distinguished
speaker related the long concealed his
tory of his escape from slavery:
The Academy Of Music was Dense
ly crowded with an intelligence audi
ence who gathered to hear frederick
Douglass reherse his "Reminiscences
Of Slavery and Anti-Slavery.' 1T was
only about year ago that this stage
was denied to the above mentioned
gentleman, and the outburst of indig-
nation that then escaped from every
loyal citizen at that time, proved such
severe reprimand 10 the Directors of
the Academy, that their action was
speedily revoked, and now Mr.. Doug
lass or any other respectable represent
tative of his race may have access to
its stage and floors. It was generally
anticipated that Mr.. Douglass recital
Of the wrongs and expressions of the
colored people would be an interest
ing and spirited discourse, and few
were disappointed with his able effort.
He began his discourse by saying 81
give you Joy that every vestigc of
slavery has been swept from the land"
and after comparing the relations be.
tween the existing form of govern.
ment In this country and the old coun-
try, he made reference to the men who
never did anything to put man in the
Constitution. Said he: II am for ac-
cepting this Government, ae in Its lit
eral truth it is purely human govern
ment for the accomplishment Of purely
human ends, and woe to it when It
shall incorporate the principles of d.
vine right in its national CODE" After
reviewing the inception and develop
ment of the anti-slayery movement, its
objects and ends, its accomplishment,
and its failings, its trials and final vic.
tory, Mr.. Douglas gave the following
rehearsal OF bis own escape: "While
slavery existed / had good reasons for
not telling the story OF my escape from
bondage, and now that the great trial
is ended, l do not know any good rea.
son why ! should not tell it. People
generally imagined that it was mar
yelous recital, but it. is one Of the most
simple and common place stories that
could be given. I was owned in Tai
bot county, on the eastern shore Of
Maryland, in 1885, and in q few years
from that time, made my escape. had
been sent up to Baltimore by my mas
ter to brother Of his for safe keeping,
but 1t was strange movement to send
me sixty mnes nearer my liberty.
When ! had determined on escaping,
l looked about me for proper means to
accomplish my purpose. At that time
great vigilance was exercised by the
authorities. Everybody was strictly
watched and if slave was found out
side the limits Of his masters plants-
ton he would be liable to show by
what right ne was out of place I was
put to work in ship-yard, and com.
menced to learn the business of ship.
carpentering and calking. Here had
frequent intercourse with sailors, and
in them thought l discovered feel
ing of sympathy and kindness. AL
though the difficulties and obstacles
against escape, were very great.
l conceived an idea that I could secure
my release by dressing in sailors
clothing, and making a surreptitious
retreat. Butt had no papers by which
l could pass from place to place. For
tunately / met with a man named Stan.
ley, who lived in Baltimore and who
was free. He resembled me in stature
and from him obtained suit Of sail
or's clothes, and his protection papers
and in this apparel, provided with the
necessary articles, |, in September, in
1888, secured my liberty. / got Isaac
Rhodes to take my bundle, and by ar
rangement, after the train started he
threw it in, and l ran after and jumped
on the cars. IF compelled to buy
ticket, it would have been necessary
to undergo the most rigid examine
ton, and ali descriptions IN the papers
must correspond with the marks on
my person. Accordingly, the scheme
was carried out and soon arrived at
Wilmington. Here met Frederick
Stein, for whom had worked, but l
was so perfectly disguised that he did
not know me. Ina few moments the
train from Philadelphia, bound south,
arrived, and on this was Captain Nc
Gowan, of the revenue cutter at Balu-
more, whom l had known intimately,
and who also had known me, but he
too, failed to recognize me. When the
conductor came through the train, he
rudely called on all the passengers for
tickets, but when he came to me, in
stead Of speaking in an arrogant man
ner, told me kindly that he supposed
] had my free papers. l responded in
the negative, but his surprise was great
and his Indignation not apparent when
told him that my only pass was an
American eagle. Looking upon it, he
stated that was. all right and with
this assurance came through to Phil
adelphia, and proceeded to New York.
/ got there at two o'clock in the morn
ing, and strayed about and sleptin the |
street till morning. did not know
that i had q friend there, but on the
next morning met Isaac Dixon, at |
whose house had lived in Baltimore,
and he referred me to David Ruggles,
q philanthropic and generous minded
citizen. While in the city, where re-
NAMED several days, / visited the |
Tombs, and there saw Isaac Hooper,
who, for the great offense Of assisting |
Tom, a well known character, in max. |
Ing his escape, was undergoing an ex-
Mr.. Douglass said he had kept his
story secret until this time, because
the conductor who allowed him to |
pass from Baltimore to Philadelphia,
would have been responsible to his |
master for the pecuniary extent Of loss
and because he did not wish |
TO expose his friend Stanley, and be-
cause he did not want shareholders to !
know that slaves had any method of |
escape. His freedom, he said, had
been honorably purchased by British |
gold, $3.50 having been paid for him by |
! friend of his In England, and tho me-
yotiations having been conducted by |
Hon. Wiiliaml Meredith, of this city, |
- =. Al ~. an