New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-03-16
DOUGLASS ESCAPE.
The Story Told for the First Time.
,From the New York Times1

The Story Told for the First Time.
From the New York Times!
PHILADELPHIA, March l0.-The Academy
of Music was densely crowded this evening
with an intelligent audience, who gathered
TO hear Mr.. Frederick Douglass rehearsal
of his "reminiscences of Slavery and anti.
Slavery 1t was only about year ago that
this stage was denied 20 the above named
gentleman, and the Outburst of indignation
that then escaped from every loyal citizen
at that time. proved such a severe repri.
Inand 70 the directors of the Academy that
their action was speedily revoked, and now
Mr.. Douglass or any other respectable repre-.
sentative of his race may have access to its
floor and stage. 1t was generally anticipated
that Mr.. Douglass recital of the wrongs
and expressions of the cOlored people would
be an interesting and spirited discourse.
ami few were disappointed with his able
effort. He began his discourse by saying:
II give you JOY that every yestige of slav-
cry has been swept from the land,' and
after comparing the relations between the
existing forms of government in this cOun.
try and the old world, be made reference
TO the men who never did anything 60 put
man in the constitution, but are now NOV.
ing heaven and earth 30 put God in the
constitution. He said - am for accept
ing this government. as in its literal truth
it Is a purely human government FOR the
accomplishment of purely human ends. and
woe to it when il shall incorporate the
principle of divine right in its national
CODE After reviewing the inception
and development of the anti.
slavery movement, its objects and ends.
its accomplishments and it's failings,
its trials and final victory. Mr.. Douglas
gave the following rehearsal Of his own es-
cape: while slavery existed had coed
reasons for not telling the story of my es.
cape from bondage. and now that that
great trial is over, do not know any good
reason why I should not tell it. People
generally imagined that it was marvel
Gus recital, but it is one of the most simple
and commonplace stories that could be
given. was owned In Talbot county. on
the eastern shore OF Maryland, in 1885, and
a few years after that time made my rs
cape. ] had been sent up TO Baltimore 10y
nv master 10 a brother OF his for safe
keeping. but it was strange movement to
send me sixty miles nearer my liberty.
When | determined ON escaping, l looked
about for the proper means to accomplish
my purpose. At that time great vigilance
wa. exercised by the authorities
Everybody was strictly watched. and
it a slave were found outside the
limits of his masters plantation, he
would be liable 20 show by what right he
was out of place. ] was put to work in
ship ward, aud commenced to learn the
business of ship-caIpentering and caulk-
ing. Here had frequent intercourse with
sailors, and in them ! thought discovered
a feeling OF sympathy and kindness. al.
though the difficulties aud obstacles against
escape were apparently insurmountable.
conceived an idea that | could secure my
release bv dressing in sailors clothing and
making a surreptitious retreat. But had
no papers bv which | could pass from place
to place Fortunately met with man
named Stanley, who lived III Baltimore.
and who was free. He resembled me in
stature, and from him obtained "a suit OF
sailors clothes, and his protection papers.
and IN this apparel. provided with the
necessary articles. /. III September, 1888, Sc
cured nv liberty. l got Isaac Rhodes 20
take M bundle. and. by arrangement, after
the train started he threw it in, and ! ran
after ana dmped on the car. II COM
PEELED 20 buy d ticket It would have been
necessary TO undergo the most rigid exam
nation. and all description in the papers
must correspond exactly with the marks on
nv person. Accordingly. the scheme was
carried out and l soon arrived at Whining
tom. Here met Frederick Stein, for whom
had worked, but was so perfectly dis
guised that he did not know me. In few
moments the train from Philadelphia, bound
south, arrived. and on this was Captain Nc
Gowan, of the revenue cutter at Baltimore.
whom | had known Intimately, ana who
also had been acquainted with me, out ne,
too, failed to recognize me. When the CON
ductor came through the train he rudeiy
called on all the passengers for tickets. but
when he came to ne, instead of speaking IN
an arrogant manner, told me kindly that he
supposed had my free papers. responded
in the negative, but his surprise was
great and his Indignation not apparent.
when told him that my only pass vas an
American eagle Looking upon 1t, he SAID
that was all right. and with this assurance
I came through to Philadelphia, and pro-
ceeded to New York. ] got there at two
o'clock and strayed about and slept in the
streets until morning. / did not know that
had a trirud there, but on the next morn
ing met Isaac Dixon. at whose house
had lived IN Baltimore, and he referred me
TO David Ruggles. Il philanthrOplc and gen.
erOus-minded citizen. While IN the city,
where | remained several days. VISITED
the Tombs, and there | saw Isaac Hooper,
who. for the great ottense OF assisting tohI'
a wei! known character, IN mahihs h's e''
cane. was undergoing trial.
Nr. Douglass said be had kept this story
secret until this time. because the condnc'
tor who allowed him TO pass from bdIu'
more TO Philadelphia would have been re-
spogsible to his master for the pecunlary
extent of the loss sustained, and because
he did not want 70 expose his friend STAN
lev. and because he did not want slave
h6IdaT. 10 know tha. slaves had any
method. Of escape. His freedom, he said.
was honorabir purchased bv British gold.
$50 having beer paid Tor him by friend
Of his in England. and the negotiations
bavinr been conducted by the Hon. William
Meredith. Of this city, who is at present the
presiding officer Of the convention for the
revision OF the State constitution. which Ia
tom hv eulogizing che heroes OF the anti.
slavery cause. among them William Lloyd
Garrison. Lucretia Mott, GerCit Smith and
Joshua Leavitt.
4 Missouri woman said sne gave rail.