Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1898-09-23

ical selections were rendered by a colored
chorus Of singers and several violin solos
were given by Joseph Douglass Of Wash
ington grandson Of Mr.. Douglass and a
prominent musician OF Washington. An
address was also delivered by the Hon.
George Haines Of this city. The presen-
tation of the monument 10 the city was
made by Charles Z. Lee and its acceptance
by Mayor Warner. The benediction was
pronounced by the Rev. Alonzo Scott of
Rochester. Al $50 P. NJ. reception
and ball took place at Fitzhugh hall.
Thsee children and thereo grandchild-
seu Of Frederick Douglass are living.
Charles Douglass the eldest son is sonnec-
ted with the pension office in Washington
Louis H. the second son is Washington
rsal-estate dealer and the daughter Mrs.
Rosa Sprague, Is also resident Of Wash
lngton. Joseph II. Douglass son Of
Charles Douglass is prominent violinss
at the national capital. The other two
grandchildren are the Misses Frederick
and Rora Sprague.
ABOUT THE MONUMENT.
The Douglass monument is located at
the junction of Ceotral avenue and North
St. Paul street and directly opposite the
New York Central depot. The corner
stone of the monument was laid several
weeks since, with imposing masonic cere-
monies. Tho modelling of the statue is
the work Of Sidney W. Edwards OF Wash
ington and is pronounced by competsnt
critics to be a masterpiece. The tigureis
eight feet high and represents Mr.. Doug
lass In the pose OF an orator. 1t is cast
in the finest bronze. The base of the
pedestal is Of gray granite and was made
in Westerly r. I. Ihas four bronze tab
lets on which are inscribed appropriate
sentiments taken fronl NJ. Douglass
most popular addresses. These selections
were made by Mrs. Rosa Douglass Sprag-
lie, MI. Douglass only living daughter,
who inherits largely hes distinguished
fathers mental qualities. The cost of the
monument is $4,000 which sum has been
met principally by tho colored people Of
the country. A notable contribution TO
the fund 10 $1,000 from the republic Of
Hayti. Mr. Douglass last public service
Of any kind was rendered as . commiss-
ioner OF che little black republic at the
Worlds Columbia Exposition at Chicago.
The State of New York, through It's
Legislature, granted $1,000 to the fluid its
and friend In Germany $1,000.
II seems especially fitting that the city
of Rochester should have been selected
for the splendid memorial to Frederick
Douglass. II was here that Douglass
first experienced the happy sense Of COM
plete freedom from the letters Of slavery
Early in the 40s, when there were but
few places, even at the north, which Of
fered hospitabs shelter for an American
negro, Rochester made the young and un-
developed Douglass feel at home and Of
tered him protection. In the free air Of
this city he speedily felt strong enough to
begin his most efficient work in the anti
slavery cause.
DOUGLASS IN ROCHESTER,.
| 1t was here that he communed with
those spirits belonging to the heroic ag
American history-Gerris Smith, John
Brown, Mrs. Stanton, Susan B. Anthony,
William Lloyd Garrison, Wendell PHIL
ips and others of their Kind. 1t was in
Rochester that Douglass established In
those years and'sustained for long pssiod
the North Star, the tirss negro paper eveE
published in America. That paper was
one OF great power in the anti-slavery
movement and was more largely quoted
than any other journal Of like character
in the country. The little dingy apart
ment where the ardent young freeman
toied in the untaught role of editor and
publisher can still be seen and reminds
one of Lowsll's fine lines on William Lloyd
Garrison:
"In a small chamber, fIlendless and un-
| seen,
Toiled o'es his type one poor, unlearn-
ed Youg man;
The place was dark, unfarnished and
mean,
Yet here the freedom of race began
II was also in Rochester that Mr.. Doug
lass children were born and educated and
from which place the two elder soEs en-
listed in the 54th Massachusetts, volunteer
and fought to establish the freedom fo1
which their eloquent father had pleaded
so forcibly for more than twenty long
anxious years. These consideration
and the many personal attachments Q
Rochester citizens endeared the city to Mr.
Douglass rs no othea place in tho country
He always referred to it % the blesde
home OF his freedom, the bin thplaee of o.
his aspirations and the scene of his great
est triumphs in the cause SO dear to hi
. heart-that of universal ire edom IN An
eyican. One of his most familiar express
ions during his numerous visits to Root
ester was his ofs-repeated desire to rest 6
last in the beautiful cemstery, Mour
Hope of his beloved city. The last fe'
, years of M. Douglass life were passed
Washington though he always rsgarde
Rochester as his zeal homo.
HONoRED IN LIFE AND DEATH.
/, Among other honors bestowed on Dou
, lass by the city some years ago throue
| Il ~ ~