Category Archives: Frederick Douglass

April 9, 1863: Why should a colored man enlist?

Posted on April 9, 2013 by Allen Gathman

From Douglass’s Monthly, April 1863, an admonition to black men to join the Union army and fight for freedom. WHY SHOULD A COLORED MAN ENLIST? This question has been repeatedly put to us while raising men for the 54th Massachusetts … Continue reading →

Posted in Frederick Douglass, Slavery, U.S. Colored Troops | Leave a comment

October 1, 1862: Frederick Douglass on the Emancipation Proclamation

Posted on October 1, 2012 by Allen Gathman

Frederick Douglass, in Douglass’ Monthly for October 1862, celebrates the Emancipation Proclamation, and calls for renewed resolve to defeat the rebellion. EMANCIPATION PROCLAIMED Common sense, the necessities of the war, to say nothing of the dictation of justice and humanity … Continue reading →

Posted in Abolitionism, Abraham Lincoln, Causes of the war, Frederick Douglass, Slavery | Leave a comment

January, 1862: What shall be done with the freed slaves?

Posted on January 11, 2012 by Allen Gathman

From Douglass’ Monthly for January 1862, a plea for justice for the former slaves. Unfortunately, events wound up going almost entirely contrary to Douglass’ prescription. WHAT SHALL BE DONE WITH THE SLAVES IF EMANCIPATED? It is curious to observe, at … Continue reading →

Posted in Frederick Douglass, Slavery | 1 Comment

September, 1861: Douglass — “Cast Off the Mill-Stone” of slavery

Posted on September 15, 2011 by Allen Gathman

Frederick Douglass The official Union policy was still that the war was to be fought solely to preserve the Union, and that the government had no intention of abolishing slavery in the states where it existed. Lincoln, though his personal … Continue reading →

Posted in Abolitionists, Causes of the war, Frederick Douglass, Slavery | 1 Comment

May, 1861: Douglass knows how to win the war – Free the slaves

Posted on May 22, 2011 by Allen Gathman

Frederick Douglass Of course, he may have been a bit biased. But his May editorial is still prescient, and it would just take Lincoln a couple of years to come around. From Douglass’ Monthly, May 1861: HOW TO END THE … Continue reading →

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February, 1861: Frederick Douglass – “Slavery is the disease, and its abolition in every part of the land is essential to the future quiet and security of the country.”

Posted on February 3, 2011 by Allen Gathman

Frederick Douglass THE UNION AND HOW TO SAVE IT Douglass’ Monthly, February, 1861 In viewing the alleged causes of the present perilous and dilapidated condition of the Federal Union, and the various plans by which it is proposed to set … Continue reading →

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Dec. 1860: Frederick Douglass isn’t impressed with Lincoln

Posted on December 2, 2010 by Allen Gathman

Frederick Douglass From Douglass’ Monthly for Dec., 1860: … Nevertheless, this very victory threatens and may be the death of the modern Abolition movement, and finally bring back the country to the same, or a worse state, than Benj. Lundy … Continue reading →

Posted in Abolitionism, Abraham Lincoln, Frederick Douglass, Republican | Leave a comment

19th century troll?

Posted on August 14, 2010 by Allen Gathman

In online discussions, “trolling” is the practice of intentionally advocating a position that is calculated to provoke an impassioned reply from others. Someone who does this habitually is a troll. If I’m not mistaken, trolling predates the internet by quite … Continue reading →

Posted in Charles O'Conor, Frederick Douglass, New York, Slavery, Virginia | 4 Comments