Slaves sing most when they are most unhappy. The songs of the slave represent the sorrows of his heart; and he is relieved by them, only as an aching heart is relieved by its tears.
Frederick DouglassRead
Abolish slavery tomorrow, and not a sentence or syllable of the Constitution need be altered. It was purposely so framed as to give no claim, no sanction to the claim, of property in man. If in its origin slavery had any relation to the government, it was only as the scaffolding to the magnificent structure, to be removed as soon as the building was completed.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote argues that the Constitution does not support slavery and can exist without it.
Frederick Douglass emphasizes that the Constitution was designed in such a way that it does not endorse slavery. He likens slavery to scaffolding, necessary during construction, but ultimately intended to be removed once the true structure of justice and equality is built. The implication is that the abolition of slavery is not only permissible but should have always been the end goal of the constitutional framework.
Themes
SlaveryConstitutionFreedomJusticeEquality
In practice
Example use cases
During a discussion on civil rights, this quote can illustrate the foundational principles of the Constitution.
More from Frederick Douglass
All quotes →We may explain success mainly by one word and that word is WORK! WORK!! WORK!!! WORK!!!!
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I do not think much of the good luck theory of self-made men. It is worth but little attention and has no practical value.
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To suppress free speech is a double wrong. It violates the rights of the hearer as well as those of the speaker.
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The Constitution is a GLORIOUS LIBERTY DOCUMENT. Read its preamble, consider it purposes. Is slavery among them? Is it at the gateway? or is it in the temple? it is neither.
Frederick DouglassRead
Find out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have the exact measure of the injustice and wrong which will be imposed on them.
Frederick DouglassRead
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