A lecture on the Anti-Slave Movement
In 1855 before the Rochester Ladies’ Anti-Slavery Society, in bad health, Fredrick Douglass gave a lecture on the Anti-Slave Movement. The point of his lecture was to pinpoint the history of the anti-slavery movement and touch on its different branches or divisions. As an active abolitionist Fredrick Douglass believed understanding the movement was vital to its success. He was explaining the history of the movement so the society could make sense of it.
The four divisions where The Garrison or the American Anti-Slavery, The Anti-Garrison or the Foreign Anti-Slavery Society, The Free Soil Party or Political Abolitionists, and Liberty Party or Gerrit Smith School of Abolitionists. He spoke first about The Garrison Anti-Slavery Society. Noting that they were also the oldest of the divisions. He didn’t agree with their no union with slaveholder’s initiative. He felt it would leave the slaves and their masters to fight their own battles, in their own way. He felt it would leave the slaves in a difficult position. He also felt like The Garrison Anti-Slavery Society switched its agenda from converting the nation to saving the North from ridicule. He then stated that The Anti-Garrison or the Foreign Anti-Slavery Society did not deviate from its original agenda. The Anti-Garrison Society used the church as it’s vessel to end slavery. He commends them for being factual and making progress while still stating he has issues with them because they don’t have someone like himself in the field lecturing and making speeches. The third division The Free Soil Party sole purpose is to release the Federal government from any responsibility of slavery. Needless to say they have no true mission in regards to the betterment of the slave. The last division he speaks of, The Liberty party, Douglass considers the only real abolition organization in the country. Mainly in New York while having supporters all over the North this division is more radical. Something Douglass felt was needed to promote true change. It wants slavery abolished everywhere. It deems slavery illegal and also feels the Federal government should have the power to strike down slavery everywhere. These branches were designed to teach people about the cruelty that is slavery. While also helping to abolish it and give the slaves hope and opportunities.
Fredrick Douglass was born a slave and escaped slavery at the age of 20. He did not just relax in his freedom. He fought with his incredible speaking skills against the bondage of slavery. As an active abolitionist he used his writing and speaking skills to reach people and inform them on the importance of abolishing slavery. He realized that women societies among others were allies and smartly aligned with them to help spread the word. What he wanted to reinforce was that abolishing slavery need to be dealt with now or else it might lose momentum.
