The Meaning of July Fourth for the Negro - Scholarship Essay Example

The speech later challenges the ideals and principles of the American nation. Throughout the speech, Douglass asks rhetorical questions which challenge the exact ideals and principles of the American nation. He asks ‘are the chief principles of political freedom and natural justice, enshrined in the Declaration of Independence, extended to us?’ (Douglass 5). Political freedom and natural justice represent the basic ideas and principles of America as a country. Douglass appears to challenge this notion by claiming that not everybody enjoyed these basic rights and principles. In the speech, Douglass believes he is getting mocked by his fellow citizens when they asked him to present the speech on the declaration of Independence Day.

Douglass also reminds his audience that above the national joy of the celebration of Independence Day, there still were millions of people mourning. The main subject of Douglass’s speech is American Slavery. He criticizes American society for being untrue to its founding principles. Douglass tells his audience that the 4th of July is a sham and the shouts of liberty and equality on this day a hollow mockery (Douglass 16).