Fredrick Expression of Allegiance to the Declaration of Independence - Essay Example

Fredrick Expression of Allegiance to the Declaration of Independence Fredrick Douglass’s speech on the what 4th of July means to the slaves was a depiction of what he thought the fourth of July meant to the Negro population at the time. This speech is studied in the literature classes today due to its intricate massage of belief in the realization of the founding fathers dream of equality. Frederick Douglass was an ardent orator and his dialogues were frequently released in a variety of abolitionist newspapers. ‘The Meaning of July Fourth for the Negro’, is among his popular speeches that was presented in on July 5, 1852, Rochester, New York, an adaptation which he later published as a booklet. He had been invited to speak concerning what the Fourth of July signifies for America's black community, and although the initial part of the speech congratulates what the founding fathers accomplished for America in general the speech slowly graduates into a condemnation of the American society and the slavery. This is because he related to slavery for he was once a slave before he escaped. His uncertainty towards the American public and the independence depicts his allegiance to the idea, although he thinks it bleak for the black community. Douglass begins his speech by addressing the president and the fellow citizens in attendance. It is noteworthy that Douglass counts himself a citizen, at par with the rest of the spectators in the audience. All through this oration, including his life, Douglass exponents equal justice and rights, as well as nationality, for blacks. He begins his speech by modestly excusing for being panicky in front of the audience and makes an acknowledgement that the journey to freedom was a long one considering his trifle along the way. He addresses the listeners for the gathering, which was the Fourth of July, nevertheless prompts them on the idea of the nation young, and is capable to transform in the coming years. By this, he implies the country is still on the road to the establishment of a great country. He actually believes the independence was gained, however not for the black population that is still in dire need of freedom. Douglass conceives the independence was a good advance by the founding fathers; nevertheless, they still have to extend the freedom clause in actions and treatment of the black population. He continued to articulate the purpose of the gathering at the time as he acknowledges he cogitates it not the blacks freedom, except that he totally agrees with the idea that the country is firmly built in the decisions it has made in the past, which he is proud of regardless. Independence and political freedom was attained for the country, although he still feels the black community is not included in the equation. He journeys with the crowd to the day the nation delivered from the British rule to the symbols and marvel associated with the day. Douglass feels great for the country’s progress in adding another year of independence to the years it accumulated. He asserts that the celebration also signifies the start of an additional year of state life and reminds the country of the promises the founding fathers had in mind. Since the country is still young he feels that the hope the country has for the future can still be realized like the fore fathers had imagined it. Douglass question was whether the great main beliefs of biased freedom and of normal justice, personified in that Declaration of Independence, extended to the blacks. He pushes forward his thesis that the fourth July is not meant for the black people since it is going against the American ideals of freedom, equal rights, and democracy. He asserts that the eye of the reformist is conformed to angry flaunts, indicating unfortunate times although his compassion may well pound lighter at the reflection that America was still an infant at the time and has more time to realize the declarations ideology. He reckons the country will develop into a great country with the wisdom earned from the years of existence. The hope truth and justice as expressed by the declaration of independence would give the country the direction it requires to reach the destiny of the declaration. He asserts that the nation being older the nationalists heart possibly will be more deplorable, and the reformer’s crest greater. Douglass believes the future might be bleak although supposes the founding fathers dreams will still get to be established in the end. He continues to articulate that the country is young and that gives everyone hopes for the future as the nation comes of age. He thinks the country as a great stream that can never be swayed away from its channel showing the declaration of independence is a deep channel that has been cultivated over the years. Douglass is certain that the country will in time rice to the dream and gives the nation a great reputation concerning the violence and freedom of the black slave as he thinks the declaration a stream that rises majestically and splendid magnificence. His allegiance spans to the thought of a country that would move away from the dream and still in the end go back to the ideals the declaration instills and go back to the initial goal that was in place. Douglass allegiance is focused on the declaration and asserts the constitution is a declaration of the dream the founding fathers from the beginning. He is confident July 4th reveals the day that draws all the injustice, which in the declaration is not the case. His allegiance to the declaration is based on the freedom he is promised in the declaration, the disgusting injustice and malice to which he is the constant victim, which again gives ore to the allegiance to the declaration of independence that every person is free. To him, the celebration of Fourth of July is a sham considering the constituents of the declaration of independence as it clearly states that every man is equal and free nevertheless the black people are forced in slavery to celebrate the independence that is not part of their descriptions as the rest. The fact that he sees the celebration of a sham spans to the ideology of the allegiance to the declaration a boost as he only finds it mockery to the black population. As the rest breathe and celebrate freedom the black toil and labor for the white people. This makes him think the declaration not fully adhered to since the people who fought for the independence are not included in the independence. His allegiance is seen as he sees the declaration being fraud that is celebrated by all yet few realize the benefits. However, he has hope that in future the declaration will be adhered to by all and the race issue will never be an issue in the young nation. Douglass is adamant that the declaration of independence is the only document that will deliver the black. He asserts that the people celebrate the independence and freedom although still go back and oppress the slave they owned. He declares oppression drives wise men mad and the founding fathers' vision was not that of slavery, except the equality and freedom for all a depiction the declaration of Independence clearly states and signed everyone to get the benefits. To Douglass, his allegiance is based on the declaration and the constitution, which give reason that no one was following. Work cited Douglass, Fredrick. "The Meaning of July Fourth for the Negro by Frederick Douglass." Historyisaweapon.com, 2014. Web. 1 Feb 2014. . Read More