John Brown: An Address at the 14th Anniversary of Storer College
by Frederick Douglass (1818–1895)
- Free to read
- 40 min read
- 2 chapters
- Reading level: 8th & 9th grade
"John Brown: An Address at the 14th Anniversary of Storer College" by Frederick Douglass is a historical account delivered in the late 19th century. This address, presented to commemorate John Brown's legacy, focuses on his role as a controversial figure in the fight against slavery and his raid on Harper's Ferry in 1859. Douglass advocates for a deeper understanding of Brown's motivations and the significance of his actions in the context of American history. In the address, Douglass recounts the dramatic events of the Harper's Ferry raid, where John Brown attempted to initiate an armed insurrection to free enslaved individuals. He paints a vivid picture of Brown as a martyr for liberty, emphasizing his unwavering commitment to the cause of emancipation, even at the cost of his life. Douglass discusses the complex perceptions of Brown at the time, contrasting the immediate reactions of fear and condemnation with a more nuanced recognition of his bravery and moral clarity in advocating for freedom and justice. Through personal recollections and historical analysis, Douglass seeks to honor Brown's legacy while challenging the audience to reconsider their views on sacrifice in the struggle for liberty.
Read the opening
Address
Not to fan the flame of sectional animosity now happily in the process of rapid and I hope permanent extinction; not to revive and keep alive a sense of shame and remorse for a great national crime, which has brought its own punishment, in loss of treasure, tears and blood; not to recount the long list of wrongs, inflicted on my race during more than two hundred years of merciless bondage; nor yet to draw, from the labyrinths of far-off centuries, incidents and achievements wherewith to rouse your passions, and enkindle your enthusiasm, but to pay a just debt long due, to vindicate in some degree a great historical character, of our own time and country, one with whom I was myself well acquainted, and whose friendship and confidence it was my good fortune to share, and to give you such recollections, impressions and facts, as I can, of a grand, brave and good old man, and especially to promote a better understanding of the raid upon Harper's Ferry of which he was the chief, is the object of this address.
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About this edition
This free edition of John Brown: An Address at the 14th Anniversary of Storer College by Frederick Douglass comes from Project Gutenberg eBook #31839, released 2010-03-31. It is in the public domain in the United States, so you can read it here in full at no cost, on any phone, tablet or computer. Genre: Essays, Letters & Speeches, History - American.
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