Quote 1: “Go where you may, search where you will, roam through all the monarchies and despotisms of the old world, travel through South America, search out every abuse, and when you have found the last, lay your facts by the side of the every day practices of this nation, and you will say with me, that, for revolting barbarity and shameless hypocrisy, America reigns without a rival.”(Douglass, 11)

Paraphrase: Research everywhere around the world, examine all the evidence you can find relating to this claim and you will be convicted, assured and will express: in relation to hypocrisy and barbarity, America is by far the number one.

Response: Douglass is arguing that, after all the facts are collected, examined and compared, one can be undoubtedly convinced that in no other place around the world the hypocrisy and barbarity found in America at that time could be surpassed. A nation founded on the principles of freedom and liberty for all still held other men, women and children  enslaved and oppressed, denying them the very right in which they based the nations’ existence. 

Quote 2: “I take this law to be one of the grossest infringements of Christian Liberty, and, if the churches and ministers of our country were not stupidly blind, or most wickedly indifferent, they, too, would so regard it.

At the very moment that they are thanking God for the enjoyment of civil and religious liberty, and for the right to worship God according to the dictates of their own consciences, they are utterly silent in respect to a law which robs religion of its chief significance, and makes it utterly worthless to a world lying in wickedness. ”(Douglass, 14)

Paraphrase: The hypocrisy and double standard of the church is blatantly contrary to what they preach. By dismissing and ignoring the situation of the slaves and the penalties that were imposed on them, the church’s message was tainted and lost.

Response: Douglass is arguing that the same people preaching God’s message of love and compassion were the ones silent and indifferent to the situation of the slaves at that time. They were rejoicing in the new freedom they had achieved while at the same time turning a blind eye as to the disparities in the life of a slave. Their interests were not in the true meaning of gospel but in the political power the church exercised, turning themselves in real sadducees. 

Quote 1: “It is the birthday of your National Independence, and of your political freedom. This, to you, is what the Passover was to the emancipated people of God. It carries your minds back to the day, and to the act of your great deliverance; and to the signs, and to the wonders, associated with that act, and that day.” (Douglass, 1)

Strategy: Analogy

Douglass is using an analogy to remind the audience of how important National Independence is to the American people as the Passover was important to the Israelities. It marked a moment in their history in which they achieved great success. I found it useful and important because the power of comparison and remembrance can be persuasive, generating a feeling of achievement and importance.

Quote 2: “As the sheet anchor takes a firmer hold, when the ship is tossed by the storm, so did the cause of your fathers grow stronger, as it breasted the chilling blasts of kingly displeasure.”(Douglass, 3)

Strategy: Illustration

Douglass is using an illustration to explain the situation that moved the people into action in regards to becoming independent. I find this strategy effective because he puts in simple words the emotions felt at the time prior to the Declaration of Independence.