Douglass’s speech is basically an argument of putting an end to selling slaves. In summary, he explained how there seems to be a contradiction with how the fourth of July means to everyone. In short, he gave a detailed explanation of how some set of people find happiness in the celebration why some find sadness in it.

Quote 1: Fredrick Douglass quote that “Oppression makes a wise man mad. Your fathers were wise men, and if they did not go mad, they became restive under this treatment.” [3]

Paraphrase: Subjugation brings out anger from a wise man. If the fathers didn’t react under that oppressed condition, the oppressions shall continue to exist.

Response: This is the writer explaining how the fathers got to fight back to bring about a change in the way they were treated. He also added, that if the wise father didn’t act sooner than expected they will most likely continue in the drain of oppression. According to Fredrick Douglass, the Forth of July has different meaning to people living in America. Some were oppressed while some are the oppressor.

Quote 2: Fredrick Douglass quote that “The sunlight that brought life and healing to you, has brought stripes and death to meā€ [8]

Paraphrase: The reason for your excitement is the channel of my pain, hence the source does not make me feel what you feel.

Response: The oppressor benefits from the outcome of freedom unlike the people being oppressed, for example, people of color were enslaved by the oppressor and wasn’t really free after the independence of America from the great British colonist.