Tanjum Siddika, Responding to Douglass

“I do not remember ever to have appeared as a speaker before any assembly more shrinkingly, nor with greater distrust of my ability, than I do this day. A feeling has crept over me quite unfavorable to the exercise of my limited powers of speech.”

Frederick Douglass was an escaped slave who became an American social reformer, orator. This is a quote from the introduction which shows how Douglass endorses the worth yet claims to be intimidated by his stature. He explained his feeling by expressing how he had “shrink” before them and distrusts his “limited powers of speech”.

This quote he used to illustrate his argument by representing himself as an escaped slave but still fell small while presenting the speech.

“The task before me is one which requires much previous thought and study for its proper performance. I know that apologies of this sort are generally considered flat and unmeaning.”

Douglass opened his statement in introductions by conveying to his audience that they are not applicable in these circumstances. The word “flat” was being used to describe something lacking in depth. He attempted to gain their trust by ensuring them that he is trustworthy.