Douglass presents an argument in his speech regarding the importance of abolishing American slavery and recognizing the differences people of color endure in the nation. He states that the audience may rejoice on the Fourth of July while people of color must mourn because they are not treated in the same manner. Douglass then mentions how God did not create slavery and how it is a crime against God himself.

Quote 1: “The rich inheritance of justice, liberty, prosperity and independence, bequeathed by your fathers, is shared by you, not by me. The sunlight that brought life and healing to you has brought stripes and death to me. This Fourth July is yours, not mine. You may rejoice, I must mourn.”

Paraphrase: You rejoice the justice, liberty, prosperity and independence given to you by your nations Father. You celebrate the riches and all of your amenities while I must suffer all because of my race.

Response: I believe Douglass expresses how racial differences affect our nation. He speaks about the Fourth of July and subtly including how black people cannot celebrate the riches, justice, liberty, prosperity and independence because the audience does not accept them. He describes how he has to sit back and watch the audience rejoice.

Quote 2: What, then, remains to be argued? Is it that slavery is not divine; that God did not establish it; that our doctors of divinity are mistaken? There is blasphemy in the thought.”

Paraphrase: What more should be addressed? Slavery is unjust and God did not create it.

Response: I agree with this quote because he is adamant on the fact that there should be no further argument regarding slavery. It is unjust and he explains how God did not create it. It needs to be abolished with no ifs, ands or buts.