Quote 1: “The fact is, ladies and gentlemen, the distance between this platform and the slave plantation, from which I escaped, is considerable—and the difficulties to be overcome in getting from the latter to the former, are by no means slight.” Paraphrase/Explanation: Fredrick Douglass went from being a slave to being on a stage making a speech to many people, and slaves to let them know you could overcome any obstacle that’s in your way. Many slaves felt like they would never be free or they would never be able to have their story heard as a slave but Douglass is showing that he is making it possible especially for his African-American slaves.

Quote 2: “This, for the purpose of this celebration, is the 4th of July. It is the birthday of your National Independence, and of your political freedom.” Paraphrase/Explanation: With Douglass making his speech on the 4th of July, he feels like this is the freedom that all slaves need. Him being a former slave, and letting everyone know what he had to deal with as a slave, and how he felt as a slave allowed all slaves to get that weight off their chest knowing someone is on their side.