New-York Tribune (Monday, July 31, 1854)

 

   Yesterday...Frederick Douglass addressed the...societies of Western Reserve College, on the occasion of the annual commencement. It was an exercise with a peculiarity about it, which will distinguish it from all of the kind of the present age. It is an anomaly in the history of American literature. A black man is invited to instruct the already well-instructed Anglo-American student in his own University halls.

   We say, we have seen the turning of a new page in our literature. Douglass' position was not won for him without a struggle on the part of his friends. In the introduction he thanked the societies which had so kindly and so perseveringly given him the invitation. His ascending that platform, I count a triumph for humanity.

 

   His theme was, "THE CLAIMS OF THE NEGRO RACE: Viewed in a Psychological and Physiological Light." He would not go into abstract truths, but present matters of living importance to the people, and especially to the student of the present age. On this stand he trusted that he would not be expected to hold his breath, but he would be permitted to speak the thought nearest to his heart. His first claim for the Negro was his manhood. But why should he present to this consideration of those who had elected him as their speaker today?

   The Richmond Inquirer, and like sheets and kindred spirits, base their whole argument in defense of American Slavery upon the denial of this fact. He said that he was of the proper color, or at least of the right fix to argue the point, unless he would get down and go on all fours.

   His other proposition was that what is technically called the negro race, is a part of the human family. Was the family of man a unit? The Notts, and Mortons, and Smiths say no. A certain class of natural historians and phrenologists say no. The prejudices and actions of one-half of his countrymen say no. Here he reviewed two volumes lately published by Dr. Morton and C.H. Smith with such a keenness of criticism and with such a withering sarcasm as was perfectly astonishing.

   One argument of the latter writer in opposition to the unity of the human family is, that the voice of the Negro is feeble. Douglass read it loud and thundering tones, and made no comment. He appealed to the Bible -- God hath made one blood all nations, etc.. He went back beyond the days of the pyramids and brought forth his race from the regions of the Nile, the cradle of civilization and art, and thus established its identity with the Egyptians. Physiological peculiarities do not prove a dissimilarity of origin.

   The first day he set foot on European soil, he addressed ten thousand of the Irish poor, and found them needing nothing but the soil and sun of Niger to make them in all respects like his own race -- feet of the same form, shoulders of the same mold, and with the same shuffling gait.

   The Jews who lives a separate and distinct people, is white in Europe, brown in Asia, and black in all Africa. A people has been found who, on the mountain where water freezes, are of light complexion, with straight flaxen hair and blue eyes; down immediately below them in the moist and heated valley, the same people, with the same language and habits, have a black skin and wooly hair.

 

   But I do not attempt to give you an imperfect sketch of his valuable address. To realize its power and effect, you must have the thoughts as they come sparkling and bright, directly from the fountain of his own deep soul. You must see that eye, which in calm hours reveals nothing more that a persevering, restless nature; but when the man is aroused, burns and flashes, or melts and weeps, or pierces with its angry, sarcastic glance, all to suit his subject and obedient to his will. You must see the whole countenance, in its every feature and muscle, working with the power of the thought within him, and the entire frame obedient to the will of the grand natural orator.