Would you have me argue that man is entitled to liberty? That he is the rightful owner of his own body? You have already declare
d it. Must I argue the wrongfulness of slavery? Is that a question for Republicans? Is it to be settled by the rules of logic and argumentation, as a matter beset with great difficulty, involving a doubtful application of the principle of justice, hard to be understood? How should I look to-day, in the presence of Americans, dividing, and subdividing a discourse, to show that men have a natural right to freedom? Speaking of it relatively, and positively, negatively, and affirmatively. To do so, would be to make myself ridiculous, and to offer an insult to your understanding. There is not a man beneath the canopy of heaven, that does not know that slavery is wrong for him.
The above is a quote and extract from the speech of Frederick Douglass(was a social advocate, abolitionist, and orator) in July 5, 1852 while addressing the Rochester ladies' anti-slavery society in New York. His speech was named What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?
In his speech he emphasizes the importance of July fourth as a commemoration of the liberty and independence of the black people from slavery, as he notes it, "the birthday of your national independence and political freedom". July fourth, 1776 was the day America got independence from England and is normally celebrated as such, but is also a day Black people celebrate their freedom from slavery.
In Joy Cowley's poem “Farmyard Wedding,” two ducks get married and celebrate with their friends. As we read, we will be discussing the themes of Beauty & Happiness and Love as they relate to the text.
