What Is Frederick Douglass Response To The Emancipation Proclamation

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The commemoration speech, “Oration in Memory of Abraham Lincoln,” was delivered by Frederick Douglass at Lincoln Park in April of 1876, approximately ten years after Lincoln’s martyr death. The speech was given at the opening of the Freedmen’s monument, as a declaration to the statue and a commemoration of Abraham Lincoln’s efforts during his administration. It was evident from this speech that Douglass was initially disappointed with the speed by which Lincoln emancipated the slaves. However, Douglass’ progression can be seen by his later understanding that Lincoln’s slow pace was necessary in effectively bringing about emancipation. Through contextual and textual evidence, we can see how Douglass was hard on Lincoln’s policies, but eventually commends him for his dedication to emancipation. Douglass was devoted to the abolishment of slavery, speaking at numerous events around the world. When Lincoln was elected as president, Douglass spent the next four years challenging Lincoln’s policies. Douglass wanted nothing more than to push Lincoln towards a definite emancipation policy. When Douglass and Lincoln finally met, Douglass questioned Lincoln’s speed and indecisiveness in abolishing slavery. Lincoln …show more content…
Douglass stated, “for no man who knew Abraham Lincoln could hate him” (84). Douglass came to terms with and accepted the decisions Lincoln made towards the end of the speech. Douglass explained to his audience that “had he [Lincoln] put the abolition of slavery before the salvation of the Union, he would have inevitably driven from him a powerful class of the American people and rendered resistance to rebellion impossible.” (81). Lincoln was determined to save the union under the constitution, in order to soothe the public into accepting his efforts at abolishing slavery. Ultimately, he freed slaves all over the