Frederick Douglas

Frederick Douglass starts out in his speech describing the awkwardness he feels presenting this invocation. He's very nervous talking in front of this particular crowd and though his appearance may not show it, he is uneasy. Douglass has spoken in Corinthian Hall numerous times, but for some reason he cannot erase his anxiety. Absolutely nothing can prevent him from the embarrassment escalating inside of him. He then goes into his past and how fortunate he is to be here in their presence. Being a slave on a plantation far from the platform for which he is standing on now, he is very lucky to have overcome the difficulties and struggles. He is surprised he's at where he is now. Getting deeper into his speech, he talks a lot about America and its history. America is still young and has time to form and take its path of destiny. Americans were under British's rule where they imposed restraints, burdens, and limitations on America. The Americans, unhappy, stood up against the strong oppressor and claimed the English was unjust, unreasonable, and oppressive. They went against the English and fought for better treatment. They protested, petitioned, and did anything else they could to change the harsh handlings. All the oppression began to make the men mad, which led them to the idea of separating of the colonies from the crown. On July 2nd, the Continental Congress came up with the formal resolution called the Declaration of Independence. Two days later, the Americans were free of British rule. They became their own nation and gained total freedom. He then goes into the Declaration of Independence, stating, "It's the ring-bolt to the chain of nation's destiny." Douglass says they must follow and be true to the Declaration of Independence. America then begins to form into a nation. It started out crowded, yet scattered, weak, and poor, and undeveloped. It had no electricity, transportation, or communication. America was unorganized in the defense department; however, they were still able to gain freedom. Frederick Douglass then, talks about the men that signed the Declaration of Independence. They were heroes, patriots, and statesmen. "These men built the corner-stone of the national superstructure, which has risen and still rises." After talking about the founders of the Declaration of Independence, he then goes into the topic everyone is wondering. Why he was picked to