Frederick Douglas
Frederick Douglas
affairs change character cities confined corners customs darkest darkness empires enjoyed evil fathers fence fourth hurtful intelligence intelligence-and-intellectuals itself knowledge link longer mental multitude nation nations oceans path privileged round shut slave social themselves time walked work
No nation can now shut itself up from the surrounding world, and trot round in the same old path of its fathers without interference. The time was when such could be done. Long established customs of hurtful character could formerly fence themselves in, and do their evil work with social impunity. Knowledge was then confined and enjoyed by the privileged few, and the multitude walked on in mental darkness. But a change has now come over the affairs of mankind. Walled cities and empires have become unfashionable. ... Intelligence is penetrating the darkest corners of the globe. Oceans no longer divide, but link nations together. ... What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?
american-author convincing time
At a time like this, scorching iron, not convincing argument, is needed.