Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave

Name Class Date As you read think about why Douglass argued that former slaves should be given the right to vote. I have had but one idea for the last three years to present to the American people, and the phraseol- ogy in which I clothe it is the old abolition phrase- ology. I am for the ?immediate, unconditional, and universal? enfranchisement of the black man, in every State in the Union. Without this, his liberty is a mockery; without this, you might as well almost retain the old name of slavery for his condition; for in fact, if he is not the slave of the individual master, he is the slave of society, and holds his liberty as a privilege, not as a right. He is at the mercy of the mob, and has no means of protecting himself. . .