Collected Articles of Frederick Douglas, a Slave

The first entry is about his escape from slavery. He talks about the severe danger those underwent who helped slaves escape to the North, and how the punishment of death could even be given for such aid. Apparently freemen carried certain identifying papers that they would have to produce upon demand and renew from time to time. Sailors also carried somewhat similar papers, so he was able to get those from a friend, dress in sailor clothes and get on a train leaving Maryland. The story of his escape is really exciting, very daring and challenging.

He eventually ended up in Massachusetts where he found out that the North was not what he expected it to be; in fact, it was much better than he expected. There was still a good deal of prejudice there, though, he found out.

The second article is entitled Reconstruction.

'Whatever may be tolerated in monarchical and despotic governments, no republic is safe that tolerates a privileged class, or denies to any of its citizens equal rights and equal means to maintain them.'

'War begins where reason ends.'

He also writes about what that particular Congress should be doing in regards to Reconstruction in the South.

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