Frederick Douglass in Brooklyn by Frederick Douglass & Theodore Hamm

Author:Frederick Douglass & Theodore Hamm
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: ebook, book
Publisher: Akashic Books
Published: 2014-02-06T05:00:00+00:00

At the conclusion of his remarks, a large number of [Douglass’s] admirers clustered round him of the platform to testify their delight in seeing and hearing him. Congratulations and hand-shaking were the order of the day. One lady testified her appreciation in the most unmistakable manner by a hearty kiss, publicly administered, which the venerable orator took without blushing.

*

Our reporter runs the risk of being accused of telling tales out of school in noticing the fact that at the close of Fred. Douglass’ lecture, at Plymouth Church, last evening, a white woman, in the exuberance of her admiration for the colored orator, forced upon him a high token of appreciation, in a chaste, Platonic kiss. The reporter dryly adds that the fortunate black man received the salutation “without blushing.” We presume that the blood of the spectators was equally undisturbed.

The ridiculous prejudice against color is fast giving way, but we protest in advance against any undue partiality to the colored rivals for feminine favor. How many white men, we would like to know, have been rewarded for their oratorical efforts at Plymouth Church with favors like that accorded to Douglass? Mr. Tilton’s millennium—when the warm blood of the darkey will render at least tepid that of the New Englander—may be nearer than is imagined. But who was the heroic lady that last night gave so public a mark of her freedom from antiquated prejudice? Was she a married lady and was her husband by; or was she a spinster of uncertain age, and willing to do the best she could? Mr. Tilton ought to make inquiries on the subject. Surely there is a place in a historic picture for the woman who stretched out not only her hand, but offered her lips to the representative darkey. “How it smells—pah!”

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