Frederick Douglass delivered Lincoln reality check at Emancipation Memorial

[David Lockmiller]

(07-03-2020 12:12 PM)Steve Whitlock Wrote:  As for the "cherry pick" writer I mentioned, that refers to Stephanie Ramirez in the article I also posted. Everyone takes excerpts for sources, but I felt such excerpts in the Ramirez article may have unduly influenced readers who may not have read the Douglass oration.

I apologize, Steve; I did think that you might be referring to my post of the major latter portion of the Frederick Douglass speech.

It was almost as if Frederick Douglass were delivering a speech on the same subject to two different audiences, describing two different President Abraham Lincoln's.

My first post on this thread reads in part:

"In the era of the "1619 Project," is this article considered to be accurate and truthful reporting of American Civil War history and President Abraham Lincoln, in particular?

"Frederick Douglass delivered a Lincoln reality check at Emancipation Memorial unveiling" (story headline)

In the first part of the story, the reporter writes:

"Douglass, who had met Lincoln on several occasions at the White House, said that Lincoln was not a president for black people and that Lincoln’s motivation above all was to save the union, even if it meant keeping black people in bondage."

What is said with these words is true; however, what is not said with this sentence standing alone and concluding that President Lincoln was not "a president for black people" is the deceiving part.

Thank you, Roger, for your post #2 in response:

"In my opinion, on an overall basis, there is more positive in the speech than negative. This is especially true in the second half of the speech. David, I think the article you cited concentrates too much on the negative and generally ignores all the positive and praiseworthy things Douglass had to say about Abraham Lincoln."

I read the Frederick Douglass "second speech" made that same day (which I copied at post #3) and was amazed. Frederick Douglass corrected this distortion of truth in his "second speech" that same day to the same audience.

In my opinion, this "second speech" regarding the character and reputation of President Abraham Lincoln is the most commendable that I have ever read.

I prefaced my post #3 with the following statement:

The following is the second half of the Frederick Douglass speech on April 14, 1876 to which Roger makes reference. I agree with what Roger has said and I am also of the opinion that the following should have been Douglass's entire speech that day.

In short, those who support the "1619 Project" version of American history will only "cherry pick" quote from the first part Frederick Douglass's narration of April 14, 1876. The full truth regarding President Abraham Lincoln will not be told by the "Nikole Hannah-Jones" of this world; and even added perverse lies regarding the character and reputation of President Lincoln will be told as a means to an end.