* * * * *
I refer to the past not in malice, for this is no day for malice, but
simply to place more distinctly in front the gratifying and glorious
change which has come both to our white fellow citizens and ourselves
and to congratulate all upon the contrast between now and then, the new
dispensation of freedom with its thousand blessings to both races, and
the old dispensation of slavery with its ten thousand evils to both
races--white and black. In view, then, of the past, the present, and the
future, with the long and dark history of our bondage behind us, and
with liberty, progress and enlightenment before us, I again congratulate
you upon this auspicious day and hour. FREDERICK DOUGLASS.
From "Inauguration of the Freedmen's Memorial Monument to Abraham
Lincoln."
* * * * *
In all popular tumults the worst men bear the sway at first. Moderate
and good men are often silent for fear of modesty, who in good time may
declare themselves. Those who have any property to lose are sufficiently
alarmed already at the progress of these public violences and violations
to which every man's dwelling, person, and property are hourly exposed.
Numbers of such valuable men and good subjects are ready and willing to
declare themselves for the support of government in due time, if
government does not fling away its own authority. LORD MANSFIELD.