The grievances of which we complain, be assured, sir, are not imaginary, but real - not local, but universal - not occasional, but continual, everyday matter-of-fact things and have become, to the disgrace of our common country, matters of history.

I have only to speak for myself; to speak for freedom for myself; to determine for freedom for myself; and in doing so, I speak and determine for the freedom of every slave on every plantation, and for the fugitives on my right hand.

We need more radicalism among us before we can speak as becomes a suffering, oppressed, and persecuted people.

Color is made to obscure the brightest endowments, to degrade the fairest character, and to check the highest and most praiseworthy aspirations.

The time has gone by for colored people to talk of patriotism: . . . He used to be proud that his grandfather, on his mother's side, fought for liberty in the Revolutionary War. But that time had passed by.

This is the true joy of life: the being used up for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one; being a force of nature instead of a feverish, selfish little clot of ailments and grievances, complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy.