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Frederick Douglass on Immigration, Nationality, and Citizenship [1]

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Date: 2023-07-02

In 1867, Frederick Douglass, a former slave, an abolitionist, an orator and writer, and a spokesperson for civil rights for all Americans, addressed immigration to the United States and defined what it means to be an American. At the time, the national debate was over immigration from China and Douglass defended the right of Chinese to immigrate to the United States and become American. This speech is worth revisiting for July 4th. As I read the speech, I thought Frederick Douglass, speaking over 150 years ago, was somehow talking about today. I found the reference to Douglass’ speech in a New York Times column by Jamelle Bouie. It is a long speech so I only include excerpts here.

“I am especially to speak to you of the character and mission of the United States, with special reference to the question whether we are the better or the worse for being composed of different races of men . . . It is thought by many, and said by some, that this Republic has already seen its best days . . . A Government founded upon justice, and recognizing the equal rights of all men . . . is a standing offense . . . to some narrow and bigoted people among ourselves. To those who . . . think the few are made to rule, and many to serve; who put rank above brotherhood, and race above humanity . . . our Government is a mountain of sin, and, what is worse, its [sic] seems confirmed in its transgressions . . .”

“Of errors and defects we certainly have not less than our full share . . . Perfection is an object to be aimed at by all, but it is not an attribute of any form of Government . . . The real trouble with us was never our system or form of Government, or the principles underlying it; but the peculiar composition of our people, the relations existing between them and the compromising spirit which controlled the ruling power of the country. We have for along time hesitated to adopt and may yet refuse to adopt, and carry out, the only principle which can solve that difficulty and give peace, strength and security to the Republic, and that is the principle of absolute equality . . .”

“We are . . . the most conspicuous example of composite nationality in the world. Our people defy all the ethnological and logical classifications. In races we range all the way from black to white, with intermediate shades which, as in the apocalyptic vision, no man can name a number. In regard to creeds and faiths, the condition is no better, and no worse. Differences both as to race and to religion are evidently more likely to increase than to diminish . . .”

“Heretofore the policy of our government has been governed by race pride, rather than by wisdom. Until recently, neither the Indian nor the negro (sic) has been treated as a part of the body politic . . . Our treatment of the negro has slacked humanity, and filled the country with agitation and ill-feeling and brought the nation to the verge of ruin . . Southern gentlemen who led in the late rebellion, have not parted with their convictions at this point, any more than at others. They want to be independent of the negro. They believed in slavery and they believe in it still . . .”

“There are such things in the world as human rights. They rest upon no conventional foundation, but are external, universal, and indestructible. Among these, is the right of locomotion; the right of migration; the right which belongs to no particular race, but belongs alike to all and to all alike. It is the right you assert by staying here, and your fathers asserted by coming here . . . I have great respect for the blue eyed and light haired races of America . . .

But I reject the arrogant and scornful theory by which they would limit migratory rights, or any other essential human rights to themselves, and which would make them the owners of this great continent to the exclusion of all other races of men. I want a home here not only for the negro, the mulatto and the Latin races; but I want the Asiatic to find a home here in the United States, and feel at home here, both for his sake and for ours . . . It would be a sad reflection upon the laws of nature and upon the idea of justice, to say nothing of a common Creator, if four fifths of mankind were deprived of the rights of migration to make room for the one fifth . . .”

“All great qualities are never found in any one man or in any one race. The whole of humanity, like the whole of everything else, is ever greater than a part . . . If we would reach a degree of civilization higher and grander than any yet attained, we should welcome to our ample continent all nations, kindreds [sic] tongues and peoples . . . The outspread wings of the American eagle are broad enough to shelter all who are likely to come . . .”

“As a matter of selfish policy, leaving right and humanity out of the question, we cannot wisely pursue any other course. Other Governments mainly depend for security upon the sword; our depends mainly upon the friendship of its people . . . Its strength lies in their friendship and cheerful support in every time of need, and that policy is a mad one which would reduce the number of its friends by excluding those who would come, or by alienating those who are already here . . .”

“Our Republic is itself a strong argument in favor of composite nationality. It is no disparagement to Americans of English descent, to affirm that much of the wealth, leisure, culture, refinement and civilization of the country are due to the arm of the negro and the muscle of the Irishman. Without these and the wealth created by their sturdy toil, English civilization had still lingered this side of the Alleghanies [sic], and the wolf still be howling on their summits . . .”

“I am told that science is against me; that races are not all of one origin, and that the unity theory of human origin has been exploded . . . Man is man, the world over. This fact is affirmed and admitted in any effort to deny it. The sentiments we exhibit, whether love or hate, confidence or fear, respect or contempt, will always imply a like humanity. A smile or a tear has not nationality; joy and sorrow speak alike to all nations, and they, above all the confusion of tongues, proclaim the brotherhood of man.”

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[1] Url: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2023/7/2/2178944/-Frederick-Douglass-on-Immigration-Nationality-and-Citizenship

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