Baltimore & the Fifteenth Amendment, May 19, 1870
An Interactive Historical Investigation by David Troy © 1996
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Frederick Douglass spoke of gaining first the "cartridge box," and
then the "ballot box." Blacks generally felt that if they were to be asked
to defend the country, the country should give it the right to participate
in government as well. Take a good look at this double-sworded man, leading
a charge against a white man. This is a violent image, and one that suggests
an undercurrent of dislike for the white establishment -- particularly
democrats -- who would rather blacks did not participate in government
at all.
Inscription: "We will protect our country as it defends our rights." This could almost be rephrased as, "We will protect our country if it defends our rights." The figure pictured could easily be Martin Delany. |
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