The good is oft interred with their bones." (Frederick Douglass, from "The Meaning of July Fourth for the Negro)
The beginning of Douglass's speech is dedicated to praising America for all of the good things it has done. At this point in the speech, Douglass is humble. He told the audience that "He who could address this audience without a quailing sensation, has stronger nerves than I have. ....A feeling has crept over me quite ungavorable to the exercise of my limited powers of speech" (Douglass 2108). He tells the group that has gathered to listen to him speak that he is nervous and does not trust himself to speak to such an audience, thus gaining sympathy from the audience. He continues in the beginning of his speech to invoke national pride. He prides the nation for its work in escaping from Britain, for standing up for what they believed in a time when this was very dangerous. He gives recognition to the men who drafted and signed the Declaration of Independence. Douglass said that "The freedom gained is yours; and you, therefore, may properly celebrate this anniversary" (Douglass 2111).
"The freedom gained is yours" Douglass said. It is implied in this statement that Douglass is not included in this celebration. This leads to the middle of his speech, where Douglass condemns the practice of slavery. He shames the United States, as they fail to live up to their ideals. Douglass questions the validity of American principles, as they are not extended to the all of the nation's citizens. He said that "The rich inheritance of justice, liberty, prosperity and independence, bequeathed by your fathers, is shared by you, not by me" (Douglass 2114). He also said that "the character and conduct of this nation never looked blacker to me than on this 4th of July......America is false to the past, false to the present, and solemnly binds herself to be false to the future" (Douglass 2115). Douglass is saying that America will never live up to its standards as long as she continues to oppress her citizens, as long as she allows slavery to continue. Douglass warns his audience what will happen if slavery is not abolished: "Oh! be warned! be warned! a horrible reptile is coiled up in your nation's bosom; the venomous creature is nursing at the tender breast of your youthful republic; for the love of God, tear away, and fling form you the hideous monster, and let the weight of twenty millions crush and destroy it forever!" (Douglass 2124).
In the end of his speech, Douglass expresses hope that the nation will soon be able to rid itself of this "venomous creature." He said that "While drawing encouragement from "the Declaration of Independence," the great principle it contains, and the genius of American Institutions, my spirit is also cheered by the obvious tendencies of the age" (Douglass 2126). He is making reference to the fact that the nation is young, a mere 76 years old, and therefore would be adaptable to change. He concludes his speech with a poem written by William Lloyd Garrison. The poem is anti-slavery and promotes the concept that everyone should be equal. It encourages a speedy track to the day when this will be so.
It is clear that Douglass was very effective in expressign his opinion in this speech. He used his intellect to draw his audience in, praising their nation. Once they felt a respect for him, Douglass shifted the tone of his speech, criticizing the instituion of slavery in the United States. He then proceeded to leave his audience with a feeling of hope, that the United States will be able to adapt and abolish slavery. It is with this type of intellect that Douglass was able to influence the abolition movement and the right for individual freedoms.