“But the real pioneer in America was old John Brown,” he said. There was no cheer this time. They bowed their head and the golden voice was like a prayer.
“He struck the sublimest blow of the age for freedom. It was said of him that he stepped from the gallows to the throne of God. It was said that he had made the scaffold to Liberty what Christ had made the cross to Christianity.”
They wept softly. Douglass, his hands clenched, lost himself in memories. When he heard the voice again it was ringing.
“In reconstructing the Southern states ... we prefer loyal blacks to disloyal whites.... Today I am in favor of giving the Negro every right that I claim for myself.
“We must be for freedom everywhere. Freedom is progress—slavery is desolation and want; freedom invents, slavery forgets. Freedom believes in education; the salvation of slavery is ignorance.
“The South has always dreaded the alphabet. They looked upon each letter as an Abolitionist, and well they might.” There was laughter.
“If, in the future, the wheel of fortune should take a turn, and you should in any country have white men in your power, I pray you not to execute the villainy we have taught you.” The old Hall was still. Ingersoll was drawing to a close. “... Stand for each other and above all stand for liberty the world over—for all men.”[28]
Douglass slipped out. He heard the thunder of applause. It filled the winter night as he hurried away. He walked for a long time down the unfamiliar streets, the snow crunching under his feet, but he did not feel the cold. His blood raced through his veins, his brain was on fire, his heart sang.
He had seen a shining angel brandishing his sword.
He had also found a friend. He would clasp Ingersoll’s hand in his maturity, as the young Douglass had clasped the hands of William Lloyd Garrison and John Brown.