Note from the original file: This electronic book is being released at thistime to honor the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. [Born January 15, 1929][Officially celebrated January 20, 1992]
In the month of August, 1841, I attended an anti-slavery convention inNantucket, at which it was my happiness to become acquainted with FrederickDouglass, the writer of the following Narrative. He was a stranger tonearly every member of that body; but, having recently made his escape from thesouthern prison-house of bondage, and feeling his curiosity excited toascertain the principles and measures of the abolitionists,—of whom hehad heard a somewhat vague description while he was a slave,—he wasinduced to give his attendance, on the occasion alluded to, though at that timea resident in New Bedford.
Fortunate, most fortunate occurrence!—fortunate for the millions of hismanacled brethren, yet panting for deliverance from their awfulthraldom!—fortunate for the cause of negro emancipation, and of universalliberty!—fortunate for the land of his birth, which he has already doneso much to save and bless!—fortunate for a large circle of friends andacquaintances, whose sympathy and affection he has strongly secured by the manysufferings he has endured, by his virtuous traits of character, by hisever-abiding remembrance of those who are in bonds, as being bound withthem!—fortunate for the multitudes, in various parts of our republic,whose minds he has enlightened on the subject of slavery, and who have beenmelted to tears by his pathos, or roused to virtuous indignation by hisstirring eloquence against the enslavers of men!—fortunate for himself,as it at once brought him into the field of public usefulness, “gave theworld assurance of a MAN,” quickened the slumberingenergies of his soul, and consecrated him to the great work of breaking the rodof the oppress