Abolitionist Frederick Douglass on the death of Confederate General Robert E. Lee

Posted by Chuck Hobbs

Speech by Frederick Douglass - October 1870

“We can scarcely take up a newspaper… that is not filled with nauseating flatteries of the late Robert E. Lee… It would seem from this outpouring of sentiment that the South had lost all its rights in the rebellion, save the right to honor its chief...What was treason in 1861 is not treason in 1870. We are expected to join in the soft chant of adulation, to sing hosannas to the very men who trampled under foot the Constitution of their country, and waged war for the destruction of the Union and the perpetuation of slavery. While no man rejoices more than I do at the suppression of the late rebellion, I cannot join in this chorus of approbation. Robert E. Lee was a man of abilities, but abilities misdirected…The cause for which he fought and fell must be forever execrated, and the man, though possessing some virtues, must be classed with traitors and rebels to his Government. I cannot say now what I would not say then. As for his Christian virtues, if they have done anything for him in the sight of Heaven, let them be placed to his credit there. With the sword, he was the champion of a bad cause, and must be adjudged accordingly.”

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