Mar 27, 2014 - Sale 2342

Sale 2342 - Lot 50

Price Realized: $ 6,500
?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price
Estimate: $ 3,000 - $ 5,000
"WE HAVE NOT YET FORGIVEN HAITI FOR BEING BLACK" (SLAVERY AND ABOLITION.) DOUGLASS, FREDERICK. Lecture on Haiti. The Haitian Pavilion. Dedication Ceremonies Delivered at the World's Fair in Jackson Park, Chicago, Jan. 2d 1893. 57 pages. Crown 8vo, original glazed gray wrappers, decoratively printed in black and red. (Chicago: Violet Agents Supply Co., 1893)

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first and only printing, rare. "The following lecture on Haiti was delivered in America for the purpose of demonstrating the fact to the United States that the Haitians are people like ourselves; that what they have gained they will maintain; that whatever concessions may be asked by man, woman or child, if not conflicting with the constitution of their country, they will without hesitation grant. The fact that their skin is dark and that what supremacy they now have was gained by bloodshed, is no reason why they should be looked upon and treated as though they were unable to comprehend those things, which are to their best interests" From the Preface. Frederick Douglass had been the American Minister to Haiti (1889-1891). Here, before a mostly black audience of 1500, Douglass makes a strong case for Haitian statehood. Even though the Haitian Revolution was nearly a century old, white Americans were fixated on the blood shed for her independence. Douglass: "But a deeper reason for coolness between the countries is this: Haiti is black, and we have not yet forgiven Haiti for being black [applause] or forgiven the Almighty for making her black. [Applause.] In this enlightened act of repentance and forgiveness, our boasted civilization is far behind all other nations. [Applause.] In every other country on the globe a citizen of Haiti is sure of civil treatment. [Applause.] In every other nation his manhood is recognized and respected. [Applause.] Wherever any man can go, he can go. [Applause.] He is not repulsed, excluded or insulted because of his color. [Applause.]" In 1893, however the idea of a black "state" did not sit well with a nation that claimed to have a "Negro Problem," and in fact not all Haitians wanted to be part of the United States. oclc locates only one copy.