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Extract 5 Custer and Douglass
Frederick Douglas, speech to the Ohio Anti-Slavery society, 1863
The atrocities committed by the slavers, which occur just across the Ohio river in sight of this fair and free state are well-known to all of us here present, although the greater part of our fellow citizens seem disposed to feign ignorance of them. But I move now to reveal and denounce abuses against negroes every bit as grave and vile occurring within our own Union, carried out not only by the drivers of men who still infest Missouri, but by the United States cavalry. More than that, I will denounce a monster, a yellow-headed burner of men, killer of children, an enslaver of free negroes and the rogue who has subject coloured women to the most appalling and indecent torments. I speak of Brigadier General Custer, the butcher of Missouri…
…he must be cashiered and tried for these appalling crimes…
Statement attributed to Custer in the diaries of Phillip Sheridan.
Many of you gentlemen here know I am ambivalent on the question of slavery, but if the constitution and law of the United States mandate it, I will do my duty as a soldier to uphold it. That’s what I’ll tell you and anybody else who asks. But let me tell you another thing in private, if there are bands of armed niggers running about the place threatening honest white folk, I will hang them from a hickory tree. Constitution and law be damned! As for this uppity Mr Douglas, if it were not beneath my dignity to demand satisfaction of a negro, he would already be in whatever section of hell the devil reserves for his kind.
Newark Star Eagle: 3rd November 1863
Douglass causes riot in Newark
Last night’s address by Mr Frederick Douglass to the public meeting of the Newark Anti-Enslavement Society descended into scenes of wanton violence, as the negro orator’s harangue gravely provoked onlookers. In a speech of the upmost vehemence, Douglas decried the killings of negro rebels in Missouri, the continuation of slavery in the freely-associated states, and the alleged kidnappings of negroes for sale in the south. This last point greatly angered and aggravated the gathered multitude, as he made specific accusations of collusion in this practice by respected New Jersey citizens, even stooping to name persons of significance in politics, business and the law. Slander against the state of New Jersey is seldom well-received. It was at this point a group of Irishmen arrived armed with staves and their “shillayleys”, crying “Reinstate Custer!”, “sell the nigger on!” and “hang the black b_______!”, with a great consternation ensuing. In the disorder several abolitionists were injured and, although Mr Douglas escaped unharmed, two of their number, negroes both, remain unaccounted for. The Governor, when pressed for his views on the matter, suggested that public meetings of the abolitionists were not conducive to public order, and that where possible constables should act preemptively to prevent provocations which might lead to their descent into riot.