Famous Speeches: Frederick

Douglass, "Men of Color, To Arms!"

By Original speech from the public domain, adapted by Newsela staff on 10.25.16
Word Count 810
Level 830L

A mural by William Edouard Scott depicts Frederick Douglass appealing to President Lincoln and his cabinet to enlist black
soldiers in the Union Army. Photo by: Library of Congress.

Editor's Note: During the first two years of the Civil War, black and white
abolitionists called on the government to free the slaves. At the same time, they
urged African-American men to join the Union Army. Frederick Douglass was a
leading black abolitionist. On March 2, 1863, he gave an important speech in
Rochester, New York. Titled “Men of Color, To Arms!” the speech came just three
months after President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation.

Lincoln's Proclamation ended slavery. However, it did not ensure full equality for
blacks. In his speech, Douglass urged African-American men to fight in the Civil
War. Fighting on the Union side would win blacks the complete freedom
the Emancipation Proclamation only promised, he said.

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"Liberty Won By White Men Would Taste Only Half As Sweet"

From the very beginnings of this great war I promised that the battle would not
be fought entirely by white men. Every terrible month since then has
strengthened that opinion. A war fought to keep colored men enslaved calls loudly
for colored men to help end it. The arm of the slave is the best weapon against the
arm of the slaveholder. Therefore, I have called again and again for the black man
to be unchained and allowed to fight. Slowly, that appeal is beginning to be heard,
and none too soon.

Liberty won by white men would taste only half as sweet. Who would be free
themselves must strike the blow. Better even die free, than to live slaves. This is
the feeling of every brave colored man among us. There are weak and cowardly
men in all nations. We have them among us. They tell you this is the "white man's
war." They say that you will be no "better off after than before the war," and that
the purpose of getting you into the army is to "sacrifice you on the first
opportunity." Believe them not. Cowards themselves, they do not wish to be
shamed by your brave example. Leave them to their fearfulness, or to whatever
reason may hold them back.

"This Is Your Hour And Mine"

This is your hour and mine. By every tie which binds you to your enslaved fellow-
countrymen, by every hope you have for the freedom and equality of yourselves
and your children, I urge you to fly to arms. Strike down the power that would
bury the government and your liberty in the same grave.

I wish I could tell you that the State of New York calls you to this high honor. For
the moment it is silent on the subject. It will speak by and by, and surely on the
right side. However, we do not need to wait. We can strike a blow for freedom
now through the State of Massachusetts. She was first in the War of
Independence, first to break the chains of her slaves, and first to make black men
equal before the law. She was first to answer with her blood the alarm cry of the
nation, when its capital was menaced by Southern rebels.

Massachusetts now welcomes you to arms as soldiers. She has but a small colored
population from which to draw. She has full leave of the general government to
send one regiment to the war, and she has undertaken to do it. Go quickly and
help fill up the first colored regiment from the North. You will receive the same
pay, the same food, the same equipment, and the same treatment given to the

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white soldiers. You will be led by able officers who will take special pride in your
success. They will be quick to give you all the honor your braveness deserves.
They will see that your rights and feelings are respected by other soldiers. All this
I promise you, for I have looked into the matter carefully.

"This Is Our Golden Opportunity"

Now is not the time for doubt. The day dawns and the morning star is bright upon
the horizon! The iron gate of our prison stands half open. One brave rush from the
North will fling it wide open, and 4 million of our Southern brothers and sisters
shall march out into liberty. You have been given a chance to end the enslavement
of centuries. Remember Denmark Vesey of Charleston. Remember Nathaniel
Turner of Southampton. Remember Shields Green and Copeland, who followed
noble John Brown, and gave their lives for the cause of the slave.

The case is before you. This is our golden opportunity. Let us accept it, and
forever wipe out the dark stain of slavery. Let us win for ourselves the gratitude of
our country, and the best blessings of future generations. This first regiment is
now in camp at Readville, a short distance from Boston. I will forward to Boston
all brave men who approach me within the next two weeks.

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