Why is the Negro
Lynched?
BY THE LATE
FREDERICK DOUGLASS.
Reprinted by permission from “The A.M.E. Church
Review” for Memorial Distribution, by a few
of his English friends.
BRIDGWATER:
PRINTED BY JOHN WHITBY AND SONS, LIMITED.
1895.
We have felt that the most fitting tribute thatwe, of the Anti-Caste movement, can pay to thememory of this noble and faithful life is to issuebroadcast—as far as the means entrusted to us willallow—his last great appeal for justice (utteredthrough the pages of “The A.M.E. Church Review”only a few months before his death). A slanderouscharge against Negro morality has gone forththroughout the world and has been widely credited.The white American has had his say both Northand South. On behalf of the accused, FrederickDouglass claims, in the name of justice, to beheard.
Copies can be obtained free from the Editor of “Anti-Caste,”Street, Somerset, England.
Why is the Negro Lynched?
(“The Lesson of the Hour.”)
BY THE LATE
FREDERICK DOUGLASS.
Reprinted by permission from the “A.M.E. Church Review.”
I.
THE AFRO-AMERICAN PEOPLE INDICTED ON A NEW CHARGE.INTRODUCTORY—THE WRITER’S CLAIM TO BE HEARD.[A]
I PROPOSE to give you a coloured man’s view of theso-called “Negro Problem.” We have had theSouthern white man’s view of this subject at large inthe press, in the pulpit and on the platform. He hasspoken in the pride of his power and to willing ears.Coloured by his peculiar environments, his version hasbeen presented with abundant repetition, with startlingemphasis, and with every advantage to his side of thequestion. We have also had the Northern white man’sview of the subject, tempered by his distance from thescene and by his different, if not his higher, civilization.
This quality and quantity of evidence, may be consideredby some men as all sufficient upon which to foundan intelligent judgment of the whole matter in controversy,and, therefore, it may be thought my testimonyis not needed. But experience has taught us that it issometimes wise and necessary to have more than twowitnesses to bring out the whole truth. Especially is thisthe case where one of such witnesses has a powerfulmotive for suppressing or distorting the facts, as in thiscase. I therefore insist upon my right to take the witnessstand and give my version of this Southern question, andthough it shall widely differ from that of both the[2]North and South, I shall submit the same to the candidjudgment of all who hear me in full confidence that it willbe received as true, by honest men and women of bothsections of this Republic.
There is one thing, however, in which I think we mustall agree at the start. It is that this so-called but mis-calledNegro problem is one of the most important andurgent subjects that can now engage public attention. Itssolution is, and ought to be, the serious business of thebest American wisdom and statesmanship. For itinvolves the honour or dishonour, the glory or shame, thehappiness or misery, of the whole American people. Itnot only touches the good name