I recognize the Republican Party as the sheet anchor of the colored man's political hopes and the ark of his safety.

Fortune may crowd a man's life with fortunate circumstances and happy opportunities, but they will, as we all know, avail him nothing unless he makes a wise and vigorous use of them.

I didn't know I was a slave until I found out I couldn't do the things I wanted.

Every tone was a testimony against slavery, and a prayer to God for deliverance from chains.

Having despised us, it is not strange that Americans should seek to render us despicable; having enslaved us, it is natural that they should strive to prove us unfit for freedom; having denounced us as indolent, it is not strange that they should cripple our enterprises.

Despite of it all, the Negro remains... cool, strong, imperturbable, and cheerful.

Immense wealth, and its lavish expenditure, fill the great house with all that can please the eye, or tempt the taste. Here, appetite, not food, is the great desideratum.