On this day in history, June 19, 1888, political activist Frederick Douglass delivered a speech at the National Republican Convention in Chicago.
Douglass reminded republican elected officials, and delegates, that they should fight for the rights of black Civil War veterans. Black veterans were still denied the right to vote in southern states.
During his speech Douglass said, “When your army was melting away before the fire and pestilence of rebellion, when your star-spangled banner trailed in the dust heavy with blood, you called the Negro. And he came 200,000 strong!”
“Let us remember that these brave black men are now stripped of their right to vote. Do not leave them to wade through blood to the ballot box. Make their pathway to the ballot box as smooth and safe as that of any class of citizens.”
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