“WE NEED THE STORM…”


From the Independence Day speech by Frederick Douglass:

“At a time like this, SCORCHING IRONY, not convincing argument, is needed. Oh! had I the ability, and could I reach the nation’s ear, I would today pour out a fiery stream of biting RIDICULE, blasting REPROACH, withering SARCASM, and stern REBUKE. For it is not light that is needed, but FIRE; it is not the gentle shower, but THUNDER. WE NEED THE STORM, the WHIRLWIND, and the EARTHQUAKE. The feeling of the nation must be quickened; the conscience of the nation must be roused; the propriety of the nation must be startled; the hypocrisy of the nation must be exposed; and its crimes against God and man must be denounced.”