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Fallen london a disgraceful spectacle5/23/2023 This, to you, is what the Passover was to the emancipated people of God. It is the birthday of your National Independence, and of your political freedom. This, for the purpose of this celebration, is the 4th of July. With little experience and with less learning, I have been able to throw my thoughts hastily and imperfectly together and trusting to your patient and generous indulgence, I will proceed to lay them before you. I evince no elaborate preparation, nor grace my speech with any high sounding exordium. You will not, therefore, be surprised, if in what I have to say. That I am here to-day is, to me, a matter of astonishment as well as of gratitude. The fact is, ladies and gentlemen, the distance between this platform and the slave plantation, from which I escaped, is considerable-and the difficulties to be overcome in getting from the latter to the former, are by no means slight. But neither their familiar faces, nor the perfect gage I think I have of Corinthian Hall, seems to free me from embarrassment. This certainly sounds large, and out of the common way, for it is true that I have often had the privilege to speak in this beautiful Hall, and to address many who now honor me with their presence. The papers and placards say, that I am to deliver a 4th July oration. The little experience I have had in addressing public meetings, in country schoolhouses, avails me nothing on the present occasion. Should I seem at ease, my appearance would much misrepresent me. I trust, however, that mine will not be so considered. I know that apologies of this sort are generally considered flat and unmeaning. The task before me is one which requires much previous thought and study for its proper performance. A feeling has crept over me, quite unfavorable to the exercise of my limited powers of speech. I do not remember ever to have appeared as a speaker before any assembly more shrinkingly, nor with greater distrust of my ability, than I do this day. He who could address this audience without a quailing sensation, has stronger nerves than I have. Oration, Delivered in Corinthian Hall, Rochester Transcript for: Oration, Delivered in Corinthian Hall
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