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Quote#Politics & Power

Each colored voter of the state should say in scripture phrase, 'may…

Quote byFrederick Douglass · 1818–1895

Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: The Lesson of Emancipation to the New York Generation (1880), "The Lesson of Emancipation to the New York Generation: An Address Delivered in Elmira, New York" (3 August 1880), as quoted in The Frederick Douglass Papers, Volume 4, p. 581. Douglass is referring to Psalm 137:5-6..

English (original)

Each colored voter of the state should say in scripture phrase, 'may my hand forget its cunning and my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth' if ever I raise my voice or give my vote to the nominee of the Democratic Party.

— Frederick Douglass

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