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Black Abolitionist Archive

Title: Frederick Douglass' Paper - August 25, 1854

Speaker or author: Watkins, William J.

Newspaper or publication: Frederick Douglass' Paper (1851 - 18??)

The writer asks the rhetorical question "Is color a constitutional disqualifier?" after relating the story of a fugitive slave being refused a passport while in a foreign country since he was black. The official of that country told him that since he was black he couldn't be considered a citizen of the U.S. He addresses the issue of citizenship in the U.S. and how this seems determined by race.

Description of file(s): one scanned, two columned, newspaper page

Subjects: Abolitionists--United States; African American abolitionists; Antislavery movements--United States; Civil rights; Slavery; United States--History--19th century

Keywords: Baltimore Sun; citizenship; Constitution; fugitive; government; human rights; soldiers; Washington

People: Jackson, Andrew

Publication type: editorials; Newspapers

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