On Robert Burns and Scotland: An Address Delivered in Rochester, New York, on January 25, 1849
ON ROBERT BURNS AND SCOTLAND: AN ADDRESS DELIVERED IN ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, ON 25 JANUARY 1849
North Star, 2 February 1849.
Douglass, by special invitation, attended the Robert Burns Anniversary Festival in Rochester, New York, on 25 January 1849. Of the nearly three hundred people who attended the festival, more than two-thirds were native Scotsmen. The festival began at 8:00 PM. with a speech by Mr. Russell, the chairman of the meeting. Several individuals sang songs and an “amusing Scotch piece" was recited by Mr. McWilliams. After Mr. Sidey and Adam Elder spoke, Frederick Douglass was summoned to the podium. “J[ohn] D[ickJ,” who reported on the event for the North Star, felt that “the evening passed off pleasantly to all parties” and was especially pleased that “the absence of any beverage stronger than tea and coffee prevented the occurrence of any of those scenes that are the bane and the disgrace of social gatherings, in but too many instances, in the land of Burns.”
MR. CHAIRMAN: I regard it as a pleasure, not less than a privilege, to mingle my humble voice with the festivities of this occasion. Although I am not a Scotchman, nor the son of a Scotchman, (perhaps you will say “it needs no ghost to tell us that”) (a laugh), but if a warm love of Scotch character—a high appreciation of Scotch genius—constitute any of the qualities of a true Scotch heart, then indeed does a Scotch heart throb beneath these ribs. From my earliest acquaintance with Scotland, I have held that country in the highest admiration. As I travelled through that land two years since, and became acquainted with its people, and realized their warmth of heart, steadiness of purpose, and learned that every stream, hill, glen, and valley had been rendered classic by heroic deeds in behalf ofFreedom, that admiration was increased. That you may know that I have some appreciation of the genius of the bard whose birth-day you have met
to celebrate,1Robert Burns (1759-96), the farmer who became Scotland's most celebrated poet. DNB, 3:426-38. I went [on] a pilgrimage to see the cottage in which he was born; and had the pleasure of seeing and conversing with a sister of the noble poet to whose memory we have met to do honor.2Douglass and James Buffum visited Robert Burns's birthplace near Ayr, Scotland, on 23 March 1846, and while there visited for a spell with Burns's younger sister and her two daughters. Frederick Douglass to [n.n.], [c. 23 March 1846], New York Daily Tribune, 9 July 1846. The Daily Tribune incorrectly dates the letter 23 April 1846. 1 can truly say that it was one of the most gratifying visits I made during my stay in Scotland. I saw, or thought I saw, some lingering sparks in the eyes of this sister, that called to mind the fire that ever warmed the bosom of Burns. But, ladies and gentlemen, this is not a time for long speeches. I do not wish to detain you from the social pleasures that await you. I repeat again, that though I am not a Scotchman, and have a colored skin, I am proud to be among you this evening. And if any think me out of my place on this occasion (pointing at the picture of Burns), I beg that the blame may be laid at the door of him who taught me that “a man's a man for a’ that."3From the song, “For A' That and A' That" by Robert Burns:
What tho’ on hamely fare we dine,
Wear hodden-grey, and a' that;
Gie fools their silks, and knaves their wine,
A man's a man for a' that.
Smith, Complete Works of Robert Burns, 227. (Mr. D[ouglass] sat down amid loud cries of “go on!” from the audience.)