"But it is answered in reply to all this, that precisely what I have now denounced is, in fact, guaranteed and sanctioned by the Constitution of the United States; that the right to hold and to hunt slaves is a part of that Constitution framed by the illustrious Fathers of this Republic.
Then, I dare to affirm, notwithstanding all I have said before, your fathers stooped, basely stooped
To palter with us in a double sense:
And keep the word of promise to the ear,
But break it to the heart.
And instead of being the honest men I have before declared them to be, they were the veriest impostors that ever practiced on mankind" Frederick Douglass "What to the slave is the fourth of July"
When opening this piece Douglass began by praising the founding fathers for creating a nation with just and fair laws. Laws that created a country where all could find equality. He continues to praise them (while discussing the fugitive slave act) up until this part where he unveils the truth behind their actions. He makes it clear the the writers of the constitution worded it in such a way to make sure that slavery would remain legal. Jefferson one of the most well know founders had a plantation with a plethora of slaves. Because of this it would have obviously been in his self interest to write the legality of their ownership into the countries founding documents. Douglass calls men like Jefferson impostors because they put on a mask that they are working for the good of man kind while they are really just looking out for their own interests. This analysis fits well with today's politicians many of whom if not most run for office under the facade of improving the well being of Americans when they are really just seeking to fill their pockets.
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