This poem by abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison that appeared in the 1844 issue of the Anti Slavery Almanac reminded Americans that not everyone enjoyed the same freedom on Independence Day:
"Men like household goods or servile beasts
Are bought and sold, kidnapped and pirated;
Driven in droves e'en by the Capitol;
Then haul our striped and starry banner down;
Our cannon freight not; stop the noisy breath
Of heartless patriotism; be our praise unsung.
To-day we'll not disourse of British wrong,
Of valorous feats in arms by freemen bold,
Nor spit on kings, nor tauntingly call names;
But we will fall upon our bended knees,
And weep in bitterness of heart, and pray
Our God to save us from his gathering wrath;
We will no longer multiply our boasts
Of Liberty, till All are truly free."
"Men like household goods or servile beasts
Are bought and sold, kidnapped and pirated;
Driven in droves e'en by the Capitol;
Then haul our striped and starry banner down;
Our cannon freight not; stop the noisy breath
Of heartless patriotism; be our praise unsung.
To-day we'll not disourse of British wrong,
Of valorous feats in arms by freemen bold,
Nor spit on kings, nor tauntingly call names;
But we will fall upon our bended knees,
And weep in bitterness of heart, and pray
Our God to save us from his gathering wrath;
We will no longer multiply our boasts
Of Liberty, till All are truly free."
--W. L. Garrison
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