In his day, Frederick Douglass was known as one of the world’s most powerful orators, a piercing voice of conscience in the slave debate.
On April 8, 1870, five years after the Civil War settled that debate, Douglass came to Allentown and addressed a capacity crowd in the Gold Courtroom at the Historic Lehigh County Courthouse.
The courtroom doesn’t look much different now than it did then. And on Nov. 8, it will welcome Douglass again, as portrayed by scholar and historical reenactor Darius Wallace.
The free program is sponsored by the Lehigh County Historical Society in cooperation with President Judge J. Brian Johnson and the Court of Common Pleas of Lehigh County.
It will start at 1 p.m. and last about an hour. That’s roughly half the duration of Douglass’s 1870 speech, “The Composite Nation,” in which he reflected on immigration — a major topic at the time because of the influx of Chinese workers who helped build the country’s railroads.
That speech was a paid affair, with tickets ranging from 50 to 75 cents.
“It was a packed courthouse,” said Jill Youngken, assistant director and chief curator of the historical society. “Standing-room only. Because he was such a national figure, people came to hear him and certainly valued what he had to say.”
Wallace, who has portrayed Douglass in movies and TED Talks, will deliver another speech that Douglass frequently offered, on the importance of “The Self Made Man.”
“It’s a very uplifting talk on how basically to be a good person,” Youngken said. “We thought it was very inspirational and something people would be very interested in.”
Douglass was born into slavery in Maryland in 1818. He escaped to the North in 1838 and became a leader of the abolitionist movement, gaining renown for his intellect and eloquence. He was also a vocal advocate for women’s rights.
In 1845, he published the first of his three autobiographies, “Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave.” It became a foundational document of the abolitionist cause.
News that he would visit Allentown generated considerable excitement.
“Crowded audiences everywhere throughout the United States have been listening with delight to his eloquent utterances,” a story in the Lehigh Valley Register newspaper said. “Tickets have been sold in large numbers and only a few remain. Everyone should hear him who has the opportunity.”
That same sentiment holds true today — Youngken suggested people get to the courthouse early because a good-sized crowd is expected. She predicted the performance will be especially moving.
The courthouse is at 503 W. Hamilton St.
Morning Call reporter Daniel Patrick Sheehan can be reached at 610-820-6598 or dsheehan@mcall.com
