• Home
  • Archive
  • Media Kit
  • Contact Us
  • May 9, 2025

The Madison Times

The Paper That's More Than Black and White

  • News
    • Local News
    • National News
    • International News
    • Sports News
    • Education News
  • Columns
    • Columnists
    • Editorials
    • Letters to the Editor
    • Life Lessons with Alex Gee
  • Events
  • Health
  • Finance
  • Lifestyle
  • Classifieds
  • Community
    • Middle Spread
  • Milwaukee
EXCEPT WHERE INDICATED, THE OPINIONS EXPRESSED ON THIS PAGE ARE NOT NECESSARILY THOSE OF THE MADISON TIMES

Share this:

  • Tweet
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Click to print (Opens in new window) Print

A Composite Nation: Then and Now

October 15, 2022

Legislatively Speaking

By Senator Lena C. Taylor

Lena C. Taylor

In 1867, Frederick Douglass used a debate about immigration to make the following point: “We are a country of all extremes, ends and opposites; the most conspicuous example of composite nationality in the world … In races we range all the way from black to white, with intermediate shades which, as in the apocalyptic vision, no man can name or number.”

Coming off the heels of slavery, Douglass’ words were like a cool salve on an open wound. They were also a part of a speech, that the well-known poet, recited as he traveled the country. Realizing the racial and ethnic divide that threatened the fragile democracy, Douglass wanted to impress upon the nation that the beauty of this country was based in her diversity.

In the second paragraph of the aforementioned speech, the formerly enslaved author wrote, “The simple organization of a people into a National body, composite or otherwise, is of itself and impressive fact. As an original proceeding, it marks the point of departure of a people, from the darkness and chaos of unbridled barbarism, to the wholesome restraints of public law and society. It implies a willing surrender and subjection of individual aims and ends, often narrow and selfish, in the broader and better ones that arise out of society as a whole. It is both a sign and a result of civilization.”

Douglass understood that, in order to move forward, America had to move as a unit. Individualism would need to be absorbed, in part, into nationalism or the collective good. The principles of our country were the thread that bound us and the ideals intended to shape our growth. Yet, Douglass was keenly aware of divisive elements in the burgeoning republic.

To illustrate that point, Frederick says in the speech, “To those who doubt and deny the preponderance of good over evil in human nature; who think the few are made to rule, and many to serve; who put rank above brotherhood, and race above humanity; who attach more importance to ancient forms than to the living realities of the present; who worship power in whatever hands it may be lodged and by whatever means it may have been obtained; our Government is a mountain of sin, and, what is worse, its [sic] seems confirmed in its transgressions.”

He further said, “One of the latest and most potent European prophets, one who has felt himself called upon for a special deliverance concerning us and our destiny as a nation, was the late Thomas Carlyle. He described us as rushing to ruin, not only with determined purpose, but with desperate velocity.”

Often these days, it has felt like Carlyle’s words have never rang more true. Partisan politics, distrust, and intentional misinformation, threaten our system of government. As we approach the November 8th elections, many of us are apprehensive or downright worried. With the January 6th insurrection still visible in the rear view mirror, many are wondering if peaceful transitions of power, in our elections, are a thing of the past.

In closing his speech, Douglas declared. “I close these remarks as I began. If our action shall be in accordance with the principles of justice, liberty, and perfect human equality, no eloquence can adequately portray the greatness and grandeur of the future of the Republic.” If we are to survive as a nation, we must realize that then and now, we are a composite nation. We are made of different racial and ethnic backgrounds, that when combined, makes us stronger than any individual group.

Share this:

  • Tweet
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Click to print (Opens in new window) Print

Popular Interests In This Article: Frederick Douglass, Legislatively Speaking, Lena C. Taylor, Thomas Carlyle

Read More - Related Articles

  • You Don’t Miss Your Water
  • Is Anyone Paying Attention?
  • Real Problems: Real Solutions
  • America’s Game: America’s Shame
  • Migrant Airdrops and Inhumane Bus Rides


Connect With Us

Become Our Fan On Facebook
Find Us On Facebook


Follow Us On Twitter
Follow Us On Twitter

Editorials

Karma Chavez
Amanda Zhang
Julianne Malveaux
Benjamin Chavis
George Curry

Journalists

Jacklin Bolduan
Brianna Rae
Aarushi Agni
Rob Franklin
Claire Miller

Topics

Brown Girl Green $
Young Gifted & Black
Universally Speaking
Ask Progress
Civil Rights

Topics

Police Shooting
Police Brutality
Black Lives Matter
NAACP
Racism

Politicians

Barack Obama
Hillary Clinton
Gwen Moore
Paul Soglin
Scott Walker

Contact Us

Phone:
414-449-4860

Copyright © 2025 Courier Communications. All Rights Reserved.
We use third-party advertising companies to serve ads when you visit our website. These companies may use information (not including your name, address, email address, or telephone number) about your visits to this and other websites in order to provide advertisements about goods and services of interest to you. If you would like more information about this practice and to know your choices about not having this information used by these companies, click here.