His active mind soon grasped the
meaning of "master" and "slave." While still a lad, longing for a
mother's care, he began to feel himself within the grasp of the curious
thing that he afterward learned to know as "slavery." As he grew older
in years and understanding, he came also to see what manner of man his
master was. He described Captain Anthony as a "sad man." At times he
was very gentle, and almost benevolent. But young Douglass was never
able to forget that this same kindly slave-holder had refused to
protect his cousin from a cruel beating by her overseer. The spectacle
he had witnessed, when this beautiful young slave was whipped, had made
a lasting and painful impression upon him. Vaguely he began to
recognize the outlines of the institution which at once permitted, and
to a certain degree made necessary, these cruelties. It was at this
point that he began to speculate on the origin and nature of slavery.
Meanwhile he became, in the course of his life on the plantation, the
witness of other scenes quite as harrowing, and the memory mingled with
his reflections, and embittered them.
During this time an event occurred which gave a new direction and a new
impetus to the thoughts and purposes slowly taking form within him.
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