If John Brown did not end the war that ended slavery, he did at least begin the war that ended slavery.… Until this blow was struck, the prospect for freedom was dim, shadowy and uncertain. The irrepressible conflict was one of words, votes and compromises.… When John Brown stretched forth his arm the sky was cleared. The time for compromises was gone — the armed hosts of freedom stood face to face over the chasm of a broken Union — and the clash of arms was at hand.
Frederick Douglass (May 30, 1881).
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Frederick Douglass
