United Secession Church, Abbey Close
The United Secession Church, (subsequently known as the United Presbyterian Church) stood opposite Paisley Abbey.
Unfortunately the church is no longer there, but part of the graveyard can still be seen (pictured to the right).
Quotes from Frederick Douglass' speech at the United Secession Church;
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'Slavery … must be regarded as one man holding property in another, …. A slave is one who is to all intents and purposes a marketable commodity – common goods and chattels.'
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'But there is a great deal more to be done; speak out with a loud voice, such as ye never spake before; let them know that they live by plunder, that the term slaveholder is synonymous with murderer and robber.'
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'Three millions of people are at this moment writhing under the tortures of the lash, weeping in bondage, clanking their chains, and calling upon Britons to aid them in their emancipation.'
Glossary
Marketable commodity – Something that can be bought and sold for profit.
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Synonymous – A word that has the same meaning as other words.
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Emancipation - To free from the power of another. In this case to free enslaved people from their slaveowners.