I have born 13 children and seen most all sold into slavery and when I cried out a mother's grief none but Jesus heard me...
Many of Sojourner's children were sold into slavery, however she felt that her voice was never heard by anyone except Jesus. This gives us the impression that Sojourner was religious and attempted to keep her faith through these dark and troubling times.
And ain't I a woman? I could work as much and eat as much as a man — when I could get to it — and bear the lash as well and ain't I a woman?
Sojourner tells us here that she is equivalent to a man, she is capable of doing the same things or accomplishing task that they do. She basically states that what the slave owners are doing to her are unjust.
Then that little man in black there, he says women can’t have as much rights as men, because Christ wasn’t a woman! Where did your Christ come from? From God and a woman! Man had nothing to do with Him….
This is a very powerful sentence that made me stop and read it again. Sojourner is refering to Eve in this context. One can see her frustration when the man says that women can't have as much rights as men, because Christ wasn't a woman. Let that sink in for a minute, how would you feel if you were in her position?
And aren’t I a woman?
Sojourner uses this alot of repetition in her speech that puts emphasis to the words, perhaps even a larger meaning. This rhetorical question is just one way that she gets the reader to think about her or put themselves in her shoes.
she dedicated her life to abolition and equal rights for women and men.
Sojourner Truth fought emensley for equal rights. She was born into slavery and was determined to abolish it or at least in this case make a strong point. She did this through her famous speech.
The character inherent in the American people has done all that has been accomplished; and it would have done somewhat more, if the government had not sometimes got in its way. For government is an expedient by which men would fain succeed in letting one another alone; and, as has been said, when it is most expedient, the governed are most let alone by it.
Henry David Thoreau states that the United States government has gotten in the way of the American people. He says that it has been difficult for American people to become more successful while being independent at the same time without the interference of the government. Thoreau discusses these problems more in-depth throughout the passage.
ecclesiastical
According to merriam-webster dictionary, the term "ecclesiastical" is best defined as "of or relating to a church especially". Douglass used this term to describe how churches among other other religous institutions are utilizing their powers wrongfully against many slaves.
infidelity
As merriam-webster states, the term "infidelity" means a "lack of belief in a religion". Douglass uses this term to describe the United States, more so the slave owners, who would disapprove any slave who believed in any type of religion. Douglass mentions that it is a problem that needs to be addressed.
There is consolation in the thought that America is young. Great streams are not easily turned from channels, worn deep in the course of ages. They may sometimes rise in quiet and stately majesty, and inundate the land, refreshing and fertilizing the earth with their mysterious properties. They may also rise in wrath and fury, and bear away, on their angry waves, the accumulated wealth of years of toil and hardship. They, however, gradually flow back to the same old channel, and flow on as serenely as ever. But, while the river may not be turned aside, it may dry up, and leave nothing behind but the withered branch, and the unsightly rock, to howl in the abyss-sweeping wind, the sad tale of departed glory. As with rivers so with nations.
Douglass refers to a metaphorical comparison between the United States and a river. After reading this passage, we can see that he was trying to say that America has changed much over time just like the current of the water in a river. Douglass says that America is young and that a change is needed but it won't be easy.
exordium
According to merriam-webster dictionary, the word "exordium" means a beginning or introduction especially to a discourse or composition. This is represented in the passage by Douglass telling the reader that he has not prepared a highly enthusiastic or interestering introduction to his speech or letter.