If the government is not protecting its citizen's liabilities, and lives or is even harming them, then the citizen can change it or abolish it completely. Although it continues to state that however people, for reasons of practicality, will not turn over the government's systems for "light and transient causes." In Frederick's eyes, this was more than a light cause. The government was not protecting the slaves, and even worse, they were hurting them by not helping them. Frederick, after reading this declaration, disassociated himself from this "glorious anniversary." "The rich inheritance of justice, liberty, prosperity, and independence, bequeathed by your fathers, is shared by you, not by me." Frederick did not consider The Forth of July a holiday for him to celebrate or even to take part in because it made a mockery of his race and of himself. I think Douglas was very discouraged after reading this document under the conditions he was living as a slave. How could his own government make a statement so bold, and then not follow through on it. He sees that the country, which he lives, believes in this document, and yet he is still treated like an animal. Thomas Jefferson, a president and former slaveholder, signs and agrees with this document, but this confuses Frederick. How can a man own slaves and at one point, and then sign this document that declares freedom and equality to Americans? He comes to the conclusion that blacks are not considered to be Americans or even human beings for that matter, and that the Forth of July celebration to him reveals the "gross injustice and cruelty to which he is the constant victim." .
The Constitution, on the other hand, was a document that he read during his life. This was written and ratified by the end of 1791.