ambition. brian: as tough as abraham lincoln's first years were. frederick douglass had it worse. he had to escape to it will his freedom. he would want freedom for himself and freedom for all. once freed from bondage he would continue self-education. esteemed be a littlist. write biography and be a lecturer around the world. >> as flawed as american was for the african-american. he didn't want another country. he wanted to make his stand here. almost in biblical terms. he saw the promise of america which is hard to do when you are being beaten. so douglas' gift was he never left the slave owners own him. brian: began to rise in stature miles apart. america was coming apart. >> north and south were divergent on the issue of slavery. the status quo would not stand. paving the way for the ener