But i fancy i hear some one of my audience say, “it is just in this circumstance that you and your brother abolitionists fail to make a favorable impression on the public mind. would you argue more, and denounce less; would you persuade more, and rebuke less; your cause would be much more likely to succeed.” but, i submit, where all is plain there is nothing to be argued. what point in the anti-slavery creed would you have me argue? on what branch of the subject do the people of this country need light? must i undertake to prove that the slave is a man? that point is conceded already. nobody doubts it. which statement best explains why this is an example of a counterclaim by douglass? douglass addresses a potential argument of the other side and makes a case against it. douglass addresses a potential argument of the other side and admits the point is solid. douglass makes a claim and offers facts to support it. douglass makes a claim and admits the flaws within it.