Answer:
Step-by-step explanation:
When Frederick Douglass says "the penalty of telling the truth" he is referring to the punishment or consequences that he and other abolitionists faced for speaking out against slavery and advocating for the freedom of enslaved people.
During Douglass's time, speaking out against slavery was a dangerous act, as it challenged the social, economic, and political systems that relied on the exploitation and oppression of Black people. By speaking the truth about the horrors of slavery and the need for its abolition, Douglass and other abolitionists were challenging the status quo and threatening the power and interests of those who benefitted from slavery.
Douglass himself faced numerous penalties for telling the truth about slavery. He was beaten, imprisoned, and threatened with violence and death. He was also subject to harassment, censorship, and defamation by those who opposed his views. Despite these penalties, Douglass continued to speak out against slavery and advocate for the rights and freedoms of Black people, believing that it was his duty, to tell the truth and fight for justice.
In short, the "penalty of telling the truth" refers to the risks and consequences that come with speaking out against social injustice, particularly when doing so challenges the interests and power of those in positions of authority.