Verite to Frederick Douglass, December 30, 1857

Letter from our Chicago Correspondent.

CHICAGO, Dec, 30th 1857.

FRIEND DOUGLASS.—Our esteemed friend Wagoner, met with a serious mishap on Monday last, which will subject him to a loss of from five hundred to a thousand dollars. It seems, that through the carelessness of some of the operators in his Factory, a large fire was made un[illegible] the boiler, without seeing that a supply of water was in the same, the consequence was, that the flues and boiler become so much injured that a new one will have to be put in, this with the loss of time, will fall heavily on him which you as well as all who know our Friend will regret.

I am not one of those who look to God to do work that we ought to do ourselves; but in doing the work we should not forget HIs power and goodness. Most of the States have observed a day in thanksgiving and prayer to almighty god for his Providence during the year; even the Slave States have done so. Now would it not be meet for the Abolitionists throughout the land, to set apart some day to render thanks and prayers to our Heavenly Father for his Manifold Blessings, vouchsafed to us during the year 1857 and to offer renewed petitions to the throne of Grace for a continuance and increase of his favors, to ask his direct interfearance, in behalf of that part of His people, who yet are [illegible], and suffering under the yoke of Bondage.

I think the commencement of the New Year is the proper time for us to give thanks for our happiness through the old. And if the acknowledged leaders of the Abolition party would have a day in January, or February, it would be generally observed, I have no doubt. Do give it a thought.

The poor Slave is preached to always from one Text; OBEY YOUR MASTER AND GREAT SHALL BE YOUR REWARD IN HEAVEN, this is the Teachings of those who claim to be the followers of the Lowly Jesus. What Blasphemy! oh Hypocrites! The slave holding demon is named in the Text, as the Saviour of Mankind. How rejoiced must be the Devil himself to see his works thus progressing, so many, who for their false Teachings forfits their entry into Heaven, while those who are thus instructed, will in many cases I fear be debarred of Heavenly Grace. But oh! God instruct the poor slave, and hold him not responsible for the iniquities of the oppressor. I think it a duty we owe to God, to the Slave, and to ourselves, to do all we can, to ameliorate the condition of the Slave, and all who are oppressed, let none say I can do nothing. I have done all

I can; or I have done enough, but let us say we will do all we can, for it is a truth, that as long as we submit tamely and submissively, to the enslaving of our people; just so long will we be despised by God, and all good men, let all do something, I am willing to contribute my feeble efforts to the cause, with my pen and purse, and I do not think I have a right to do less, there are those who can speak their thoughts, and it is their duty to do so. Let us get up petitions to Congress, in the halls of which thank God the spirit of John Q. Adams still hovers, petition the State Legislatures; organize societies, discontinue our hatred of Foreigners; support Douglass paper; make the cause of the oppressed one common cause, and with all and above all let us be united.

Speaking of the Foreigner, is it strange or should we wonder at his course toward the black man? He arrives at our shores, and the first information that he gets it that the American people will not respect him if he does not discountenance the black man, that the true friends of the Foreigner belong to a party called the Democratic party, and the Know Nothing party and the Republican party, are one and the same thing, and are composed of his enemies, and the friends of the negro, so far as to change places between him and the Foreigner, this is a true picture which has been told me often by Honest Foreigners. It is our duty to try and diffuse the minds of the Foreigner, [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] him squarely; and try to convince him that we entertain no ill will towards him. Why should we think more of a native than a foreigner? What has the native white man, does for the native black man? nothing! what has be done against him? He has denied that he as a man; which is enough, without ennumerating the wrongs upon wrongs, from the foundation of the government. I have lengthened this letter beyond my first intention but pardon me this time for when I commence writing of the wrongs of our people 'tis hard to make a limit. Let me know what you think of the suggestion of a thanksgiving. I see Friend Watkins has been hard at work well may god bless him,

I am for the cause,

Yours Truely,

VERITE.