A Republican to Frederick Douglass, March 10, 1856

COMMUNIPAW'S "HOROSCOPE."

It is a very natural presumtion, that when men or women write for publication, they must feel a curiosity, to know the opinion of others on their productions. I beg leave to state the sensationsproduced on my mind, in perusing the communication,signed "Communipaw" in your last. While flattering ourselves that the cause of freedomwas advancing, in view of the fact that its advocates could now be allowed to meet and be heard where once no such priviledge was allowed,that in the election of Mr. Banks for Speaker, we thought we saw the triumph of a principle favoring the cause so long dear to the heart—we are told by somebody "frozen up in the flats," that this was in reality a contestfor the Presidency. Communipaw speaks about "Whigs, with a little charcoal smeared over their faces." (Some a la Africa in that idea.) "Billy Seward." How classic! How refined! He speaks of "Greeley." How friendly! "Want of reticence!" I don't find that word in my dictionary; so I cannot tell what it means, unless it does mean that some men are doing all they can for the good of their fellow men, and others, perhaps those they are working for, are "frozen up in the flats." "A couple of wary and experienced politicians have sett their trap," &c. This, to some, may appear beautiful and chaste; but to me, who has some acquaintance with one of the parties, and know how both have been insulted and abused for advocating the cause of the oppressed—such a sentiment comes with an ill grace from one of that class. "I, Horace Greeley." I, Communipaw,"frozen up in the flats." And why frozen up in the flats, abusing your best friends? Why are you not at "work?" I don't know if you are lame or deaf; but there is one thing I think I know—you have found out, you think, that neither Seward nor Greeleyis fitted to advance the cause of Human Freedom. What a penetration of intellect is here! I would ask, who, then, should lead the Hosts to Battle? I ask your pardon—I did not catch the Idea at first; you mentally exclaim, COMMUNIPAW! Hail to the Chief!

Now to be serious, Mr. Communipaw; you have couched more insult and slander in your communication, though not very lengthy, than ever came from the mouth, or issued from the pen of Wm. H. Seward in all his life. If Wm. H. Seward or Horace Greeley wanted evidence to show the inferiority of the African Race, I would hand him your communication. You are making but poor headway in public estimation by stabbing the reputation of your friends.— You may think you have a right. We will not question any man's right to make a fool of himself; but we think that a man whose house was on fire—would not act wisely to stand off and abuse those who were laboring to save his property, because they might not think exactly as he did. If "Billy Seward"—(how familiar we are!) has given you his views on this subject of the Presidency, it surely was not handsome in you to send them out into the world so soon, and mayhap without advice. The tone of that bell sounds of the Lodge; they cry our against foreigners, against Catholics—but this Band of Union is hatred to Wm. H. Seward; his name is like a red flag pointed at a turkey—it's very exciting—very.— You, and not you alone, are very sensitive because it has sometimes been intimated that there was a want, of exalted intellect,—or, in other words, an inferiority in the African race. Now, if that is the sentiment, how can you help it? By showing how you can abuse such a man as "Billy Seward?" Or, by displaying man's true dignity—by high toned morality, and not seize the first opportunity of displaying your education by stabbing the character of your best men? Now, Mr. Communipaw, if you think I am too harsh, all you have to do is to read in Frederick Douglass` Paper of March 7th, 1856, a piece headed "Horoscope;" and if you want the opinion of one who read it, both as regards the communication itself, and the writer of that, you may read this again. Is that satisfactory?

A REPUBLICAN.

AUBURN, March 10th, 1856.