Ethiop [William J. Wilson] to Frederick Douglass, September 1, 1855

ETHIOP BEFORE THE CONVENTION—NO. II

WASHINGTON PARK, BROOKLYN

September 1, 1855.

MY DEAR DOUGLASS:—It is of the masses of our people from whence will emanate the delegation of '55, to assemble at Philadelphia in October; and of the political complexion, so to speak, of this forthcoming delegation, I have now briefly but plainly to speak. From my position, rather than anything else, I am enabled to take in at a glance of mental vision, the entire black, or to use a more delicate term, colored masses, as they are grouped here and there over the North. In each clump, I behold many earnest, anxious faces, and not a few indifferent ones. I see faces indicative of no thought for the future, and no care for the present. I see faces relapsed into a state so lethargic, that no effort, seemingly, can change. I see faces far in the back-ground of each group, that speak of promise, if the blight and mildew of neglect and indifference, and bad education, do not wither them. I see here and there, on the margin of each group, a stalwart frame and an open and rugged face—the picture of good to come if rightly dealt with. In the

general survey of these groups of humanity, I find bone, and muscle, and much mind, but badly moulded; some will, but being expended on unimportant matters. I find a want of decision, a lack of executiveness, and an absence of continuity—a general timidity to engage in great undertakings—a prevailing fear of failures, and no faith in leaders from among themselves, unless they come veiled in mystery, enshrouded in humbug, or swollen big with pretensions.—Yet, I find, so far as, the bounds of their understanding will permit, a general honesty of purpose, and a fair desire to be and do right.

Thus much of the general masses, and all things regarding it is considerable; for, in studying them, we are to take into account the magnitude of adverse operations, brought to bear upon them from without and within, tending to dwarf their energies and aspirations for so long a time. But these general masses are to be moulded and shaped for higher ends, just as the potter moulds the clay; but, unlike the potter and the clay, they can be moulded by no outer hand. They must mould themselves—they must give to themselves proper shape and consistency—they must fir themselves for use.—Agencies to this end are at work, and have been for a period of time; but how effectively, is best determined by present collected results—the fruits of all the long past, and the grounds of future promise.

A word or so, then, regarding these agencies and their results. In the midst of these groups are centered the church, the diverse-phased association, the school, and as I have previously

mentioned, the leader. The first of these (the church) traces its existence far back in the history of our progress. Indeed, the first, though feeble ray, that broke in on the darkness of our people, was from this source; and however much the church may now be looked upon with indifference by some, and however much it may meet with a feeble yet petty and annoying opposition from others, it must be owned, that aside from any religious considerations, we are vastly indebted to it for the point in our progress to which we have this day attained. Still, the church, as a moral and mental elevator, has not been as effective upon these masses as it should have been. Its rays have been rather dim stars, than warm, genial, fructifying sun rays, yet true stars they have been; and by their slender light reaching across our once dark ocean of ignorance and gloom, we have been guided on and on, till another, and brighter, and better dawn has broke in upon us. But the mail has closed and I am caught. More anon.

Yours truly,

ETHIOP.