Ethiop [William J. Wilson] to Frederick Douglass, November 23, 1856

For Frederick Douglass' Paper.

FROM OUR BROOKLYN CORRESPONDENT.

MY DEAR DOUGLASS:— I am about to turn Reporter. Last Monday morning was a bright and joyous morning in Brooklyn, and many a face shone out as brightly as the mornings. As I was quietly walking down town, I was, like the boys (men are but boys of larger growth,) attracted round the corner by the sound of the big drum, and shrill ring of the fife. What does it all mean? said I to myself, as I quickly cut the corner and repaired to the steps of Dr. T. Joiner White's Drug store, where the din and martial confusion reigned. But lo [all] of a sudden it ceased—ceased as though by magic. The rolling sound of the double drum had no sooner died away on the distance, o'er housetop, hill-top and vale, than a noble company of sable men had pesented arms to the Doctor's store front. They proved to the the Attucks Guards. The Doctor was in his sanctum.—After a moment's pause he stepped forth, with silver cup in hand, (a beautiful memento,) and briefly spoke as follows:

"SOLDIERS!—In presenting you to this token of respect, it is proper that I should speak of him, whose name it is your glory to bear. By the term glory, I would convey to your minds that splendor which flows from true virtue.— Such may be said of CRISPUS ATTUCKS, the first martyr of our American Revolution. Yes, soldiers, the first blood shed in the Revolution of OUR country, it affords me heart felt pleasure to know was that of this colored American hero, CRISPUS ATTUCKS, on the 5th of March, 1770.

"Noble man was this colored American!—Long, long may his memory live in the hearts of the American people. Oh! emulate his chivalrous bearing; ye followers of Attucks.—True, I cannot point you to it, miniatured in breathing bronze or Egyptian marble—nay, there stands no Corinthian temples on our hills, no Gothic cathedrals on our plains, no proud pyramids, no storied obelisk in our cities to do honors to this colored American martyr.

"But, eternal thanks to Heaven, that sagacious and praise-worthy spirit of this colored American patriot still lives, and exhales a benign infl[u]ence in the breast of every true American.—Let this animate you. Onward—press onward! Be active, temperate, vigorous, intelligent, moral and worthy citizens, so that when your labors end here, it may be your sweet satisfaction to dwell in "cloudless knowledge, purity and bliss'in [after] coming time."

He was briefly and happily responded to by Lieut. Luke Sailor; then followed that old and soul-moving air, "Yankee Doodle," by the band. I thought the spirit of old Attucks was

there. The men (noble fellows) seemed to grasp their muskets with a firmer hold, as their souls drank the inspiration in.

After the reception of the cup from the Dr., who was the giver, the company, under the command of Capt. Furgerson, gave a hearty cheer, and marched proudly away on their annual target excursion—Rahway, N.J., being the place of destination this year. Several tokens of approbation, in the shape of cups, &c., I am informed, were presented to the company during its passage to the landing whence it embarked for New Jersey. In point of martial precision, and soldierly look, and I may add, warlike bearing—for, after all that is the true look of the true soldier—in these, though Brooklyn in her military, as in every thing else, has much to boast, she has no prouder sample of military glory, than this same company of Attucks Guards. As a black man, I am proud that such a company exists, and has its regular parades in this city. As a black man, I am proud that the blood of such was the first shed in behalf of the liberties of this country; and as such, proud am I to believe that, moved by the same spirit of Attucks, the same blood would be as freely shed for priceless liberty whenever demanded.

I heartily favor the introduction of the science of military tactics among us. I would even begin with the schools. Habit does much for a people. But further: 1. I see no reason why black men, as well as white men, should not learn the noble art of defence. 2. It is a healthy and manly exercise, and tends to physical development. Who dare say, we do not need this in higher degree? 3. It produces habits or order and discipline, and voluntary submission to authority—not authority of whites which has also almost become a part of our nature, but to each other, a lesson into which we have yet to be schooled. 4. And lastly, if followed up, it will ultimately result in a higher state of discipline, and pave the way for a higher condition among us.

In our onward progress we suffer more for the right use of the right means that lay around us, than for the want of the means.

Yours, truly,

ETHIOP.

RUSHURBAN COTTAGE, Nov. 23rd, 1856.