J[ermain] W[esley] Loguen to Frederick Douglass, October 23, 1855

LETTER FROM REV. J. W. LOGUEN.

FREDONIA, N. Y., Oct. 23, 1854.

DEAR FRIEND DOUGLASS:—I am "moving," like almost everybody and everything in this fast age, from place to place, talking on the great question of human rights. I have just left Cattaraugus county, where I had some good meetings, and saw some true-hearted, working friends of the down-trodden and poor. Among these I mention gratefully, Dr. E. M. Pettit, and Mr. Joseph Plumb, both of whom are as true as steel. I was heartily welcomed to their hospitable fire-sides, where I found it easy to feel at home. I shall remember with gratitude the kind reception they gave me, and their many expressions of sympathy.

Well, what think you of the Republican party? I find that they are becoming very sanguine of success, in this part of the State. The Know Nothings are "caving in" very rapidly in this region, for the very good reason that they begin to find out that they have been cheated by the chief priests and rulers of the dark lantern party. They begin to find out, many of them, that all this cry against Irishmen is in reality a cry against native Americans, if they chance to have a black skin. They begin to see that slaveholding and slavery propaganda interests, underlie the entire movement; and that its real object is to get the people on a wild goose chase after some other issue than slavery; that the dark power may extend its hellish sway over all the Territories and States of this Union. They swear that they have been cheated by slavery too often to be entrapped again; and as the light of truth breaks in upon

them, they desert the ranks of this humbug of a party. They are finding out that slaveholders had just as lief cheat white men as lack ones, if they get a chance. And so they see they must fight for their own liberty, whether they care for the black man's rights or not. And thus they flock to the Republican standard. I am glad to see it. If we cannot bring them up to the true ground of the Anti-Slavery gospel, let them come up as far as they will. If the Republicans can get a good meal at the public granary this fall, it will, perhaps strengthen up their back bones a little so that they will "come up" nearer the broad true ground of Radical Abolitionists. But if they lose the State, we shall lose many of them before another election. They will backslide, unless the things works well. And, too, they have with them many of the best friends of the slave, and a little success may do them good.

I am not in Chautauque county, I landed in Dunkirk, and have been in the county two days; and have had two meetings. I have heard Gen. Nye, on the Republican issues, since I came here. He was at Dunkirk on the afternoon of the 20th, and at Fredonia in the evening. I judge that the General would agree with the Tribune in regard to colored men's right's; and I don't know but they would both agree with the Free State men in Kansas. The Gen. gave the meeting to understand, if I rightly apprehend him, that the Republican movement is altogether for white men and not for colored men. Well, so be it. If they will be honest with themselves, we as a people will get along.—When They stop cheating each other, it will be one step towards doing us justice; and all we ask is justice—not sympathy, but common justice.

I have had meetings in both the Presbyterian and M. E. Churches, and this place, and the truth was well received. I found Rev. Mr. Chandler in the Baptist church; and that fact was sufficient to keep out any liberal-minded

man—any friend of the slave. He has just left Elmire, where he had been for several years.— But he has not left his bigotry and pro-slaveryism behind him. He was never charged with much sympathy for the slave. Aside from his church, the truth was well received. I found a good home with Mr. A. F. Taylor, and old and tried friend of the cause. I could but contrast this visit with one I paid the same place about ten years ago. I was then here on Sunday, and spoke three times, I could get nothing to eat, except a few crackers which I bought at a hotel; I came into the place in the morning. They said they could accommodate my horse, but not me. I thought I could get along without anything to eat till after my first meeting, when some one would invite me home with them. But no such welcome invitation was received. I spoke twice in the afternoon, and then had to go four or five miles into the country, where I spoke the fourth time, without breakfast, dinner, or supper. By comparing my present reception with that, I can discover a great change for the better. Many seemed anxious to entertain me.— The world is moving on the great question of human rights; and I hope it will continue to move until we are enabled to rejoice over the downfall of American Slavery. I trust that much good may result from your late Convention in Boston. It would have been a pleasure to me to have mingled in its proceedings, and imbibed its spirit; but, I thought I would leave my friends to manager that, while I fought the battles of Liberty in the backwoods.

Allow me to thank you for your book. I am selling "My Bondage and My Freedom," by Frederick Douglass; and the manner in which it sells, shows that the people are awakening to an appreciation of black men's talents for bookmaking. And if they are not awakened to a

sense of the foul crime and shame of slavery by reading such a book, "they are joined to their idols; let them alone."

The Underground Railroad is doing a good business. I have had 148 at my house, up to the 12th of this month—a great work for one year. The yellow fever opened a door of escape to many. This is evil overruled for good.

Yours for the Right,

J. W. LOGUEN.