Jabez to Frederick Douglass, January 21, 1856

CINCINNATI, January 21st, 1856.

FRIEND DOUGLASS:

THE WEATHER

For the past month has been remarkable for its severity. Some of the coldest weather experienced in this latitude for many years, visited us on the 8th and 9th inst. The thermometer in many places fell to 20 degrees below zero.—The earth has been covered with a mantle of white ever since Christmas, which is a remark able circumstance for this climate. We had another fall of new snow on yesterday and in the night. Our noble river is locked with ice, and foot passengers have been crossing for many days past. It affords a strong temptation to our brethren in bonds in Kentucky, to secure their liberty. There may be many an intrepid Eliza cross the boundary line before winter is past. But for these minions of the Slave Power in the South of Indiana and Illinois, many more oppressed bondmen, would seek the land of liberty. These creatures who hunt slaves are more degraded than the trained blood-hound.

THE HUNDRED DOLLAR PRIZE

for the best essay on the wickedness of Slavery, has been won by Mrs. Maria Gooddell Frost, of Janesville, Wisconsin, entitled, "Gospel Fruits, or, Christianity Illustrated." Rather an unfortunate title for a book showing the evil fruits of American Slavery. But we await with interest the publication of the work. Not less than forty-six writers sent in their manuscripts, in answer to the call. Surely the days of Slavery are numbered; no books sell so easily, or are rend with so much avidity as those setting forth the Peculiar Institution. The Reform Tract and Book Society intend publishing others out of those sent in: some fifteen of which the Examining Committee recommend for publication. However much Franklin Pierce may deplore and denounce agitation on this all absorbing iniquity, it must go on, it will go on, until Slavery shall be entirely swept from this great Republic. Canute vainly tried to stay the surging billows: so have many Canutes tried in vain to crush out free thought and free speech.

THE LEXINGTON MOB

has earned for itself a world-wide notoriety in lynching a peaceable law-abiding citizen, Joseph Brady, a teacher in a public school in that city. His offence was, describing the sale of a slave on the side walk hard by the House of God, on a Christmas-day. He descanted freely on the iniquity of Slavery and his letter was published in an Oxford paper, in Ohio, but found its way back to Kentucky. Whereupon these lawless inhabitants of Slavedom tore his clothes, poured black paint on his head and threatened his life. The account of this outrage on humanity has been grossly exaggerated. The Louisville Journal told the story with a malicious joy, quite characteristic of the degraded soul of its Editor. One Ohio paper, the Dayton Empire, sought to justify these brigands, and has been taken to task pretty freely. While the Paris Citizen (Ky.) denounces the mobites in strong language. The New Albany Ledger (Ia.) denounces the conduct of these lawless men as "an act that would have disgraced the devils in Hell." And after publishing Mr. Brady's letter, gave up further explanation of his views, by saying, "It would beggar the English language to find terms of execration that would do full justice to the subject."

About three months since these same chivalrous southerners of Lexington drove from their town a poor colored widow with her daughters, threatened to burn her house over her head, all fled for their lives, to this city, leaving their little property a prey to robbers. Her only offence was harboring a slave for one night; said slave escaped from the State, and is now in Canada. What crime is too great for them to commit who deal in the souls and bodies of men? Who heightens the price of man if he is a Christian—and place our exorbitant sum on the head of youth and beauty? Slavery! where is thy blush of shame?

THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD

is still in operation, and has been doing a brisk business for some time; 'tis a long time since there was a collision. The Fugitive Bill is nearly a dead letter. Congress might just as well repeal it, for the common sense or the common industry of the North, is opposed to it, and prevents its provisions from being carried out. When the farmers of that infamous measure passed it, did they not know it came in conflict with the blessed, merciful teachings of the gospel? Did they not know they were fighting against God? Did they think men would bow down to their dumb idol?

The House of Representatives presents to the country a curious spectacle of most dogged obstinacy and utter recklessness. According to the 100 ballots they have had, Banks has been over and over declared to be the Speaker; if a slaveholder had had so large a vote, he would long ago have been elected, on the plurality rule. But when that is moved, all unite and defeat it by a slender majority. The South surely feels "there is a North." We hope the Republicans will stand by Banks, until the end of the session, if he cannot be elected before.—We, in this city, have been much interested by reading extracts from Southern papers concerning Mr. Richardson's swearing propensities.—A Kentucky paper says, he surpasses all he has ever heard in that practice. We must abide the issue of this conflict and hope good will result, and the cause of Liberty be promoted.

JABEZ.