J[ames] R[awson] J[ohnson] to Frederick Douglass, July 21, 1854

ABRAM PRYNE FOR CONGRESS!

SUFFOLK Co., L. I., July 21.

MR. EDITOR:—If the Hon. Gerrit Smith will persist in his determination to resign his seat in Congress, who is more fit to fill his place than Abram Pryne, of Madison county?

The voters in that district will please excuse a man in Suffolk county for thus interfering. The strong probability is, that if Mr. Pryne could have a seat in the House of Representatives, those Southern gentlemen would so awake his organ of combativeness, that his organs of benevolence, perception, languages, adaptation and FIRMNESS, would all combine in the production of exactly those speeches which Congress ought to hear and the nation ought to read. Best of all, each of these organs being under the control of a warm and sympathising heart, free from sectarian bondage, and alive to ever demand of pleading humanity—most glorious results might be realised. Yes—voters in the counties of Madison and Oswego—if that man could be the successor to Gerrit Smith, you would have no occasion to be ashamed of your "little giant." His nomination should come direct from the people—the masses and not from any party.

Yours,

J. R. J.