Philip C. Schuyler to Frederick Douglass, January 12, 1856

LETTER FROM JUDGE SCHUYLER.

DETROIT, Jan. 12th, 1856.

FREDERICK DOUGLASS, ESQ.: MY DEAR SIR:— I am on my way East in the capacity of a delegate from the "Free State people" of Kansas, to awaken a greater interest in the severe and dreadful struggles for liberty and free institutions in that interesting portion of the country. Our enemies are legion, as bitter as numerous. They are fighting for the life of their darling institution; it is "life, or death," they say, with them. Hundreds of thousands of dollars are now being raised for the purpose of carrying Slavery into Kansas, and establishing it there through the fundamental law of the land.

Will the North sit down supinely and see this hellish work consummated? I say, No! she will not, she cannot. If the needed help is withheld, help that is so abundantly in her possession, then I feel as though I could, and would be tempted to disown the land of my birth.— Money, men, and action, through the press and the ballot box, are required by the Free State laborers and sufferers in Kansas; and if only a moderate response to our calls are made, Kansas is safe to Freedom.

I hope to have the opportunity, to present our claims to the citizens of Rochester.

My dear friend, I travel home with a sad heart, domestic afflictions, with the sufferings and toils of a life in Kansas, bear with heavy weight. But thank God, the frame is yet strong, and I cannot say that much sorrow hath broken the spirit—old as I am. I often feel as though my work on earth had but just begun, that the ups and downs of a life of fifty years now require to fit me for the place I now occupy; and deeply sensible am I, that that place cannot be occupied long. What I do, I must do now with all my might. And my prayer is, that every aspiration of my heart, and every blow of my hands may be in correspondence with Truth.

Adieu.

PHILIP C. SCHUYLER.