W[illia]m J. Harden to Frederick Douglass, February 21, 1860

Our Correspondence.

A RIGHT KIND OF LETTER.

JANESVILLE, Wis., Feb. 21st, 1860.

Mr. DOUGLASS: DEAR SIR:—I am very happy to inform you that my effort to make up a club for your paper, has been crowned with success. I raised the required sum in little over one hour, which was far better than I anticipated, owing to the hard times. Having been so successful in my first effort, I was encouraged to make another, and I succeeded in getting three subscribers and the promise of two more—so you will perceive I only lack $2,00 of another club, which I think I can collect during this week. In making up this club, I have not been stimulated alone by the premium, so generously offered, but by an honest and ardent desire to increase the circulation of your excellent paper, knowing that in so doing I am aiding in sustaining one of the best papers, and one of the ablest and most noble advocates the colored people of this country ever had, the loss of which would be one of the saddest political calamities that could befall us, as a people, especially at this time; the pride and satisfaction of having, though in a very small degree, aided to sustain so worthy a paper is, to me, ample compensation.

Before closing this letter I wish to return my sincere thanks and gratitude to the gentlemen who subscribed so willingly and readily, and who paid their subscription so promptly when I called on them. Among the subscribers are several men of the legal profession, who are warm friends of the anti-slavery cause, the most conspicuous of which is Hon. Wm. M. Tallman. Mr. Tallman is one of our wealthiest and most influential citizens; is an Abolitionist in the true sense of the word; he is a man of good intellect, cultivation and refinement, possessed of strong moral courage; he is neither ashamed or afraid to denounce the diabolical system of slavery in private as well

as in public, for which he has the respect and approbation of all the true friends of liberty; and his integrity of purpose and tenacity to principles challenge the admiration of his bitterest political opponents. Such a man is, indeed, worthy of our regard and appreciation, and we regret, for the cause of suffering humanity and our down-trodden fellow-men, that such men are not more numerous in this country.

WM. J. HARDIN.