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Syracuse, April 9, 1855.
FRIEND DOUGLASS:—I noticed an article in your paper, several weeks since, calling the attention of your readress to the manly efforts which our brethren are making in Pennsylvania, in behalf of their God given and man-stolen rights, as citizens of that State. You also gave a very good and timely hint to our friends in this State; and I agree with you that we should be up and at work here, for the acknowledgment of the rights which God gave us as citizens of the Empire State. I took the watch-word from you and commenced the work. I got up petitions to our Legislature, and sent them broad cast over the State, to such friends as I thought would circulate them for signatures and forward them to such members of the Legislature as they thought best. I should say that I sent none east of Albany, or Troy. I thought our brethren in New York and Brooklyn, would attend to the matter in that part of the State. I circulated one in Onondaga County; and was happily disappointed in seeing so many of the old party leaders willing to put their names to it—Men, who, a few years ago, rallied to deny the colored man, the elective franchise, were seemingly willing to do all they could to restore us, as a people, to our long lost rights, by attaching their names to a petition which asked the Legislature, to so amend the first section of the second Article of our State Constitution, by striking out all after, and including the words, "But no man of color," &c. That said Constitution shall, in truth, secure to all what is promised in its preamble—the blessings of freedom. It was signed by many of our first citizens and sent to Hon. D. P. Phelps. I see that a little noise has been made on the subject in the Legislature. May we not hope that this manifest change in the feelings with which our cause is regarded by our former opponents, is indicative of something bright and glorious for the colored man. Does it now show a revolution in the public sentiment, which is destined to lead to a full recognition of our inalienable rights?
I hope that my brethren, to whom I have sent petitions, have done their duty; but if they have not, I hope they will resolve with me to commence early, and be well prepared for the next sitting of the Legislature. Let us send into that body a flood of petitions from every county in the State, let them know and feel that the sentiment of the people is being enlisted in behalf of equal suffrage. "Eternal vigilance is the price of Liberty." I think the times are very profitious for us to labor. Amid the confusion of parties, and the death-struggles of old political dynasties, we cannot fail to accomplish much with proper exertion. Therefore, let us work together, and God will help us.
Yours for the work,
J. W. Loguen.