George Weir, Jr. to Frederick Douglass, March 24, 1854
LETTER FROM GEORGE WEIR, JR.
BUFFALO, March 24, 1854.
FREDERICK DOUGLASS, ESQ.:
DEAR SIR:—The Buffalonians have been signally blest
during the past week, in being permitted
to enjoy the presence of that able and dis-
tinguished champion of Human
Rights—WILLIAM J. WATKINS, ESQ. Mr. W. made
his advent among us on the 15th inst., arm-
ed and equipped as the cause demands. In
the evening he addressed a large concourse
of citizens at the Court House—by the bye,
the same temple in which was once arraign-
ed the man Daniel, hurried thither in obed-
ience to the command of the Fugitive Slave
Act; but upon this occasion no Daniel was
the great object of attraction. But another
spectacle presented itself. In the stand
where once sat the Commissioner, ready
and eager to snatch from this poor man his
God-given and inherent rights, stood a man
untrammelled and unfettered, whose burning
eloquence and soul stirring appeals fell like
peals of thunder upon the ears of his de-
lighted audience. Mr. Watkins fired with
holy zeal in the cause which he has espous-
ed, left no stone unturned which in its turn
might serve to uproot and exhibit in its
naked deformity the wicked and abomina-
able system of American slavery.
The Nebraska Bill, that unholy scheme of
Senator Douglas, was denounced in the vilest
and bitterest terms; and while the Senator
himself was held up as an object worthy of
ridicule and scorn, his aiders and abettors
escaped not unnoticed, but each received at
the hands of the able lecturer his portion
in due season.
On Thursday evening we were again per-
mitted in the temple of Justice to behold a
large and attentive audience, convened at
an early hour, for the purpose of listning to the soul-stirring appeals of him by whom
they had been as it were completely elec-
trified the evening previous. And allow
me to say, that upon this occasion there
was a general enquiry for Frederick Doug-
lass, it having gone out by some means
that he was to be present. Hundreds of
people were eager to catch a glimpse of
him whose voice has before been heard
(though too unfrequently) among us, and
whose power of eloquence and sound rea-
soning has placed his name high in the
nitch of fame. Many turned away without
entering the door, when they found that
their favorite champion was not present. I
was beset upon every hand by anxious en-
quiries, Has Douglass come? Has Douglass
come? But all to no purpose. But I dare
not censure you for the disappointment
upon this occasion, for the intimation that
you would be present emanated from some
other source than that of yourself. How-
ever, we hope ere long to see you among us,
whom to see is but to hear, and to hear is
but to feel, that the damning sin of Ameri-
can slavery, with all its concomitant evils,
deserves the just and holy indignation of all
good and honest men.
Mr. Watkins upon this, as well as the for-
mer evening, dealt out ot his audience such
wholesome truths, and in such manner as it
seems to me was sufficient to convince even
the most depraved and degenerate heart; and
indeed, I believe, none went away without
being convinced of their duty in regard to
this great matter, and a determination to
be more active and zealous in the cause
than they have previous been. The cause
of the paper was presented at the close of
each meeting, and a measurable response
made thereto.
On Friday evening our meeting was held
in the Methodist church, which was com-
posed principally of colored persons. The
evening being very cold and stormy, the au-
dience was not so large as we could have
hoped to have seen. When we went in, Mr.
Watkins was in the stand descanting at
large upon our duty as people, in regard
to this great moral warfare between freedom
and slavery. He clearly and unmistakedly
pointed out to us our duty, and the means to
be used by us in accomplishing the great
object desired. He denounced colonization,
exhibited no sympathy with emigration, but
pointed to the dying groans of three and a
half millions of our brethren in bondage as
a sufficient reason why we should remain
here and contend for our rights, relying on
the strong arm of omnipotence, (but not
without works) that deliverance might speed-
ily come.
On Monday evening we held what Mr. W.
termed a general love feast. The meeting
was held at the Baptist church, under the
pastoral care of the Rev. Samuel H. Davis,
a man eminent for his piety, as well as de-
votedness to the cause of the
oppressed.—Our audience, like that of Friday evening,
was composed chiefly of colored
persons—which, by the way, was not amiss, inas-
much as it afforded the speaker a better op-
portunity of portraying more vividly before
us our imperfections as a people, and our
manifest lack of interest in regard to the
great subjects which now agitate the entire
country; for it is true, however lamentable
the fact, that our people generally through-
out the country do not appear deeply
enough interested in their own behalf. We
are too apt to remain dormant and dead
as it were, while the active energies of our
oppressors are all being brought into re-
quisition for the purpose of weakening, and,
if possible entirely destroying our existence
at least in this country. We are too apt
to look to our friends to perform that for
us which we can far better do for ourselves.
Hence, we not only fail to do our duty in
helping to roll forward the car of reform,
but, by our neglect and inactivity, help to
clog the wheels, and thereby arrest the pro-
gress of the chariot of freedom, while the
ponderous juggernaut of slavery and oppression, urged on by the pulpit and press,
moves forward with gigantic fury, crushing
at each revolution as it passes.
But to the point. At the close of the lec-
ture, opportunity was offered for remarks
by any one present, which was briefly re-
sponded to by the Rev. Samuel H. Davis,
William Qualls, Mrs. Brown, and
others.—At the close of which, the following resolu-
tions were offered and unanimously adopted.
Resolved, That this meeting highly ap-
preciate the able course of lectures deliver-
ed in this city by William J. Watkins, of
Rochester, and we hereby tender to him our
sincere thanks in behalf of the colored cit-
izens of Buffalo, for his visit and labors
among us.
Resolved, That a committee of five be ap-
pointed by this meeting for the purpose of
preparing some testimonial of our esteem
and appreciation of his valuable services, to
be presented in behalf of the colored citi-
zens of this city.
Thus passed off a most agreeable and pro-
fitable series of meetings, and such I trust
that shall prove as bread cast upon the wa-
ters, that may be seen and gathered for
many days. Receive my kindest regards,
while I am
Yours for the Oppressed,
GEORGE WEIR, JR.