F.D.P. 1 Sept., 1854 p.2 c. 4-5

CHICAGO, August 20th, 1854.

FREDERICK DOUGLASS, ESQ.: DEAR SIR:—
In reply to your note of the 17th inst., asking
my opinion as to the truthfulness of the
statement published in your paper of July
28th, relative to the proceedings of the
National Council at its meeting held in Cleveland
last month, I have to say, that being a
member of that body, and present at that
meeting, and holding and cherishing most
dearly, the objects or measures contemplated
by the organization of the Council, I noticed,
with no ordinary interest, the proceedings
of the Cleveland meeting, from its
commencement to its final adjournment. And I
am constrained to say, that on reading your
account of its proceedings, I deem it a duty
due alike to truth and justice, to endorse
that statement in every essential particular.

Indeed, I think it was notorious, and conceded
by all present, (who did not see
through Ohio spectacles,) that the Ohio
Delegation acted in very bad faith towards their
brother members from other States, and
especially towards the Council itself.

Mr. W. H. Day, in particular, manifested the
most uncompromising hostility to the Council,
and asserted, and reiterated the assertion
that he had rather see the ORGANIZATION
go to ATOMS than to vote for a resolution
which in ANYWISE APPROVED of the
PROCEEDINGS of the COUNCIL at their
session in New York last November; and Mr.
Day well knew, that if the meeting in New
York were pronounced illegal, that the Council
no longer had an existence, according to
the constitution, which he so ably attempts
to defend. Being the presiding officer at
that meeting (Cleveland) in the absence of
Dr. Smith, our worthy President, I think I
had every means of seeing and judging of
the doings of that body; and I do not hesitate
to say, that your criticism was even too
mild to convey a proper idea of the intensity
of the opposition of the Ohio Delegation to
every measure which did not originate with
themselves; and my honest conviction is,
that this PRINCIPLE influenced them in
opposing the present ORGANIZATION. It
did not ORIGINATE in OHIO; and CONSEQUENTLY
this WARFARE to DESTROY
IT.

Being a Western man, it was presumed
that I would favor this sectional feeling,
this western policy, (so called;) but in
matters general interest to the colored population
of the United States, I know no East, no
West, no North, no South; and I hope I
shall never sacrifice principle for the unholy
purpose of farthering the aims and objects
of individual aspirants to fame.

I am, dear sir, your co-laborer in a
common cause, &c.

J. D. BONNER