Skip to main content

Lewis Woodson to Frederick Douglass, May 2, 1854

D6582

LETTER FROM LEWIS WOODSON.

PITTSBURGH, May 2, 1854.

MR. EDITOR:—Appended to the request of Dr. Smith, in your paper of the 21st of April last, of the members of the National Council, or rather that part of them who were elected by the Convention in Rochester, in July last, to meet in Cleveland on the 24th instant, is a notice to the additional members, elected by the respective State Councils, that they will not take their membership to the National Council until the 7th of January ensuing. Not believing Dr. S. capable of knowingly and deliberately uttering such a notice, when I first read it, I set it down as a blunder which would be corrected in the next number; but to my disappointment and horror, when the next No. of your paper appeared, the notice also appeared, without alteration or amendment.—Needless faultfinding, or groundless censure, constitutes no part of my disposition; hence I shall say nothing more of this notice at present, than that it is unconstitutional and immoral. It is unconstitutional because the Constitution of the National Council declare[s] expressly that the additional members, elected by the respective State Councils, shall take their seats in the National Council on the 6th day of July next. It is immoral because it proposes to us to meet on the 7th of January ensuing, which, if I calculate right, will be the Sabbath—a day on which no Christian will meet to transact ordinary business, such as pertains to farms, factories, stores, banks and commerce. It is further, and more grossly immoral, because it proposes to us the violation of a solemn compact—a thing forbidden by the laws of both God and man, and only surpassed in heiniousness by perjury itself. Surely Dr. Smith can not seriously intend doing what is proposed in this notice; or if he does, that any honorable Christian man will join him in it? But I pause, in hope of the proper correction.

Resectfully yours,

LEWIS WOODSON.

Creator

Woodson, Lewis

Date

1854-05-02

Description

Lewis Woodson to Frederick Douglass. PLSr: Frederick Douglass P, 19 May 1854. Questions the veracity of a notice from James McCune Smith; argues the current notice is immoral and unconstitutional, according to the constitution of the National Council of the Colored People.

Publisher

This document was calendared in the published volume and has not been published in full before

Collection

Frederick Douglass' Paper, 19 May 1854

Type

Letters

Publication Status

Unpublished

Source

Frederick Douglass' Paper