For Frederick Douglass' Paper.

DEAR DOUGLASS:—I have read, in your last issue, your suggestions on the formation of a "new association." Your idea is a good one; for even should none of your numerous readers be able to discover any new plan for the immediate overthrow of slavery, it will get them a thinking how they can better use those already known, or work more effectually and successfully in the way already marked out. It is possible that some one has, even now, discovered a new vein which, if really "worked," may lead to the heart of slavery—to the very citadel of oppression—where we, unitedly, can storm its strong fortress, and batter down its old grey walls, and let the sun-light of God's truth—liberty to the poor bleeding slave—pour its melting rays upon the obdurate heart of the slaveholder, till he shall be compelled to relax his grasp, to "let the oppressed go free."

As for myself, I can think of no new plan, and, therefore, can throw no light on this question. I wish, from my soul's depths, that I could, for I believe it the question of the age. It absorbs all others and it must continue to demand the most earnest attention, the deepest study, and the best efforts of all enlightened Christians and philanthropists. With many others, I believe that slavery will die a bloody death. How soon this will take place, of course no one can tell; but the "signs of the times" indicate that the day is not far distant. I cannot believe that this will be brought about by the interference of any foreign power, but by the slaves and slaveholders themselves. The South is but a vast powder magazine, which needs but a strong, firm hand to apply the match, and with the aid of three and a half millions of indignant slaves, the cursed system would be blown to atoms. But we can hasten this day by constant and untiring effort. Every vote cast for freedom, every anti-slavery speech in congress, every Uncle Tom's Cabin, and Ida May, and every number of Frederick Douglass' Paper, hastens the day of jubilee to the slave. What the anti-slavery people need now is "backbone." They had it at Christiana and Syracuse.—They lacked it at Boston, and Burns was sent back. But they will redeem themselves if they succeed in "crushing out" slave Commissioner Loring. Yes, if we can only get abolitionists to stick, we can, by the aid of the pen, tongue, vote and prayer, soon
bring on the "crisis" of anti-slavery.—Whether this may dissolve the Union, we know not nor do we care; better, far better, a thousand Unions like this be shattered than have the huge and monstrous crime of American slavery continue for a single year. We want to see one more mighty effort made to organize the now distracted anti-slavery elements into a Northern Party, whose platform shall be the immediate and unconditional overthrow of American slavery. An earnest working party thus formed would send terror to the heart of the slaveholders. Shall we not have such a party, with such a platform?

H. M. GILBERT

GILBERT'S MILLS, March 14, '55