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J[ames] R[awson] J[ohnson] to Frederick Douglass, March 12, 1855

D6739

For Frederick Douglass' Paper.

"WHERE IS ALL THIS TO END?"

FRIEND DOUGLASS: — This question is asked by Rev. George B. Cheever, D.D., in the Independent of March 8th. He says:

"Some men, habitually sanguine, or striving to be so, affirm that in spite of all the apparent slave progress, the end will be peace and freedom; but we cannot share such confidence."

If we attempt to "share such confidence," without a distinct understanding that we must put forth great and well directed efforts at the ballot box, all will be delusion.—But if the friends of Freedom will do their duty at the polls—if they will endure patiently for a while as a right minded minority, the day of peaceful abolition of slavery will come. Let all who love the slave, construe our noble United States Constitution as designed to "establish JUSTICE," &c.; and this commotion will all end most gloriously for Freedom. If I am not "habitually sanguine," I confess I am "striving to be so."

Yours,

J. R. J.

QUINEBAUGH, Ct., March 12, '55

Creator

Johnson, James Rawson

Date

1855-03-12

Description

J[ames] R[awson] J[ohnson] to Frederick Douglass. PLIr: Frederick DouglassP, 30 March 1855. Argues for stronger efforts at the ballot box to engender confidence among abolitionists.

Publisher

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

Collection

Frederick Douglass' Paper, 30 March 1855

Type

Letters

Publication Status

Unpublished

Source

Frederick Douglass' Paper