J. J. ? B. P. ? and others who have from
time to time held up to the scorn of an
insulted and indignant public, (in terms so
vivid and life-like,) such abuses, whether the
guilty parties were plain and unassuming
citizens, or some high dignitary or politician
of the land. Have these worthy correspondents
of yours ceased to be interested in
these measures? or have they become
despondent, and from this cause relaxed their
energies in so good a cause? In either case,
it is much to be regretted, for heretofore
they have done good service, and their
silence at the present juncture is deeply felt.

In the absence of these luminaries, who
have so often adorned your columns, and
interested your readers, I wish to say a few
words. Our State Legislature is now in
session at Springfield, enacting laws for the
weal and woe of the people. As yet, nothing
of particular interest or importance to
the colored citizens has transpired.

'Tis but too apparent, I fear, that Illinois
is not yet sufficiently christianized and
repentant, as to do justice to her disfranchised
but loyal citizens; her concentrated wisdom at Springfield, it seems, is not yet favorable to the political elevation of this portion of
her people.

'Tis true, our good friend Lovejoy has
introduced a bill to abolish all the black laws of the State; and, consequently, to restore to the colored people those political rights
and privileges which have been so long and so
unjustly withheld from them; but the bill
met with bitter opposition, particularly from
the Solomons of Lower Egypt, and all that
has yet been done, was to set apart a day for
its consideration and discussion, which is
regarded as a favorable sign by some; though
we who are mostly interested, have but little
hope for the ultimate triumph of principle,
by the present Legislature.

Our friend Lovejoy has proved himself as
true as steel, and we love and honor him—There are others in that body equally true
to principle, but not so prominent as he.

In order to destroy this [spark?] of freedom which was regarded as a dangerous element in an Illinois Legislature, our Governor, (Matteson,) who is a miserable pro slavery
demagogue, had recommended to that body
the wisdom and propriety of appropriating
a certain amount of money annually for the
purpose of enabling the colonizationist to
remove the colored citizens to Liberia.
Nothing could be a greater insult to the
intelligent colored man, than this wicked and
absurd measure. It was conceived in a heart
pregnant with the vilest sin and festering
corruption; and we look upon Governor
Matteson as the most inveterate enemy we
have in the State—not because there are not
others equally as mean, but because his official
position gives importance and influence to his acts. This same Governor Matteson
was, some few years ago, considered quite a
clever and liberal anti-slavery man; but he
has proved himself a wolf in sheep's clothing.
Power and position have corrupted the foundation
of his heart; (if he has any ;) and
now he delights to pander to the infernal
demands of Southern slaveholders—to
Missouri lobby members, who infest the Capitol,
and who exert such influence over the
deliberations of the assembly.

The powers at Springfield, with the
Governor at their head, seem to act upon the
principle, that we are the very reverse of
themselves. When they petition for the repeal
or the passage of a law, they mean exactly
what their petition sets forth; but when we
petition for the repeal of the black laws, they
at once think the we have lost all our
patriotism, and want to go to Africa, and,
consequently, the dear Governor, with his heart
overflowing with the milk of human kindness,
and, of course, with the most honest and
benevolent intentions, declares to the
Legislature the important fact, and, with tears in
his eyes, asks for an appropriation. This
may seem strange to you, Mr. Editor, but 'tis
true; and to my astonishment, that body
signified its approval of this executive meanness
by referring it to a committee.

We must go to work, sir, and strangle this
Southern monster—this colonization
humbug—'tis the greatest obstacle in the way of
the colored man's elevation in the United