A[sashel] N[icols] Cole to Frederick Douglass, February 25, 1856
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For Frederick Douglass' Paper.
THE SUFFRAGE QUESTION.
—
WELLSVILLE, Alleg. Co., Feb. 25th.
FREDERICK DOUGLASS: DEAR FRIEND:—
Years ago, I embraced an occasional "now-and-then" to dot a few lines for your paper; but for more than three years, I have contined all of my notes to the . Having spent, however, a few weeks past in Albany, during which time I have noticed a few things calculated to encourage the colored people of this State—and feeling as I do that if ever a people encouragement, it is our colored brethren and sisters in this country— I have concluded to again turn "correspondent" to Frederick Douglass' Paper.— The question of Equal Suffrage is, I believe, likely to receive at the hands of the Legislature the attention it deserves, at the present session. Mr. FOOT, who in his zeal in behalf of the [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] offended against the judgement and sensibilites of most right-minded men—has, nevertheless, redeemed himself by his efforts in behalf of the Suffrage question. In fact, I think Judge FOOT a very good man, but unfortunabtely infatuated with the scheme of Colonization.— But, in my opinion, the proposition to appropriate $5000 from the State treasury for Colonization purposes, has no chance for success in either branch of the Legislature.
Mr. MYERS and Mr. Torr are both doing good service, and I shall be somewhat disappointed if the movement in behalf of Equal Suffrage does not succeed at the present session. As regards the Know Nothings, we have all along, in considering their organization in this State, been led to inquire, "Can any good come out of Nazareth?" We are happy to say, however, that if the words of a considerable number of Know Nothing members are to be taken as an index of their action, we may look for considerable aid in behalf of Equal Suffrage from that quarter. This will not, by any means, hold good, when we take the party as an organization into consideration; as there are some of the most intensely pro-slavery representatives of that party this winter in Albany, to be found in the State: men who are laboring under never ceasing paroxysms of negro-phobia. We think that every Republican member of both Houses will go in for equal suffrage. If you will forward to various friends in this county your blank petitions, we will send you any desired number of names from Old Alleghany. I am much grieved to observe that the Garrisonians are still sedulously endeavoring to destroy your influence. How strangely inconsistent many apparently earnest reformers do act. I have frequently thought, that were not the triumphs of truth made certain by the indestructibility alike of the subject and its author, that its professed friends would succeed in making an abortion of every great cause having in view the redemption of our race. I notice a "straw" in your last week's issue, indicating a disposition on your part, by way of "variety," of giving to the public a glimpse of the "unselfishness" of a certain class of these reformers by referring to the "finances." Now, do not do it. Let them go. It will do no good. They will never succeed in making the American people believe that you are controlled by mercenary motives. As to themselves, let us hope that a majority of them at least, are both "martyrs" and "saints." Some of them have certainly made great sacrifices in behalf of the cuase of universal Freedom, and lest the good and true should suffer with those of "questionable honesty;" would it not be better to say nothing about the "dollars and cents?" Wishing you abundant success in your efforts to overthrow the "sum of all villainies,"
I remain as ever,
Your brother and friend.
A.N. COLE.