CHICAGO, Feb. 18th, 1855.

FRIEND DOUGLASS: MY DEAR SIR:—I am averse to public personal controversies, and therefore, would gladly be relieved from entering into, in any degree, that which is so uncongenial to my feelings. But, justice to myself, and even to the cause, demands that I should speak; for, after all, some degree of justice is due to one's self as well as to others. And being placed in a false position before the public, (I trust not designedly,) by the correspondent from Chicago, found in your paper of the 9th inst., and which signs himself "J. D. B.," it becomes necessary that I should publicly set myself right in the matter in which he arraigns me. But, before I proceed with the case in hand, permit me, incidentally to remark, that in my humble opinion, the present is not the time for colored men to waste their precious moments in frivolous controversies with each other, notwithstanding it is right and proper that they should always be found ready and willing to expose errors and derelictions of duty, whenever, and wherever discovered,—still, I repeat, we have no time to lose in frivolous controversies. We have more important, aye, nobler work to perform; and to do it wisely and well, we must become united. The present state of our cause, in this country, calls loudly for a union of sentiment and concert of action on our part.

But to return from this digression. "J. D. B." asks you "what has become of your correspondents from Illinois?" "Where?" says he, "is H. O. W., J. J. and B. P."

I answer for "H. O. W." The other gentlemen are, I presume, fully able for themselves. My answer is, that "H. O. W." is here in Chicago, ready and willing, whenever a proper occasion may require of him, to expose abuses, or to defend, in his feeble manner, the cause of an oppressed people in the State.

Again, he asks you: "Have these worthy correspondents of yours ceased to be interested in holding up to public scorn the abuses of unassuming citizens, high dignitaries, or politicians of the land?" "Or," says he, "have they become despondent, and from this cause relaxed their energies in so good a cause?" "In either case," says he, "it is much to be regretted; for," said he, "heretofore they have done good service, and their silence, at the present juncture, is deeply felt."

To the above, I boldly, though respectfully assert that "H. O. W." has not ceased to be "interested" in the cause of our outraged rights. I trust he continues to be as deeply interested in the cause, as does "J. D. B." Nor has "H. O. W." become "despondent," nor yet has he "relaxed his energies in so good a cause." And if "H. O. W." has been one among "those who have done good service heretofore," by the help of God, he is ready and willing to do it again, to the best of his poor abilities. "H. O. W." puts in no claim, further than to ask that justice be done him for the little, the very little "services" which it has been in his power to render to the cause. Nor does "H. O. W." like to be censured, either publicly, or privately, when he feels conscious of having done his duty.

"H. O. W." can, with equal, if not greater propriety ask, what has become of "J. D. B.?" Has he ceased to be "interested in so good a cause?"

Now, I am willing to give all due credit to "J. D. B." I am not ashamed, publicly and frankly to acknowledge, that in my humble judgment, "J. D. B." is the ablest colored correspondent in the State of Illinois. I have often said this privately, and I now say it publicly. And this is what I mean by saying there is a greater reason in asking what has become of "J. D. B."

He concludes by ironically saying that he "wishes to say a few words to these luminaries, who have so often adorned your columns, and interested your readers."

The great point, and "juncture of affairs," to which he wishes especially to draw attention, is the present Session of our State Legislature. Now in reference to the doings of this Legislature, let facts show who has been "silent" in Illinois. "H. O. W.," or "J. D. B." The following facts will explain,* and show to the public who has been "silent," and also who has ventured to hold up to public scorn the abuses of a certain dignitary in the late Session of our Legislature

H. O. W.

*See article in another column.