Ben[jamin] Banneker to Frederick Douglass, July 15, 1859
A GREAT CRIME.
Dr. James McCune Smith, in one of his trifling and boyish articles in your paper of last week, above the signature of 'Communipaw,' has committed a great crime against his race. In that communication he boldly unfurls his black flag of strife, discord, and bloody contention. In his hot haste to renew his attacks upon the African Civilization Society, and staggering under the tremendous blows of Mr. Herries, he daubs a picture of the Association just as it appeared in his own wounded mind and disabled vision. In that article he speeaks of the friends of the Society Herein is the great crime—yes, the wickedness which is destitute of everything that is noble and ingenuous. No friend of the Society every 'set down black men against yellow men,' and Dr. Smith knows that, if he knows anything, the comparison was made in reply to a remark of a certain demolished individual of Newport, who stated that the intelligent colored men of the country were opposed to the and named Some silly creatures in these parts thought there were other intelligent colored men among six hundred thousand free people. Sixteen were 'put down' against four, and a majority of them 'yellow men,' and hundreds more can be named. Dr. Smith is the first man of note in this land, and I trust the only one, who dares to throw that apple of discord among his people. But perhaps it was well the Doctor delivered himself, for otherwise there might have been an explosion of a very serious nature. If it was in him; it was proper that he should let it out. Nevertheless, I must entreat him to consider the enormity of his act.
I must entreat him to pause in this public attempt to divide our people. In view of his doctrine of 'cohesion,' in the name of God and enslaved millions, I supplicate him to do nothing that would separate us, or that would introduce in this land the that so fearfully prevail in and other West India Islands, for we are all brethren. If I really believed my crushed people would catch at the poisoned bait thrown out by my learned friend Dr. Smith, I would pray God to blot out my life!
But all this is in keeping with other wild notions of the Doctor. Some time ago, he told us in the that the best specimens of the colored race, physically and intellectually, are found in the United States, where, of course, they have improved under the elevating influence of American Slavery.
So says Stephens of George, and Barnwell Rhett of South Carolina. And John Mitchell, Duffie Green, Mr. Lamar, and the captain and the crew of the yacht Wanderer, say But, O! ye men of Timbucto, and Yoruba, behold the Doctor's logic! Hear what he says of these wild Africans, whom he puts down far below 'the negroes of the United States:' 'These Africans of Nassau, fresh from their native wilds, could they be imported into our midst, would teach us more than we could them, elevation-wise.' Yes, yes; no doubt they could improve the Dr.'s and give him a profitable lesson in history, and read him a good lecture on the Further, Dr. Smith writes, 'A society, therefore, of native Africans to civilize the free negroes of the United States would seem to be the need for our day.' What 'logic'—not equalled in Congo. If the natives of our fatherland are so much superior to the 'free negroes of the United States,' in the name of common sense, what objection has the Doctor to the objects of the Civilization Society? Why should not all of us make an exodus thither, and the with pill box and lancet, leading the hosts as the Moses, Aaron,
and Herr of modern times? It would be well for these gentlemen to read the 13th chaper of First Corinthians, and 11th verse: 'When I was a child,' &c. One word about 'begging,' and I have done with 'Communipaw,' Dr. James McCune Smith. Certainly he has forgotten that darling babe of his intellect, long since dead and gone.—I mean his Please tell us how he proposed to raise the funds? By begging, surely. But begging in that case so signally failed, as to cause the early death of the poor little thing; and since that sad event, the Doctor has had a great dislike to begging. It seems odd to the people in these parts to hear gentlemen who very properly have been levying contributions with skill and effect, for a quarter of a century, on both sides of the Atlantic, chattering away so glibly about 'passing the hat.'—They all know that there is not a benevolent society, or anti-slavery newspaper, or lecturer, but is supported by raising funds from their friends.
You say, Mr. Editor, that Dr. Smith's article is 'stinging,' and you approve it and comment it. Please tell us who it 'stings.' An old lady, close at hand, says, 'he speaks from experience—it stings himself.'
I am, truly and sincerely your obliged friend, for Universal Freedom, African Civilization, and Negro Nationality,
BEN. BANNEKER.
New York, July 15, 1859.