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J[ames] R[awson] J[ohnson] to Frederick Douglass, April 12, 1859

ONE FUNDAMENTAL PRINCILE OF CIVIL GOVERNMENT.

FRIEND DOUGLASS:—In Vol. II, page 178, of "Arctic Exploration," Dr. Kane says:

"I added that as men and messmates, it was the duty of us all, enjoined by gallantry as well as religion, to postpone ever consideration of self to the PROTECTION of the wounded and sick, and that this must ben regarded by every man, and under all circumstances, as a paramount order."

Among the icebergs the Doctor and his company were compelled to study Civil Government in its primary lessons. They saw that protection of the weak must stand out as prominent. Let us as an American people fully recognize this principle, and American slavery, and all other forms of oppression, would vanish; and we should present to the nations of the earth such a model government, as all might safely copy.

Yours, as ever, J. R. J.

ANDOVER, N. Y., April 12.

Creator

Johnson, James Rawson

Date

April 12, 1859

Description

J[ames] R[awson] J[ohnson] to Frederick Douglass. PLIr: Frederick DouglassP, 22 April 1859. Argues that if Americans recognized the fundamental principle of protecting the weak, slavery would be outlawed and their democracy would serve as a model for others to emulate.

Publisher

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

Collection

Frederick Douglass' Paper, April 22, 1859

Type

Letters

Publication Status

Unpublished