London, Ohio,
Oct. 19th, 1848.
Dear Sir:ー
I take the liberty of requesting a short space in the columns of the North Star, for the purpose of saying a few words on the great question of human freedom, the great and absorbing question of the day. I have recently attended a large number of political meetings of both the old political parties, and have heard numerous speeches made by some of their ablest menーeven the great Senator Corwin. The most difficult of all questions with which they have to deal, is the question of slavery limitation or slavery extension. It is amusing to see how they sweat over it. Senator Corwin, in behalf of the Taylor party, seems to take this part of the work under his own care, and sad havoc he makes of it. He contradicts himself, and seems not to know it. He declared in his speech a few days ago, that Old Zack (Gen. Taylor) was not pledged to anything; and in the same speech labored to show that he was pledged against using the Veto Power. The whole speech was as weak as water, and by far the feeblest effort which I have heard from any stump orator during this canvass. It is certainly cause for rejoicing on our part to witness the extent to which the subject of slavery and liberty enters into the politics of the day.
We want to see the report of the doings of our Convention in Cleveland.
Yours for the oppressed,
D. JENKINSJenkins, David

David Jenkins (c. 1816–76) was a Black abolitionist from Columbus, Ohio. Born in Virginia and educated at Oberlin College, Jenkins was described by Martin R. Delany as a highly skilled craftsman: “[He] received by contract, the painting, glazing, and papering of some of the public buildings of the State, in autumn 1847. He is much respected in the capital city of his state, being extensively patronized, having on contract, the great ‘Neill House,’ and many of the largest gentlemen’s residences in the city and neighborhood, to keep in finish. Mr. Jenkins is a very useful man and member of society.” Interested in the elevation of Black people in Ohio, Jenkins organized a debating society in Columbus and was active in the Masonic Lodge and in the temperance and abolition movements. He organized the first state convention for Blacks in Ohio in 1844 and was elected vice president and appointed to the central committee during Ohio’s State Colored Convention held in Cleveland on 11 September 1852. Jenkins was a delegate from Ohio at the Colored National Convention held in Rochester in July 1853 and was appointed to its finance committee. During the Civil War, he served as a recruiting agent at Camp Delaware. Jenkins was elected vice president of the Equal Rights League Convention held on 21 September 1865 in Cleveland and was appointed sergeant at arms for the 1867 State Convention of Colored People in Columbus. Jenkins removed to Mississippi in 1872 and became a member of that state’s legislature. He died suddenly in Canton, Mississippi in 1876 and foul play was immediately suspected. Frederick Douglass' Paper, 15 September 1843, 1 October 1852, 20 May, 15 July 1853; Liberator, 21 July 1865; Daily Cleveland Herald, 25 July 1863, 21 September 1865; Ripley (Ohio) Bee, 10 July 1867; Ohio State Journal, 25 February 1870; Cincinnati Commercial, 17 April 1872; Cincinnati Daily Gazette, 27 September 1876; Cincinnati Daily Times, 13 September 1876; New York Age, 16 January 1892; 1870 U.S. Census, Ohio, Franklin County, 55; Delany, Condition, Elevation, Emigration, and Destiny of the Colored People, 118; Ripley, Black Abolitionist Papers, 4:73. .