Phila. March 30, 1876.

Dear Mr. Frederick Douglass:

I can not tell you how proud and glad I was to get your letter. I have been ever since in the condition of a person who has been suddenly lifted by some especial grace of Providence, above the beaten, dusty, weary walks of ordinary life into an atmosphere of genial warmth and gladness. "One touch of sorrow makes the whole world kin": and dear Mr. WhipperWhipper, William

William Whipper (1804-76) first became known for his "free labor and temperance" grocery in Philadelphia. During the 1830s Whipper attended the annual National Negro Conventions regularly, and in 1835 he helped found the American Moral Reform Society and served as the editor of its journal, the National Reformer. That same year, Whipper moved to Pennsylvania's interior, where he became involved in the lumber business and in the Underground Railroad. Initially Whipper rejected the idea of racially based reform movements, but late in life he came to accept African American organizations as necessary for the attainment of racial equality. Because he desired the "moral elevation" of African Americans within American society, he often agreed with Douglass's approach to political and social reform. During the 1850s Whipper supported the emigrationist movement, but the outbreak of the Civil War prevented him from moving himself and his family to Canada. Instead, he returned to Philadelphia after the war and worked as a cashier for the Freedman's Bank, which failed in 1873. Richard P. McCormick, "William Whipper: Moral Reformer," Pennsvlvania History, 43:23-48 (January 1976); Jack Salzman, David L. Smith, and Cornel West, eds., Encyclopedia of African-American Culture and History, 5 vols. (New York, 1996), 5:2817-18; DANB, 643. whom you loved and I loved, blessed us in his death by making us sensible of what high and endearing fellowship

which springs from a common sorrow.

I was not satisfied with what I said of Mr. WhipperWhipper, William

William Whipper (1804-76) first became known for his "free labor and temperance" grocery in Philadelphia. During the 1830s Whipper attended the annual National Negro Conventions regularly, and in 1835 he helped found the American Moral Reform Society and served as the editor of its journal, the National Reformer. That same year, Whipper moved to Pennsylvania's interior, where he became involved in the lumber business and in the Underground Railroad. Initially Whipper rejected the idea of racially based reform movements, but late in life he came to accept African American organizations as necessary for the attainment of racial equality. Because he desired the "moral elevation" of African Americans within American society, he often agreed with Douglass's approach to political and social reform. During the 1850s Whipper supported the emigrationist movement, but the outbreak of the Civil War prevented him from moving himself and his family to Canada. Instead, he returned to Philadelphia after the war and worked as a cashier for the Freedman's Bank, which failed in 1873. Richard P. McCormick, "William Whipper: Moral Reformer," Pennsvlvania History, 43:23-48 (January 1976); Jack Salzman, David L. Smith, and Cornel West, eds., Encyclopedia of African-American Culture and History, 5 vols. (New York, 1996), 5:2817-18; DANB, 643. : it was written when I was more heavily pressed with work than usual, and withal quite sick; and because I thought so much of him and wished to honor his memory, it fretted me that I could do no better. And here is another reason that I am glad that you liked it, because you who knew and esteemed him so well, thought that what I said was just, if not adequate.

Again I am indeed glad, dear Mr. Douglass, to have deserved your thanks for any reason whatever: and if you knew in what high estimation

you are held by me for your brave, frank and magnanimous nature, as well as for your rare intellectual ability you would not wonder.

If this offends your sense of modesty, I beg that you will pardon me because of my sincerity: and stop your ears with cotton while are reading it, as the Irish girl asked her master to do when he was reading her lover's letter.

Many and many a time when you have been to Philadelphia, have I wished that I could see and speak with you a little while; but I always felt that there were so many who could urge the claim of personal friendship or whose worth deserved your notice, that I kept in the background, and

was only too grateful for a passing word when I could get it.

I used to wish so much to tell you what I was trying to do here, and what purpose has animated me all my life. I feel sometimes like a person to whom in childhood was entrusted some sacred flame: it has burned more dimly sometimes than at others, but it always has, and always will, burn steadily and persistently, for all that it will never go out but with my life. I need not tell you, Mr. Douglass, that this is the desire to see my race lifted out of the mire of ignorance, weakness and degradation: no longer to be the fag end of the American rabble: to sit in obscure corners in public places and

devour the scraps of knowledge which his superiors fling him. I want to see him erect himself above the untoward circumstances of his life: I want to see him crowned with strength and dignity; adorned with the enduring grace of intellectual attainments, and a lover of manly deeds and downright honesty.

I wish you could hear how I speak to the School sometimes. I pour out upon them what my heart is so full of, and sometimes I think that it falls upon deaf ears, and then again, I think that it does not. At one time, feeling very much discouraged, I asked them all if there was any one among them who ever thought about what I said to

them: that is, my desires for them aside from their merely making fine scholars: several hands went up, and I - well - I took courage, and took up the old burden again. I fear, Mr. Douglass, that I have not got over my childhood entirely. If I planted beans and they did not put in, or rather put out, an appearance as soon as I thought they ought to, I used to take them up and see if they were all right. Experience has deepened my trust in the laws of nature, but I am ashamed to say that I sometimes feel very much like going among the children, pulling up my intellectual corn and beans, and noting progress.

Oh well, I have to teach myself patience in this way, to wait for "the early and the latter rain." A most worthy man said to me, "Remember, Fanny, that it is seed time now, and not harvest." The golden harvest may be reaped in time: - who knows? But I must not trespass longer upon your time.

Mrs. WhipperWhipper, Harriet L. Smith

Harriet Smith Whipper (1818-1906) was born in Columbia, Pennsylvania and wife of William Whipper (Philadelphia Inquirer, 26 September 1906) read your letter, and she also would be glad if the work of collecting Mr. Whipper'sWhipper, William

William Whipper (1804-76) first became known for his "free labor and temperance" grocery in Philadelphia. During the 1830s Whipper attended the annual National Negro Conventions regularly, and in 1835 he helped found the American Moral Reform Society and served as the editor of its journal, the National Reformer. That same year, Whipper moved to Pennsylvania's interior, where he became involved in the lumber business and in the Underground Railroad. Initially Whipper rejected the idea of racially based reform movements, but late in life he came to accept African American organizations as necessary for the attainment of racial equality. Because he desired the "moral elevation" of African Americans within American society, he often agreed with Douglass's approach to political and social reform. During the 1850s Whipper supported the emigrationist movement, but the outbreak of the Civil War prevented him from moving himself and his family to Canada. Instead, he returned to Philadelphia after the war and worked as a cashier for the Freedman's Bank, which failed in 1873. Richard P. McCormick, "William Whipper: Moral Reformer," Pennsvlvania History, 43:23-48 (January 1976); Jack Salzman, David L. Smith, and Cornel West, eds., Encyclopedia of African-American Culture and History, 5 vols. (New York, 1996), 5:2817-18; DANB, 643. letters, could be done. I should be very glad to do it, if I could do it well enough, and if I could get the time. I shall certainly not lose sight of having some one do it.

I am very sorry to know that you were not well when you wrote. I hope that you are quite

recovered by this time. Do take care of your health, Sir.

Mrs. Dorsey has not been well for a long time; and Mrs. VidalVidal, Mrs. Ulysses

, with whom I am now staying, has also been very ill: both of these kind friends are now, I think, steadily improving.

And now, Mr. Douglass, I beg to sign myself for your kind letter—always with gratitude and high esteem

F. M. JacksonJackson, Fanny M.

.