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Ebenezer Tucker to Frederick Douglass, October, 1851

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Letter from E. Tucker.

Mr. Editor:—I write to correct an error which nearly all eastern editors seem to have fallen into, in judging of the state of things in Indiana. The general opinion seems to be that the "Thirteenth Article," so called, of the new Constitution of that State, about to go into operation, is conclusive evidence of a growing hostility, in Indiana to the people of color. And that supposed fact, joined with other evidences of such hostility elsewhere, is made the pretext for more shameless abuse and insult, and renewed attempts to drive colored people from the land of their birth, to the inhospitable shores of Africa.

Now I have been a resident of Indiana for five years and more, and have been engaged, during all that time, as principal of a permanent High School for Colored youths, and I think that I have had some opportunity to form an intelligent opinion. And I hesitate not to declare as my judgment, that at no former time, has so large a portion of the people of the State, been favorably inclined to the people of color. Indiana has a considerable colored population, and in that region of the State in which I reside, they are comparatively respectable and thriving. The true explanation of the "Thirteenth Article" is this, as I suppose: The great mass of the citizens of Indiana, have always been desirous that "niggers," as they are pleased to say, should be excluded; and very soon after Indiana became a State, laws were passed to discourage their immigration forbiding their entrance into, and residences in the State, except upon heavy bonds for good behavior and support—denying all negroes and mulattoes the right of testimony where either party is a white person—and cutting them off from any share in the public school fund, and excluding them entirely from the public schools.

And these laws have always been, and still are, in force in the State. They have proved entirely useless, however, to accomplish the object for which they were passed. The law requiring bond and security, has always been mainly, and is now, a dead letter. The spirit of hostility has been, nevertheless, and still is strong, though no stronger nor more d[illegible] now, than it used to be. And the remodeling the State Constitution affording a convenient opportunity, certain leading politicians of both parties pressed the matter upon the Convention, to the surprise of all,

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of all, friends and foes, since the proposition had not been before the public in the canvass for the Convention, and for the delegates thereto, the result of which we have in the article before us. The passage of the Fugitive Law last year, is an occurrence of much the same kind. The return of runaway slaves has always been an object with the Government. The old law was an entire failure. The South demanded a new and more stringent measure. The Government granted it—a new law for the accomplishment of an old object. And we have the fugitive slave law—an insult to God, and an outrage on man. Now, does the passage of the Fugitive slave law prove that the people generally are going backward in Anti-Slavery feeling? Certainly not. It is the very pressure of Anti-Slavery sentiment and action which has made the necessity for the new law. The failure of the old, was the reason for the new. The friends of the fugitive are as numerous as ever, and perhaps more so.

So it is in Indiana, and the passage of the "Thirteenth Article" ought not to be regarded as a mark of retrograde on her part. True, she is far, very far, in the darkness of ignorance and prejudice; perhaps more so than any other free State in the Union. I know of no free State so utterly and hopelessly pro-slavery as she; and she has always been so, and is no more so now, than formerly. It is an interesting fact, and one favorable to the character and reputation of the colored people, that in Randolph County, which has a colored population of four or five hundred, (almost entirely farmers,) the majority went against negro exclusion. It is a fact to be noticed, also, that the manner in which the question was submitted to the people at the polls, was deceptive. "Negro exclusion and Colonization—Yea or Nay." So that after all, the vote was not an adoption of the particular provisions of the Article in question, so much as a simple expression of individual likes or dislikes in the case in hand.

The effect of the Article and of the laws which will probably be passed under it, will be bad. It has already emboldened the enemies of freedom. It disheartens the people of color, especially the better and more thriving portion of them. It will probably cause a considerable number to go to Canada. It will thus further degrade and impure, by driving off the best, and retaining the worst. As to the Article itself, and the laws under it, they will probably mostly remain a dead letter. But little attempt will be made to execute them. the present law against immigration, was never executed or nearly so. And will people execute the new, which is more and more difficult? Time will tell, but I think not.

Meanwhile, let not colored men be greatly alarmed at the enmity against them. They have borne it long—and they can bear it longer if need be. Let them maintain their ground, take hold of improvement with a strong hand, and, to use the words of the Apostle Paul - "by well doing put to silence the evil-speaking of wicked men." It is now an evil time—but it will not last—under this cloud lies the clear sunshine, and it will break forth by and by, and make glad the earth with its golden light.

Yours for the truth,
E. Tucker.
Spartansburgh, Ia., Oct., 1851.

Creator

Tucker, Ebenzer

Date

1851-10-31

Description

Ebenezer Tucker to Frederick Douglass. PLSr: Frederick Douglass' Paper, 6 November 1851. Defends Indiana against charges of excessive racism.

Publisher

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

Collection

Frederick Douglass' Paper

Type

Letters

Publication Status

Unpublished

Source

Frederick Douglass' Paper