Frederick Douglass: Dear Sir:—It is to me one of the most discouraging things connected with our colored population, that they show so little ambition and evince such a want of appreciation of the true means to improve their condition, otherwise they would make much greater efforts as individuals to rise above the difficulties that depress them, and would see and feel the necessity of sustaining such men as yourself, Mr. Ward, and others, in their efforts to secure justice and equal rights for all. There ought to be at this time at least fifty newspapers, conducted by colored men, and well sustained among themselves, if they really desire to place themselves on an equal footing in all respects with their white fellow-citizens. Instead of that, one after another is suffered to go down for want of support, till at last yours is, I believe, the only one left in the United States. This is really a disgrace to the whole race.—But if the mass will not see their own interest and duty in relying on their own efforts for their elevation, the greater responsibility rests upon a few intelligent men like yourself, Mr. Ward, &c., for continued, and if possible, increased efforts to impress upon those within your influence the necessity of obtaining for their children a good education, with habits of industry and thrift, so that they may become useful citizens. Associated action, in my opinion, is what is needed—a union of interest, of purpose, with a union of means, either for educational, manufacturing or mercantile purposes, which will thus bring strength out of weakness, and give a power and ability to the enterprising and ambitious but poor colored man, to complete successfully with his more opulent and better educated white neighbor. This associated action, in a national effort, has already given power, respect and position to the colored man in the Republic of Liberia; and, without desiring to argue the colonization scheme with you at this time, I must say that a vast majority of those who so violently and bitterly oppose that measure, both white,black and colored, seem entirely satisfied with their remaining in a subordinate capacity in this country. Yes, sir, even the black and colored people themselves, as well as their white friends, do not seem to desire for them or expect them to become anything more than good waiters, good servants, barbers or boot-blacks. Is not this the case? and does