Letter from John Curtis.

Frederick Douglass, Esq: Dear Sir —

Hopes have been entertained by anti-slavery men of political aid, the coming year, from individuals who, protesting against the pro-slavery action of their parties, have deferred separating from them to the coming year. Such have been numerous in this quarter. with scarcely an exception, they now, almost without protest, stand ready to second, by their support, any nominee of their party.

The sad effects of the Van Buren defection of 1848, are every day more manifest.

Among the body of the Free Soilers, while there is an amelioration of prejudice against colored people, there is not the feeling of a common cause and common interest. For their political gatherings, the colored people have no more care, than for a bridge meeting. Does this arise from a suspicion that certain politicians only wish to use the awakened anti-slavery sentiment of the country for selfish ends? One thing is certain, they talk much more of encroachments upon their own liberties, than of those whose dearest rights are wholly taken away; and in earnest, are constantly admitting away their case by conceding that the different States have the Constitutional right to enslave a portion of the people, and that under the Constitution the slave has no right of citizenship. A Resolution simply asserting this right, at the Convention at Cleveland, last fall, though passed by the people attending the Convention, was pushed aside, and ignored by the leaders, declaredly for politic reasons, and it will be again if offered at all, at the coming National Convention. The iron must enter a little more deeply into the souls of some of them to touch them with genuine heartiness. Yet there are noble men in the ranks of the Free Soilers. There is hope while the war lasts, and something more magnanimous than the present drivelling opposition to slavery may yet be known in politics.

As I have been running on where my feelings lead me, perhaps you may think this designed for publication. Such is not my intention. Though you have, probably, little or no recollection of me, your speeches and paper have made you to me as one familiarly acquainted, and I take the liberty to express myself accordingly. On the subject of political action, an article in the Cleveland True Democrat of this week, quite expresses my mind. You will probably recognize it as from the pen of your old friend, Dr. Richmond.

Yours, &c,

John Curtis

Elyria, April 15th, 1852.