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J. W. Adams to Frederick Douglass, May 7, 1852

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Letter from J. W. Adams.

Samuel Ringold Ward recommending Retrogression to the "Free Black Men of the United States."

Frederick Douglass: Sir:—To some, the above may appear quite novel, especially so, seeing it is associated with the name of one "whose mighty power is destined to shake this nation to its very centre;" but, sir, you are aware that, until a public measure or opinion of any kind is universally conceded to or embraced, especially if the same be in the market, its recommendatory qualities are rather questionable. If, after an examination, however, the thing bears testing, then our misgivings are vitiated, and we may go on our way rejoicing. The more a good piece of furniture is rubbed, the more brilliant the polish appears.

The point to which I wish to call you attention, as objectionable, are, 1st. Samuel R. Ward recommended, as a last resort, a measure long since abandoned. These are his words: "I said, also, that I would speak of a resort for you in case of such sufferings as contemplated your compulsory removal from our native country. That resort is the last one. What is it? It is to look above and beyond man, to God; not that you should not at all times look to Him, but that you should then beseech Him so to interpose in your behalf as to redeem His promises made to the poor, the sighing and the needy, in the 12th Psalm, and the various other parts of Scripture, to avenge the long suffering sons of Africa." (b.)

Doubtless, many of your readers are aware of the earnest zeal manifested by the anti-slavery community, a few years since, in favoring and sustaining "monthly concerts of prayer" for the slave; but in these latter days, the dearth in this feeling is so great with this same class for the poor slave's salvation and the master's conversion, that now there's hardly a "rose in the wilderness left

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on the stalk to tell where the garden had been."

What has produced this might "change in the public mind?" Evidently, sir, they conceived that the means then employed would never accomplish the thing designed; and, therefore, to them it was not the "last resort." (c.)

Our good old fathers were told, by their spiritual advisors and teachers, to "pray on," "stand still," and ere long they should see the great salvation; but, after looking long, died without the sight. (d.) It was the same with those who had been proselyted (e.) to that system of creeds called Methodism; for, while in the very act of using that "last resort," of looking beyond their dear brethren up to God, and that, too, in the place assigned for that especial purpose, they were forced from their knees, and made to take a position assigned them by man. (A similar position we all hold in this country up to this day, and it would very much relieve my mind if any of our eruditionists would tell how we can become equals while in this sad position.) It was, then, that this "last resort" was abandoned, and being moved by the God (spirit) which was in them, and showing a bold, open and native (independent) front, they laid the foundation for a separate and distinct organization. The result is seen in the A. M. E. and other colored churches.

Unfortunately for them, however, they used similar materials in rearing their labric, as that from which they isolated themselves, insted of taking (as they ought) the clay and moulding a system for themselves more enlarged and progressive. However, as the foundation is correct, it is to be hoped that a new system of things will, ere long, be brought about; and, as several of the General Conferences of colored people are, or will be in session, there is nothing to hinder them from demolishing these antiquated and superanuated system, culled from European assumptions, and in their stead rear up one that recognizes the doctrine of one God, one Faith, one Baptism, and a ONE BROTHERHOOD

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OF EQUALS. If this would be done, instead of endeavoring to botch up a dilapidated dogma, which has long since fulfilled its mission, and that, ere long, must tumble over their heads, what an ennobling character they would beget to themselves.

In conclusion on this subject, let me say that either this whole system of creeds called Religion, and in which we have been drilled, and made to believe, is "the sav[i]or of Life unto Life," &c, is a delusion, or "Christianity is a failure;" for the Bible expressly says that the religion of Christ removes all evil; yet we see that these, whose systems of creeds put together, has failed to remove that root of all bitterness to us, viz: prejudice, from the heart of our assumed lords and masters, (even the "Friends," commonly called Quakers.) who have assumed the position and would fain monopolize exclusively all the sympathy for us, and from their outward adornment one would suppose had all the piety afloat; yet this same sanctimonious sect has an especial proviso excluding "black men" from an equal privilege in their communion.

I mention this now to show the hopelessness of the "black man's" case in becoming equals in the most favored community where men exclusively of European extraction have the lead; and this recommendation of S. R. W. savors too much of the days of slavery, of which we have heard our fathers speak, when the assumed master would say, "Give my negroes plenty of corn and bacon, the chance to get to meeting, and the holding of prayer-meeting in the quarters! and a more happy and contented set of 'Boys,' are not to be found on any plantation in the entire South."

Indeed, this looking to another world, by the slave, as the only haven of rest, is the best recommendation in the eyes of his master; for then he feels that no efort will be made in this world to change his (the slave's) condition.

This retrogressive step, or advice to move in a circle, is not in accordance with the progress of the age, the genius of which, by im-

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plication, says, "Fool, up! put thy own shoulder to the wheel. By exercising thy free agency, which is as inherent in thee, as any one else, for thou wilt be held responsible for the use or abuse of the talent given; and thou wilt not be justified in thyself, by saying there are certain disabilities imposed upon us, therefore, we must wait God's time, and when He will interpose in our behalf, and redeem His promises, then we will be up and doing: but not till then; or we will wait until our friends have convinced the nation of their errors, and they become converted, and prejudice eradicated from their hearts!" No, this will not do. We must adopt the motto,

"Who would be free, HIMSELF must STRIKE the blow."

Yours, for Free thought

and Independent action,

J. W. Adams.

Philadelphia, May 7th, 1852.

(b.) The above is abbreviated, somewhat, but not to destroy the sense.

(c.) The very latest "resort," heard of, is the recommendation to form a third political party, which party, we suppose, is to swallow the other two political parties, and that will accomplish the object!! See doings of Cincinnati Convention.

(d.) I recollect the remark of the Rev. Mr. W. Christian, an agent for the destitute in Canada, some few years since, saying his forefathers, for two generations, had longed to see the day when slavery should cease, and prayed long and fervently, in expectancy for the sight of that day; but they died in slavery. And said he, I was living in hopes of seeing the same; but alas! when I found my head getting white in hope, I ceased hoping, and making use of bones and sinews, I found my way to Canada. Now, permit me to ask S. R. W. this question: suppose the thirty thousand colored people, who are said to be in Canada, most of whom were slaves, had continued using this "last resort," as advised, would they have yet left the sunny South, and found a refuge in Canada? While upon this subject, let me say one thing more about this continued appealing to the Bible, (the Old Testament, especially,) about God's promises, &c. It has had the effect to make many of us believe there is a prediction, a curse pronounced by God, against us, on account of some great wickedness committed by our fore-parents in Africa; and when, like the Jews

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in Egypt, we have filled the cup of our suffering and oppression, He (God) will deliver us. It is therefore, our duty, say they, "to wait his good time" to bring us out of our afflictions. I have heard grave ministers and ruling elders amongst us, assert and teach this erroneous doctrine to his flock.

(e.) I consider the opinions or religious notions of our parents, as not very dissimilar: that which they brought with them from Africa, was a remote, antiquated superstition; that which they embraced, is more recent and refined.

Creator

Adams, J. W.

Date

1852-05-07

Description

J. W. Adams to Frederick Douglass. PLSr: Frederick Douglass' Paper, 20 May 1852. Criticizes Samuel Ringgold Ward for advocating colonization.

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