Letter from H. O. Wagoner

Friend Douglass:—Dear Sir:—Notwithstanding we live in the darkness of "Egpyt" or rather in the "Egyptian State," Illinois, as it is, with some propriety called; yet, I am proud to be able to inform you that the colored people of the northern section of the State are awaking from their long sleep of death, and are being "restored to lite and vitality, because restored to activity."

We had a glorious and enthusiastic Mass Meeting in the City Hall, on last evening, pursuant to previous notice. In the call for this meeting, it was stated that John Jones and William Johnson would address said meeting. After the meeting was called to order, on motion of J. D Bonner, Byrd Parker was called to the chair, and J. H. Bargnet and M. S. Lewis appointed Secretaries. On motion of H. O. Wagoner, the chairman explained the object of the meeting to be for the purpose of bringing about a union of sentiment and concert of action, on the part of the colored people, and friends, urging all to move in the matter of petitioning the Legislature to repeal that part of the statu[t]es of Illinois which deprives colored persons from testifying in her courts of justice like the rest of her fellow-citizens—There are several other odious features in the statu[t]es of our States; but we have concluded—not like Mr. Clay with his "Omnibus Bill," to bundle them all together, and to present them at once; but, to ask first for the repeal of one. And of all the disabilities under which we labor, in this respect, we regard the oath as being the most important, and therefore, claim first our consideration and attention.

Friend Jones, who is an active reformer, and man of progress, came promptly forward, agreeable to previous arrangement, with statu[t]es of Illinois in hand, [from] which he read the nefarious and disgraceful enactments, commonly called the "[Black Laws]." And in a masterly and happy manner did he decant upon, and expose, to the common-sense view of all present, the immoral, wicked, and evil tendency of such enactments.—And most feelingly, as well as touchingly and effectively did he urge the repeal of the one which deprives the colored people of the State from testifying in her courts of justice against, or in favor of a white person.—Friend Jones is one of our strong men. He states his matter powerfully and skillfully, and seldom fails to produce the desired effect. Friend Johnson, too, is not less remarkable than Jones. His statements are perspicuous, clear, and illucidating; and they are so transparent and convincing, that they shine forth with radient lustre, and are arguments in themselves. But if his statements are grand, his eloquence is towering and transcendant, and seldom, if ever, fail to enrapture the soul, and carry conviction to the understandings of his bearers.

Nor is friend Bargnet to be forgotten in this connection, for he was called forward to reddress the people in the northern portion of the State—to obtain signatures to a petition and to report progress to this meeting. He is a representative of the "Palmetto State," and is an excentric genious. He is sarcastic, witty, vehement, literary, instructive, and, at times, truly sublime; and, therefore, well calculated to interest an audience.

But I have extended this letter beyond what I had intended, when I began; and especially so, as you will receive the proceedings of the meeting as reported by the Secretaries. I fell, however, that you will pardon this intrusion.

Yours for the highest happiness of man,

H. O. Wagoner.

Chicago, Dec. 28th, 1852.