Julia Griffiths to Frederick Douglass, February 28, 1854
WASHINGTON, Feb. 28th.
DEAR FRIEND:— GENERAL CASS made a long
and able speech yesterday in the Senate, on
the Nebraska bill. I was surprised at the
energy with which he delivered it. His man-
ner is peculiarly positive. His speech was
written in full; and as he came to the end of
each sheet manuscript, he inepetously
dashed it down on the floor. If, (as some
assert.) "actions speak louder than words,"
the veteran statesman said "I am infallible;
and my 'law,' like that of 'the Medes and
Persians, altereth not,' His only action
when speaking, consists in vehemently ges-
ticulating with the fore-finger of his right
hand. You are, without doubt, well acquaint-
ed with his views on Territorial Government?
He believes that the U.S. Government has
no right to legislate for the Government of
the Terriorties, and he argues
this ably.—Yet I deeply regretted his ultimate conclu-
sions, and heard him assert, with mingled as-
tonishment and indignation, his resolute de-
termination to give this infamous bill his
support. It was pitiable to observe how
careful he was to explain that by the ex-
pression he once made use of, (viz:)"Higher
Law," he did not mean that "HIGHER LAW
OF GOD," so eloqently expounded, a few
years since, by the distinguished Senator
from New York. Yet indeed, there was no
fear of these (two) Higher Laws being mis-
taken! Poor General Cass, I really pity
him. He stands on the very brink of the
grave, and to the last he seems determined
to do all that in him lies, towards perpetuat-
ing that crime which has been justly termed
"the sum of all villanies." Next spoke Mr.
Cooper of Pennsylvania, against the bill;
his remarks were excellent, and to the pur-
pose, although he is not what would be term-
ed an eloquent man.
If I had not in my last, given you a sketch
of a "Speaking Medium," I should now be
tempted to do so; for, on Saturday last, a
[?] medium preached me a pretty sermon;
and warned me to confer no more with a noble
Senator I had that morning visited, but to
"follow his advice who was up stairs," and to
use my own judgement, which these poor mis-
taken spirits, (alas!) pronounced excellent.
Now, there needed no "spirit" but the lady's
own to divine that I had been conferring wtih
the much esteemed friend above named, as
she saw him hand me to the carriage in which
she was sitting: and heard me say that Slavery and the Nebraska Bill had formed the
subject of our conversation. These "speaking mediums" are, you know, deemed medi-
ums of a higher order than the "rapping
mediums;" but, as yet, I have heard no higher widoms form them than might have been
uttered by any ordinary living child of twelve
years old. (Pardon me, I pray you, dear
and lovely believing friends mine: as yet,
are we not all groping in darkness? Let us
pray the "Father of our spirits" that, upon our
clouded vision may dawn, a day of brighter
light and more unclouded sunshine; when
we shall no more "see through a glass darkly, but face to face")
Last evening I joined a pleasant party of
friends that had assembled at the house of a
Roman Catholic family in our vicinity. They
are delightful people. We had sweet sing-
ing graceful dancing, sprightly conversation,
and every variety of rational amusement;
hospitalities, were bountfully bestowed; but, for the first time in my life, I was waited on
by a SLAVE—the very thought of such a
thing brings upon my soul an incubus that
I try in vain to dislodge, and I gladly turn
to a pleasanter theme. I visited Miss Miner's Colored School yesterday. I found fif-
teen intelligent girls of every shade com-
plexion, assembled round their energetic
teacher, and among them was our friend Emily
Edmondson. The school was much smaller
than usual, in consequence of the
stormy weather. The girls read very
well, and sang very sweetly. Next they were
examined in Mental Arithmetic, then they
chanted a long and difficult lesson in As-
tronomy. I was much pleased with what I
saw and heard in this interesting establish-
ment, and only regretted that; I had not
more time at command to have spent there.
Great credit is due to Miss Miner. her
noble self-sacrifice, and indomitable perse-
verance are well worthy of imitation. The
School is about to be removed to the site of
ground on which it is to be permanently locat-
ed, where I trust that, are long, a large and
airy building will be erected. I next had a
brief but very pleasing interview with Mrs
EDMONDSON, mother of MARY and EMILY
EDMONDSON. She is a sweet looking woman,
lady like in manner, and Christian in heart
I prized highly the blessing she bestowed
upon me, for I felt that it was not lightly
given.
Today I again visited the Senate, and
heard Mr. BROADHEAD of Pa. disgrace
himself, and insult that portion of the North
he pretends to represent, by a mean, coward-
ly speech, in which he gave in his adhesion
to the slave power, and to the entire inter-
iors of the South, and anathematized the
little Spartan band of Northern MEN who
have, thus far, nobly defended the pass of
freedom. Shame on the renegade I will the
true sons of Pennsylvania exclaim, in ages
yet to come, when the names of CHASE, and
SUMNER, and SEWARD, shall be remembered
but to be blessed COLONEL THOMPSON of
New Jersey, followed on the track of MR.
Broadhead, and then the discussion on Ne-
braska closed for to day. So I went to the
House of Representatives, and reached just
in time to hear Mr. WRIGHT of Pennsylvania,
move the wicked and cruel amendment "to
the HOMESTEAD BILL," that limits all its
privilages to "white" citizens
of the U.S.—Mr. THOMAS DAVIS of R. I., and our excellent
friend, Hon. J.R. GIDDINGS, spoke ably and
feelingly against this proposed iniquity. Mr.
SMITH was longing to speak, but yielded the
floor to Mr. DAVIS The vote was taken,
and (as you will have seen, are this reaches
you,) the haters of the sable race gained an
inglorious majority of 5. I left the Capitol,
grieved and depressed, wondering of what
stuff some of these members of Congress are
made, and whether they are in very truth, hu-
man beings, with hearts of flesh? In this doubt-
ing, sober mood, I ascended the dome of the
Capitol, to take a farewell view of the city.
I was simply repaid for counting 250 steps.
The panorama that presents itself from the
summit is exceedingly fine. I believe JOHN
RANDOLPH called Washington, the city of
magnificent distances, and in truth it stretches
out far and wide. The avenues are fine
—the public buildings are fine— the petition
of the city is fine—and the "exulting and
abounding river," shimmering in the sun-light
and rolling onward towards Chesapeake Bay
is more glorious than aught besides; but, while
looking on the landscape. I never for one
moment can forget, that the shores of the
Potomac are cursed with slavery, and that
many poor victims of the fearful system have
sought and found repose, denied them on
earth, in the cold embrace of its waters.
PHILADELPHIA, March 3d.
I bade adieu to any dear and much valued
friends at Washington, on Tuesday morn-
ing, and am thus far on my way to Roches-
ter. I shall be some days in New York, so
shall mail this in advance. I had a beautiful
day for my journey, and I somewhat regret-
ted that I had not made arrangements for
spending part of it in Baltimore. Had it
been a few months later in the season, you
may be assured that ST. MICHAELS, "the eastern shore," and certain old acquaintances of
yours, would not have remained unvisited.
As it was, on was the word, and now I am in
the midst of my Philadelphia friends. Life
is made up of meetings and partings, and the
warm welcome of dear, old, and tried friends,
is ever sweet. On such occasions hours
seem like minutes, and these last three days
have passed like a flash. Many changes have
here taken place since I was here, and come
of a painful character. One dear family
circle has been broken in upon by the relent-
less hand of death, and the blank to me is a
great one—the memory of the excellent man
who was gone hence, will long be "green" in
the "souls" of all who had the privilege of
knowing him. I have had reason with
some of the pleasant friends with whom I
parted at Washington a few days since, and
its has been delightful to talk over some of
the happy times we had
together there.—They have started for Connecticut. I must
leave for New York to-morrow morning, and
again say that difficult word, good-bye.
NEW YORK, Monday.
This day's,Tribune, brings the expected
news, that the Nebraska Bill has passed the
Senate, and states that only 14 Senators have
had the moral courage to register their names
against it. It is just three weeks since Gov.
SEWARD said to me, "If we have 14 votes in
the Senate against the bill, we shall think
ourselves well off." Is he not a wise states-
man? Will the Bill pass the House? is the
next question. If so, will the North tamely
submit? and can the universal murmur of
just indignation, now arising from an out-
raged people be stilled as easily as heretofore?
"Shall tongues be mute when deeds are wrought
Which well might shame extemest Hell?
Shall freemen look th' indignant thought?
Shall Mercy's bosom cease to swell?
Shall Honor bleed?—Shall Truth succumb?
Shall pen, and press, and Soul be dumb?
By all above—around—below—
Be our's th' indignant answer—NO!
I learn from our friend, Mr. GOODELL, that
he is about to edit a new anti-slavery paper
in this city. Its title was being discussed
this morning. Should it be "The American Jubilee," or "The Repealer?" A paper, edit-
ed by no old and true a friend of the cause
as is Mr. Goodell, cannot fail to be excellent,
and will, I trust, be successful. I have seen
several of our anti-slavery friends to-day.
They seem not to be much discouraged by
the present aspect of things; perhaps they
have faith in the old saying, that "it is darkest just before dawn."
I enjoyed the high privilege yesterday, of
hearing the Rev. HENRY WARD BEECHER, in
his own church, and of uniting with its members
in celebrating the Communion of the Lord's
Supper. The service was exceedingly im-
pressive. The addresses made by Mr. Beech-
er, were earnest and solemn. The singing
was very sweet. I was remainded of Watts'
beautiful hymn.
"Lord! how delightful 'tis to see
A whole assembly worship thee," &c., &c.
It was good to be there; and it was good to
have a warm shake of the hand from the
faithful and devoted pastor, and to hear him
kindly say, "I was very glad to have you with
us."
Feeling that I ought to be at home, I have
declined several pleasant invitations, and
propose to be in Rochester to-morrow even-
ing, instead of listening to the lecture of
RALPH WALDO EMERSON, in the Tabernacle.
Yous, in haste,
JULIA GRIFFITHS.