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P.C.S. to Frederick Douglass, May 6, 1853

D6420

ITHACA, May 6th, 1853.

MY DEAR FRIEND:—I need not ask you if
you take the Tribune-for what publisher of
a paper like unto yours could get on without
it. My respect for the Tribune has grown
into admiration. It truly deserves, for many
reasons, its large support. May its friends
never be less; they will be more.

It is truly humiliating, that, in the great
city of New York, this is the only honest, out-
spoken, daily, political journal that looks be-
yond interest and patronage to sustain prin-
ciple—who speaks for the poor down-trodden
slave, and for the recovery and reformation
of the drunkard, with many other reforms.
Contrast those "main sails," the Journal
and Courier,, the Sun, the Herald, and the
Times, with the numerous little fry that fol-
lows, picking the leavings in the cotton row,
and whose heart will not be cheered in look-
ing over this great moral waste in meeting
with the Tribune? I have been led more
particularly to this train of thought by read-
ing some of the late articles of that paper—the one of to-day, the "Moral Influence of
the Tribune." When has there been so
much truth served up in so short a space?
When is infidelity so potent as when taught
under the garb of religion? It is a dish
that cotton palates do not relish. Out truth
still.

The article of the day before, noticing the
new paper in Cleveland, is full of
thought. I think he takes about the right
views of this paper making. Does it not
strike you as very near the truth, or as good
philosophy? The idea of a central daily
journal, published, say in the city of New
York, and owned and conducted entirely by
colored men, is one that appears to me feasi-
ble, and would work a magic influence for
good for the cause of the despised. There are
certainly many of sufficient talent and
business capacity in your ranks to carry it
forward successfully, and I suppose the cap-
ital could be obtained. I wish to urge the
discussion of this matter. This is a sug-
gestion; but its importance is its apology.

Truly yours,

P. C. S.

Creator

P. C. S.

Date

1853-05-06

Description

P.C.S. to Frederick Douglass. PLIr: Frederick DouglassP, 13 May 1853. Praises the editorial work of the New York Tribune; suggests the establishment of a similar newspaper led by blacks.

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