Letter from H. O. Wagoner.

FRIEND DOUGLASS: DEAR SIR:—Inasmuch as there is a looking up among our people in this country, and consequently a great need of light and activity among us, I therefore beg humbly to suggest, that I believe the quickest, most agreeable, solid, and interesting method of instructing our people, in a general way, would be by forming lyceums in every locality where there are colored persons, and by making such lyceums permanent organizations, to be in active operation from the 21st September to the 21st March, in each year. Let the recess be during the summer, or short nights. Let there be a suitable library to accompany each lyceum, and let the books of the libraries be exactly adapted to the wants of the members. I propose that these libraries be raised by the assistance of the friends of oppressed humanity throughout the country; and, if need be, from friends abroad. This would give all the friends of freedom and progress a chance to do something in a small way. But the great idea and benefit to be derived from these institutions would be, not so much from the discussion of questions by its members, as it would afford an opportunity for our people to hear some of the best lecturers and speakers among the whites; many of whom would, I doubt not, be willing to impart useful information to the members.—These lectures might be upon the most useful and practical branches of education, of menial labor, of the mechanic arts, and of all subjects of actual and practical utility to our people.
And I would further suggest, as a means of forming a cord of union and general understanding throughout the lyceums, that each one form a committee-to be called the Committee of Correspondence, whose duty it should be to correspond with the various lyceums, to find out what questions were being discussed; and, also, to exchange questions; and sometimes, when important questions might be gotten up touching our general interests, to have them discussed throughout all the lyceums; and when any extradordinary good lectures might be given before any of the lyceums, to have them published and circulated throughout all the lyceums, so that all might have the benefit of hearing the same thing. And last, though not least, let Frederick Douglass' Paper be largely subscribed for by all the lyceums.
If the above, though penned hastily and imperfectly, contains anything that can interest or merit the attention of any of our friends, I trust they may give it a proper consideration. But if it is not practical, let it pass.
Yours for freedom and progress,
H. O. WAGONER.
CHICAGO, Ill., March 13th, 1851.