CHICAGO, Ill., May 5th, 1853.

FRIEND DOUGLASS: DEAR SIR:—We are endeavoring to arouse the drooping energies of our people in Illinois. We have long, too

long remained supinely inactive, as a mass. It is high time we were guarding on our armor and engaging earnestly in the great work of reform and progress. We have slept, "and must be awaked;" for, "onward" is the language of creation. "Cities hear its voice, and rise up in magnificence; nation's hear it, and sink into the dust; monarch's hear it, and tremble on their throne's; continents feel it, and are convulsed as with an earthquake." But, scattered and sparely settled as our people are in Illinois, still I trust they will be sufficiently awakened to induce a respectable number to come forth to the State Convention proposed to be holden in Chicago, on the 6th, 7th, and 8th of October next. But I will send you a circular.
How true, and how forcible is the consideration, friend Douglass, that the great work of our redemption, rests with ourselves. I greatly desire to see some practical, general movement among our people. An active vitality, with practical plans of operations, are essentials greatly needed at this time. The time is fast approaching when men will be judged, not so much by what they know and say, as by what they actually do. Elder R. J. Robinson, of Alton, who is an intelligent, active, and energetic man, and who is well and favorable known throughout the State, particularly in the Southern portion, "Egypt," was present at the mass meeting, held on the 2d inst. He addressed

the mass meeting at some length, in a very interesting manner, urging a concurrence in the plan of a general system of education as adopted by the "Wood River Colored Baptist Association." He is the agent of this Association, and travels much through the State. He would be a very fit person to act as agent for your paper. Pray, send him your paper. He could do much in the way of introducing it into Central and Southern Illinois, where anti-slavery light is so much needed. Possibly Logan, the "Egyptian" KING, and author of the late infamous enactment, might be benefitted by it.—Brother Robinson assured me that he would do all in his power to introduce the people in Central and Southern Illinois to take your paper.
I here send you the "appeal" and "explanatory statement."
Yours as ever, H. O. W.