Philip Schuyler to Frederick Douglass, September 7, 1854
Frederick Douglass' Paper,
Frederick Douglass: My Dear Friend:—What has become of the "Free Democratic" Party that started two years since from Pittsburg with so much promise, and that run so well for a while? Surely it cannot be defunct. Where are the New York Central Committee that they do not show themselves? Can they suppose that its work is done, and the organization is to disband, and leave what is still undone to other hands? I have not seen as yet the first word from this Party, or from others referring to it. I can hardly believe that those that lead in this business have concluded to be quiet, and let the Party go to pieces and amalgamate with other political combinations,—for surely they can hardly be called Parties. And yet I am almost forced to this conclusion from the silence on the subject.
If this conclusion should prove correct, we demand an answer to our question. When shall we go? Tell us, for we conclude youmust know what is best for us to do. I see a quarter-of-a-score of Political orders in this State, to which shall we turn as the one that is to carry out our principles and do our
work? You have no reference I think to the Hards. Do you think any better of the
Softs? Perhaps that section of the Whig Party, called the "Silver Grays" have changed their course, and they stand with open arms to greet us. The other wing, perhaps, of this renowned Party, are just the thing for us. We are still far from the truth, or you may be thinking that we are very obtuse that we cannot see the great moral sun, that is now rising in the "Anti-Nebraska" horizon, that is to shed light and truth over our hemisphere.
Do tell us, gentlemen, where we are, and what we are to do, and where we are to go. Our friends are running to and fro without knowledge; the Political Poll has lost its attraction, and our needle points in every direction.
We trust that the "Free Democracy" will not surrender its charter and disband. Let us have our Convention, and make our nomination. I think we shall find among all the other Candidates for the different offices, those that will carry out our views. What say your, friend DOUGLASS?
Truly yours,
PHILIP C. SCHUYLER
ITHACA, Sept. 7th, 1854.