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December, 1862, DOUGLAS MONTHLY 757 [[line]] [[3 columns]] [[column 1]] lovely wharfe, but adding much to the beauty of the scene as it peeped out here and there upon us in the distance. After our eight hours ramble, that memorable day, in moor climbing, we regretfully descended from the heights. "All this from one of our anti-slavery friends" some American friend may say, and no word of sympathy for us, in all our disasters is another illustration of English coldheartedness; Not so fast, Dear friends; the American news has reached us regularly in this secluded valley, and been eagerly devoured, I can assure you. The Leeds Mercury has on more than one occassion accompanied me to the hills : and alas ! the contents (so far as American affairs are concerned) have formed a striking contrast to the sweet security of the scenes, in which they have been read. I have much sympathy for my anti-slavery friends at the North; but none for the timorous policy of the Washington Cabinet - much desire that victory may crown the Northern arms, no sympathy with the pro slavery Generals who command them. My heart's desire and prayer is that President Lincoln, may be led to see his duty and to do it Better late than never, is an old, but true saying. Had freedom to the slaves, been proclaimed at the beginning of the war, I feel sure that the bulk of the British nation would have, been with the North; but alas! even in Ilkley [[?]] I am told that the North cares nothing about slavery, and is only fighting for the Union, and my shortsightedness in the matter has been pitied! Who can read of these dreadful battles so often repeated, with the terrible loss of life, without thinking of the widows and orphans left desolate, and of their lamentation and mourning and woe? Yet so it was in the land of Egypt many centuries ago, when "there was not a house in which there was not one dead" "when the judgments of the Lord are upon the Earth, the Inhabitants thereof learn rightiousness." My fullest, deepest sympathy is with my colored friends in America. LEEDS October 12th. While this unfinished sheet has been laid aside, my Dear friend, the President's proclamation has reached us and affords cause for congratulation stop the stripes of the negro will henceforth, I trust no more sully the star spangled banner. The Northern watchword will be freedom, and ere long, the American Government will, I hope, have entirely washed their hands from the blood of the slave. I long to hear and know what will be the effects of this new measure to the adoption of which one cannot but feel that the President has been driven by encreasing necessities, rather than by any new born hatred of slavery. Your October Monthly has come, and I have read your article on the Proclamation with much interest and attention. I have also read Mr. Lincoln's letter to Horace Greeley. It is evident that the President does not wish to be thought to take either side on the slavery question, and does not seek to obtain any credit on this point from his recent Edict. Few that have studied his past line of conduct, could doubt that his paramount object has been to save the Union, and neither to save, nor destroy slavery; and now Mr. Lincoln gives us full opportunity of judging him out of his own mouth. I should like to see the President's letter to Mr. Greeley reviewed by our valued friend Gerrit Smith.-- [[/column 1]] [[column 2]] Would that the American nation had been wise and hearkened to the sage counsels of that distinguished philanthropist and true patriot in times gone by. What potracted misery might then have been spared them.--Our old friend George Vashon, says truly in his able letter to the President. "The negro has not been the cause of this terrible war, but to the white man's oppression of the negro must be traced the true source of all the present trouble. The tears and groans of the millions and slavery have ascended, day after day and year after year to the Throne of Him who is ever the God of the oppressed – "How Long! Oh! Lord?" has been the oft repeated cry, and as of old. He looked down upon the oppressed children of Israel had respect unto them and made a way for their escape, even by the destruction of their obstinate enemies: so now has He hearkened to the cry of the poor negro slave, and is making a way for his deliverance from the Southern prison house. There is my dear friend a firm, and abiding ground of hope, and the thought that God reigns and rules. Earthly rulers, make great mistakes, and have many short comings. Infinite wisdom, must and Will overrule all these errors, for the ultimate deliverance of these enslaved ones. It is always solemn to contemplate retributive justice. Who among us can deny that this is distinctly vissible in the heavy chastisements that have come upon the American people as a nation? I shall ever honor the little band of noble hearted people in the States who have been found true, to the cause of the slaves; but we cannot deny that they are few in number, I feel deeply grieved to learn of the sad losses recently sustained in the dear families of Messrs. P. and B. In Rochester*. My sincere sympathy is with sorrowing members of those excellent families. Civil War is truly among the heaviest and most terrible of all human ills. Mates cease when that monster evil slavery ceases. I believe that colored people feel as white people do, and that God hath made of one blood all nations, that He has given a commandment, that we are, (one and all) to do unto others as we would that others should do unto us," and that nationally, the Americans, North and South, have failed entirely in the practical carrying out of this vital principle. God grant my dear friend that you who have toiled so long and so well, in behalf of your deeply injured people, may be spared to see the day when they shall not only be freed from Southern oppression but be treated as men and brothers by their Northern neighbors. Your letter to Hon. Montgomery Blair is capital. You have I am sure proved your right to remain in the States. May God bless you amidst all your self denying and continuous labors, and inable you to do your duty at this important crises, in the history of your people. It will be fifteen years next December, since your first copy of the North Star was issued, so you have been an Editor during fifteen years, and an unceasing worker in the anti-slavery because for nearly 1/4 of a centuary, I mention this because in your address to your British friends you do not refer to your own labors. I conscientiously believe that with the blessing of God, you have been able to do more on behalf of your race, free and enslaved, then any other colored man in the States. I shall hear state my conviction and add, in my own [[/column 2]] [[column 3]] name, and in that of many warm hearted British anti-slavery friends that we will do our best to aid you in your very labors, for the amelioration of the condition of your people, and by assisting you to scatter your Journal in all directions. With our United kind and best wishes, I remain as always your faithful friend. J. G. CROFTS. *Our correspondent will be glad to know that the two young men alluded to have recovered from their wounds, and are off to the war again. Fd. [[line]] LETTER FROM W. G. DUVALL. [[line]] FRIEND DOUGLASS:—From Priests, Press and Politicians generally, truth and righteousness have very little to expect in this country--but I do insist that these virtues have a claim upon the fire-tried Abolitionists. They ought to be Prophets, and so far removed from the low, sordid influences by which the masses are controlled, as to view calmly and proclaim and transcribe truly whatever pertains to the North American States. To me it is a source of profound wonder and astonishment, the difference made by the Abolitionists between not only the Northern and Southern Governments, but the Northern and Southern people. Nothing is clearer to my mind then this fact--that, excepting the few Abolitionists, the Northern people are not so friendly to the colored people as are the slave-holders. If the future destiny and welfare of the colored race on this continent were to be subject to the dicision of lsaac Hayne of South Carolina, or Isaac Butts of Rochester--and the choice were to depend upon my vote, so help me God I would cast my suffrage for Gen. Hayne. When the brightest prospect that is held out to my excellent and beloved brother, Lewis Douglass, is that of a roving exile under the auspices of this slave-breeding, negro-hating government; and when the best of the great political parties is driven to Egypt for a candidate for the Presidency--and that candidate has but two, solitary ideas in his head, and those are 'compensation and colonization," and his conduct reeking with, if not treason, the most disgusting imbecility--it passes comprehension, that any genuine lover of his kind can stop to strike the balance between the North and South. You have been faithful in exposing that errant military imposter and Breckenridge Democrat, McClellan. He is the chosen tool of Abraham Lincoln, whom I make responsible for all the mischief done by his instrument--but on the contrary, the Abolitionists view with others in exempting the principal from the acts--the constantly repeated acts, of his agent! To me such conduct is marvellous. When execrable typhography in our articles annoy us, we don't curse the 'devil,' but the proof-reader.--Why not exercise the same honesty in other things. My estimation of Northern people was low enough before the developments of this war--I am now sincerely of the opinion, that, emancipation, without a radical change of heart among the people of the North, would be far from preferable. Are you not aware, Brother Douglass that so far as the Federal Government, has the power, the slaves of the rebels are all free to-day--and have been since the 23d of September last? And are you aware that, Lincoln in his proclamation, which the Abolitionists hailed with such superlative joy, has attempted his utmost to reinslave them? The sworn duty of the Executive is, not to make laws, but to faithfully execute them. The Confiscation Act, which received his signature, declared the slave of every rebel free after the 23rd of September--and prohibited any rebel from holding office under this Federal Government. [[/column 3]]
