Collection: African American Newspapers
Publication: FREDERICK DOUGLASS' PAPER
Date: July 30, 1852
F. Douglass
Title: LETTER FROM WM. G. ALLEN
Location: Rochester, New York
LETTER FROM WM. G. ALLEN.
FREDERICK DOUGLASS, ESQ.: DEAR SIR: - Communipaw thinks that he must spite me a bit because his attempted fun over my "Kossuth
Castigation," all went for nothing; others, as well as myself, notwithstanding Communipaw's very ironically expressed opinion
to the contrary, having found out the delinquencies of said "Committee of Thirteen.
Communipaw says in your paper of the 16th inst.: "Professor Allen seems very ignorant of the Jews when he asserts that they
have produced nothing in our times in arts or aims, or policy." Now, does not Communipaw know that I have never asserted any
such thing as he here ascribes to me? I have lost the paper which contained my communication, but I am quite sure the words
I employed were these: "The Jews in modern times have accomplished next to nothing in the great world of science, literature
and art." I said nothing of the Jews as to "aims and policy." Everybody (and, of course, I am included) knows that the Jews
are the greatest mere money-gatherers in the world. But what of that? Anybody can get money who makes that his specific and
only object, and really, and in good earnest sets himself to work at it.. Does Communipaw refer to the mere money-gathering
faculty as evidence of real greatness? If so, he eats his own opinions up, since he has been belaboring some folks because
they have been advising the colored people to make money a great idea. I mean no disparagement of the Jews, and might have
let this point pass but for the opportunity it affords me of giving Communipaw a rap.
But to my statement. Regarding the statement which I
did
make - "that the Jews in modern times have accomplished next to nothing in the great world of science, literature and art"
- in the light of the comparison in which Communipaw well knows I intended it should be understood, I still maintain it (the
statement) is strictly correct, De' Israeli, Neander, Mendelssohn, &c., to the contrary notwithstanding. Comparing the African
race with the great nations of Europe and America, to wit, England, Germany France and the United States, it is perfectly
correct to say that they (the Africans) in modern times have accomplished next to nothing in the great world of science, literature
and art, Banneker, Garnett. Crummell, Ward, &c., to the contrary notwithstanding.
The point which I was endeavoring to establish, and which Communipaw, since he noticed my article at all, should have met,
instead of picking out a sentence either here or there, and altering it at that, was this: -
No truly great nation composed of a
SINGLE
race had ever yet written its name on any page of human history, nor never can, if there be any virtue in science, philosophy
and religion.
I repeat in substance, this is the only point worthy of notice; for though I might have been ignorant enough not to know
that Neander, De' Israeli, Mendelssohn, &c., were Jews, yet I do not believe that Mr. Communipaw ever thought so. But to return.
Does Communipaw controvert this point? He will not; for, if he be the man I take him to be, he had too much sense and science
for that. Shut up the Jews in a nation to themselves, instead of scattering them among the other nations of earth, and where
were your Neander, De'Israeli, Mendelssohn, &c.? Shut up the Africans in a nation to themselves, instead of scattering them
among the other nations of earth, or persons of other nations scattering themselves among them, and where were your Banneker,
Ward, Garnett, &c.? Does not Communipaw know that folks conform (and without admixture of blood either) to the influences
civilizing and otherwise which surround them, and that traits
acquired
may be transmitted from generation to generation? Say, neighbor, tell me where is the greatest (greatness worthy of the name,
I mean) of China, or any other single-raced nation? Say, tell me where? - Every part may be perfect in himself as far as it
goes, but it takes many parts to make a whole. The Jews of old, the Romans, the Greeks were, and the modern Magyars, and Europeans
generally, and the United States Americans are, all of them many-raced people, and hence, in addition to climate and favorable
circumstances - their national greatness.
Ethiop, in one of his communications, tells us that a writer of note in
Frazer's Magazine
ventures the assertion that "when the tide of foreign emigration shall cease, there will be no more salvation for the poor
white American; that he will become for a season stationary, then retrograde, and finally dwindle out of his identity." This
is my idea exactly. Ethiop farther says that one of the leading American journals went into spasms upon the reading of this
statement; but no matter for that. Ethiop still farther affirms that it is time and must be apparent to the most indifferent
observer that even now in the remote country places, where the foreigner's foot does not penetrate, the flaxen hair, florid
complexion and blue eyes have entirely disappeared, and the high cheek bones, black hair and tawny skin have taken entire
possession. It is almost the North American Indian, he continues, who strides up before you. Ethiop is telling the truth in
good round letters, as I, who have lived at odd times, many years in the woods, can testify to. Folks change by force of circumstances
in intellect and morals also, as well as in looks. Mark that!
But I close. Communipaw, no more than myself, believes in the "single-race theory," as the theory for the upbuilding of nations.
Such a theory is anti-Christian - atheistical. It is the legitimate theory of the pro-slavery and the prejudiced, and underlies
the whole project of the abomination of abominations - Liberia Colonization. "God has made of
one
blood all nations of men, to dwell upon
all
the face of the earth."
Yours, Communipaw,
WM. G. ALLEN.
McGRAWVILLE, N.Y.,
July, 19th, 1852.