Publication: FREDERICK DOUGLASS PAPER
Date: August 5, 1853
F. DouglassTitle: ---
Location: Rochester, New York
the Liberator.
From the Liberator.
Letter from Professor Willaim G. Allen.
---
London, England, 26 Swinton Street.
June 20, 1853.
WILLIAM LLOYD GARRISON Esq.:
DEAR SIR, - I cannot resist the temptation to address you a few lines; of for no other purpose certainly to thank you for
the very kind letter which I found at JOSEPH STURGE'S. That letter was an introduction to one of the dearest men (GEORGE THOMPSON)
with whom it has ever been my lot to become aquatinted. We have visited Mr. Thompson several times, and though I had heard
him on the platform, and was filled with admiration of his genius and efforts in behalf of the oppressed of both hemispheres,
yet it was not until I had enjoyed his home circle that I had a full appreciation of the loftiness of his character, as it
is evinced in his child like simplicity. Mr. Thompson is hardly less eloquent and one cannot leave his house, after spending
a day to an evening with him, without feeling himself invigorated in mind and heart, and in better love with whatsoever things
are beautiful and true.
"Old England" is a wonderful country. - there is grandeur in the looks of it. There is poetry too - the ride from Liverpool
to London, taking one through a region of country all the way blossoming as the rose. The English people, too - I an in love
with them. There is nobility in their hearts and dignity in their bearing. They have also a quiet repose of character, which
is certainly a pleasing contrast to the hurly-burly of the American.
That in Englishmen which most favorably impresses the colored man from America is the entire absence of prejudice against
color. Here the colored man feels himself among friends and not among enemies; among a people who, when they treat him, well
do it not in the patronizing spirit, even of hundreds of the American abolitionists but in a spirit of human equality. Color
claims no precedence over character here; and consequently in parties given by the "first people" in the kingdom, may be seen
persons of all colors moving together on terms of perfect social equality. Rev. S. R. Ward, of Canada, than who it is hardly
possible to be blacker and who is an honor to the race in intellectual ability, has been in London several weeks, and can
amply testify to the fact that his skin, though "deepest dyed" has been no barrier to the best Society in the kingdom. Mr.
Ward and myself were both present, by invitation, a few evenings since, at a party given by the Prussia Ambassador, at his
residence in Regent's Park. That which in an American community would startle it more than seven thunders could - i. e. the
marriage (or even the surmise of it) of two respectable persons, one of whom should be white and the other colored, passes
as a matter of course in England. In no party, whether public or private to which we have been, in not walk which we have
taken in no hotel as which we have had occasion to put up, in no public place of amusement, gallery, museum &c, have we met
the cry of "amalgamation." Either out-spoken or as manifested in a well bred sneer. This state of things if course, evinces
that prejudice against color is entirely a local feeling, generated by slavery and which must disappear, not only as colored
men, rise higher and higher, in the light of intelligence and virtue, but its the dominant race in America, becomes wise and
more liberalized by the spirit of true Christianity.
I must not forget to all you of what pleasant evenings we have spent with Mrs. Follen and Miss Cabot. They we pleasant, because
spent in the Society of true and noble hearted women, warm in their sympathies and active in their efforts in behalf of the
enslaved millions of America. These noble American women - how long could slavery last, did America count such by the hundreds?
I must not forget to tell you, also, of a pleasant evening with Mr. ESTLIN - hardly a stranger to those who have read
Mrs. Stowe has gone to Paris. Her visit to this country has created much sensation. The papers here criticize both the Professor
and Mrs. Stowe, variously, and one of two, I think, unjustly; especially those that intimate that she is seeking self-gratification.
- Mrs. Stowe has never suffered martyrdom. And however, much others may honor her she has too much sense and piety and it
too great-hearted, to covet honors which more properly belonged to those who have led on in the fore-front of this battle.
J. MILLER McKIM, Esq., of Philadelphia, has also gone to Paris. Miss SARAH PUGH leaves, in a few days in company with Mrs.
FOLLEN, for Switzerland. Dr. BAILEY of the
Our friend WILLIAM WELLS BROWN is as active as ever. There seems to be no end to his enterprise. He has beyond a doubt, been
a most efficient laborer in this country in the great cause of Anti-Slavery. Mr. FARMER and himself have aided us much in
ferreting our notable places and getting a sight of notable people - for which we thank them both.
Rev. S. R. WARD holds a meeting to night in Freemason's Chapel - the Earl of Shaftesbury, in the chair - to consider measures
of aiding the fugitives in Canada. Ward will be successful.
I rejoice exceedingly that you had so good a meeting in New York. It may be that slavery and compromise have not quite eaten
our the heart of the action, and that there is yet hope.
What a speech was that of Douglass! - A masterly production and which should gain him immortal honor. Some of the criticisms
upon it by the American papers would be villainous, if they were not so ridiculous, and some again are amusing. - That was
decidedly cool of Thurlow Weed, that "if" --- "Douglass' great mind were imbued with kindlier sympathies!!" Now, t is all
proper enough that all men in what ver relation of life, should feel kind towards each other; but only think of it - asking,
not the man who strikes but the stricken, to be kinder. Surely, slavery has made bad work with the heart and conscience of
the American people. It is the reformer's duty not to be content with ameliorating as Weed would have Douglass do, but only
in ruling out evil. Radicalism is the only ism that ever blessed the world, or ever will or can. - These conservatives are
singular folks. They have neither genius nor philosophy. They would have their boy learn to swim by aiming his motions upon
the sand bank; and neither he that led on the barbaric host against the gates of imperial Rome, not Luther ever would be model-men
of theirs.
But I must not make you too long a letter. You know all about the Exeter Halls meeting. Whatever may be its results I am
satisfied of one thing - it is directly to the point to get up a public sentiment against slavery abroad. Slaveholders must
be driven into isolation; and I am very glad to know that they themselves are finding out, that the thing is being done. I
have but a little sympathy for the feeling which apologizes for and explains away their sins, on the plea of converting them
to the truth. A single self application of the golden rule would open the whole subject to them, in its length and breadth
and height and depth.
Now is an excellent time to spread Anti-Slavery truth among the people of this country. I shall do what I can (little though,
of course, it will be) to help bring about the time when"
"Worth, not birth, shall rule mankind,
And be acknowledged stronger."
Our passage from America to England was a pleasant one, barring the melancholy accident - the loss of four sailors at sea
- of which you already know; and our stay of two weeks in Liverpool was rendered more than agreeable by the kindness of our
mutual friend, WILLIAM P. POWELL, Esq., formerly of New York. Mr. STURGE, also, of Birmingham, received us with great kindness
and cordiality and has placed us under many obligations to him for his friendly department towards us.
We are in good health, and you may well imagine we enjoy life. There is but one drawback'; the light of British liberty has
revealed more clearly than ever the inner chambers of the American prison house of bondage, and disclosed how mere then mangled
and bleeding are the victims that he therein. This makes me sad, but more determined to work ever.
Very faithfully yours,
WILLIAM G. ALLEN.
