W[illia]m Herries to Frederick Douglass, June 27, 1859

THE AFRICAN CIVILIZATION SOCIETY

FREDERICK DOUGLASS, ESQ.: DEAR SIR:— Understanding that by some inexplicable means Uncle Same failed to deliver a letter with which he was intrusted on the 1st of June, I will endeavor to come up to his rescue by renewing the several observations which that letter contained, as nearly as memory may suggest.

I read in your paper of the 27th May a long letter from the pen of George T. Downing, Esq., of Newport, Rhode Island, having special reference to what it facetiously termed the 'Deceptive African Civilization Society.' I was present at both the meetings referred to in that document, and may be permitted to say something in response to Mr. Downing's rather sever and uncalled for remarks. First of all I beg to inform Mr. Downing that the meeting in Shiloh Presbyterian Church was reported in the Herald, (a sheet to which friend Downing can, I am sure, taken no exception,) Tribune and Express, each and all of them conveying very opposite impressions of the proceedings to those which he has endeavored to place before us in the columns of your paper.

We must confess that the friends of African Civilization had the best of their opponents. The aid of the big gun of Douglass was not enough to save the opposer from almost annihilation. The whites present must have felt pleasant under the contemptible attacks of Downing, Remond, & Co.'—Herald.

'Mr. Garnet proceeded to follow Mr. Downing's remarks in answer, lashing Mr. D. unsparingly, personally, and amid constant roars of laughter and applause, and with the greatest good humor.'—Express.

'Rev. H. H. Garnet ably vindicated himself and the Society against aspersions which had been made."—Tribune.

These extracts embody, I venture to say, the opinion of the meeting, including that of Mr. D.'s pale faced friends, whom he loves so dearly and warmly, and whom he recognized 'with all the feeling and force consistent with gentlemanly deportment.' In reference to the grievance to which Mr. D. has been so unfortunately subjected; I think the fault was his own—entirely his own. He came to that meeting, in company with others, with a determination to 'sap the foundation' of the Society. With such a holy purpose in his mind, he ought to have prepared himself to sustain it. Need I say, that he betrayed the confidence of his friends by neglecting to remember the importance of being conversant with his subject? Evidently, he had the intensest kind of a strong intention, but was unprepared—hence, alas! he failed. Mr.

Downing learned a lesson, and ascertained a fact which are, taken together, valuable to any man in his peculiar position: never to attempt to speak in public on any question, without 'the necessary documents'—the facts—and that the colored people of New York are no ninkumpoops. The day has gone by when appreciative and intelligent colored men in New York are looked upon as prodigies of their race; and I earnestly hope that Mr. D. will continue as short a time as possible as innocent of this fact, as he seems to be of the difference between 'Jehovah' and 'Garnet." I thought that he had known that production named the 100th Psalm, 'Before Jehovah's awful throne,' &c.

In reference to Mr. Garnet's allusion to Mr. D's accommodation for persons of color, which he (Mr. D.) stigmatizes as 'falsehood,' it might be well for him to make the broad assertion that at any season colored ladies and gentlemen, if desirous, may be accommodated at his house in every respect and in every department, just in the same manner as 'pale faces.' I admit, with Mr. D., that the testing of this principle might injure his business; but then, what right has a man to engage in a profession or business, which he may not carry out into practice without sacrificing principles for the support and promotion of which he is 'ready to shed his blood?' According to Mr. D.'s own showing at the Manual Labor School Convention of 1855, there are numerous trades in which colored men may engage on the same conditions as white men. If there are, then Mr. D. ought to make a timely selection, and having selected without delay, adopt. He says that colored people could not sustain him in his business. (This is best known by the title of white man's argument.) Admitted in courtesy. Mr. D. has been praiseworthy engaged for a long time in advocating the idea that white and colored children should attend the same schools in Rhode Island. But with the same show of propriety as Mr. D. in regard to his business, I might ask him if the parents of, the colored children could support the schools in the event of the white children being withdrawn on their account? Who, I would ask, that values the institution of freedom, would allow their loved children to associate with those of the man, who, making loud pretensions of his claims to human and social equality, is afraid to act out his principles, or sustain his sentimens, where he is able to do so without danger of any description? Not me, most certainly.

Towards the conclusion of his letter, Mr. D. says that 'every intelligent colored man opposes' the African Civilization Society, and attests this statement by the names of several intelligent gentlemen; but in this particular Mr. D. leaves himself open to the serious

charge of being mistaken. Suppose I show Mr. D.'s list, and that of the Society.

AFRICAN CIVILIZATION SOCIETY.

INTELLIGENT MEN.

Against It. Frederick Douglass, Esq C. L. Remond, Esq. James McCune Smith, M.D. Wm: C. Nell, Esq. Chas. L. Reason, Esq. Geo. T. Downing, Esq.

For It. Rev. J. W. C. Pennington, D. D. Rev. Henry H. Garnet. Rev. J. B. Smith. Rev. E. P. Rogers. Rev. H. M. Wilson. Rev. Amost M. Freeman. Rev. M. M. Clark. Rev. Amost G. Beman. Rev. Stephen Smith. Rev. J. S. Martin. Prof. M. H. Freeman, A. M. Martin R. Delany, M.D. Wm. Whipper, Esq. John Peterson, Esq. Peter S. Porter, Esq. H. F. Douglass, Esq. Robert Campbell, Esq.

In reference to the take of the collection, sensible people will agree that the observations made on that point in the meeting were indicative of the most matchless meanness on the part of the speakers who found fault on that point.

I have no connection whatever with the African Civilization Society directly or indrectly, and have no interest in it to protect.— I have rejoioced in this movement, because I saw intelligent colored men canvassing its merits, and advocating its interests; and because I saw the people of colore generally indicating, in connection with this subject, a sentiment of unity, as well as a unity of purpose. Moreover, I like the idea still, because men of color themselves propose to control the modus operandi of the Society. At the same time, I do not think that the object of the Society should be placed beyond scrutiny, nor is it. If Mr. Downing entertains fears for the delusion of his people by this movement, it is his duty to cease invective, epithets, and extraordinary efforts to be gentlemanly, and begin to deal with facts.— As a colored man, it is his duty to investigate what remains mysterious or problematic to him, and important to be known by his people, whom it is to be hoped he is not ashamed to represent. I entertain the kindest feelings towards Mr. Downing, in which happy condition I hope to continue; but I must give my testimony to this fact, that Mr. Downing since I first knew him, has always been most distinguished as an opposer of movements led on by other men of color than himself. I would also add, for his special edification, that, should he venture any denial in reference to the accommodations for people of color in his house, I may be compelled to present him with some facts which he has not read in the Key to Uncle Tom's Cabin.

Until I see something more practical for the elevation of the colored race in this country, offered for their approbation, or some evidence of humbug in the African Civlization Society, I shall contiue to rejoice in its

existence and progress.

The Rev. Dr. Pennington, in his very able and instructive letter on this subject in your last paper, refers to some Rev. gentlemen who were on the platform at the Annual Meeting in the Church of the Puritans. As to Rev. Dr. Asa D. Smith, he is, I believe, a man who may be relied upon to sustain all his profession. Rev. Theo. L. Cuyler is unreliable as an anti-slavery man. Much as I esteem him, I could not have confidence in his antislavery professions. As to Mr. Bourse, I should think that Dr. Pennington had lived long enough in this world to know that men are not measured by their fathers, but by themselves. Mr. Bourne's father was a thorough anti-slavery man, and my father was esteemed an excellent millwright and mechanic. I am neither a millwright nor mechanic, and I do not think that Mr. Bourne will die a martyr to the anti-slavery cause, if his present status is all that he has to sustain his profession— I don't look upon him as an anti-slavery man.

Yours truly,

WM. HERRIES.

NEW YORK, June 27, 1859.