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Editorial Correspondence.
SIDNEY PLAINS, April 27th, '55.
FREDERICK DOUGLASS, Esq. : MY DEAR SIR:—This leaves me in the best of health, though somewhat fatigued from walking a dozen miles or so, to reach this place, in which I am to talk to-night, to the people, on the subject of Slavery and Freedom. I have held but one meeting since I left Rochester. At Deposit no notice of a meeting had been given. I called upon some of the most "influential" men in the place, the Baptist minister, Rev. Mr Olney, among them; but no one, save Mr. THOMPSON, the Proprietor of the Oguago House, evinced any sympathy with the object of my mission, and I, of course, deemed it prudent not to cast pearls before swine. Rev. Mr. OLNEY informed Mr. Thompson, and myself, that he had no control over his church, but hoped some place would be obtained for me. He after wards informed a gentleman, I am credibly informed, that he would not consent to have me come into his church, for fear I would abuse the clergy, or words synonymous—"The thief doth fear each bush an officer." Mr. Thompson seemed very anxious to have me lecture, and promised me, in the event of my next visit to Deposit, that a meeting should be held. But I am not solicitous to see the fearful Mr. Olney again. Mr. T. keeps a first class hotel, has no Colonization room, or table, for "colored folks," but entertains his guests, all of them, without daring to insult the humblest.
From Deposit, I walked to Cannonsville, where I addressed a large and attentive audience, in the Presbyterian Church. But I must not infringe upon the usual "Notes by the Way."
From Cannonsville, I proceeded to Masonville, riding [9?] miles, and walking 5, and on arriving, learned no meeting had been appointed, or heard of. This was annoying, as well as discouraging. Walked to this place to-day, and find there is a meeting. I do not know how my future meetings during the present tour will turn out, but hope for the better.
Since I left Rochester, I have had very silly questions addressed to me by some very silly people. One man, a practical advocate of the wear-no-socks-even-in-the-cold-weather-movement, yesterday entered into a conversation on the subject of our "inferiority;" not his, but mine, and those with whom I am, by position, identified. In the course of his remarks, he inquired of me whether or not, it was true, that the natives of Africa, "them," said he, "that's born in the woods, were made just like me?" "If they be," continued he, "I shall believe they are just as human as a white man." "I hope," said I, "that you are not a speciman of all the white men born in the woods of Delaware county; if so, you must be a sorry race, and the sooner I get to Rochester the better." He said no more, but left me to indulge in an ethnological reflection or two, concerning his plainly developed inferiority. But I have too much charity to consider him a fair speciman of the Anglo Saxon, for very often, in my peregrinations, I meet with a white man who is just as intelligent as a colored man, and, in every respect, his equal.
But I must close these hasty lines, as the mail leaves in a few minutes. Yours, for humanity, white or black, "in the woods," or out of them.
WM. J. WATKINS.