New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1846-02-02
THE TRIBUNE.
.mer,c,n Slave in cren1 grirain.

II
sss transcript OF the feelings of one to whom his ma
,;re land denies a home except on conditions which
,vove the sacrifice of his inaenablc rights and the
los. Of that happiness whch Freedom only can con-
Tar |, seems almost Incredible that such letter
should have been written by a man who has sradu-
sed in no institution save that peculiar one known
as American Slavery. How many of the White OPP
Moments Of Colored Suffrage can write as well!
VICTORIA uorEL. BELFAST, Jan. l, l5i6
Inn now about 70 take leave Of The Emerald Isle
n, Glasgow. Scotland. ! have been here little
more than four months Up TO this time, have
given no direct expression Of the views feelings
and opinions which | have formed, respecting the
character and condition Of the people of this land.
have RETAINED thus purposely. wish to speak ad-
ysedly and in order to do this, have waited till
trast experience has brought my opinions to an in
telligent maturity. | have been thus careful, not
because think what may say will have much ef
feet in shaping the opinions OF the world, but be-
cause Whatever of influence | may possess whether
lille or much wish it TO in the right direction,
and according to truth. ! hardly need say that in
Speaking of Ireland ] shall be influenced by no
ureudices in favor OF America. think my cir
cums,ances all forbid that have no end to serve,
10 creed 10 uphold no government TO defend; and
So 10 nation | belong to none. have no protection
nj h0ne, or resting place abroad. The land OF nay
birth welcomes me to her shores only rs a slave.
anil spurns With contempt The idea OF treating me
dfercuiy So that | am outcast from the socie
bofmy childhood, and an outlaw in the land OF my
birth am a stranger with thee and a solourner
rs all NV fathers were That should be patri-
oic is TO me perfectly natural; and as philosophi-
cal fact am able 10 give ii iatcltectHGl recOgni-
ion But no farther can 90. If ever | had any
patriotism or any capacity for the feeling, it
whpt out of long since by the lash OF the Amer
can soatdr!Yers. -,
Ipthnking OF America sometimes find myself
yniring her bright blue sky-her grand old woods
Der fertile iields-her beautiful rvers-her mighty
axes and star.crowued mountains. But my rap
ARE Is soon checked, my JOY is soon turned 10
noaruing. When | remember that all is cursed
with the Internal spirit OF saveholdlng. robbery and
wrOng,-when remember that with the waters OF
Der nobest rivers, tue tears OF my brethren are
bupe 10 the ocean. disrcgarded and forgotten, and
hsther mos, fertile fields drink daily OF the warm
blood Of mi outraged sisters, | am filed with uaut-
hrabe loa,hng, and led To reproach myself that
any thing could tal from my lips in praise o, such
land America will not allow her children to love
her she seems bent on compelling those who
would be her warmest friends, 10 be her worst enc
mics May God give her repentance before 1t is too
late is the ardent pray er OF my heart will con.
,inue to pray, labor and wait, believing that she
always be nsensibe 10 the dictates justice.
or deaf 10 the voice OF humanity
Myopportunities for learning the character and
y
great | have travelled almost from the hills OF
'Howih to the Giants Causeway. and from The 81
ants Causeway 10 Cape Clear. During these travels
have with much in the character and condition
Of the people to approve. and much To condemn
much that has thrilled me with pieasure-and very
much that has filed me with pain. will not. III
this letter. attempt 20 give any description OF those
scenes which have given me pain. This l viii do
hereafter. | have enough, aud more than your sub-
sctbers viii be disposed 10 read at one ''me OF The
bright side of the picture. | can truly say, | have
spent some OF the happiest moments OF my life since
andiog In this country. l seem 10 have undergone
transformation | live lite. The warm and
generous cooperation extended 10 me by the friends
Nmy despsed racc--the prompt and liberal manner
with which the press has rendered rae Its ald-ihe
glorious enthusiasm with which thousands have
Scked TO hear the cruel wrongs OF my dowu-trOd'
Zen aud long.ensiaved sellow.ccnntymen pourIray-
h-the deep sympathy for the slave and the strong
tShcrrence of the STAKEHOLDER, everywhere evinced
The cordially with which members and ministers
ofvarous religious bodies and of various shades
Of religious opinion have embraced me- and lent
ne their aid-,hc kind hospitality constantly prof
Tered 10 me by persons OF the highest rank IN So
ceiy--,he spirit OF freedom that seems 10 animate
I'll with whom | come IN contact--and the entire
absence of every thing that looked like prejudice
AGAINST me. On account of the color oi my skill
eoaras,ed 50 strongly with my long and bitter
experience in the United States that | look with
Southern par: of the United States was slave.
though, OF and spoken of as property. In the Ian
SuAse OF the LAW, hell. taken. reput6& and at
Jsdged 10 be chattel ~ tie hands 81 my o'cae1S
asd pcsSeSSorS ard Hcr executors. administrators
ard qSSigGs 10 all iateatS. constructions. and DRr-
poses WhatSocrer' -BREv. DIGEST, PA. lu the
Northern States fugitive slave, liable 10 be hunted
any moment like elon and to be hurled INTO the
IeErl6o jaws Of Slavery--doomed by an lnveterate
Prejudice against color 10 Insult and outrage on
every hand Massachusetts out OF the question:
ueaed the privileges and courieses common 10
Oilers IN the use Of the most humble means OF con-
'eyance-shut out from the cabins OF steamboats,
Niased admission TO respectable hoels-carcaiur-
81, scorned, scotled, Knocked and maltreated wiki
impunlty by any one, mo mater how black his
heart so he has white skin. But now behold the
ehanSe! Eleven days and halt gone. and have
crossed three thousand miles OF The perllous deep
instead OF u democratic government, am under
aonsrchca government. Instead of the bright blue
\! Of America, | am covered with the soft grey fog
9he Emerald Isle. breathe. and To- The chauel
becomes man gaze around in vain for one who
Will question my equal humanity, claim me Us his
save, or otler me an insult employ 8 cab-I am
seated beside white people, reach the hotel
eater the same dOoT-l am shown into The same par
or-l dine al the same ,able-and no one il offend
CO No delicate nose grows deiormed in my pre-
sence find no difficulty here in obtaining admis-
aon into any place of worship instruction or amuse
+'Vnl on equal terms win people as White as any
ever saw in the United States. l meet nothing 10
remind me Of my complexion. find myself regard,
g and treated at every turn with the kindness and
cse'ence paid TO white people. When | go TO
sSaa7cs, am met by no upurued nose and scorntul
up 10 tell me, IIe dent d4of- meyers m here Z
n ifenember about Two years ago. there was IN
Boston, hear the South West corner OF Boston
saImoa menagcrie. l had long desired to see
tSs collection as understood were being eNhIb-
"eS there Never having Ind an opportunity while
asaSe, resolved 10 seize this my first since my
,Nle, went, and as approached the entrance
~ sNn admission | was Iact aud told by The door
SSeepeT' In harsh and contemptuous tone, He
sgHt aAoe meyers IN here r also remember AT.
aaeiAg revival meeting in the Rev. Henry Jack
~ ~ meeting house ut New Bedford, and going up
S AZ broad aisle to find seat was met by good
Ss'on. who told me- In pions tone, We don't al
EtgserS IN here Soon after my arrival In
s Bedford from the South. had strong desire
SU s'end the Lyceum. but was told, They don't
V''oo nigeers IN here While passing from New
LUX 10 Boston on the steamer Massachusetts, on
W., Se night OF 9th Dec. 1913 when chilled almost
with the cold went into the cabin to get
s'le warm was soon touched upon the shoulder