Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1855-02-17
OUR COLoRED COUNTRYMEN.

OUR C0L0RED C0UNTRYMEN.
Frederick Douglass Paper still continues to re-
proach abolitionists with the nationally character
istic sin of prejudice against colored men. 1t
charges them with sighting and disparaging
their brethren in manner of speech, in forms of
address, in invitations as lecturers and in payment
for the same, giving colored men compensation in
ferior to that rendered to white men for the
same services, and also that in anti-slavery
operations, the conduct of affairs has been monop-
olized by white men, colored men being brought in
as mere appendages, and for mental service. And
then it is further charged, that for assuming this
dictatorship of anti-slavery matters, abolitionists
claim the payment of a most unreasonable and un-
bounded debt of gratitude-one that arrogance
can alone demand, and servile humiliation can
alone consent to pay. Such, in substance, have
been the charges against abolitionists, repeated in
Mr.. Douglass paper every week for some time
past.
If such q state of things exists, certainly no
more appropriate and needful anti-slavery work
can be done than its exposure and sharp rebuke'
We concede, further, that our UNNECESSARILY wron-
ed brethren are the men to Judge of its existence.
Their sensitive minds, especially those which have
had the be nefts Of culture and improvement, afI
ford a far more accurate and delicate test of the pres
ence and influence of this Objectionable spirit,-this
essence and main constituent of northern slaveho]d-
ing-than any other which can be applied. And alb
olitionists who are such in spirit and in truth, will
look carefully and candidly at every alleged evil
deuce of its existence among themselves, earnestly
DESTROYS to eradicate from their own hearts and
from their labors, anti-slavery and all others, ev-
cry trace Of the influence of so fell and foul a de
mon as American prejudice against a prescribed
and suffering race. 1t is the antagonism of aboli
tionism in every form and feature of its growth
and development.
And that very many who call themselves aboli-
tionists, are far more under the influence of this
spirit of slavery than of the spirit of freedom, we
believe.
To aid abolitionists in the work of selfexamin
alton, and, if need be, selfcorrection, both in re
gard to their individual conduct, and their organ
lied action, we copy below an article from the per
of Mr.. Watkins, the associate editor of Frederick
Douglass Paper. The article is addressed to til,
free colored people of the country; and we hearth!
commend its advice to them to assume anti-slaver.
responsibility. The emancipation we seek is
most comprehensive one, as are also the principle
by which it is to be effected, and every individual
and every class of individuals should assume {
full measure of responsibilities measure guageC
only by his capabilities. Certainly nothing vii
give us greater pleasure than to find that our assO
ciates of darker complexion, not only keep pace
with the anti-slavery cause"-but that they become
its pioneers-perceiving its demands-understand
ing its philosophy-and doing the most efficient
work for freedom.
As to the e~xacting of gratitude by abolitionists,
of which the writer speaks so earnestly and indig-
nantly, it is much of it we think, in his magma
ton. To be sure, when earnestly laboring for this
common cause, it is no mean encouragement to fnd
an approaching and approving spirit in ones CO
laborers. But that gratitude from colored peoplt
has ever been made a condition of anti-slavery la
Dor by any abolitionists is news to us. And as
humble individual in the abolition ranks, we vott
to absolve each and all from any such debt il
which we may be alleged to have an interest or
if they insist upon giving an equivalent, we ore
willing TO sign a receipt in full, in view of tn
the weekly instruments paid to Garrison, Phillips
johnson, Gay and other abolitionists, in late mum
bers of Frederick Douglass Paper, by its edito
and its correspondent "Communipaw." Let u
combine to achieve, by virtue of truth and righte
GUS principle, our great substantial victory 0
freedom for all. Then perhaps, we may find tim
to stop and adjust our mutual claims for gratitud
and rewards. At present time is TOO pressing, an
oppression and wrong too powerful and ~exacting
And We here repeat that our most earnest conviC
ton is, that resistance to this oppression can onl
be successfully maintained, and liberty establishe
for all, by the most perfect recognition Of and re
spect for the equal person al rights Of all engage
in the conflict. Abolitionism is only a develop,
ment of the great principle of human brotherhoo
1t knows no netion--no race-no language
complexion no sect-no sex. In this principl
- the saviour of the racial are one. And in
far as men are abolitionists, their lives will deye
.ope and inearnate this principle.
As to the specific charges preferred against t
American AntiSiayery Society, in previous mi
bers of Mr.. Douglass paper. we have referred
them before, giving our reasons for believing t
accusors were mistaken; and SO far as we have Sc
no new evidence has been brought to snsta
these accusations.
Speaking of the difficulties and dangers viii
environ the colored people, Mr.. Watkins says:
I'VE act unwiseIy. if we do not prepare +
them. If we depend solely upon others to fig
for as, we cannot reasonably be considered as no
srable men. II we are rescued from our perilo'