New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1859-11-09
PARTING wORsD OF FREDERICK DC
LASS.

LASS.
We find the following Address TO his Readers and
Friends, in Frederick Douglass Paper of November
| 4, 1859:
DEAR READERS AND FRIENDS: About TO leave my
post as Editor for ongcontemplated visit and lecur
ing tour in Great Britain, which may detain me many
months from my editorial duties, the peculiar circum-
stances of the occasion 10 Justify in sayngt0
YOU few parting words. In ordinary conditions eon-
sderng the rapdity safety and certainty WITH when
Journey ia made 10 Europe-am0st converting
the two continents into one-a simple voyage froIa
America to Great Britain would not seem to warrant
very ceremonious and formal parting, or to require
apology expanati m.
In anv circumstances, however, I should be most
freely pardoned by all right-feelng men and women If
while looking around upon the scores Of kind and
earnest friends who, during the last eighteen years,
have cheered and sustained me by their sympathy and
cooperation in my humble labors TO promote the
epation and elevation of my people, should let fall
fearful word at the thought of parting, and breathe
one beartprayer that the OF justice and esaesS
lence the bond of our friendship may couunae 70 nh
their hearts and command their best exertons iof NJ
ultimate triumph Neither the long experience q
partings and meetings, nor the caimuess Donv"se
from philosophy, avail me anything, as say ~
friends and readers farewell. Even the deisnuai
prospect of renewing the bondefraternai formed IN
Great Britain and Ireland during my VS., 70 moss
countries fourteen years ago, fails 70 sneid ne '
thu keen edge Of regret at Leaving the ir'enus
The nresent state of the Ant-Slayery question DARK
and periIous as is the hour maddened and vehgsIu -
s the Slave Power, the Infatuated demon OF oaysIy
never seemed 10 me certain OF extirpanon snah
uow AT the present moment, Slavery seems 70 nase
gained an advantage. The audacity OF the sisaex
made upon it by that stern old hero, VINO iooAs -
full in the face with steady eye ana uhaaun'ea -
while pierced with bayonet wounds ana coVeEsa WIN
ssber eashes has created for the moment, perssfi
more active resistance to the cause OF Freedom sna
advocates; but this is transient. Inc monens
sion and revenge will pass away, ana rsaH@ a
righteousness win all the more, for TINS snadeh 49,
roll their laundering appeal TO the ear ana nsA''
gs cbristiau blood of Old John bsoVh ,smars Of
cease 10 cry from the ground long 49, IN ths bodie9
Ion, and CONSERVATION OF the des'efs W -, ovlis'
anu sonis OF men will have cease 20 arrest attention.
Men will soon begin 10 look sp ay, non the Pice
the purpose--from the effect to ihf ause Then WEI
cone the reacton-and the names now eoseieh w.
execration will be mentioned with honor, and nope
martyrs 10 n righteous cause Yes sad and dcplorao1
as was the battle of lIarpers Ferry, WI not prove
total loss 10 the of Liberty. lhe sharp crack
of the rifles there proclaming LIBERTY TO THE
C,PTyF CRUELTY LEFT IN BONDAGE BY OUR ROASTED
RELIGION AND LAW, MAY ROUSE DEAD CHURCH AND
DUMB MINISTRY TO THE DUTY OF PUTTING AWAY THIS
DARK AND DANGEROUS SIN.
The silent heights of the Allegbanies, leaning IN
grandeur against the pure blue sky, will hereafter LOOK
down and speak to the slave with LOVING and woon8
| voice The benumbed conscience OF the nation VIII
be revived and become susceptible OF right Impressions
The shareholders of Virginia and the South generally
are endeavouring to make the impression that the ne
| groes summoned to the standard OF freedom OF Jonn
| brown viewed the effort to emaDcipate them WIZ
| indifference An eyewitness aud prominent actor
in the transactions al Harpers Ferry, now at my SIDE
tells me tba, this is grossly aside from the truth bs;
even if the contrary shown, IT would afford smzh
comfort to the shareholders. The slaves were sensos
enough not to shout before they gained the prize aaa
their conduct was credtable 10 their wisdom. llo
brief space allowed them in freedom, was not sum
Gent TO bring home to them in It's funess the real ss
nifcance of the occasion. .x
All the efforts to dsparage the valor Of the coioIea
| -, ID ia he
holders not in the facts of the action. They repoas
many dead insurgents and few killed among those
who opposed them. have at last one man amonf
the insurgents reported killed. who is still ahye ~
bids fair to live yet many years. On many accoess,
were the thing possible, should be glad 70 use -
event at Harpers Ferry, and the state of feeling "a
reduced, before the American people. But thefe >;
work abroad as well at home. Efforts VIII be m<
in England as well as in America TO turn the harp
Ferry nsurrection TO the account Of Slavery. mns
for time be useful there, in resisting and coun'e"
ing these efforts. a
II will probably be charged by those who delgn !,
| nv pretext for aspersng me, that 20 10 Engiana
sssape the demands OF justice for my alleged comP
| ty with the Harper's Ferry instruction. 4 am 70
ashamed of endeavoring 10 escape from such lus'.
might be nationally expected by man OF color
hands of sayehodng Court, sitting m the oHs Ven
| Virginia. am not a fayorite in that state sha Al
| if acquitted BY the Court, with my knowisags
slave6olding niagnanimity and civilization, e .;sh
scarcely hope the slavehoding boraeI sso
nv life. There is dshonor in trying 20 , Az b
out of the way of such Court, than sseF "nsry
| in keeping out Of the way OF company VI
9