Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1859-11-04

FREDERICK DoUGLAs.-It has been already
stated that Mr.. Douglas left Rochester on the
announcement of the outbreak at Harper's
Ferry. Since his departure, one of the actors
in that conspiracy, Mr.. Cook, has charged him
with having promised to be at Harpers Ferry
with srms and men, but had failed to keep his
promise, and fled 10 Canada. In reply to
this charge Mr.. Douglas publishes letter in
the Rochester Democrat, dated Canada West.
Oct 81, 1889" He gives an unequivocal de-
NAL of the charge, and says the raid was never
encouraged by his word or vote. He con-
cludcs his letter as follows:
"The time for a full statement of achat / kno,c.
and of all kno,c, Of this desperate but sabIin,eiy
diSintereSted effort to emancipdte the sLareS OF
Maryland and Virginia from hei, cruel task.
masters has not get come, and mag neUer come In
the denial which l have now made, my motive
is more respectful consideration for the
opinions of the slaves friends than from nv
fear Of being made an accomplice in the gen
eral conspiracy against Slavery. l am ever
ready to write, speak, publish, organize, COM
bine, and even to conspre against Slavery,
when there is a reasonable hope for success
AASh VIM NV " AOpbIilS lllVll leIlOW NEIL OI
their labor and liberty, have forfeited their
right to know anything of the thoughts,
feelings or purposes of those whom they
rob and plumber. They have by the
single act of Slaveholding, voluntarily,
placed themselves beyond the laws of Justice
and honor, and have become only fitted for
companionship with thieves and pirates-the
common enemies of God and of mankind.
While it shall be considered right to protect
oneself against thieves, burglars, robbers, and
assassins, and to slay wild beast in the act of
devouring his human prey, it can never be
wrong for the imbruted and whip-scarred
slaves, or their friends, to hunt harass, and
even strike down the traffickers in human
flesh. If anybody is disposed to think less of
me on account of this sentiment or because
may have had knowledge of what was
about to occur, and did not assume the base
and detestible character of an informer he is
man whose good or bad opinion of me may be
equally repugnant and despcable. Entertain
ing this sentiment, may be asked why did
not join John Brown-the noble old hero
whose one right hand has shaken the founda-
ton of the American Union, and whose ghost
will haunt the bedchambers of all the born and
unborn Shareholders of Virginia through all
their generations filling them with alarm and
CONSERVATION! My answer to this has al
ready been gwen, at least implicitly given.
"rhe tools to those that can use them" Let
every man work for the abolition of slavery in
his own way. l would help all, and hinder
none. My position in regard to the Harper's
Ferry insurrection may be easily inferred from
these remarks, and l shall be glad if those pa
pers which have spoken of me in connection
with it would find room for this brief state
ment l have no apology for keeping out of
the way of those gentlemanly United States
marsllals, who are said to have paid Rochester
somewhat protracted visit lately, with a view
to an interview with me. A government re-
cognizing the validity ofthe bred Scott decis-
ion. at such time as this, is not likely to have
any very charitable feelings towards me- and
If am to meet its representatives, l prefer to
do so, at least upon equal terms. Ii / have
committed any offence agairs~ society, have
done so on the soil of the state of New York,
and | should be perfectly willing there to be ar
raigned before an impartial jury but have
quite insuperable objections to be caught by
the hands of Mr.. Buchanan, and "baqqed" by
Gov. Wise. For this appears to be the ar.
rangement-Buchanan does the fighting and
hunting, and Wise "bags" the game.
Mr.. Douglas announces his purpose to leave
Immediately on journey to England, in ac
cordanco with plan formed some time since
and not on account ofanything connected with
the instruction" at Harpers Ferry.