The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-11-04
LETTER FROM FRED DOUGLASS.


notice that the telegraph makes Mr. Cook (one Of the
unfortunate insurgents at Harpers Ferry and pri
ment Of Virginia, but which in fact but an organized
conspiracy by party Of the people against the other
and weaker), denounce me as coward, and 70 assert
that promised to be present in person al the Harpers
Ferry insurrecton This is certainly very grave i'm
parchment whether viewed in its bearings upon friends
upon foes and you will think should
take somewhat serious notice Of it. Having acquant-
whatever with Mr. Cook and having exchang-
ed word with him about the Harpers Ferry insurrec-
on disposed TO doubt that he could have used the
language concerning which the wires attributed him
The lightning, when speaking for ITSELF among the most
drec reliable and truthful Of things but when speaking
for the terror stricken shareholders Harpcrs Fer
ry, has been made the swiftest Of lars. Un-
der their nimble and trembling fingers it magnifed
seventeen into seven hundred, and has since
filed the columns of the NEW YoRK HERALD for days
with interminabe contradictions But assuming that
II has told only the simple truth as to the sayings
to make to my accuser: Mr.. Cook may be perfect
y right in denouncng me as o coward. ! have not
Character for Courage have awavs been mors
distinguished for running than fighting; and tried by the
Harpers Ferry insurrecton test most miseraby de-
fcient in courage-even than Cook when he de-
serted his brave old captain and fed to the ,untans
To this extent Mr. Cook s entirely right and will meet
contradiction from me or from any body else But Who'll
H previously and most unaccountably wrong Is Mr. Cook
when he asserts that promised to be present person
at the Harpers Ferry insurrecton or whatever other
mprudelce and indiscreti0n may have been guilty,
have never made promise so rash and wild as this The
mkng OF Ferry wasa measure encouraged
y word q M At T
pers Ferry but has equally kept me from making any
promise 81 = : sS there desire ire TO be quite emphatic here
low TO undertaking Of this sort, under promise
Of assistance, which he afterwards fails to rem
der. ] therefore declare that there is no man
could tru,hfully say that i ever promised him
or anybody else either condtionaly or otherwise, that
would be present person at the Harpers Ferry nsurrec
ton. My field Of labor for the abo of slavery has
not extended to attack upon the United States arsenal
those which may hereafter be published, affirm that
connected with that nsurrecton from its noble and
heroic leader down, can connect my name with single
broken promise Of any sort whatever. So much deem
1t proper to say negatively.
The time for full statement Of what know, and Of all
know Of this desperate but subBmey dsnerested effort
to emancipate the slaves of Maryland and Virginia from
their cruel taskmasters, has not yet come, and may
never come. In the denial which have now made,
my motive s more respectful consideration for the
opinions Of the slaves friends than from my fear of
being made an accomplice in the general conspiracy
against slavery. am ever ready TO write, speak,
pubish, organise, combine, and even to conspire
against slavery, when there is reasonable hope
for success Men who live by robbing their fellow
men Of their labor and liberty have forfeited their
right to know anything OF the thoughts, feelings
or purposes Of those whom they rob ana plunder.
They have by the single act Of saveholding, volunta-
riy placed themselves bevond the laws Of justice
and honor and have become only fitted for companion
ship with thieves and piratesthe common enemies Of
God and Of all mankind. While it shall be considered
right protect oneself against thieves burglars robbers
and assassns and to slay wild beast in the act Of de-
yournp hs human prey can never be wrong for tho
imbruted and whip slaves or their friends to
hunt, harrass and strike down the traicers in
human flesh anybody is disposed to think less Of
account Of this sentiment, or because may have had
knowledge Of what about to occur and did not
the base and detesbe character Of an nformcr he
Is whose good bad opinion of me may DO equally
Yepugnant and despcabe Entertaining this sentiment,
may be asked why did not join John Brown-the noble
old hero whose right hand has shaken the foundation
of the American Union, and whose ghost will haunt tho
chambers Of oil tho born and unborn Shareholders Of
all g0nor0tOnS, 0IlnQ them with
alarm and CONSERVATION. Ny 70 this has already
been givenat least mpedy given: "The tools TO those
that can use them" Let every work for tho abolition
OF slavery in his own way. I would help
all, and hinder none. Ny position in regard
to the Harper's Ferry insurrecton may be
easily inferred from these remarks and shall be glad
those papers which have spoken Of in connection with
it would find room for this brief statement
Ihave no apology for keeping out Of the way Of those
gentle manly United States Marshas who said to have
Paid Rochester what protracted visit lately, with
view to an interview with government recognizing
the validity the bred Scordecision, at such time
this not likely have any very charitable feelings to-
wards me- and am to meet its representatives, pre-
fer to at least upon equal terms If have commit
ted any offence against society have done the soil
of the State Of New York. and should be perfectly will
ing there TO be arraigned before impartial jury but
have quite insnperabe objections to be caught by tho
hands of Mr.. Buchanan and "bagged" by Governor
wisc-or this appears to be the
does the 6ghtng and hunting, and Wise "bags" the
game.
Some reflections may be made upon my leaving on a
tour England just at this time have only say that
my going to that country has been rather delayed than
FASTENED by the insurrecton at Harpers Ferry. Aknew
that had intended to leave here in the first week Of No
vcmbcr. FREDERICK DOUGLASS