The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1879-07-25
TIE ROMANCE or FREEDOM.
AN INTERESTING LETTER FROM FREDERICK X
DOUGLAS TO CITIZENS OF ROCHESTER.
Rochester Democrat, June q.

| Rochester Democrat, June %.
A bust of Frederick Douglas was recent
ly placed in Sibley Hall, of the Universit,
of Rochester. The ceremonies were quite
informal-too, informal, we think, as com
| memorating deserved tribute from the
people of Rochester to one who will always
| rank as among her most distinguished cit.
| izens Mr.. Douglas himself was not mott.
fled officially of the event and therefore
could in no public manner take notice of it.
He was, however, informed privately of ii
by the gentleman whose address ia given
below and responded to it most happily, az
will be seen by the following letter, which
we are permitted to publish:
WASHINGTON, d. c., June 25, 1879.
Samuel D. Porter, Esq:
MY DEAR SIR: am extremely obliged
to you for your kind and timely letter which
came this morning, for it was relief from
a real cause of embarrassment. When first
1 read of the formal unveiling and presen-
tation of my bust to the city of Rochester,
the speeches made on the occasion by emil
nent gentlemen-notably the remarks of
DIR. Anderson, the honored President Of
Rochester University, an institution which
has done so much to make the name of the
city illustrious-I felt an almost irrepessi-
Bile impulse to do or say something, out of
the common way, to some one of my old
friends and fellow citizens, which should
express, however crudely, something of the
grateful sentiment stirred in my breast by
this distinguished honor. But as no one of
the respected gentlemen active in the pro-
curement of the testimonial said anything
to me about it, and treated me as if | were
out of the world, as all men should be when
they are once reduced to marble, began at
last to think that silence ON my part was
perha ps the better way to observe tho pro-
prieties of the occasion. Now, however. |
am relieved. You have made it easy for me
to speak to express my earnest acknowledge
ments to the committee ofgentlemen hay-
ing this matter in charge and who have con-
Quoted it to completion. Incidents of this
character in my life do much amaze me.
1t is not, however. the height to which |
have risen, but the depth from which I
have come, that most amazes me- 1t seems
only little while ago, when child,
might have been seen fighting with old
Nep, my mothers dog, for small share of
,he few crumbs that fell from the kitchen
able when slept on the hearth, covering
ny feet from the cold with the warm ashes
md my head with corn bag only little
while ago dragged to prison to be sold to
he highest bidder, exposed for sale like
BEAST of burden later on put out to live
With Covey, the negro-breaker beaten and
Almost broken in spirit, having little hope |
ither for myself or my race !; yet here I am
live and active, and with my race enjoying |
IN the freest and prospectively |
he most powerful nation on the globe. In
addition to this,you and your friends, while |
am yet alive, have thought it worth while |
% preserve my features in marble and to |
,lace them in your most honored institu- |
ion of learning, to be viewed by present |
md future generations of men. | know |
Tot, my friend, how to thank you and the
gentlemen who have acted with you for this
distinguished honor. My attachment to |
Rochester, my home for more than quar- |
or of century, will endure with my life. |
Very gratefully and truly yours. ~
FRIEDRICH DOUGLAS.