James Redpath, The Roving Editor: or, Talks with Slaves in the Southern States.

[iv] anti-slavery action which is founded on Expediency — the morals of the counting-room — and hence, also, I do not hesitate to urge the friends of the slave to incite insurrections, and encourage, in the North, a spirit which shall ultimate in civil and servile wars. I think it unfair that the American bondman should have no generous Lafayette. What France was to us in our hour of trial, let the North be to the slave to-day. The oppressions of which the men of ‘76 complained through the muzzles of their guns and with the points of their bayonets, were trifling — unworthy of a moment's discussion — as compared with the cruel and innumerable wrongs which the negroes of the South now endure. If the fathers were justified in their rebellion, how much more will the slaves be justifiable in their insurrection? You, Old Hero! believe that the slave should be aided and urged to insurrection, and hence do I lay this tribute at your feet.

You are unwilling to ignore the rights of the slave for any reason — any “constitutional guarantees” --any plea of vested rights — any argument of inferiority of race — any sophistry of Providential overrulings, or pitiable appeals for party success. You are willing to recognize the negro as a brother, however inferior in intellectual endowments; as having rights, which, to take away, or withhold, is a crime that should be punished without mercy — surely — promptly — by law, if we can do it ; over it, if more speedily by such action; peacefully if we can, but forcibly and by bloodshed if we must So am I.

You went to Kansas, when the troubles broke out there — not to “settle” or “speculate” --or from idle curiosity: but for one stern, solitary purpose--to have a shot at the South. So did I.

To you, therefore, my senior in years as in services to the slave, I dedicate this work.