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244 LIFE AND TIMES OF FREDERICK DOUGLASS

noble and heroic leader down, can connect my name with a single broken
promise of any sort whatever. So much I deem it proper to say negatively.
The time for a full statement of what I know and of ALL I know of this desperate
but sublimely disinterested effort to emancipate the slaves of Maryland
and Virginia from their cruel task-masters, has not yet come, and may never
come. In the denial which I have now made, my motive is more a respectful
consideration for the opinions of the slaves' friends than from my fear of
being made an accomplice in the general conspiracy against slavery, when
there is a reasonable hope for success. Men who live by robbing their fellowmen
of their labor and liberty have forfeited their right to know anything of
the thoughts, feelings, or purposes of those whom they rob and plunder. 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 all mankind.
While it shall be considered right to protect oneself against thieves, burglars,
robbers, and assassins, and to slay a 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 tratlickers in human
flesh. If anybody is disposed to think less of me on account of this sentiment,
or because I may have had a knowledge of what was about to occur, and did
not assume the base and detestable character of an informer, he is a man
whose good or bad opinion of me may be equally repugnant and
despicable.

"Entertaining these sentiments, I may be asked why I did not join John
Brown —the noble old hero whose one right hand has shaken the foundation
of the American Union, and whose ghost will haunt the bed-chambers of all
the born and unborn slaveholders of Virginia through all their generations,
filling them with alarm and consternation. My answer to this has already
been given; at least impliedly given — 'The tools to those who can use them!'
Let every man work for the abolition of slavery in his own way. I would help
all and hinder none. My position in regard to the Harper's Ferry insurrection
may be easily inferred from these remarks, and I shall be glad if those papers
which have spoken of me in connection with it, would find room for this
brief statement. I have no apology for keeping out oft he way of those gentlemanly
United States marshals, who are said to have paid Rochester a somewhat
protracted visit lately, with a view to an interview with me. A
government recognizing the validity of the Dred Scott decision at such a
time as this, is not likely to have any very charitable feelings towards me,
and if I am to meet its representatives I prefer to do so at least upon equal