eBook David Walker's Appeal - Journal of Pan African Studies

There are a series of these letters, all of which are to the same amount; some however, presenting
a face more of his own responsibility. I wonder what would this gentleman think, if the Lord
should give him among the rest of his blessings enough of slaves? Could he blame any other
being but himself? Do we not belong to the Holy Ghost? What business has he or any body else,
to be sending letters about the world respecting us? Can we not go where we want to, as well as
other people, only if we obey the voice of the Holy Ghost? This gentleman, (Mr. Henry Clay) not
only took an active part in this colonizing plan, but was absolutely chairman of a meeting held at
Washington, the 21st day of December 1816 (in the first edition of this work, it should read
1816, as above, and not 1826, as it there appears) to agitate the subject of colonizing us in
Africa.--Now I appeal and ask every citizen of these United States and of the world, both white
and black, who has any knowledge of Mr. Clay's public labor for these States--I want you
candidly to answer the Lord, who sees the secrets of our hearts.--Do you believe that Mr. Henry
Clay, late Secretary of State, and now in Kentucky, is a friend to the blacks, further, than his
personal interest extends? Is it not his greatest object and glory upon earth, to sink us into
miseries and wretchedness by making slaves of us, to work his plantation to enrich him and his
family? Does he care a pinch of snuff about Africa--whether it remains a land of Pagans and of
blood, or of Christians, so long as he gets enough of her sons and daughters to dig up gold and
silver for him? If he had no slaves, and could obtain them in no other way if it were not,
repugnant to the laws of his country, which prohibit the importation of slaves (which act was,
indeed, more through apprehension than humanity) would he not try to import a few from Africa,
to work his farm? Would he work in the hot sun to earn his bread, if he could make an African
work for nothing, particularly, if he could keep him in ignorance and make him believe that God
made him for nothing else but to work for him? Is not Mr. Clay a white man, and too delicate to
work in the hot sun!! Was he not made by his Creator to sit in the shade, and make the blacks
work without remuneration for their services, to support him and his family!!! I have been for
some time taking notice of this man's speeches and public writings, but never to my knowledge
have I seen anything in his writings which insisted on the emancipation of slavery, which has
almost ruined his country. Thus we see the depravity of men's hearts, when in pursuit only of
gain--particularly when they oppress their fellow creatures to obtain that gain--God suffers some
to go on until they are lost forever. This same Mr. Clay, wants to know, what he has done, to
merit the disapprobation of the American people. In a public speech delivered by him, he asked:
"Did I involve my country in an unnecessary war?" to merit the censure of the Americans--"Did I
bring obloquy upon the nation, or the people whom I represented?--did I ever lose any
opportunity to advance the fame, honor and prosperity of this State and the Union?" How
astonishing it is, for a man who knows so much about God and his ways, as Mr. Clay, to ask
such frivolous questions? Does he believe that a man of his talents and standing in the midst of a
people, will get along unnoticed by the penetrating and all seeing eye of God, who is continually
taking cognizance of the hearts of men? Is not God against him, for advocating the murderous
cause of slavery? If God is against him, what can the Americans, together with the whole world
do for him? Can they save him from the hand of the Lord Jesus Christ?
36
David Walker’s Appeal by David Walker
The Journal of Pan African Studies 2009 eBook