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

In fact, many of them are so avaricious and ignorant, that they do not believe in our Lord and
Saviour Jesus Christ. Tyrants may think they are so skillful in State affairs is the reason that the
government is preserved. But I tell you, that this country would have been given up long ago,
was it not for the lovers of the Lord. They are indeed, the salt of the earth. Remove the people of
God among the whites, from this land of blood, and it will stand until they cleverly get out of the
way.
I adopt the language of the Rev. Mr. S. E. Cornish, of New York, editor of the Rights of All, and
say: "Any coloured man of common intelligence, who gives his countenance and influence to
that colony, further than its missionary object and in-interest extend, should be considered as a
traitor to his brethren, and discarded by every respectable man of colour. And every member of
that society, however pure his motive, whatever may be his religious character and moral worth,
should in his efforts to remove the coloured population from their rightful soil, the land of their
birth and nativity, be considered as acting gratuitously unrighteous and cruel."
Let me make an appeal brethren, to your hearts, for your cordial co-operation in the circulation
of "The Rights of All," among us. The utility of such a vehicle if rightly conducted, cannot be
estimated. I hope that the well informed among us, may see the absolute necessity of their cooperation
in its universal spread among us. If we should let it go down, never let us undertake
any thing of the kind again, but give up at once and say that we are really so ignorant and
wretched that we cannot do anything at all!!--As far as I have seen the writings of its editor, I
believe he is not seeking to fill his pockets with money, but has the welfare of his brethren truly
at heart. Such men, brethren, ought to be supported by us.
But to return to the colonizing trick. It will be well for me to notice here at once, that I do not
mean indiscriminately to condemn all the members and advocates of this scheme, for I believe
that there are some friends to the sons of Africa, who are laboring for our salvation, not in words
only but in truth and in deed, who have been drawn into this plan.--Some, more by persuasion
than anything else; while others, with humane feelings and lively zeal for our good, seeing how
much we suffer from the afflictions poured upon us by unmerciful tyrants, are willing to enroll
their names in anything which they think has for its ultimate end our redemption from
wretchedness and miseries; such men, with a heart truly overflowing with gratitude for their past
services and zeal in our cause, I humbly beg to examine this plot minutely, and see if the end
which they have in view will be completely consummated by such a course of procedure. Our
friends who have been imperceptibly drawn into this plot I view with tenderness, and would not
for the world injure their feelings, and I have only to hope for the future, that they will withdraw
themselves from it;--for I declare to them, that the plot is not for the glory of God, but on the
contrary the perpetuation of slavery in this country, which will ruin them and the country
forever, unless something is immediately done.
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David Walker’s Appeal by David Walker
The Journal of Pan African Studies 2009 eBook