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Identifier

MSS114_B01F06_017

Creation Date

12-12-1898

Keywords

Paul Laurence Dunbar, primary sources, Black history, Black poets, prominent Ohioans

Description

Full text of letter:

(Page 1)

December 12 1898

Dear Mr Dunbar

I much regret that the hoarsness has taken a turn for the worse and I am ordered by the doctor to “stay in the house”. My feelings plainly indicate that the order is a wise one and I therefore obey. I fully expected to have the pleasure of hearing you this evening but prudence forbids. I do hope you will be led to study the social question for you can be a great helper in the work of reform if you once get started. We are at a period in the work corresponding to the time 50 +

(Page 2)

60 years ago when the antislavery agitators were denouncing African slavery. The analogy between that reform and the present social reform is almost perfect. We need and must have a New Emancipation proclamation. Emancipation from the slavery of our competition system that makes men regard each other as enemies instead of brothers and brings out the very worst in us instead of the best as would be the case if we lived as brothers instead of competitors. I yet hope to hear you sing for the disinherited and downtrodden millions black + white as Lowell and Whittier sang for the black slaves 50 years ago. Wishing for you the largest possible field of usefulness in this work.

I am very faithfully your friend

S.M. Jones

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Primary Item Type

Business Correspondence

Rights

This item is part of the Paul Laurence Dunbar House collection at Ohio History Connection, Columbus, Ohio. The collection contains items from 219 N. Summit St., Dayton, Ohio (later 219 N. Paul Laurence Dunbar St.), the home Dunbar purchased for his mother, Matilda J. Dunbar, in 1904. Paul Laurence Dunbar lived there until his death in 1906; Matilda lived there until her death in 1934. It is now the Paul Laurence Dunbar House Historic Site, part of the National Park Service.

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Keywords

Paul Laurence Dunbar, primary sources, Black history, Black poets, prominent Ohioans

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