ay learn from it of their
heroes and how deeply the love of liberty was implanted in their bosoms.
The Swiss never tire of the story of their Tell, nor the Welsh of that
of their Glendower. Every nation has its exemplar, whose bravery and
virtues are a perpetual lesson and source of admiration. The colored
race may now read of its real heroes, its Joshuas, Spartacuses, Tells
and Glendowers, among the list of those who silently broke their chains
and dared everything in order to breathe the sweet air of liberty. They
are not blazoned heroes, full of loud deeds and great names, but quiet
examples of what fortitude can achieve where freedom is the goal.

It is time now that the colored race should know something of the steps
which led from Egypt to Canaan, something of their own contributions to
the grand march of the tribes across and beyond the Red Sea. There are
no slaves beneath the starry flag. All may read who will, and what they
will. For the colored man no history can be more instructive and
inspiring than this, of his own making, and written by one of his own
race. The generations are growing in light. Not to know of those who
were stronger than shackles, who were pioneers in the grand advance
toward freedom; not to know of what characters the race could produce
when straightened by circumstances, nor of those small beginnings which
ended in triumphant emancipation, will, in a short time, be a reproach.

This History of the hardships and struggles of those of their own race
is more for them than for mankind at large. It furnishes the world proof
that, though slaves, they were nevertheless men. It furnishes them proof
that the heroic abounds in their race as in others, and that achievement
follows persistent effort, as well with them as with others. The volume
will be not only their admiration but constant encouragement. In its
pages one is not invited to hard, dry reading. It is narrative in style,
simple in language, and possesses the thrill and pathos of a novel. In
all its parts it is an evidence of the saying that "Truth is stranger
than fiction."

The author scarcely needs an introduction to the public. He is a
scholarly, successful business man of Philadelphia, who has long been
identified with churches, charities and every project for ameliorating
the condition of his race. His word in all things is as good as his
bond. An ardent member of the Anti-Slavery Society, and an active
officer of the Underground