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THE AFRO-AMERICAN PRESS.
blood, which clearly showed the possibilities of a race of people, some of whom were slaves and others free but without the right of franchisement, and with no means of elevation.
The Genius of Freedom, as has been said, was short-lived. However, Mr. Ruggles' journalistic career numbered through several years, the rest of which will be noted in a succeeding chapter.
It is highly probable that his life, in this respect, would have been longer, had he not been overtaken with blindness. He died in 1849, highly respected and esteemed and with a popularity which not many of his race enjoy to-day.