Newspaper Page Text
I'JaiUJ? r .lit
BENJAMIN 3. JONES, EDITOR.
"XO UMOX WITH SLA YEUOLDERS."
ANN PEARSON, PUBLISHING AGKXT.
VOL. 16.--N0. 7.
SALEM, GOLUM1UANA COUNTY, OHIO, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1SC0.
WHOLE NO. 781;
The Anti-Slavery Bugle.
From Forneys Philadelphia Press.
THE COLORED PEOPLE OF THIS CITY.
OUR REPORTERS MAKE OBSERVATIONS
UPON THEIR SOCIAL CONDITION.
WALKS WITH THE DEGRADED.
VISITS TO EDUCATED AND THE
INTELLIGENT.
THEIR WEALTH, NUMBERS, HABITS, REFINEMENT
AND DIFFICULTIES.
Th question of the abstract right or wrong of
African slater; has received so much attention du
ring late years that topics of more practical phi
lanthropy have been but lightly dismissed. The
msral and sojial effects of bondage upon the negro
might profitably give place to another inquiry
via : His condition in a state of freedom.
If the negro be less happy in freedom than in
'servitude, it will be useless to agitate the question
of bis emancipation. A rcviow of the social con
dition of the colored population, in any one of the
large Northern cities, may do something toward
determining the capacity of the race for improve
ment. We bate singled out our own city for this pur
pose and in some moments stolen from more press
ing reportorial dutiee have mado impartial obser
vations of 'life among the lowly.'
EUSARKA8S1NO nature of tub inquiry.
What we may state is liable to be variedly mis
tonslrued. The courteous treatment which we
have received at the hands of some colored men
may make the delicate revelations of our visits
among them appear like ingratitude. On the oth
r aide, there are those who bear with dislike any
Vitenuating statements of the free colored man's
condition, who have no feelings of sympathy with
his social straggles, and had rathor find him de
graded and unhappy than civilized and aspiring.
For the latter class we have no scruples and
little regard. We write for those who will deplore
Tiis wretchedness and encourage his advancement;
for if, with faculties end a will to learn, the free
negro be still degraded, the stain and the shadow
'of bis sensuality full upon bis white neighbors.
STATISTICS OF C0L0KED miLADELPIlIANS.
' Of tbe seventy-odd thousand free colored people
'of Pennsylvania probably twenty thousand reside
- her. We have a larger colored element than any
other of the great Northern cities. Tho condition
of our colored classes is supposed to be inferior
only to those of New Bedford, Cleveland, and some
'Other Eastern towns.
Some quarters of this city are populated to a
large extent by tbe lower order of blacks. But a
portion of the town is inhabited by an intelligent
' class, who have accumulated money, and are re-
(pected by tbeir white neigbboit.
The free blacks of Philadelphia owned, by con
su of 1850, $300,000 of property, divided among
19.000 persons.
' By some statistics which were puMUhcd a few
years since, there were 4,019 families of colored
people, of whom 241 were living in their own
houses. Of these there were about 5,000 able
bodied men over21 of whom 1.581 were luborcrs.
.256 mechanics, 240 mariners, ICG shopkeepers, 276
eoachmen and carters, 557 waiters, 150 hairdress
ers. The present colored population of tbe city is
from twenty thousand to twenty-five thousand.
. They own property to tbe amount of nearly three
millions of dollars, and have churches and schools
valued at from four hundred thousand to five hun
dred thousand dollars.
The great majority of negroes are poor. They
seldom inherit money; many nf them oome to the
city direct from slavery, destitute of capital where
with to tnako business beginnings, and without
education.
It oannot be expected that men of this race
who are said, by certain statesmen, to be, in their
beet estate, mere animals should struggle sud
denly on to fortune. That many of them have
made money and advanced themselves socially is
miraculous; for, be it said to the shame of our
people, a free colored man has more powerful dis
advantages with which to contend in tho free
States than in the slave,
THE COLORED MAN'S DISADVANTAGES.
Philadelphia is the only Northern city, we be
lieve, in which publio conveyances are forbidden
to tbe black man, On the suburban or .ural rail
roads, a small portion of tbe smoking car is parti
tioned off to tbe negro, and he baa no other resort.
Bundled with his wife into that foul apartment,
in hearing of brutal jests, liable to insult, be must
feel, it be have feelings, tbe hopelessness of his
degradation. The city passenger railways refuse,
as a general thing, to carry colored passengers.
We know of several case where oolored men, who
are stockholders in certain railways, have been
forbidden to ride to tbe railway terminus to collect
the dividends upon their shares. A few days
ago, we noticed a neatly-dressed mulatto woman,
who took a seat with ber child in a Franklord
oar. Sneer and jesi at one passed from pas
senger to passenger. Two or three delicate par
ties (bitted tbeir seats, so as to be removed from
the proscribed woman. She sat unmoved amid
these insults, for they bad probably booome to her
ordinary occurrences. When the oonduotor came
to oollect fares, she was refused an exchange tick
et. The people of her color could not pass over
tbe city section of the road. She was politely put
out of the ear at Second street, to wait in tbe rain
for tbe one-horse conveyances. These difficulties
la travelling necessitate fooaliiation or oontraliza
tion of the oolored classes.
An intelligent black man lately Informed us that
, be owned a pleasant country residence in the
northern suburbs, but that be could not occupy it,
as it would be impossible to ride over tbe railways
to and from bis place of business. To this central
isation most of th wretchedness remarked in Si.
Mary's, Bedford, Baker and similar streots, is
due, Tbe denicen of these places, being laboring
meet, porters, barkeeper, etc, must be near the
bo sines centre, Wt re tbe railways thrown opoo
to tbenr, tbey wooW seattcr to various remote see
tions, where, at equally cheap rents, cleanliness
and comfort might be secured.
The prejudico against blacks extends to every
class, and may be remarked in pleasure and in
business. At theatres, and concerts, lectures and
churches, the negro is restricted to a remote galle
ry. Iu mechanical pursuits, if a colored appren
tice or journeyman be employed, there is an im
mediate rebellion upon the part of the white la
borer. It has been to us a matter of winder
how tbe black man masters any trade, studies for
any profession, or learns anything of the arts. In
only the dull, manual labors, has he a show of
equitable competition. He is a hotel-waiter, a
vender of pcunuts and cake's, or a mere beast of
burden.
TBE COLORED VAN'S AVOCATIONS IN riI!l.ADEl.riIIA .
Those negroes of this city who pursue what may
be called tho higher mechanical branches, acquire
their knowledge chiefly in the North and East.
The principal ,f the colored academy of this city
U from NeW Haven, most of the oolored tonchers
are from Boston, end Providence, and Now York.
There are several bona-fide negro physicians in
Southern Philadelphia. Some of these, We are j
told, managed to acquire odds and ends of medical
science in our own medical colleges, but they per- j
feet themselves in tho East. Their clergymen
aro, an a class, conversant with theological differ
ences, and Some of them acute reasoners. There
is not a colored lawyer in this city, that wo have
heard of. .There are two large African literary
societies, one of them named after Benjamin Ban
naker, and more th..n twehty beneficial organiza
tions. They have fine Masonic, Odd Fellow, and
Temperance Hulls, lodges of every kind, several
excellent private schools, and some half dozen
public libraries.
As caterers, the colored men are remarkably
successful. We know o. al who keep contral
saloons, fitted up in gorgeous style. Ono individ
ual has a fine hotel at Floionco lloights, nnd fine
dining rooms in this City. A number nro the
owners of carriages and a span of blooded horses.
The fomal.-e are milliners, dressmakers, etc. They
frequently exhibit great tuct in their respective
trades.
Those who look lightly upon tho negro as of no
practical value to Philadelphia society aro uuwise,
for be fulfils functions distasteful to most whites,
nnd, in certain departments, labors with an apt
ness which whites could not supply.
MUSICAL AFRICANS.
Tbe genius for music with which the negro
seems endowed, and which breaks forth in rude
ditiies and melodies whero be is rude and un
taught, finds higher development in the Northern
cities. Some colored rocalists and musiciars of
this city exhibit talent of a high order. Tbore
are numbers of Anglo-African musical societies,
and among the more intelligent classes the even
ings are passed about the piauo. Some of the
musicians are adepts upon tho guitar. Few oi'our
readers have not some recollection of tbe famed
'Black Swan,' who gave concerts some years ago
in all tho Northern and Western cities, accompan
ied by the colored 'Mario.' She is a resident of
Philadelphia, and has amassed a haudsome com
petence by her exhibitions. Elizabeth Greenfield
was originally a s-lave in one of the Southwestern
States. She was purchased or manumitted at so
early age, when she at once exhibited much vocal
capacity and flexibility. For some time she tutor
ed herself, mastered the elements of music, and,
attracting some attention (om benevolent parties,
was assisted in the prosecution of her studies.
She has never been farther South than Balti
more, although she once received an offer of
$1,200 for a series of concerts In Charleston, S.
C, which she declined. 'Mario,' her associate
keeps a clothing store in Second street, in this
city. Both wore highly commended on their travels.
THE NEGRO IN CHURCH.
About twenty African religious organizations
and churches exist in the city. The Me;hodisl,
Baptist, and Presbyterian elements are most nu
merous. Each of these denominations has from
three to ten churches. There is also one Episco
palian church, and we believe,, one Universalis!.
There are some three hundrod colored Catholics in
the city. Tbey attend the churches of tbe whites.
There are also a number of Freethinkers, of Mil-
lerites, of Spilitualists, and a great number of
Friends.
We have been favored with copies of sermons
by several olergymen. They are not destitute of
rational parts, although appoaling generally to the
feelings of tho auditors. We are assured that of
late years the colored congregations have grown
less boisterous than of yore) tbeir zeal, or fanati
cism, or whatever it may be sailed, having been
modified and subdued. The vicinities of Sixth
and Lombard streets present, upon Sunday morn
ings, very animated appearances. Folk of all
shades of color saunter down the streets; beauti
ful quadroon girls, perfumed, fashionably dressed,
dandy beaux, Btaid colored gentlemen, eto.
GENERAL CONDITION.
As a general thing, tho negroes of this city are
poor. Most of tticm, nowever, are economical,
and tbeir wealth probably doulle every year.
One negro cit'uen has real and personal estate val
ued at $300,000 ; most of this he inherited. The
moral ohaiaotor of the negro element varies with
the varied suoial conditions of its several compo
nents. Wo hear of few colored pickpockets, al
though there aro many noted burglars. In our
walks among them we have found a degree of tasto,
talent, and industry surpassing our most sanguine
expectations. We make pubtio below some de
tail of our visits among tbe eolored people of tbe
oity,
VISITS TO THE COLORED UPPER-TENDOM.
Placing ourselves under tbe patronage of a well
known oolored gentleman, w were invited to pass
an evening in sundry call among hi people. A
night was set apart for this delicate task, and at
an early bour we paused before the door of a clean
ly dwelling, in South street near Eighth. A eil
ver plate beneath tbe polished bell handle oon
tained bi Dame, and on tbe threshold, smiling
with benevolence, our host waited to receive us.
He welcomed us I'd an easy yet gratified manner,
and we passed through a long hall, papered- in im
itation of granito columns, to a stairway with
walnut balustrades. The carpet had been taken
up in tho hall and parlor, to provide for house
renovating, nnd we taw it nicely folded in a niche
honeatb the stairway, It was a chasto pattern,
of Brussels manufacture. The parlor, In the sec
ond story, to which we were summoned, was sit
uated over a furniture store. It was roomy, nnd
papered in a plain, cheerful style. There was an
utter absence of everything gaudy, and the glitter
ing trapping, supposed to be so inseparable from
the taste of the Ethiop, existed neither in the host
nor the bostulry.
We sat down to tnlk. Hie ultimata destiny of
in e black man was discussBJ, our host opining
that his struggltl for a habitation and a name must
be in.! merica. He said that his people were at
tached to the Republic, notwithstanding many dis
advantages imposed upon them, their hnpo being
strong that patience and good citizenship would
eventually soften the prejudices of the whites.
Tempered as they wero to our habits and clinic.it
would bo cruel to place Iheui on n strand but dim
ly known, where, suirounded by savages, thoy
might become savage themselves.
Thero was to us a sincere plcasuro in our
host's discourse. Ho is one of the leading pub
lic men among his people, and lias much of tho
ease and polish peculiar to tho well brel Cauca
sian. Ho laughed at times, but never buistcrous
ly, and in profound moments, threw a telling sol
emnity into his tone and expression. When the
head was averted, we heard, in well uiodulutcd
speech, such vigorous sentence "nd thoughtful re
marks that the identity ol the speaker with the
proscribed race was half forgotten ; but tho bias
ed eyesight revealed only a dusky son of Ham. On
a 'whatnot' table wero clustered a number of
books. Most of them were anti-slavery publica
tions, although thero were several volumes of ser
mons, atid a few philosophical and historical
books. Wo turned tho conversation to literature
ilo was we'.l acquainted with the authors ho had
read, and ventured some criticisms, indicative of
study. From tho earnestness of the man, it eecm
ad thai the interests of his race wore very dear to
him.
It is but just to say, that he has passed many
years in constant companions!.!? tritti Caucasians.
A SOUTH-STREET HABERDASHER.
We made, by his guidance, a number of calls.
Our first visit was to a new and second-hand ha
berdasher's shop just across tho way. A man was
seated on the pavement in a high backed chair
beneath its bow window. He seemed to boa tall,
stoop-shouldered white person, genteely dressed,
nnd wearing a low-crowned broad brimmed hut.
We shook hands with great gravity, and our guide
slated llint wo had visited tho establishment to see
how hi -i business was prospering. He led tbn way
quietly into the store and lighted a small lamp.
Wheu the flames dished upon his faco wo saw
that ho was of a light-yellow hue. Then we mado
a hasty review of the Btore. Iu tho front or
main room thero were heaped up articles ol every
conceivable character. Immense piles of dinner
plate and disht s, tinware by the gross, lampscf
every pattern, second hand signs, with and withuut
names, pictures an J pictureframe", stoves and all cu
linary utensils, cradles, cushions, olj boots and boot
jacks, trunks, old hats, oarpets, etc, ad infinitum.
Wo passed into a rear room. Here were tablos
and chairs, and bureaus and chests, and bed posts
and sofas. We passed into the yard. It was
stacked in every quarter with old wagon-wheels
and window-sashes, hardware, and shingles. A
ferocious dog couched beneath a ben-coop. The
proprietor ordered him to lie down, and invited us
back to seo bis horse. In a low shed that animal
was feeding, and a very likely beast he was, fat
aud full sinewed. In the yard rested the wagon
which was somewhat dilapidated.
We passed into the cellar. There lay a wild
coufusion uf wares, which no amount of enumera
tion could sum up; and yet a little observation
detected order in this chaos. It was pluin that
the proprietor could lay his bund ou any article.
In a scooud'story room the same state of things
piovailed. It was as though tho furni'ura of ft'
huudred establishments hud been confusedly tum
bled into ono. We asked the proprietor'if he
sometimes took an account of stock. He said,
with a short laugh, that he might do so. Ha ha t
fifteen children, and smiled nheu we told him that
be could furnish establishments for as many moro.
He owned his dwelling, for w hich, with the ground,
he gave $4 500. We were likewise assured that
he bad other property to the amount of a few
thousand dollars additional.
This man came fro'ui Charleston, South Carolina
about fourteen years ago. Ho was the natural
son of a wealthy white man, who owned a' line of
steamers between that oity and New York. His
father died leaving him free, and bis white uncle
gave bim a passage to tbe North. Ho had about
ten dollars when bo reached Philadelphia, wbere
he at once commenced to labor. He found do
difficulty in procuring employment, but for some
time laid up do money. At length be started in
the second hand furniture business, and made the
commencement of his presoot extensive establish
ment. He seimed to have a strong affection for
Philadelphia, and spoke of his triumph over diffi
culties with some tediousuess, but much pride.
RODMAN STREET.
We passed with our guide up Sjuth street to
Ninth, and thence to Rodman street. Several fine
dwellings, of three and four stories, fronted with
white marble, and having doors of carved stone,
were exhibited upon these avenues. Rodman
street runs paiallel witb South street, one half
square above it. It is peopled almost entirely by
colored families. We gazed with curiosity at its
row of tall, beautiful bouses, and saw, with some
interest, the olean pavements and street. In some
place fine ornamental trees stood upon tho side
walks, and in tbe doorways tbe fumilies of Colored
men were seated. By the imperfect moonlight
they teemed to be neatly dressed. There was no
loud laughing or talking, in fact, it seemed to us
that we bad not remarked for the early evening
such general dooorum in any street iu tbo oity.
Our guide Said1, with some earnestness, 'Streots
like this your peoplo Borer visit,' They wander
throuuh Baker, nnd limit, ff.,r,t att-oMa
to find subjects for ridieulo and pity, but never
look into those cheerful homes, or speak with these
families of our better classes. Thero is a bright
side as well as a dark to our condition, althoupb
somo say we are nil dark.'
He laughed shortly at his own wit, but there
wos more o( thought than of humor in his speech.
We passed into one of the Rodman stroet dwell
ings, nnd, whilo the host was being summoned,
looked over a music book which lay upon the piaDo.
There was a variety of operatic music, and most o'
tbe popular ballads. Tho colored nwnor of the
establishment referred with some prido, when be
made his appearance, to his daughter's accomplish
ments. She had gone to Cape May with her mo
ther, during the bot season. Sho was a very good
girl, and he bad determined to give her what lie
had often vainly pined for on education. He
spoke fjt some moments, in his homely way, of bis
business success nnd integrity. We heard him
with some pleasure As we were about going, he
pressed us to take some domestic wino his daugh
ter's 'mako' and we wore able, upon trial, to do
justice to A smallbotllo.
FASHIONABLE COLORED DWELLING IN SOUTH TWELFTH
STREET.
We passed up to Twelfth street, near Pino, and
paused before a magnificent four-story brick dwell
ing. The sidewalk was shadowed by adult maples,
and the white marble steps of tho dwelling were
guardud by iron railing. A quadroon girl was
sitting upon these, alio saluted our conujetor in
a pleasing voice and lod tho way through a broad
hall. From the ceiling swung a lantern, tho light
of which disclosed tho furniture of tho hall. A
fine hat rack sat ogaiust the wall, and the vestibule
was rplendidly papered. The girl gave us seats
in the parlor, where we half-buried ourselves in a
spring Ottoman, and went out to seek ber mother.
We found here, also, a p!ano ; the furniture was
of a costly character, uud had wo been blindfolded,
and hore regained odr eyesight, could have imag
ined ourselves in Bome cosy Caucasian homo.
Hero, as elsewhcro.we found upon the shelves and
tablos all varieties of anti Elavory books : Sum
ner's speeches, Whittier's poems, Parker's eer.
mons, Phillips' orations, olo. Against tbn wall
hung a magnificent engraving of Mrs. Stowe, and
on the opposite side a full length portrait of Fred
rick Douglass. In a few minutes tbo hostess came
in. She talkedjfuuiUiurly with ourj guide while
we conversed with the daughter. They were neith
er forward nor embarrassed. The Miss replied
courteously to inquiries about her music lessons
and studies. She was of an olive complexion, al
most white, and had what we conceived to be a
winning address. Tbo lutter was favored by very
mild, dark eyes, and round white teeth.
Tho mother wore a white laco cap and a black
silk dress. We imagined that the mother and tho
daughter found each other's society comfortable,
and said so, whereupon the niothor went into an
enumeration of her daughter's good qualitios.which
indicated a fondness not altogether unploasant.
CONVIVIAL SCENES IN THE DWELLING OF A COLORED
CATERER.
Our next stopping-place was also In Twelfth
street, at tbo bouse of a noted colored cateror. We
found four men seated in a small 'eerving-up room'
opening on a balcony. Another of the party eat
on tho balcony, outside of the window. He occa
sionally ducked his bead iDto tho room, and on be
ing observod ducked back again in a very guilty
manner. We could bear him laugh sometimes as
if to indicate that he hadn't fallen off, end was
paying very rapt attention. This friendly gather
ing was regaling itself with cigars and brandy
and water. Care was at once taken that we should
be provided for.
One of the party rocognized us instantly as the
reportor who had abused a late oolored convooi
tion, and held its prominent speaker up to ridi
cule, lie nevertheless treated us in a very gen
teel manner, and charitably abstained from say
ing anything of our folly until we had been over
whelmed with kiukness, and were on tbe eve of
departure.
However, the influence of the cigars soon mido
the entire party communicative, and we launched
into A torrible discussion of tbe slavery question,
in which, to bring out tbe energies of the party,
our assoclato agitated the reopening of the slave
trade, and we played tbe part of a fiery Abolition
ist. Ah ebony individual, whom wo will call Jinks-
nailed us at onco by relating his experience He
told bis story with so much feeling that he found
himself unable to oontinue. We gatherod from a
somewhat confused narrative that he had been a
slave in Virginia ; had labored many years to lay
up money wherewith to purchaee himself; and in
tho course of a long and bitter period of toil, he
hud bought into freedom his wife and ohildren.
His mother and sister were sold before he oould
purchase them, and beiug taken somewhere in the
extreme South, he novel beard of them again.
Another party had, meanwhile, been nervously
sipping his brandy, anxious to clinch Mr. Jinks'
experience witb bis own. He was a large mulat
to, heavily-built, nnd carried a large gold-headed
cane, with which he frequently rapped Mb fore
head, as if to give activity to his ideas. We un
derstood that be was tbo natural son of a certain
judge of one of tbe oounties of western Maryland,
who bad been treated kindly during hi father's
life.
When the latter died it was found that be had
made no provision for Mr. Brigg's freedom, and
with the father' estate the ion was sold. Tbe
son at onee ran away. Wben we inquired as to
the probabilities of any connection botween his
running away and tbe underground railway
train, Mr. Briggs said, witb a laugh, 'There
wasn't anything else.' However, after Mr. Briggs
had comfortably married, and fixod bi family in
Philadelphia, be was rooognizod, captured, and
taken South, His wife walkod for nearly a year
through the streets, begging from Jiouse to house,
for money to aid iu ber husband' purchase. She
religiously refused to appropriate a penny of this
to tbe immediate necessities of her family, and at
last had the joy of seeing ber 'old man' rectored
to her Cgain. Mr. Briggs, at this point, enthusias
tically broko out :
'I never can forgot the ole woman for what she's
done for mo. Let he spend all I got, she's made
it. If she hadn t begged for me nothin woulu
thar have been for none of us. Let her go her
ropo 1' Hore nil bands laughed, and the man on
the balcony, who had been frequently heard to
chuckle, put his head in the window, nnd sail
very hurrtdly ; 'What do become ob de slavocatch
er's soul ?' after which he ducked out again in a
most guilty way.
Mr. Briggs continued to relate his 'struggle on
to fortune.' Ho paid yearly taxes to the amount
of $250, and owned proporty to the value of $40,
000. Mr. Snips, likewise, told bis story. After com
putatinn, the worth of the eight individuals in the
room was laid down ;
Jink $25,000
Brings 40000
Swip 20 000
Man on the balcony 7 000
Other colored man 10.000
Our conductor, C.000
Two reporter (50 oent each). 1
Total, $108,001
Great wrangling here on9ted. Everybody shook
hands with everybody else, and Mr. Jinks rang
the bell. Wheu a boy with a white apron answer
ed tho summons, Mr. Jinks ordered champaigne
and cigars.
Then the fortunes of the $108,001 were tonsted,
with Wishes that the $108,COI m!ght nkvor gruw
less ; after which, the man on the balcony put in
his head and said, spilling half bis wine, 'Yar's to
our brethren in bondage.' This was bailed with
ovations.
Mr. Jinks, Mr. Briggs, and Mr. Swips, then
insisted, simultaneously, that we should review at
once each of their bouses.
VISITS TO JINKS AND BRIGGS.
We found in Mr. Jinks' a piano valued at $700,
formerly owned by a prominent actress. We saw
a Urge engraving of John Brown, framed in gor
geous style, and were taken to a library, filled
with anti-slavery books. Everything was arrang
ed in a stylo combining neatness with luxuriance.
At Mr. Brigge' we found a studio, hung with rare
crayon drawings. We learned that these were the
labors of Mr. Briggs' son. We have seldom met
with finer pictures.
In this studio our reporters mado speeches,
which were hailed with acclamations. Mr. Briggs
opened bis sideboard, disclosing a tempting array
of bi ttles. We wero ordered up for a final toast.
Each of tbe individuals enumerated gave senti
ments. Somo of them were mild some fiery. Our
guide, with a degree of forbearance unexpected,
said, lifting his glass:
'Let us drink to the social and intellectual ad
vancement of the colored man 1'
'God grant it,' said a chorus of carnost voices,
and the glasses wore emptied with euch enthusi
asm that tho man who bad taken a Beat on the
baloony partially choked himsclf.and threw a tem
porary shadow over the general good humor.
REFLECTIONS RESULTING FROM THE ABOVE OBSERVATIONS.
We have spoken lightly of our final visit, simply
that variety may bo Infused into the narrative, for
our most sanguine expectations of tho respectabil
ity of tbe colored upper classes were ovorleuped
by their actual condition. We found, everywhere,
good order and good humor, pride in the city, love
of the State, and strange as it may seem, rever
ence for the nation. Few of tbe families we visit
ed knew anything of our objoct ; tbeir manner of
life, as we observed it, was not assumed our coun
terfeited. In fact we shrewdly d ubted that wo
were not mistaken for descendants of Ham, for, in
our visit, wo saw many persons said to be of ne
gro blood, who, by gas-light, were identified as
whites.
Nothing is moro common than to hear it said, in
genoral and sweeping terms, that the free colored
people if tho city aro in a miserably degraded
condition j constantly erposod to hunger end cold,
lazy, having no tendency to improve, no onergy,
honesty, industry. Suoh assertions are, indeed,
made quite as commonly at the North as at tbe
South. Senator Brown, of Mississippi, only went
a little way beyond the common opinion, when
he remarked that 'the ilave is blest with sound!
health, a sleek skin, and Christian Instruction.
"Vim free African is dwarfed by dieeaso, ecrofuluus
from hunger, and is a barbarian and a cannibal.'
What we have transcribed bus indicated, to the
credit of Philadelphia, a differont order of things.
But it may cot be out of place to allude, in equal
ly truthful terms, to the
CONDITION OF THE LOWER CLASSES 0 NEOROES.
This branch of the question needs little illumin
ation. It has furnished the staplo for much abuse
of Philadelphia, and the dusky localities haunted
by degraded blacks have been described as tbe
sole resort of men of op?or in this city.
We made one day a fiying tour through Bedford,
Baker, Lombard, and Spafford streets, but the
dangerous appearance of the denizens of tbe di
verging courts doterred us from entering them
alone. By the kindly care of Sergeant Selby and
Officer Annie, of tbe Second distri t polico station,
we were escorted through the most dingy locali
ties in the whole oity.
None ot the cribs, courts, collars, or dwellings
in the whole route was peopled exclusively by
blacks. In some quarter of St. Mary, street, a
large proportion were negroes, but we found tSe
dwellings of that avenue several degrees more
commodious, clearly, and cheerful than those of
Spafford, Bedford tod Baker streots. In the three
latter avenues were people of every hue tbe pale
consumptive, white a leprosy, and tbe ebony ne
gro, witb polished skin and crisp wool. In some
dwellings we found both of these.
We would be glad to give this articlo entire,
but want of space compells us to omit a portion
which came in here. -Ed. Bcqlr.
A SUMMARY OF WRETCHEDNESS.
Of tbe soenea among the wretched wc witnessed
we cannot pak at length. We saw ebony negro
women, types of the most degraded Ethiops, of
Amazon form and moro ban manly strength.
Somo of them were drunk, some quarreling ono
was tusseling with two white men, wlicrii she
seemed to be in a fair wsy of demolishing, and
many were elupified with rum and helpless with
disease.
In ono shanty we found a negro rfglin tilth:
self with a black I ottlo of strychnine and enJ'oav.
oring, in the pauses of imbibition, to convince ivvo
half drunken mulattoes of tbe 'Postolicn!' nature
of his church. lie gave vent to some mgoniou
and fearful theology.
There were negroes in all condition cf lodily
mutilation. We saw one afflicted with a tumor
nearly a fjot in diameter J orie with a ghastly scar
across bis jaw, made by ao axe in tho hands of an
enemy ; one whose log was almost fleshlees from
a scalding received when stupified with ruin j ma
ny oue eyed, some deaf, soma entirely blind.
In the latter class was a white girl riinofeori
years of oge, who was the mother of four childreui
all lorn out of wedlock, and Done of tbeni white.
Sho was entirely blind, and enolie with a heart-
Uokcu iminner or tbe agony she bud mJurei
when her children were tuken from her. Wo ask
ed her where und why they had bcon removed.
She believed to tho nlmeshouso perhaps brought
up to ba thieves. 'God knows,' said she ct tali;
looking up to the feathery clouded sky with blank
and tightless oris.
Many of the miserable beings we visited wore
partially insano. There was one woman, white as
leprosy who had tixteen cits. She had them nam
ed by all manner of fantastic titlos, and eveiy cat,
at her cull, came up to hor feet. Slid spuse With
a singing tono J aud occasionally broke out into
bits of music.
Iu one yard we found n gray haired wliito man,
reeling his bead in the lap of a black womun.
He seemed to have been kicked down the stairway
of a miserable tenement.
The officer touched him with his foot,
'I'm drunk,' said the man, with a leer ol idiocy:
'Gi' me a fip to get some gin.'
The officer nude a light t jply.
'Go to ,' said tho man, grinning, llo
was of large frame, and looked as though he had
once been handsome ; there was something very
dcsolato in his white baira.
It is useless to recapitulate scenes li&b the:e.
Our observations convinced us that the white pop
ulation was nut less degraded than the negro.
Both were wretchod beyond all speech mere ani
mals, without hopes beyond sensuality ; without
mind beyond bare perception ; witbjut enjoyment
beyond wickedness; without souls beyond Instinct.
Tbey were buried in filth and degradation ; be
yond all missionary toil dead in mind, in thought,
in goodness, as the swine which made habitation
with them. Unfit for future joy J callous and un
worthy of future punishment, the have made
their lives in corruption and will die like the
dogs.
VISIT TO MR. ROBERT PURVIS.
In sirango contrast to suoh scenes of misery,
we lay before our readers the particulars uf a fin
al visit, attended by more of gentlemanly genial
ity and evidences of a most refined taste. The
object of these remarks is with the colored people,
yet scarcely of them. We refer to Mr. Robert
Purvis, more widely known tbun any iriun of color
in America, excepting, perhaps, Fredeii-jk Doug
lass. Mr, Purvis has figured very prominently, ot
sundry times, as an anti-slavery ora'or. Iu such
guise be dues not appear to the best adrantngc.bt.
iDg very violent in delivery, and extremely radi
cut in seutiment. During the excitement attend
ant upun the John Brown raid, Mr. Purvis txeiteJ
great eumity by irrevorently comparing bis beiu
with iho Saviour. As a private gentleman, how.
ever, Mr. Purvis in pleaiant and exeeedit gly in.
toreeting. We visited him last week, lie ru.-ides
in Byberry township, about twelve miles above the
city proper, and in the Twenty. third ward.
Tho stago put lis down at bis gale, iui wS were
warned to be ready to return in an hour and h
half. His dwelling stands some dibtunce buc?!
from the turnpike. It is approucned by n btoad
lawn, und shadowed with ancient trees. In tho
rear stands a Sue series of barns. There are mag
nificent orchards connected with his farm, and his
livo 6tock is of the most approved breeds. We un
derstand that he receives numbers of premium
annually from agricultural societies. In this fine
old mansion Mr. Purvis hus resided many years.
We were ushered, upon our visit, into a pleasant
dining-room, hung witb a number of pai-itings.
Upon one side of an old fashioned mantut was a
large portrait of a Gne looking white man ; on the
other side a portrait of a swarthy negro. Above
these old John Brown looking gloomily do-lih liksi
a bearded patriarch.
In a few minutes Mr. Purvis came in. e had
anticipated a stubborn looking negro, with a swag
ger, and a tone of bravado. In place ol euch we
saw a lull, beautifully-knit gentleman, almOfi
white, and handsomely dressed. Iiis foot and
band were symmetrical, and, although his hair
was gray with years, every limb was full and every
movement supple and easy. He saluted us with a
decorous dignity, and began to converse.
It was difficult to forget that the man before ut
was not of our own race. Tbe topics upon which
he spoke were chiefly personal. Ho related soma
vory amusing aneodolea of bi relation with
Southern gentlemen. On one oec i-iou he appfied
for a passage to Liverpool io a Philadelphia pack
et. Somo Southern gentlemen, unacquaiuied with
Purvis, save is a man of nogro blood, protested
be should not be received. Among these was si
Mr. Hayne, a near relative of Hayne, tho orator.
Purvis accordingly wont to Liverpool by another
vessel. He met Hayne and the Southerners o
they wer about returning homo, and took passage
with them, passing for a white man. He gained!
their esteem,' was cordially invited by each to v'Uit
him in the South, and no entertainment was com
plete without hi Joke aud hi presence. At at'
final dinner, giveu to th party by the eaptuin of
the vesael, Mr. Hayne, who bad all along violently
spoken of the negro race, publicly toasted Mr;
Purt!, a the nnoct typo of the CAitvaslan rr:V
