Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1837-05-24


his wife and child, and he had been
hanged. About three weeks afterwards,
the court appointed Or the trial of slaves
sentenced these two black men to death.
and the time was appointed When we
went from the prison to the galIows, only
q short distance, we found such a mass of
people assembled with stands for the sale
Of cider, and cakes, and rum, that the
sheriff could with great difficulty force a
passage. And this, Notwithstanding there
had been a white man hanged three weeks
before. Is not this evidence of the degra-
dation Of the whites How, then, can
you expect to find an enlightened COM
munity Of colored people among such
masters!
But found many people Of color, who
had obtained their freedom, and had pur-
chased lots, and built cabins, where thew
had their pigs and chickens, and seemed
to be comfortable and improving. Ihave
seen the children Of their former masters
come to this people and ask for something
to eat, and have seen every thing Of the
best in the cabin provided for them. |
asked one aged woman, "Sister Judah,
who was that young lad y saw here ?"
All" said she, 81 it was my old masters
daughter; many time | have been Sc
verely beaten for her sake; but, poor
thing, she is very poor now, and has
nothing but what her friends give her. l
forgive her now, and look to God for my
reward l have no right to take ven
geance, and do the best | can for her
when she comes here to get something
good to eat" Here is the EVIDENCE
Shall such benevolence as this, when ex-
hibited by those who have every reason
to take vengeance, be passed by? Shall
those who have such spirit be kept in
bondage!
A third evidence to be considered, is
drawn from the general character of the
people of color, including their situation,
and their ability to get along in the world
Let it be remembered that the man of
color has to labor against wind and tide,
to NEE: all the prejudices, and contend
} with all the prescription and opposition of
the times Notwithstanding this, can
show that the colored man is capable of
making Roadway, under all his disadvan-
tages. Go with me 10 Baltimore, and in
| Howard ST. we will find man Of color,
: who, seven years ago, pail 5000 for his
} own body and soul, and $500 or more for
, his wife. Now he owns nearly a block
} of ground, with three brick houses. two
Of which would rent, in New York, for
$500 piece, and the other for 800, be-
sides several wooden tenements. Come
to Philadelphia, and there is a man named
} HaIes, who has twice paid $3.50 for him
! self, being cheated out of the first pay
ment, by his humane master. Now be
> has on the front of his lot three story
/ house, and on the rear such buildings as
! rent for more than 5000 year.
t In Philadel phia, we have IA respecta-
3 bic congregations of colored people. We
, own several churches that are worth from
= $4,000 to $4,000 each. The whole
, amount of our public property, in church
. eS, school houses, and burial grounds, i
s more than two hundred thousand dol
e lars, the greater part paid for by ourselves
b Several day schools are supported by us
e About 60 beneficial societies do much t.
If provide for the sick and helpless. and 70
y the burial of the dead, paying for thes
n objects from eight to twelve thousand dol
a lars year Not a colored person, O
IS any responsibility, however poor, is burie
Is at the expense of the poor funds in Phila
to del phia. In Newly ork, there are six O
eight churches, with beneficial societies
y and schools, and other useful institutions
IL So in other cities. 1t is true, we have i
rs Philadelphia, and elsewhere, low elias
e, Of colored people, who. are both degrade
e, and vicious; but who is to blame
IS, live near the church in which have tn
honor to officiate; and in one square thel
Of are Is grog-shops located, by the author
re ty of the city; and in the immediat
ly neighborhood there are A.. When vl
r. set the trap is the RABBIT to be blamed f
ty, being caught2 The wea1v traveller
N. laborer is shared in the gins that are S
as by those in authority, who ought to kno
ILL., better. But amidst all our difficulties, Il
er; man of color advances in surprising
I'll. gree. And when the people Of color a
I'll, compared with other portions Of the i
lily boring class in the community, ventu
nat to declare, that in regard to the numb
Ter of the victims and the wTetched, they w
me not overrun the common ratio.
RS, In the fourth place, will notice Il
if evidence drawn from the power of int
icy lect exhibited by the man Of color:
vd- know our heads have been measured,
cry determine whether we had as much brai
. if as blood. l know that prejudice h
all blinded the eyes of many, who ought
we'd have seen and acknowledged the truth
l know that popular delusion every whe
at prevailing, has extended its influence ev
osi- over ourselves; and that many among
ose have tacity consented to admit that
om. were an inferior race. But | will app
ave to facts. viii. mention one case, and
ted. am hannu to See q reuor.nd gentleman