Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1848-06-23
The Sons of Temperance.

The Sons Of Temperance.
The following extract from a letter to the
editor of the Albany Patriot, written by a for
mer member Of the Order, we comluend to
all abolitlonisls who desire to know the influ-
ence which is being exerted by the Sons of
Temperance (as an organizalion) upon the
anti slavery question. If any of our subscii-
bers or readers are unwilling to listen TO this
testimony, we are sorry for their preference
for darkness.
Samuel Il. Ward-a well known and re-
spected colored mana minister of the gos-
pei, and editor OF the American g. Exami-
ner" at Cortlandvilie, united with the Divi-
sion in that village, and that Division was
broken up In consequence. 1t seems that the
initiation Of Mr.. Ward was regarded as a
shocking lmpropriety on the part Of The De
puty'-a violation of the rules of the order;
and the Grand Division, or its proper officers
were Immediately informed Of the fact. Mr..
Kennedy, Of New York, the GRAND Won
II PATRIARcH,' in his last annual report 10
the Grand Division of the State of New York,
says, in relation to this case-Ohe difficulty
in District No. 55)-Conland ain comse.
quence Of the improper conduct OF the 'depu-
ty' Of that district, some Of the divisions be-
came involved In difficulty, Of which | was
promptly informed. ! Immediately suspend
ed the deputy Of the District, and appointed
ID. &. w. p. Cady a special deputy, with in
structions 10 proceed immediately to District
No. 3d." What the improper conduct was
of which the deputy was guilty, and which
caused such serious difficulty will appear
from the following extract, which | take from
ID G. W. p. Cady'S' report after his return
from the seat of war; He says IL found
them in a very bad state of chaos and confu-
sion. 1t appears the business of this Divi-
sion has been illegally conducted all through,
the deputy asserting he had the p%rerogatlve
TO admit whom he pleased, Jlack Or ,chiie,
old or young, and had actually initiated Il CO.
LoRED MAN" lie farther states that he took
from the Division Its books, papers, docu-
ments, &c. On my return from New York,
| addressed IA letter to Mr.. Ward on the sub
iect, and received from him the following an
swers 10 my interrogatories
"CoRTLANDvILLE, March 20, 1918.
Nh Dear George-ro-day's mail brings
me your letter and +. A. GTay's at the same
time.
.. | did unite with a Division of the Sons
of Temperance at Cortlandville. | was not
expelled, because. Just SO soon as the Divi-
sion nsceftained, through a committee, the
character of the organization in respect to
blacks, it voted its charter back to the Grand
Division. But, before our communication
reached the Grand Divisisn, that body sent
Captain Cady from New York, on purpose 10
erpei me-. l may as well add here that a Mr..
Lund, "a lecturer, officially informed our Di-
vision that cOi0red persons could not be mem
JerS IF the order.
,. The rule prohibiting the membership of
colored persons is a resolution of the Grand
Division.
8. 1t is not mere usage, but a deliberately
passed resolution. l know of no Division
that is unwilling to conform to it.
A. Ours was the only Division | know of
that ever admitted a colored person.
8. The colored people could not get a char
ter from the. Grand Division. A Division of
opeans-Scotchmen-withdrew from the
Grand Division, and established an i~ndcpen-
dent Division.
Faithfully yours, &c.,
SAMUEL r. WARD"
All | have asserted, and more, appears to
be true. was aware that the colored peo-
pie of this country had been silly enough to
send to England for a charter to organize
themselves into 'Odd Fellows'-haying been
refused a charter by their countrymen in the
United States. But | was not aware, that,
after having excluded colored persons from
the privile ge of membership in the subordi-
nate Divisions, the Grand Division had ac-
tually denied them the right of organizing
Divisions among themselves! Shareholders,
oppressors Of men, unjust and cruel, are re-
ceived with open arms. But a man with
: sable BROW however talented, just and pure
in life, is rejected Verify one looks in vain
for a semblance of Christianity here. Alas
for the poor colored man! He is excluded
from steamboat cabins and dining tables-he
is excluded from the schools and colleges
he is excluded from the churches, unless he
submits to the degradation Of the Infamous
negro pew He may, however, if he can,
build his own church-his own school; but
the Sons professedly a benevolent in5litu-
ton, yield to the wicked prejudice against
color, and descended a step lower, not only
refusing him The negro pew in their tempe
rance church, but deny him the poor privilege
of having one by himself! 20 tempora, o.,
moresn
Gro. w. CLARK.
Victor, March 90, 1913.
Coon NEws.-We learn that the Supreme
Court now in session at Harrisburg, has re-
versed the decision of Judge Hepburn, in the