The weekly Anglo-African., 1859-07-30
Some. Corrfsponoente
OUR NEW BEDFORD LETTER.
New BEDFORD, July Is, 1859


New BEDFORD, July 18 1859.
To The Editor Of the Weekly Angio-Afric
DEAR SIR-The celebration of the Fourth
passed with more display than usual. Our
city fathers feel that retrenchment and
economy must be the leading characters
tics of their administration, and refused to
appropriate the amount asked for. After
protracted discussion, they voted to raise
one thousand dollars, the cisizens having
made up the deficiency. This may appear
small sum for place that boasts its
twenty-five millions of real and personal
property, with population of $4,000; but
when we consider that our whaling feet
loose 81, 100000 this year, and many of
our merchants are unable or unwilling to
fit out the vessels, which would afford re-
lief to the numerous class of mechanics
and laborers who depend entirely upon
this branch of industry, the reluctance to
part with the precious metal is explained.
The hollow display that the American
people glory in, falls heavily upon the
hearts of every rejecting colored Ameri-
can; yet it is our right and duty to notice
passing events.
Hon. M. Trafton was invited to deliver
the oration. He accepted, on condition
that there should be no trammel or gag
placed upon the utterance of his thoug hts.
| He did not let the occasion pass without
giving fearless rebuke TO the American
people, who claim to be the most free ma
ton upon Gods footstool, while they hold
100000 of human beings in chains. The
committee have not yet passed vote of
thanks to the orator hope they will not
initiate the Boston Council, who refused to
bestow upon the gifted Sumner the same
compliment but we shall see.
In the long procession, the most noticea-
BILE feature was the floral department, con-
sisting of about FIVE hundred children,
beautifully attired, and filling twenty large
wagons. There was no distinction on ac-
count of color, for the oppressed race had a
fair representation. Perhaps this may be
noted as progressive.
We have star" preacher in our midst
Rev. Mark Trafton, of the Methodist de-
nominations, an ex-member of Congress
occupies the desk in the new and beauti-
full brick edifce on County street. Before
the building was dedicated, there was
much speculation upon the probable rul-
ings of the building committee in refer
ence to the pews. These doubts were soon
removed, and an invitation was given to
all persons, without reference to color, to
purchase or lease the pews. Mr.. L. is an
independent speaker his sermons, unlike
those which we are accustomed to hear
stereotyped in form, and SO dull that old
Morpheus finds us an easy victim to his
mesmeric influence. He is emphatically a
! % IuluIolCI, anu 10 AOfCl III Nal-
ting scathing rebuke to the pro-Slave'
! i, elements that surround him. His con-
gregation is the largest in the city | have
often enjoyed the refreshing scene of wit
Messing the ebony and alabaster side by
side in conspicuous part of the house,
worshipping the same Great Spirit, without
any apparent inconvenience. This looks
like conquering our prejudices."
We have held public meeting, and ap-
pointed fifteen delegates to attend the
New England Convention, which assem-
bles in Boston on the 1st of August The
proceedings will be noticed in my next.
This being gala day, and the fare at halt
price, there will probably be an exodus
amounting to several hundred persons.
Last year the State Convention here
brought together about two thousand
strangers.
| ACUSHNET