The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1859-01-22
A colorod Preacher in Misaissippi
From the Indsnsnd.nt.

Prom the Independent
In very recent journey on the Mlssi,,ippi
| noticed In the eompanion-way very will.
dressed aud intelligent-looking negro. There
were fully hundred passengers, and while
knot amer knot OF men assembled and dis.
persed, and freely oonverSed on politics, the
crops, the hard times this man sat alone aud
unno'icrd. During the evening entered in.
to eonyer'ation with him. and found he Was
clergyman in the Methodist Episcopal
Church, From a Christisn gentleman on
board, learned that he was one Of the most
succ sssiu eolored minister, in the West.
l+s was born and ed ueaied in Massaehus-
etts. and had seen much Of the world. as
sailor and u eabin.hoy, aud HE knowledge Of
men contributed to his usefulness. lie was
imniehaurahly superior to nine,tsnths Of the
passengers ia dress, refinement, nnd edue.-
ton, yet when dinner was served. 6thy.look.
Ing 'agabonds found their way To the first
table, but our eolored friend dared not touch
morsol upon the tables there was food,
in abundance for every one bot him.
Tea came up--tabe after table was served.
but our eolored brother sat Suppeross and
mnniesd;- lie had ppid the tlll price Of
passage, but such is the force Of prejudice
against color that he might have travelled for
days on the steamer and not once have been
permitted TO approach the table, or invited TO
take morscl Of food. found him sprieht.
ly genial, and well-read from him learned
many inter eSting facts in regard TO the con.
dition Of the people in the West and South.
west During our reonversation, was struck
with surprise at the interest felt in il by those
around uI The passengers crowded about
u.s. and listened with the deepest interest 10
the remarkA and anecdotes OF the despised
MANN fact, he stood among IA like !
a man from foreign land and SO Ear remov- |
ed in race color, and sympathy was he, that
We listened to him a. we would 20 the intel. !
ligent Hindoo. He mentioned in the course
Of eonvcrsation that his brethren in the free
states were constantly receiving intelligence
from their brethren in the South. He was
at this time returning from n convention Of
coIored ministers, in which were represented
rorty thousand church.members. In thi,
meeting, from various sources, intelligence
was received from their friends in the house u
of bondage. The number Of slaves who can
'ead and write is now not uncomfortable in
all the cities and towns Of the South, and
Fhite men are found everywhere who will
'un the risk of writing letters for the slave.
" From all you can learn" said to him,
10 you think that the condition of your peo-
,le in slavery is improvingP"
No." he replied, "Iheir oppression is be-
coming every year more distressing-while
u the North legislation and public sentiment
3 becoming more favorable for us. In the .
south. our bondage is every year more Sc
ere. and the hearts ofNtbe masters more en- c
uttered and cruel. Our churches are being I
losed-many masters are now saying that the '
egroes should not be allowed to be members !
{ any church, for their church relations give a
hem opportunity for retailing their wrongs, I
nd forming plots and insurrections. Thus, "
throughout the slave states our privileges are q
eing abridged, the slightest excuse is-sufi-
ent cause for closing our Sunday-schools a
nd TO silence our ministers. Complaint is p
navailing, and only increases, our punish lp
tent. If any white man defend us, he makes a
lmself an object of suspicion, and very like n
of mob violence. One of the greatest Il
irses Of slavery is, that society comes under n
'e dominion of the wors, men-men Of the a,
ost feroeious passionsi desperadoes and y,
lfiinns hold in their hands the reins Of pow m
:, and rule society Rs absolutely ss any oil N
archy, Any man, however respectable, who "
'sists their counsels and raises his voice &C
yainSt their savage whippings, Is insulted OF
I'd marked. Thus the hest men in the South VI
g compelled to be silent and caused to sus- 70
in measures and erueltiet which their whole r,
,ture Abhors." on