The weekly Anglo-African., 1859-11-19
OPENING OF THE ANGLO-AFRICAN
READING ROOMS

edifee known as the Metropolitan Assem-
bly, Rooms, 178 Prince street, were opened
with much promise. Sometime before the
hour designated the large assembly hall OF
that building was crowded to its utmost ca
pacity with very respectable company OF
ladies and gentlemen, both white and col
ored, evidently deeply interested in the
success of this laudable movement. AT
o'clock precisely the Rev. Henry High
land Garnet directed the attention Of the
audience to the report of the Committee
on Tea, who at that moment pronounced it
ready One hour was consumed in So
cable manner over the Widespread board,
after which they returned to the lower
room, where the President, in few we'll
chosen remarks, opened the exercises. The
idea of reading room, said he, originated
with Mr.. VIM. Herries, who proposed also
for its aid course of eleven lectures, the
success of which, so far, he dwelt upon
with great satisfaction. Particularly was
he gratifed with the fattering response of
the Hon. Horace Greeley, being his first APP
pearance since his return from California.
Messrs. Charles E. Harris, J. Sella Martin,
E. D. Culver, and others yet to follow, had
kindly offered their distinguished services
without compensation. He suggested that
one evening in each week be set apart for
the ladies exclusively -gentlemen present
ing themselves only on invitation, which,
no doubt, would always be extended to
them. After complimenting the audience
for the zeal manifested he introduced, as
the cold War Horse" in the Anti -Slavery
rank, Oliver johnson, Esq, editor of the
"Anti-Slavery Standard" who was received
with hearty applause.
Mr.. johnson spoke in eloquent terms of
the surprising progress of the colored peo-
pie within the last twenty-five years, and
declared that no people on the face of the
earth had made such advancement against
such tremendous obstacles. He believed,
however, that much of their progress was
owing to the Anti-Slavery movement.
After a word of encouragement to the
young men for whose benefit this effort is
made, the President introduced the Rev.
j. Sella Martin. The appearance of this
gentleman was the signal for general out
burst of welcome.
Mr.. Martin opened his remarks with a
pretty severe lecture to the leaders of the
colored people, and charged them with only
laboring when they felt like it, and to the
people for only following when SO dis
posed. He was of the opinion that our
public men generally were too fond of
ease, and became careless of our wants as
they grew wealthy. He believed it to be
their duty to be ever read y and ever work
ing, and the duty of the people to ncour-
age with their resence and their means.
He agreed with Mr.. johnson that the col
ored people owed much of their progress
to the Anti-Slavery movement, but thought
that the cause was largely indebted to the
colored people for its present position.
The speaker was glad to see SO great an
interest manifested in the enterprise, but
hoped that it would not be suffered to ex-
haust itself on this occasion.
After Mr.. Martin had concluded the
President arose to introduce the next
Speaker, when call for Downing" caus-
ed a momentary pause, and was welcomed
by some knowing ones as the precursor of
coming struggle between two beligerent
gentlemen, who instantaneously pricked up
their ears and eyed each other askance for
moment from the extreme ends OF the
room, but the good humor Of the one and
the dignity of the other prevented an
onset.
The gathering was further addressed by
Messrs. Underhill and Congdon refreshed
by the much-loved music of the Luca fam
lily, and then proceeded to examine the ar
engagements of the reading rooms.