Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1864-05-10
Gen. Butler ON NeagrO Equal.
lily. An Extraordinary Scene.

81 peopIeJ mas q statement 20 the Ell
feet that
Two weeks ago very respectable col.
ored lady, by the name of Clara Duncan,
LETT New York city, in company with
gentleman named Walker and Miss Bas.
sett' twhite,) for Norfolk, being sent by
the American Missionary Association as
teachers to the freed people.
1T was the desire Of our worthy Secre.
tary, Rev. George Whippls, that the le,
dies, (whits and black, on arriving nj
Baltimore, should occupy the same STATE
room on board of the boat. An passed
pleasantly; they were seated in the upper
saloon when the gong sounded for tea
The clerk invited all down, Miss Duncan
With the others After tea, the clerk call.
ed MIR. Walker aside, and inquired weth-
er he knew the regulations of the boat
Mr.. Walker replied that be did not. The
clerk then snid We don't allow niggers to
eat at the first table. And you 90 and tell
her to come out OF that saloon to a place
prepared for her, or shall take her down
publicly During the conversation, the
mail agent by the name of Rollins, step
ped up and said that Mr.. Walker WAS no
gentleman for travelling with a niger
wench.' neither was Miss Bassett q lady
tor occupying the same state-rOom until
the boat arrived at Fortress Monroe. All
parties were indignant. On arriving at
Norfolk. the case was submitted to Gen.
Wild, who told Mr.. Walker to write out
a statement and submit il to Prof. Wood.
bury. Prof. Woodbury. Submitted it to
Gen. Butler.
De Saturday morning, March 26tb,
Prof. Woodbury., Superintendent of schools,
Miss Duncan and Miss Bassett were sum.
moned to the presence of Gen. Butler.
The examination of the parties before
Gen. Butler occupies over a column in the
African The officiating clerk of the boat,
Mr.. Wilson was asked by Gen. Butler
what be had to say for himself.
Wilson, remember seeing those per-
sons on the boat, and remember some coms
plant being made about q mulatto eating
at the first table.
General-who made these complaints Z
Wilson, do not know, General, all
that were on board, cannot remember all
the names and faces.
Gen.-You must remember some of
them.
Wilsou-Governor Pierpont was on
board, and he
Gen.-Ther you say Governor Pierpont
complained? If Governor Pierpont had
anything to do with it be shall not remain
within my lines. Did Governor Pierpont
complain?
WilsOn-No cir.
Gen.-Who did complain thenf
wilson, do not know as any one CON-
planned.
Gen-They either complained or did
rot complain, which was it?
WIlson-They did not complain but
hos IL bae
Gen.-Has been is not now: there's |
where the trouble lies-kas been.
The General then turning to the mail |
agent, remarked, Mr.. Rollins, you run ON |
the steamer louisiana
ROllins-I do sir.
Gen.-Your employment is to tend to |
the mail and express. L believe. You, sir, |
are charged with calling that young lady |
(pointing to Miss Duncan) improper |
names. Mise Duncan has not the power to |
change her color; that she cannot control |
but her character, and to call her a niger |
wench implies that she is Of disreputa>
BILE character.
Rollins-I never said so.
Gen.-YOu say your business is to tend |
to the mail and express?
ROll;ns-Yes, and to wait On the ia
bic.
Cent does not seem probable that
you should say anything of the kind: the
walters are generally cOlored PERSONS
You are waiter you say; therefore it is
not natural that you would say anything
against your associates. May l ask, Mr..
Rollins, what business you had to say any
thing? The clerk had spoken: that was
sufficient.
Mr.. Rollins could say nothing.
The General then turning to Mr.. Will
son. When John or Susan Travelled with
Master or Mistress, they could stay in
the saloon or sleep in the same state room,
could they nOtH
Wilson-Yes.
Gen.-Well now, would like to ask
one more question: Which do you consider
IN the highest state of civilization, the |
slaves in his chains or the free person of |
color?
Wilson, do not know-I guess-I
thiDk-well, l suppose, the free person.
Gen.-You admit, then the free man.
Well, all want is that the free man shah |
have the same rights the slaves once en-
joyed; they shall sit 10 saloons, sleep in |
stGterooms, aud 60 to the first table if they
desire.
Wilson, suppose may tell them they
may De insulted?
Gen.-Oh yes and | shall excuse YOU,
Mr.. Wilson, if / never bear the same thing |
again. You were trying to promote your |
employers interests. Remember what |
have said. Now, Mr.. Rollins, sm to |
believe your assertions How much do |
you receive per month?
Rollins-S25.
GeU.-How much do you receive from
Government?
Rellins-Not anything, sir.
Gen.-Where were you bornf
Rollins-In Baltimore.
Gep.-And brought up in Baltimore,
too, suppose.
follins-Yes.
Gen.-Well, now. Mr.. Rollins, your en-
pIoyment on the Baltimore boat is at an
end. Clerk, write an order to that effect;
write one also to the Captain. Good after.
noon, ladies and gentlemen.
Thus ended the interview.
A good story is told of tall, raw bonsd
fellow, who went into a market house at
Bostou-perhaps the Quincy, and seeing
large hog on exhibition, was nightly
struck with it.
Il swear said he, 'that's great hog.
swear l never saw a finer looking one in
my life, swear what short legs he's got,
/ swear
Look here. friend, said little dry look
ing individual, trOttiDg up, you must not
swear so.'
Il swear / should like to know WHY p
said the hard swearer, with an ominous
look.
Because SAID the little man, Swearing
is against the Law, and shall have to com.
NIT yOu,' drawing himself up.
Are you justice of the peace p inquir-
ed the swearer.
i ann
We'll, | swear said the profans man.
i sm more astOnished at that than / was
about the hog p