Journal of freedom. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1865-186?, 1865-10-14

be the color that yon wish to be; and for
the second offence we will tar and feather
You, and ride you on a rail. We, the boys,
warn Won as a white mar to stop asso-
ciating with the negroes. You must not
90 to the white Convention of North Caro-
Ina, as a negro lover is not allowed to en-
ter the honored capitol of North Carolina.
You've AMERICAN"
To which / beg leave to reply through
the only medium You have left me. Yonr
friendly interest in my behalf, and desire
that I should walk in good company is
pleasing. regret that you should have
been to the pains of holding a Injecting"
in my case to pass the above kind resolu-
ton. Had you sent a committee to labor
with me, it would have saved trouble
It would also have beer more manly and
"chivalrous," as l think.
I bespeak your indulgence. Man is a
creature of society. | came to Raleigh, it
is true, without being invited, about the
14th of April last. | am fond of good
company, but the ladies, old and young,
for some reason, turned their backs on me
they gave me the cold shoulder. | tried
for several days to behave the best | knew
how put on my best store clothes, and
tried to obtain a friendly glance from
them. | yearned for them but they did
not notice me. There seemed to be a
slight prejudice. l am fond of children,
very, and wanted to caress them, but they
made mouths at me. ] went to church on
Sunday, but had hard work to find a seat
and the only lady in the pew rose up
hastily and rushed out as if my presence
was not SO agreeable as some other folks.
Nobody said "Good morning Mr.. Smith,
| am happy to see you" | waited for in
vitations to dinner, but no invite came
l went to board, but the landlady seemed
distant and cold, and [ paid my bill and
left. She did not seem sorry. / am fond
of singing and the piano, and sighed for an
invitation to spend the evening with some
of the "irst families but finally became
discouraged. [ heard that a party of
"Yankee officers" were Fortunate enough
to be invited out, but some. of them had
first to drink "the health of President
Davis before they could be received into
full fellowship.
finally took the best society / could
get. There were people of every shade OF
complexion going around, and not being
an accurate judge of timts, and the ways OF
your society, | may have made mistakes.
Some of these people seemed willing to
speak to me, and even invite me to their
church. They did not run out of the pew
when | went in. Their compilations were
darker than some people, but | was very
much pleased with the complexion of their
views, particularly on the Union. They
even invited me to dinner. l went, the
food was good. There was a lack Of pianos,
but they are great on vocal music. | en-.
joyed myself.
When l was a boy, | heard a sermon
from this text, "Mind not high things, but
condescend to men of low estate" It made
a deep impression upon my mind. NY
father also taught nae never to be ashamed
of my poor relations. We were poor our
selves once. He also said, "Myson, alb
stain from picking pockets, and robbing
hen reosts ; never speak evil of a person
behind his back; pay the w~ood-sawyer
and washerwoman, and always sign your
namet to what you write" These early in
structions of my youth, l have always
tried to follow.
l hope you will rescind your resolu-
ton to black my face, tar and feather
me, and ride me on the rail. From
having frequently heard of persons who
have experienced these recreations in the
South, | have a prejudice against them.
Consider to what straits I have been re-
duced to find good society. Reflect. In
the eloquent language Of another, eve
are going home" I may be at sthe old
homestead" when you come, and I would
not look we'll with my face blacked and
otherwise disfgured by tar. Besides, it
would sound badly abroad, and might
hinder Immigration" I have an ex-
tenslve acquaintance among the mem
bers of Congress, and am ON good terms
with the President, whom I assisted to
elect by reporting his anti-slavery speech
es In Tennessee. IF your fathers or
friends need my good Offices in the way
OF procuring pardons, perhaps | can aid
them. Ihave, also, a large acquaintance
among the dry goods jobbors and grocers
OF New York, and, as / have done be-
fore, | will introduce such of you as may
wish to purchase goods SON time" By
lyRching me you will lose my valuable
bic services. Kindly yours,
2. SMITH,
Correspondent N. Y. Tribune.
GENERAL GRANTS OPINION OF NEGRO