The Van Buren press., 1866-03-03
The Van Buren Press.
VAN BUREN,, ARKANSAS.
An Appeal to Mr.. Sumner in Behalf OF
his Colored Friends.


Sumner and his radical friends, deser-
we'd back handed castigation for their in
on the subject of negro
equality. The following are extracts
from the letter:
The discussions in the Senate of late,
have been of character so intimately as
socated with the future destiny of the
colored race, as to draw to the galleries
daily, large audience of ladies and gen
tlemen of African descent. Six or eight
years ago, the idea Of black man being
permitted to witness the proceedings Of
the American Senate or House Of Repre-
sentatives was not entertained for mo-
ment. + Gradually, howev-
er, as the champions of equal rights and
the foes Of distinction on account Of col
or, grew bolder in their utterances, the
audiences became of mixed hue, until
latterly black has predominated. Mr..
Sumner, and his radical colleagues, gaze
with satisfaction upon the scene, and their
countenances beam forth delight as they
see the immortal truths they utter rehec-
ted in the shining smiles of Ethiops sons
and daughters above and around them.
Pretty soon, however, complaints be-
gan to reach the ears Of the Sergeant at
arms-not from copperheads like Sauls-
bury and Garret Davis-but from the
most loyal and freedom loving members
of the Senate, that the ladies Ito wit, the
wives and daughters of the loyal Sena-
tors didn't like the indiscriminate mix
ture of the races up stairs, and instruc-
tons had to be given to the door keepers
to seat the darkies by themselves, in sep
arate tiers. ! write this paragraph in the
feeble hope of calling the attention of
Mr. Sumner to what conceive to be, ac-
cording to his oft expressed views, very
obnoxious distinction on account of col
or. Will he tamely submit to have his
African friends showed into corner by
themselves, simply on account of color ?
| submit that the difference between for
bidding the colored population all en-
trance to the galleries, and making them
take particular seat after they are per-
mitted to enter, is a difference in degree,
only, and not in kind, and as such it calls
for radical speech and the axe of pro-
gressive reform. In the worst days of
slavery, they had q niger gallery in the
Southern theaters, and now, Horrible dc
III, they have niger gallery in the 10y
al and humanitarian Senate of the Unit
ed States. | appeal to Mr. Sumner to
strike blow for equality in this most i'm
portant matter. He can do it with all the
more fervor, because there is no Mrs.
Sumner to protest against the unpleasant
consequences that may arise from the en-
forcement of absolute impartiality in the
premises; no beautiful and accomplished
wife to whisper quietly in his domestic
ear, that while she believes in equality be-
fore the law, she'd be much obliged to the
gentlemanly usher not to seat her too
close to those colored ladies', especially
when the temperature Of the Senate is OPP
pressively warm, as it generally is; no
charming daughter, to turn up her pretty
nose, and pout her lovely lips, and tell
her dear pa to give the doorkeeper hint
not to ask her to sit near the "horrid
niggers," for by this unpoetic title, am
told, even the loyal daughters Of New
England designate the colored persons,
when they are asked to rub their costly
silks against them, although they dis
course of them sympathetically as the
g oppressed race" at convenient dis
tance.
trust that this subject will receive the
attention it deserves at a very early day.
Absolute equality, being one of the proud
boasts of the age in which we live, re-
spectfully insist upon its being carried
into effect even at the expense Of the
dainty feelings of Senatorial ladyships.
There is no reason in the world why " no
discrimination" being an accomplished
fact, Gods own image, carved in ebony,
should be pushed into the back seats to
accommodate the fastidious taste of their
white brethren and sisters. If Mr.. Sum
ner permits such state Of affairs to eX-
ist much longer, be will certainly subject
himself to the charge of hypocrisy, and
a want Of that earnestnesS which he pre-
tends to feel in the great cause Of human
rights. Nothing short of resolution
rcscrving the front seats (or every alter
nate front seat at least) for his colored