The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-02-01
NATIONAL SALVATION.
A Lecture Delivered Last Evening
at National Hall, by Mrs. r. e.
w. Harper, With Some Ac-
count Of the Lecturer.

thG NOlOItu GbOplS VI Iullduelpuld, was uO-
hVered at National Hall, last evening, by Mrs.
Frances E. W. Harper, a colored lady of more
than ordinary oratOrical powers. In this con-
heCtiOn
Sketch Of Mrs. Harper
may not be uninteresting. Her early life under
the name of Frances Ellen Watkins, was passed
in Baltimore, where she was born in 1925. Her
mother was born slave, but through tne eN-
ertions of her grandmother her freedom was
purchased, and Miss Watkins was, therefore,
free from birth. She remained at school IN her
native city until she was fourteen years ot age
and subsequently to that obtained her own
livelihood for some years by sewing ana teach-
ing school. In the former occupation she was
Cor some time employed by Mrs. Isaac Cruise,
nj Baltimore. This lady was the possessor OF
unite a large library, TO which MISS watkins
had free access al all times. Being strictly
enioined against perusing novels, the lntorma-
ton which she thus picked up in her leisure
hours was of the most solid and desirable CHAR
acter. Her experience as a school teacher was
anite extensive, and this calling she followed at
times in Baltimore and the neighboring coun-
try for some years.
Miss Watkins was early gwen to poetzing
some of the productions OF her muse-ot which
a specimen, entitled IAN Appeal TO the Ameri-
can People" is printed elsewhere IN our issue
OF to- o-day-exhiblting more than ordinary depth
of thought and feTvor OF expression. These
early poems she usually composed while busy
with needle and thread. While on a visit Ito
New Bedford, Massachusetts, in 1854, she reclted
some of her poems to her friends, who were 80
deeply impressed with their merit that she was
invited by them to appear before the public as
a lecturer. Just previous to this she had be.
come strongly imbued with desire to con-
tribute, in some measure, to the enlight-
enment and social elevation of the outlawed
race to which she belonged This ambition
sprung from the recital in her presence of
story which in those days was as common as it
was disgraceful to the community by which it
was tolerated. free colored man had moved
into the State of Maryland, and in pursuance
of the law then and there IN vogue, he was for
this dire ofense seized by the authorities and
sold into slavery. Being afterwards taken TO
Macon, Georgia, he there made his escape, but
only to be recaptured and returned to a bondage
from which he was soon alter released by death.
From the time that Miss Watkins listened to
this oftIepeated tale, she resolved to devote all
her time and energies to the welfare of her
kindred race. So she was nothing 10th to ap-
pear upon the platform, and delivered her first
lecture in New Bedford in 1854, from which
time forth, for six years. she continued upon
the stage, restricting her labors principally to
the New England States. For time, however,
she acted as an agent of the Anti Slavery Society
in this State,
In November. 1860, Miss Watkins was married
in Cincinnati to Mr.. Fenton Harper, free
colored man, from LOudon county, Virginia.
Her married life was passed on farm in the
neighbOrhood of Columbus, Ohio. During this
time she seldom appeared in public as lee
turer.
MIR. Harper died in May, 1864, and in October,
1865, Mrs. Harper resumed her former calling,
which che has steadily pursued up to the present
time. New England was again her taVorite
field, but she has likewise spoken in many of the
other States, and, during the present winter,
has passed some time in Kentucky and Tennes
see, addressing the people, white and black,
whenever and wherever she could get a chance.
I'm no Odth n last month she SDDkp a meet
ing in the Capitol, at Nashville, Tennessee, heI
oratOry even receiving praise from the semi
Rebel sheets which still flourish there, although
her politics were denounced as abomnable and
as tending to create hatred between the races,
deeper than that which at present exists. Last
evening was the occasion of her third appear.
ance before a Philadelphia audience.
We have given this lengthy sketch of Mrs
Harper's career, because she is a living anC
present proof of the fact that the coored race is
not hopelessly depraved and benighted. In
person she is rather small, and OF preposessing
appearance, with Viyacious manners and an en-
thusiastic bearing that impresses all who lister
to her, either in public or in private, with hel
thorough eaTnestness and sincerity. The merits
of the lecture which we give below will speat
tor themselves. She was introduced last even
ing TO the audience by the following
Remarks by Rev. Mr. Lynch.
Ladies and Gentlemen:-You are assemble t
listen to one of the most cultivated daughter
OF the prosecuted race, who has plead thei
cause for more than twelve years, ia poetry
In thrilling eloquence, and in logic from til
platform. Additional interest may be expecte
In this lecture tonight, as she is recently iron
the South, where she lectured to the deligh
and instruction Of the loyal whites and blacks
and, judging from the encomiums of sem
Rebel Andrew johnson journals we hav
discovered that she pos sesses a power that W
have not before known-that Of enchanting
certain kind OF serpent called Coppsrheads.
now have the honor of introducing to you Mr.
Frances Ellen WatKing HarDpr. ( nplqnGa 1
Address of Mrs. F. e. w. Harper.
Reform has her seed-time and her harves
her night OF trial and endeaVor, as we'll as he
day of success and victory. But before her eal
are greeted with the shouts OF triumph they al
hailed with the Kisses of malice and the threat
OF revenge; but as amid the darkness and th
cold, nature spreads her deWs and carries O
the work, so amid the darkness cold, and pai
the spirit of reform carries on her work of Or,
gress and sows in tears the harvest she is
reap in JOY Men tread with bleeding feet the
paths and from the soil covered with the asbC
OF MARTYRS and OTenched with the blood {
heroes, has sprung up new growth of chara
ter and CIVILIZATION.
Now in the question of dynamics, or the appl
cation OF force to any end, it is necessary
know the amount of resistance to be met, al
the power which is needed 10 overcome tn
resistance. For instance, man who wou
wish his locomotive to go nifty miles an ho
would not be acting very wisely II he only p
on steam enough TO carry 1t ten miles an hou
and the same remark would apply 10 the M
who would wish large water-wheel turned
little rlls, and would supply fifty gallons
water where thousand were needed. This m
would not be acting wisely in these prtlcula
He would be failing to take the right means
gain the desired end.
Now, in the moral and political world, as W
as In the physical, there are resstances to
met and obstacles TO be overcome in carryi
out the aim of true civilization, which is I
social advancement and the individual deVelC