Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1868-06-09
Washburn and the Negro Delegate in
Grants Parlor.

The Washington Express gives the follow
ing graphic sketclAof the scenes and incidents
which TRANSFERRED at the. house of; General
Grant on the evening when the Committee
from. the Chicago Convention informed him
of his nomination.:
To theeye of the observant, last evening
was an interesting one, SO far as the scenes
and,t incidents transpiring in. Gen.. Grants
parlor were. concerned. Each and every
member of the Committee seemed particu-
larly desirous to mako himself. conspicuous,
especially. the brave and renowned Logan,
who was ever gallant to the company present.
Chief Manager WashburD, the signpost of
the Presidential candidate-impslled by.duty
Jumped around like,u unto hen upon hot
gridde. He must be present at'all introduce
tions; he must bow everyone inland every
one out he must hear all remarks made to
his candidate, and if needs be, assist in the
answer TO the ladies he was perfect
Charles the Tenth to the committee Grand
father Whitehead; to the press dn exceeding
inconvenience and decided bore, with tho
anxious remark of ;'be sure you've got it
right" AS he stood at the refreshment
table, smiling benignly upon his protege, and
slancing askance at the different faces there
presented, doubtless revolving in his mind
which he would send (when he became Seere-
tary,of State) to this mission or that, his
thoughts even forgot themselves, and his de-
struction of strawberries and cream was i'm
meuse Donnclly would have had no show
with Manager Washburn last evening.
Grant and Colfax were near each other at
the table, each enjoying an ice, when up
stalked a Western-membsr of the committee,
with an inquiring mindfor facts, and address
ing General Grant; said sWho writes your
speeches, General z" General Grant looked
at the committee man, but made no answer.
The anxious member from the West again
said 1--WE want to know asColfax can make
his own speeches and they say you can't"
General Grant turned away from the Speaker
and made no answer. Colfax turned to the
man from the West and requested him not to
make any such remarks in future.
The great feature of the evening, however,
was the presence Of the negro delegate from
North Carolina. His name is j. Ii. Harris,
delegate in the Chicago Convention from
the Fourth District of North Carolina, late
member Of the North Carolina Constitutional
Convention, candidate for Congress, Che de-
clned, however, in favor of carpet baggerD
and now member of the Committee to APP
prise the Radical nominees OF their good luck
at Chicago.
He was introduced, of course, by the i'm
mcnse manager Washburne, but neither Cen
oral Grant, Colfax, the ladies present, nor
any one of the great Radical Moguls seemed
to know Brother Harris. The company at
one. time were nearly all crowded in the back
parlor, while Harris was observed standing
solitary and alone in a corner Of the front
parlor room. There he remained for over
half an, hour-the observof no one except
the reporters, who proceeded to take side notes
Of Brother Harris solitary condition. 1t was
fact to which many can testify, that neither
Grant nor ColEux, save at the introduction,
took any notice of Harris during the evening.
He was like our Jake on pic>nic, "not fixed"
or poor Sambo at a DANCE "widout Hinah
being dGr."'
Gen. Hawley, Gen Eogans nor any of the
larger Radical guns deigned to notice this
practical innovation Of black upon white. lie
was not noticed by the politicians, and only
pitied by the reporters. He 'stuck," how-
ever, remaining until supper; secured place
at the table, and, like all true breeds Of the
African type, did full Justice to ices, berries,
and sweatmeats generally.