The New Orleans crescent., 1868-08-28
FROM THE COAST.

Capt Thos. B. Rogers, of this city, has just
returned from trip along the coast as far up
as Donsldsonville, in company with Rollins,
the eolored orator. Last Sunday, they
stopped at the plantation of Messrs E. J.
FoTstall & Richard Esterbrook, just below the
Convent and had an impronptu meeting
there about II A. NJ, Immediately after their
arrival. The freedmen focked In numbers
around the place of meeting, under an i'm
mense liye-oak-it having spread abroad like
| lightning that the famous Rollins was there
and was about TO speak.
Tie meeting was addressed by Messrs Gas
tinel and Zacharie and by Rollins. Thirty
proselytes from among the sable laborers
came forward and enlisted on the side of the
Democracy.
The Radicals getting wind of the transac-
ton, formed meeting mile or two above
and sent out armed squads of negroes of their
party, who did their utmost by intimidation
and entreaty to prevent the colored people
from going TO hear Rollins. "Whar is you
gwlne 2 was the query of every negro coming
down the highway. If to hear Rollins-"You
monstrance was allowed. Such is freedom of
speech and action under Radical teachings.
Better far be slave than have the ghost of
freedom. Nevertheless, many of the negroes
from the neighboring plantations got to the
place by flank movement, and all those on
the plantation itself were present, deeply in
terested. 1t was a pleasant and profitable !
days work, and Capt. Esterbrook did all in
his power, and that is no little, to make the
occasion pleasant and profitable.
Thence the party crossed the river and had
stIll larger gathering, where the untutored !
but vigorous eloquence of Rollins impressed |
the men of his own race with unusual force. |
Here everything passed off quietly and sue |
cessfully.
Next day they went to Donaldsonville, but /
were advised by Capt Bradford and other pro-
minent Democrats that it was imprudent to
let Rollins speak there without due notice to |
their friends, as Donaldsonyille aud its
vicinity are hot-beds of Radical intensity. The
same day, however, they came further down
% Hagan q Bartels Union plantation, where
mother large and enthusiastic meeting was
held. Not less than fifty converts were made
It the Union plantation.
Rollins is described as a perfectly fearless
Individual AT Donaldsonville, although the
4oyal League had threatened to take his life.
e went about the streets, from store to store.
the most nonchalant manner, ADDRESSING
ne men and women of his race in friendly
onversetional style, urging them to enlist on
be side OF their former owners. Can't. Rooers
cry graphically narrated the following Incl
ent; He and Rollins went to the Burnside
limitations, three in number, where the hands
re unusually rabid. They reached the quar-
sr Just at meridian, when dinner was ready.
hey rode right up to the cook fires. where.
tier an introduction, Rollins addressed the
'ree hundred and fifty of both sexes and all
Ses that surrounded him. Some threatened
m loudly others muttered and all looked +;
alously at him. After ten minutes they had I
scome as silent as the grave, listening in il
ntly to his words. Finally they burst into
iouts Of applause and sympathy This man 81
ollns can neither read nor write he is ut
rly illiterate f; but he has wit and words. ac- a
IN and utterance, and the power of speech to =
r mems blood of his own race and stains ;.
d the effect is wonderful. >,