The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-02-06
4 coLoRED "RECEPTION."

A Novel Scene In the Federal Capital.
The Washington correspondent of the New
York Herald writes:
An event somewhat novel to the fashionable
season in the national capital occurred ut the
residence Of Secretary Browning on Saturday
afternoon last. The Secretary gave recep-
ton to the colored messengers OF the DeIart-
meut of the Interior and their families. From
the best accounts given OF the inception and
result of this entertainment 1t would appear
that when the genial Secretary issued lnvi-
tstions to the heads OF bureaus and
clerks OF his department to visit hlm
on Friday evening, he left the colored en-
ployees ntirely out in the cold. In view of
their altered circumstances these aspira nts
for perfect equality had no lct,on OF allowing
things to 60 on as they did under the old re-
gime, and so either delegated one OF their
number to jog the Secretary's memory con-
cerning certain proclamation issued by Pres.-
dent Lincoln, or managed in some way to hint
to him that all the employees OF the depart
ment should be served alike. The Secretary
''sew the point" and sent his messenger to
number Of Tho colored messengers IN the
several bureaus with verbal invitation to
them and their families to call upon himself
and Mrs. Browning between the hours OF two
and five o'clock on Saturday afternoon.
netes collectively to bid them farewell previous
to his re.:.tment from Office, and concluded to
adopt his method OF doing it. Ihe Secretar:
and Mrs. p,ornins eeecordlngly made prepara-
tiops to give their colorea guests kind recep-
tion. The appointed hour arrived, and with IL
arrived stunning concourse OF dusky Vlsitors.
Deeming punctuahty virtue too much ne
elected, they had deter mined not 10 lol,
low the example Of fashionable whites and
the amiable Secretary in body, after
the manner of o surprise party. Mr..
Browning may have been somewhat sur
prised at the size Of the multitude that appear
ed. He probably was, but he received them
with marked politeness, and, together with his
wife, went through the ceremony OF vigorous
band-sbaking. At this stage of the proceed
ines, another departure from established pre-
cadents in the matter Of receptions occurred.
One of the messengers, Mr.. Bowen, drew
forth e. carefully foldei paper, and, clearing
his throat. read it, after which he handed IL 10
Mr.. Browning. The address had at least one
merritt was commendabiy brlef. Here IL Is,
precisely as written and spoken:
Sion. Secretary Brocn,ng--SIR: we, the
colored employees in tho United States Patent
Office, should not accept OF the invitation
you have been pleased to extend to US IN the
humble position We have hold under your ad-
ministraton Of the Interior Department with
out expressing to you our gratitude toWa toward
precedent Of an American statesmen, which
viii be long remembered by US. Therefore we
wish you and your family q long and happy
life.'
At the conclusion of this address, MIR. Brown
ing replied by thanking them for Their good
wishes. He was clad to see so many OF his
faithful messengers around him. he had
always found them jealous and trustworthy,
and wherever it might be his lot to dwell, he
would remember them kindly. A bright
future was opening before them, IN whlc9
many of their race would rise to dignity and
honor: but their success rested mainly with
themselves. The efforts OF white men. friends
to their race, would avail but little unless they
too worked their TaJ TO the wlshed-for goai
with hon .sty, integrity and the faithful prac-
tice of every virtue. He warned them to be-
ware Of designing demagogues, who professed
friendship for the colored man only to be- tray
him. and assured them that, whatever may bo
said to the contrary, there could not be 10 any
section OF the country warmer or more dls-
interested frt nds to the colored race tnan the
intelligent classes ofthe South. They should
not pin their political talth TO any particular
party in the belief that their friends can only
be found in that party alone, but should study
the institutions and laws Of their country IN
connection with their own welfare, and choose
for themselves. The speech-makine ended,
the Secretary invited them into an adjoining
room. where table was spread with bounte-
ous supply of refreshments, to which they de-
yoled their attentions with most praisewocthy
zeal. To the colored employees OF the Interior
Department this was an epoch, and, judging
from the great glee with which they discuss
the momentous events OF last saturday, they
will servo as an absorbine; theme Tor months to