The New York herald., 1869-11-29
RELIGIOUS SERVICES IN WASHINGTON.

A COlored Clergyman's Opinion OF Caste Dis
tinctions ON Account of Race or Color
Exclusion of Coiored Children from the
Public Schools-Confrast Between nm Ameri-
can Official in England and an English Gem
tIemnn-The Next Congress 10 Secure Equal
Rights-The Administration on the side Of
the Negro.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 2s 1859.
The mixed school question, which agitated this
city last week IN consequence OF an attempt TO get
a daughter OF Rev. Sela Martin admitted into the
Franklin square school pupil, was the subject Of
discourse at the colored Presbyterian church in
Fifteenth street.
Rev. Sella Martin was the preacher and had an
audience made up of blacks and whites, including,
among others, Vice President Colfax, Ben Butler
George F. Downing and several coored celebrities.
MIR. Martins discourse was devoted to the entire
subject Of caste absurdites, and he handled 1t with
an ability that surprised all his hearers. His prlnci-
pal point was that distinctions account OF color
or complexion mainly the result or commercial
interests and that Christianity and civilization
advanced such distinctions disappear. In England
there was no such distinctions account of color.
He Nhe preacher, when in England several years
ago. presented to an American official strong letter
OF Introduction from distinguished statesman OF
this country, now dead but whose brilliant record
could never be blotted out. The ocial treated him
colby. subsequently he presented another letter to
an English gentleman, who on reading 1t, SAID, "Sir,
you Shall have a soiree in my house.u The soiree
was given and thereafter he oated along the social
stream smoothly and without difficulty. Afler-
wards, meeting the same American otficlal who
mad previously rejected him, the Official took him
by the hand warmly and treated him courteously.
In THIS country this caste barrier was fast being
broken down, but it needed courage to follow
rlgldly in the path or duty without looking to any,
thing but truth and justice. The negro did not
want To force himself upon the whites. He did not
want 70 mix up with the Anglo-Saxon, but he
wanted 10 have his political rights recognized and
ms perfect equality assured. The speaker then
alluded 10 the case OF his own little daughter
lie sent her 10 the school in the usual
way with ticket from a trustee. He
had known that other colored children had been
admitted and taught there, His child was admit
ted, also, but afterwards when her color was dis
covered, she was sent away. He took her back and
told the the teacher she had right to be admitted
that other coored children were there. The teacher
sald there were not any other colored children. and
little Spanish girls The preacher alluded humor-
Ously 10 the fact that the teacher was unable TO find
the two coored pupils and Instanced IL as one OF
the difficulties In detecting their very re1ned dis.
tnctIonS He intended not TO make trouble but TO
stand by his rights. He was not going to shrk his
duty.
AFTER all,n said he 1--WE will only nave to wait
short time; for when Congress meets 1t Will pass an
enactment that VIII fix the rights OF the colOred
people beyond doubt. We have nothing to fear
head OF the government Is with us. When | think
OF General Grants speech to General Tate, in whic
ne SAID II was ms purpose to serve the rights OF
every negro III the land cannot doubt his admins
trailon VIII support u.s. such thing as the PresI-
dent or the Unlted States receiving colored ambas-
saoof and addressing him "a General Grant adj
dressed General Tate the other day could not have
occurred here nYe or siX years ago.