The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1869-07-10
A Freedman.

The american Missionary, in the number
fol August, contains an interesting account
of Fdeher Parker, an old negro preacher,
who lived near Norfolk. He had for many
years been trying to purcease his freedom
from his master, to whom he had paid, in
instruments of $3.50 per year, the sum of
$1,000, when the arrival of proclamation
day" gave him the desire of his heart
The day was celebrated by the colored peo-
pie of Norfolk, and Father Parker was not
among the least interested in the proceed
ings of the day, which consisted of services
in the church and a procession. The fol
lowing account is from his own lips
CATER service, we had a procession of
colored people through the streets. As
many as five thousand people marched, four
abreast, to the generals headquarters.
"The general appointed me to make a
speech to him when the procession got
there. So they had me in a nice carriage,
with four black horses. in the middle of the
procession, with band of music just be-
fore me, and six men each side of the car
riage, holding great big Union flag over
the carriage and me. AS we passed the
street-corners where the soldiers were stand
ing guard, they all presented arms with as
much Importance as if had been President
on the United States.
.'It seemed so grand, and so glorious,
and so much like a dream, that, rs | was
riding along there, had to slap my hands
togethe Ell, saad say, Good Lord !! is this n'e?'
more than twenty times.
SMhen we psached the generals, the
crowd gathered around, and, after my lit
tie speech, the general did make just the
prettiest talk to the people that ever heard.
1t was certain a peart speech.
.EThen the crowd broke up, and what
with bonfires, and guns, and bells, and tin
horns, and hurrahs, the city was like Bed
lam all night. Pears like all the people
forgot to go to bed at all.
VISIT TO WASHINGTON.
Soon after this, Father Parker realized a
long-felt desire. and visited Washington
He says:
81 always wanted to ,sas Washington
ever since was boy. thought it would
be SO grand to see the Congress of this
whole country, the White House, aa.I the
President and ever since this war broke
out, l wanted to 60 all the more. But my
old master always said: No, Dick, you
can't go. You'll never live to see Wash
ington and he left strict orders at the
Baltimore boat, that if old Dick Parker
tried to so on board, he was at once to be
arrested In those times, no colored man
was allowed to leave town without pass.
signed by his master and by the Mayor OF
Norfolk.
"Well, waitet! on with great patience
all the time, believing the good Lord some
day would allow me to go there. | waited
ard waited until after the Yankees came
when. Ore day, master fell sick, and yer!
suddenly died. Invent to his funeral heart
them pray over him saw him all snugl.
put away and then, when l turned to CONF
away, says l: We'll, old master, you L,
there-you re there now, and l reckon m.
time has come to go to Washington
started that very night walked aboard til,
Baltimore boat like a general, and nobod.
asked me for a pass OF seemed to notice
me.
w hen the boat really showed of. ant
me aboard, l had to slap my hands an,
shout aloud. | walked the deck all nigh
couldn't slecp-and when they pointed
out to me, as we passed, the mouth of TIN
Potomac-tllat line which 10 colored MAJ
could pass and return free to Virginia
could not contain my feelings. All :. sait
|, this is the air of freedom I've dreame,
so much Of
| "When took the cars at Baltimore 70
Washington, Just leaned back in the sea
and enjoyed it. well, well = said l, thi
is the Lords doing I'm, sure enough, OF
my way to Washington.
"First thing, on arriving, l was show
| TO the Capitol-a friend escorted me RICH
! into the representatives Hal that grea
; marble room, with the wise men all sttin:
; around in council, making laws for tn
! GREAT United States. 1t was Il grand,
] splendid sight for my poor eyes, L can tie
xau Then we went to the other end @
! the buildng-to the Senate-where the oil
men were-the venerable, white-haired me
/ like the old school of the prophets. =
| And | sat right down on one of their seat
with them-nse, | felt as weak as child
! felt like good Simeon did Now let TIL
servant depart in peace, for mine eyes hav
SEEN Then l visited the Treasury, tn
Patent Office, and the White House.
81 sat down in the Park there, on one {
the iron settees, and there I spread out IN
arms, like buzzard does his wings, an
lay back and enjoyed the scenery so much
. All = says ]. this is the Air of freedom.