The New York herald., 1870-09-23
RECEPTION TO MINISTER BAsssTT

Demonstration Of Colored People Mt Cooper
Instituto-A Letter from Fred DOugIass-A
Sable Ovation.
Mr. E. d. Bassett, q c0lored man and representa-.
tive Of the United States to the republic of Hayt
was the recipient last evening Of an ovation from
the colored citizens Of New York and vicinity. The
demonstration was made in the large hall OF Cooper
Institute, and was expected to have been rather
dazzling affair. but owing to paucity of individuals
In attendance the proceedings were not character
ICED by any great degree Of enthusiasm briancy.
Fred Douglass, the irrepressible, was announced
on the programme as one OF the bright particular
stars Of the evening" but failed to put his appear
ance, and sent as proxy good crisp letter. apolo
giZing for his absence and nterng some good IDEAS
he assured the committee that he was entirely with
them IN the Split an9 purpose a o. the occasion mr.
appointed by the Unied States government
to any foreign mission. First things were always
' So In view Of the past the appointment Of
Mr. =. D. Bassett Us minister to Hayti
as a rS
q chasm separating two races. From this small be.
ginning, which was hardly visible to the naked eve
bridge Of beauty, broad and strong. over which the
people Of both races should pass In peace and safety
fnen there was Hayt, the first coored republic;
though long torn by internal dssensions has now
before her great and glorious future. The love OF
liberty, he said, was SO strong in them that they
fore they would bow their necks to any foreign yoke
Thirty years ago the example OF HayJi was held
US as he'll OF horrors by Shareholders In America
ind her freedom and independence as wlthef1ng
curse but despite oil this she is now recognized by
this republic, her Minister Is received OF Washing
ton and the American Minister is received at Port
au Prince; and IN honoring this Minister they would
honor President Grant, who had shown himself
to be man a3ove narrow prejudiccs and in accord
ance with the spirit Of the present hour"
There were present at the meeting q number OF
distinguished personages, among whom were his
oIlopp n
Liberia; Hon. and Rev. Mr.. Priest ex-Vice Presi-
dent OF the sepubllc OF Liberia; Hon. j. J. Wright,
Associate Justice, Supreme Court South Carolina,
and J. J. Spelman, member OF The Mississippi Legis
lature.
About four hundred enthusiastic persons had con.
gregated in the hall OF the Institute previous to the
opening OF the proceedings and the reception given
to Mr.. Bassett was cordial In the extreme.
A German band was engaged to add to the en-
joyment OF the occasion. Mr.. W. ID. Powell, chair
man OF the Committee OF Arrangements, stated that
the occasion was ausplcious and the African race
world what the cOlOred race was capable Of doing.
Hon. f. ID. Bassett said-Sixteen months ago when
he left for a foreign land he promised he would not
Iorsake the principles OF the colors under which
again, however, to find himself the recipient
Of many honOrs, not alone from them but
from many others also. You ask for an
account Of my stewardship abroad. He was, he SAID
received with open arms and open hearts by all the
inhabitants Of Port Prince; no foreign represen-
tative could have been more cordially received than
he was The representative OF the United States
was bound to hold up the justice and generosity o.
the government OF which he Is the exponent
(Cheers.)
After number OF resolutions had been passed
relative the noble conduct or the colOred soldiers
during the late war, the meeting separated, at the
pleasure they derived from the opportunity thus az
f0rded them Of the public exposition OF their views.