The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-01-31
REVELS.
An Interview with the NewIy-Elected Negro
SenntOr-HOw He Looks and What He Will


An Interview with the NewIy-Elected Negro
SenntOr-HOw He Looks and What He will
DO.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 30.-Hiram r. Revels, the
colored radical Senator-elect from Mississippi,
arrived here to-day and is stopping with his
friend, Mr.. George T. Downing, the colored re-
staurateur of the House, on Capitol Hill. Some
fifty colored men visited him this afternoon. He
received their congratulations and said that, for
the sake of his race, he felt proud of his eeva-
tion. Last evening social party was given in
his honor by Professor Wilson, the colored
President of the Freedmen's Bank, at his house
on |. street, where correspondent called and
had u brief conversation with the first colored
man ever elected to the United States Senate.
Mr.. Revels is thck-set muatto, with de-
cidedly African but pleasant physiognomy. and
bland, agreeable manner He was born in North
Carolina, and educated in Ohio, and is about
fOrty-flve years of age. His credentials will pro-
baby be presented tomorrow, though he will
not be able to take his seat until the State is
admitted. being asked whether he expected his
right would be recognized, he said:-"O, yes; I
have no reason 10 doubt it,"
Correspondent-What will be the first duty
intrusted to you on entering the Senate
Mr.. Revels-Well, as the Legislature of Msss-
sippi has passed a resolution, which you have
doubtless seen, requesting Congress TO remove
the political disabilities of certain citizens OF
the State, it will be my duty to present that
resolution to the Senate.
Correspondent-Yo then propose to take
ground as Senator impartially for the whites
as well as blacks?
Mr.. Revels-Certainly; | come as repre-
sentative of the State, irrespective of color
Correspondent-But rs representative of the
radical party?
MIR. Revels-C Certainly; as representatives of
the Republican party Of the State, they call US
radicals, but still / am for the people, and the
interests of the State at large.
Mr.. Revels, clad in d suit of black, with his
not very curly, closely-trmmed hair, with his
beard on his chin, with his face all smiling and
his soft brown hand softly stroliing the corre-
spondents knee, looked as benignant and phi
lanthropic as one could wish. The lively con-
yersatiOn of some twenty colored ladies and
gentlemen rippled in his rear, and anxious
glancts were cast towards him, which impelled
the questioner to cut the conversation short but
one or two further interrogatories were therefore
Ventured.
Correspondent-Is it likely that You will have
any important proposition to submit to the Sem
ate; any measure of your own
Mr.. Revels-Well, as to that / cannot yet say.
l don't think of anything at present beyond
what have mentioned.
Correspondent suppose you will be apt to
take decided Rart in debate when you are fairly
preacher would denote that you were liable to
talk bit. How is it, Mr.. Downing
Mr.. Downing, who overheard this part of the
conversation, replied:-''If there is anything
that Mr.. Revels is particularly competent to do,
should say it is to talk"
'Well" said Mr.. Revels in his most genial
tones, there's one thing you'll find out about
me; don't talk when / haven't got anything to
say. / never made habit of it. / always
| listen to debate on an important question with
| great interest. Ever since can remember I've
been interested in legislative debates. II there
| is anything to say when am present and have
the right to speak, which hasn't been said by
others and which can do good, shall say it
but never speak for the sake of putting myself
forward or getting my name into print. may
have considerable to say, but can't yet tell"
| In fact, the demeanor of Mr.. Revels and hi:
talk about himself were almost unexceptionable
| He seemed to be by no means an imposing pre-
! sence but rather that of one seeking to please
all whom he meets, though there Is no telling
| but he may flame out as raging orator on the
| Senate floor before the close of his short term
| which ends in March, 1871. He looks like mar
| able to take care of himself in his own way, anC
| who will not suffer himself to be brow-beater
| even by Sumner.