New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1871-12-21

CINCINNATI, OHIo, December !. IL


To the Editor Of the Neac National Era:
Certain 'wise men of the East" remind me
Of the man who constituted in himself the
president, secretary, and audience of public
meeting, and issued an address beginning,
1--WE, the people of England Declare &c.
Assuming to speak for the colored men of the
United States, they declare that we should have
"a NATIONAL coLoRRD POLITICAL ORGANIZATION %
OF course they are to constitute the officers,
and will find it incumbent on them to dictate
the direction of our SURFACES. Possibly they
are aware that the fifteenth amendment left
acme of our Southern brethren with the same
dark complexion originally given them but
they must learn that, Notwithstanding the large
number of intelligent carpet bsggers" gone
from this section, there yet remain q mass OF
industrious functionizers'' those who wait
at home for q position ia the South to invitingly
turn up" in their favor,) and they may have
no desire for this movement to be effected
Colored voters have declared overmuch their
feslty to psrty-so much so in fact that graft,
tude has assumed worship, and we have appar.
the yoke Of party. If so. another emancipa-
ton proclamation will be in order ere we can
bosst Of freedom.
Western men, understand me, have no objec-
tion to the Republican party, but they do object
to blind seryitude being promised in advance
Again, why need there be separate organ
nation Of colored men : Is the party ashamed
or afraid Of your Gan We not join the clubs
already in existence? Must We ourselves assist
in making " distinctions on account of color e'
or are the +" wise men Of the East" with their
intelligence, apprehensive of success 10 oompe.
tition with the average white politician? If
the latter, We are ahead of you and you are
unft to lead us. II the former, the Republican
party Of your section Of the country deserves
reputation, and sooner the lessen be given in
some local election the better.
PROTECTION.
On this subject have another protest to
make.
1t is generally presumed that all coored
men are pretectionists, and in favor of q high
tariff; when, in fact, such one among intelli-
Aous w cotoru ucu IL al ANOMALY.
have yet to find one. Most of them are
radical free traders" and would prefer no
tariff duties whatever. Some have thoroughly
Investigated the matter, and it was recently
intimated to me BY one competent, that he
should like to discuss it through the columns
of the ERA. if permitted to do so.
THx "cLARK LITERARY CIRCLE"
entertainment took place on Thursday aud
Friday evenings, 30th ultimo and LIST instant.
Though not fully up to expectation Ia the mat
ter presented, il was a decided success. I'm.
fortunately the "Circle" reduced its usual
high standard of literary performances that
they might come down and crafty the tastes
of mixed sssemblage.
DR.. James Thomas made decided hit in his
comic song. notwithstanding it was his first
attempt to amuse an audience. SO far "a nv
observation extends. amateur piano players,
a. rule. select something impossible for them
to master before making their appearance, and
Ia consequences the public il agonized with
what one would imagine oaght to be the
Devils Sonata q discord Of sound that
almost gives listener the horrors.
Miss Ernestine L. Clark Was no exception
to this rule Of selection, but q most decided
exception to any faults of execution. Her
rendition Of the 1" Waits OF the Roses" would
have done credit to any professional. Among
many excellent performances, she carried of
the palm for ease, grace, and brilliance.
Notwithstanding the excellence of the enter.
tainment. the Circle" has been freely criti-
clsed. the most scathing of which was from
Colonel Robert Harlan. distinguished poll
ticisn. who was very indignant at Messrs.
Jones and Mcleod. (who rssited respectively
bratus Grafton" aud Marc Antoay over
the dead body Of Cesar"
He confessed that their reading was excel
Lent but thossht they should have given some