New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1872-09-05

90 and walk up Walnut street from the wharf,
lust as Franklin did when boy on his nrst
entry into the CITY. Every one has read his
own relation of how he came along up the
street eating loaf of bread, and for the first
time saw Miss Reed standing in door-the
lady who afterwards became his wife.
Philadelphia was so named by the good
William Penn, its founder, because it was his
hope that the spirit of brotherly love would
always prevail prominently there. Yet
could not discover more affection or humility
among the people there than elsewhere. In
deed, it is painfully manifest that the old de-
mon Of colOr-caste prejudice-still lives and
fingers in the Quaker city, but with relented
fury; for they have caught the spirit OF the
times, and are making steady strides of pro-
gress in this regard. But let no one imagine
that the complete and signal freedom allowed
to colored men during the Philadelphia Con-
vention, still remains. At the conclusion OF
the convention, the city apparently relapsed
into comparative lethargy, although, trust,
a good, permanent, moral effect was produced.
I met and made many acquaintance in
Philadelphia, and must return my thanks
to Messrs. Casey, Bolivar, Needham, DR..
Howard, and others, for the kind attentions
shown me. 1 had the pleasure of a ride
with the Doctor behind his " fiery, untamed
stoed," and, I'll tell you, Dolly" isn't slow
either The Doctor is graduate of Harvard
Medical School, and, if he shall succeed in
everything as he has thus far in his profess
sional practice, it seems to me he cannot but
be happy. Mr.. Casey is an active worker
in the Freedmen's Bank, and has done much
to bring it into its present state of useful
ness. Mr.. Bolivar (the most obliging man I
ever SAW is as blooming and smiling as
Nav queen. Mr.. Needham is clerk in the
Tax Collectors Office, and is taking an ac-
tive part in politics. He is doing good service
for the Republican party there. He is
public-spirited young man, who evidently has
| in him the elements of success. I was graft
| fed to find in Philadelphia so much Of ease
and comfort u might say wealthy among the
| colored people. And especially was graft
| fled to see so much Of talent and refinement,
particularly among the young ladies, not to
speak Of beauty. DR.. Rebecca Cole is I'M
doubtedly young lady Of extraordinary tai
ents and requirements, and really rejoice
| at her success as practitioner.
How pleased was to meet in Philadelphia
that venerable sage (for he is sage) Mr..
William Whipper, who has labored with
voice, pen, and deed, so earnestly and eff
GENTLY for the anti-slavery cause for forty
years! I could wish that he would devote
the mellow season of his life and the cner-
gies of rich and fertile brain to tho prep
| aration of q book which should contain a
history Of the great anti-savery struggle,
with personal "reminiscences, thus not only
pcrpetuating the record of that noble effort,
but thereby building for himself and his race
a monument more enduring that brass.
From Philadelphia / went to Cape May
and enjoyed week of the luxury Of sea-
bathing. Cape May is a delightful watering
place, and during the entire summer it has
been filled to overlooking. The hotel ac-
commodations are excellent, and there is no
lack of beautiful, or even magnificent cottages.
1t has many good drives, while the beach is
one of the best on the coast, being incom-
parably superior to that at Newport. At
the Bannakcr House met, among others,
DR.. Augusta and wife, and Miss E. V. Brown,
Principal of John F. Cook School, of Wash
ington; Mr.. Dan. Brooks, wife and daugh-
ter, of New York; Mr.. John Bowers and
wife, Mr.. Thomas Dorsey and family, and
Mr.. James Purnell, banker, of Philadelphia.
Irrepressible Mr.. Dorsey kept tho company
always alive by his queer sayings, and his
frequent and emphatic declaration that che
was Charles Sumener man - while Madam
Brooks entertained us by exhibiting, in pals,
the various styles and textures of dry goods
and jewelry in panoramic succession. Mr..
Stephen Smith, we'll known as being the
richest colored man in the country, has a
cottage there, and, what is more, he has
several beautiful and bewitching young ladies
stopping with him.
Amusemenis here consist in riding on the
beach, sea-bathing, rolling at ten-pins, play
ing croquet, going Grabbing" and--and-
eating like cannibals.
1t was with great reluctance that quilted
this pleasant retreat and proceeded on my
way, of which, more anon.
H. o. WAGNER, Jr.
Letter from Norfolk.