New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1873-11-13

ono OF the most popular white churches Of
Memphis singing out OF the same book, list.
ehihS to the same words, without producing
any more excitement than if we had been in
one OF our own churches or they in one of
ours.
Al present, myself and family are sojourn-
ing in fernando, Mississippi. This rs a
small town, situated a little over twenty
miles from Memphis. There are about seven
hundred inhabitants. About three hundred
are colored. Since have been here have
heard little besides politics as it is only
lew days from now till the election, it is the
ali-absorbing theme. As far as can learn,
the colored people here and in the surround
ing country, will vote for Ames. This is as
1t should be. If 1 could have my way, every
colored man throughout the length and
breadth of Mississippi would march to the polls
in one solid phalanx on the 4th of Novem-
Der and vote for Amcs. If colofed man
could be found in Mississippi so lost to the
cause of justice and hu nanity rs to vote for
Alcorn, after his voting against the Civil
Rights Bill in Congress, such man should
pS etCotSu " a Codt VI ledlHcfS anu
ducked in the nearest creek. And if we're
resident of Mississippi, l do know but that
should help to do it. The most prominent
men here in politics are John Henry Johnson.
j. j. Evans, II. II. IIilman, II. W. Nelson.
and Captain A. d. Thompson. These gen.
tlemen are all staunch republicans. Captain
a. ID. Thompson and II. W. Nelson are un.
firing in their vigilance and watchfulness
over the interests of the Republican party.
If that party does not succeed in the next
election these gentlemen will not be to
blame. Captain Thompson has received the
nomination for Assessor in this county.
II. w. Nelson has been nominated for magis-
trate. Both of these gentlemen are fully
competent to fill these offices. 1 am sorry
to state that two men, Hillman and Evans,
are running for the shrieralty. ] am very
much afraid this will result in no good to
either; but while they are quarrelling over
it, fear some white man may come IN and
get the Office. l hope, however, my
fears may not be realized. They both ap.
pear to be very good men. l understand
that Hillman was at first the regular nomi-
nee; but for some reason they saw fit to
drop his name and take in its stead the
name of Evans. Now Hillman intends to
run Independent.
1t is fact greatly to be deplored, that the
colorcd people here manifest but little inter-
est in the public schools, They have no
suitable building and this makes the facilities
for teaching very poor. Two white men
have been appointed trustees over the
school. These men showed the interest they
felt in the welfare and progress Of the colored
people of this town, by giving the school
white man instead of a cOlored lady who has
taught school nine years in the public schools
Of Buffalo, and is in every way just as COM
pctent. This is burning shame upon the
colored people of fernando. Now, am
not opposed to white teachers but think
where colored teachers can be found equally
competent they should have preference in
colorcd schools. Let colOred person be
ever so competent he can never hope to
gain position in any white school be it ever
so poor. l am aware that in an educational
way, we as a people have received great
deal from the whites. l thank, and hope,
God will bless them for it, But are we al
ways to be led by them? Are We never to
go it alone?"
After thanking you for allowing me to
trespass upon your time and patience thus
long, 1 remain,
Respectfully,
SARAH II. THOMPSON.
fernando, Miss, Nov. l 1873.