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

CINCINNATI, Nov. l, 1879.
To the Editor Of the Commercial:
My report of the "Caste Convention" has
set some of my friends by the ears. "a
COlored Citizen" appeals to my manlincss TO
say no such meeting took place, and that my
excellent description (ahem) twas but Il
joke" w. i. X. I.athom, graduate of
Scraper's Tonsorial Institute, who is unable
to spell correctly the baptismal surname for
which l stood godfather, INDUCES in some
unchristian abuse, and tries to fortify his
position by calling me hard names. / am
sorry for both of them. Indeed, l am. If
either desire to defend what endeavored to
stigmatize and check by my publication, they
are at liberty to do so. can stand it if they
can. 1t is evidently unnecessary for me to
name those whom l described as types of
character. Mr.. Lathorm plainly admits the
accuracy of my pen picture. He insinuates
an Interior purpose, and charges me with de-
signs on the National Colored Convention at
Washington. Well, l plead guilty to the
impeachment that would esteem it an honor
to represent such a constituency as this in
that body. Nevertheless, l neither expect
l cannot be elected, and, second, for the rea
son that my present and prospective financial
cond ton would not Justify my going.
Now, then, for the justification Of my
article. Once upon time several us, like
Lord Bateman-
"Went into strange countries,
Strange people for to see'-
Some of my friends were delighted with the
foreign ideas they had imbibed, and came
home with determination to engraft them
upon this community. l demurred, and
thought the best means to stop proceedings
would be to make the matter as ridiculous to
others as it was tome How well succeeded
NAV be inferred from the sensation created
in colOred circles, and the sudden demand for
the Sunday Commercial OF the issue containing
my report. For the sake of the Colon-col-
ored citizen, l meant will say that the
whole thing was a burlesque. But will add
what is not a burlesque, that the idea was
contemplated which my article prevented,
and had become common talk with certain
classes. To those who have unjustly been
accused of participation, l offer my sympathy.
If you are not guilty, your light will shine so
that men may see your coed works and rem
der you justice according. To those who
recognize their own portraits and who writhe
under the lash have applied, would say:
go and sin no more" against your race. Nor
tify your flesh. Do penance in sack-cloth
and ashes until you can come forth to the
world purified as by fire, with firm and
steadfast resolution to be what you are.
DEPUGH.
SOCIETY
is in considerable furry just now, and
apprehend there will be no occasion to record
so many brilliant balls, parties, receptions,
&C., as last year.
Money is hard to get, and the numerous
prospective weddings to be celebrated within
he - III,
Rumor,) makes it necessary that "econo-
micky" be practiced by large number of
social leaders. The heads of our most prom
inent resorts for free drinks and cigars on the
first of January are already announcing their
determination to keep no ''open house" on
that day, but OF course each of them will find
reason enough to effect n change Of mind
before the thrty-iirst OF December. The
knowledge of this latter fact does not prevent
the young men INDUCING in the philosophical
reflection that they will be saved the animal
ten hours of martyrdom to which society
| condemns them, in the way of financial de-
pletion for cards and carriage, physical dejec-
ton for violating the laws of health, and
| moral depression for the little complimentary
falsehoods they imagine themselves obliged
to utter in order to be agreeable. The young
men will find that, as usual, it is necessary
to visit their many friends once a year, any.
how, land few of them get round oitener
their promises to the contrary notwith-
standing.)
| 1t is almost an axiom that the young men
rule society with an iron hand, but theil
complete independence Of its dictum here i:
really surprising. Ordinarily, they do re-