New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1873-02-27
From tho Madison IVA. Hama ni.rv


AS NOTED in our Home ITEMS" we have
been TO Chicago, and returned safely home -
not, however, without being run off the
track. When about twenty miles from Madi-
son, the sleeping car and the passenger coach
next in advance, were thrown from the track,
and came near being pitched down three
feet embankment. Luckily the train was
stopped, but not moment too soon to save
a crash. The coach in which we were seated
remained on the track, and upon being de-
tached from those in the rear, we ran down
to Magnolia, where we remained the rest Of
the night and until 9 O'Clock in the forenoon.
The occupants of the sleeping car came into
our coach, and among them two distinguished
gentlemen, strangers to each other, and
strangers to most of our company. Mr.. John
Suhr, of our city, observing the presence of
tall, dark man, rather heavily built, heavy
head OF hair, flowing and white with age,
whispered to lis that he believed Frederick
Douglass was on the train. Having never
seen the gentleman, we inquired of Mr.. Page,
one of the editors Of the Journal, as to the
fact, and found that he, too, had no acguaint-
ance with the great apostle of the new dis
pensation. just at this moment the door
of our coach opened and the man who had
but few days before, modestly and without
Ostentation, politically represented four mil
electoral college, and in another sense, nearly
five millions of emancipated American peo-
pie, stood before us. We knew that there
was but one Frederick Douglass, and felt
sure we had our man wrapped up in huge
fur overcoat, his features shaded by cap of
the same material. We had no hesitation in
addressing him by name, and at once intro
duced him to the gentlemen of our party.
He fully reciprocated the cordial and informal
manner of the reception, and expressed him
self as gratified in finding company to beguile
the tedium of our solitary night adventure
He said he was returning from st. Paul,
where he had delivered a lecture for the benefit
of the Post Of the G.. A. of the Republic, and
was on his way home. While engaged in
conversation in general way, another gen.
tleman entered the car, evidently casting
about for place to sleep out his seventy-five
cents yet due from Pullman, when We dis
covered that it was our old friend, NJ. Wad-
leigh, ESQ, late electoral candidate on the
Greeley ticket from the Sth district in this
State. He and Mr.. Douglass were made ac-
quainted, and our little knot chatted on until
sleep crept upon our senses, and finally the
car became hushed to the breathing Of un-
easy slumber and the throes of unquiet rest.
On awaking, it was broad day-the sky was
clear, the air keen but not bitter, and the sun
gave token of warmth. We repaired to a
way-side cottage and made arrangements for
breakfast, and when just ready to dispatch it,
down the track came our engine, furious with
rage, and screaming like an uncaged maniac
Or course we posted for the car, when the
conductor told us he would wait, and also
breakfast with us. This contract fulfilled
we were soon on our way, and late in the
afternoon reached Chicago.
Our conversation with Mr.. Douglass ex-
tended over several hours, and was unre-
served and cordial. He is entirely easy in
his manner, and perfectly frank in his utter
ances-you see nothing Of the demagogue In
his looks or actions. Having had some per-
sonal acquaintance with Mr.. Lincoln, we can
readily understand the secret Of their great
friendship in the past, and why the survivor
will go mourning all his days over that fear
ful assassination. In respect to public men,
both dead and living, we cleaned many facts
not generally known-not gossip and scam
dal-but personal "reminiscences which swell
the tide Of noble deeds, and adorn the page
OF generous acts. For the memory Of Mr..
Greeley, he cherishes a deep reverence, and
among the mourners at his tomb no devout
pilgrim will kneel with more sincerity than
he. So also, for Mr.. Sumner, he expressed
the warmest personal regard, and deplored
the necessity which decreed a political sepa-
ration. If our space allowed, We should be
glad to epitomize our whole talk with this
modern evangelist, who will stand in future
history as the Moses and the Joshua Of the
18th century of the Christian era. But our
sheet Is full.
South Bend has chime Of twenty-four
bells, ranging through two octayss, which is