New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1873-11-27
a Tempest ia a Teapot.
CINCINNATI, Nov. %, 1873.

Siuc, Dy u mere ScOrnlui anu COntcmptuOuS
laugh at his violent and wrathful demonstra-
tons which were coupled with divers, numer-
Gus, and many threats of humiliation to
your humble correspondent. The next was
resolution Of censure introduced into the
"Clark Literary Circle" by very little
member-little in body, less in mind, and
least in soul. In fact, the latter is so small,
question whether he has one. This was at
once tabled. The following articles from the
Times Of the 18th and Enquirer Of the 10th
explain the next effort.
Clark Literary Club.
orr Coiored Brethren -igaia IN the Agoay Of
Wordy Hor-A Proposition to Change the
Name Of tie Cub Brings tie Dark.
Haed TO The Rescue.
Many of our citizens have, from time to
time, heard of the Clark Literary Club, an
institution organized and carried on solely by
the intelligent class of cOlOred people for
their mutual improvement.
1t derives its name from an honor sought
to be bestowed upon Peter ii. Clark, and I'M
I'll within the past three or four months has
been sngulary free from any internal dsrup-
tons. But now its proceedings are in
seethng furnace heat, and two factions, each
bearing the stamp Nature gave them in their
respective light and dark hues, wage a deter
mined contest for power in regulating the
hitherto comparatively peaceful coming to-
gether as members of the club.
The ChllicOthe Convention occurred at
such recent date that it is unnecessary to
detail in this connection the objects sought
and resolutions adopted therein, but being
wholly of political import, and over the re-
suits of which our colored citizens have
divided in opinion, the earnestness and zeal
of each faction has been carried into the
social enjoyment of the Clark Literary Club
For months each side has given the other
the best of argument it had in store, which,
not infrequently couched in periods of the
caustic kind, has almost reached an appeal
to muscular syllOgisms. to prove that one
side was right and the other wrong in regard
to relations of their people with the Republi-
can party. Champions of both sides have
even gone to print to prove their several
propositions. One Easton, an enthusiast in
all that relates to the improvement of his
race, principally shouldered the responsibility
of demolishing his opponents through the
press. lie took part in the ChillicOthe
Convention, and therefore received the CEN
sure, scorn, and everlasting distrust Of his
people, with whose color Nature has often
cut such peculiar freaks in making it neither
white nor black. But under the name of
De Pugh, EastOn Illuminated his thunderbolts
at his enemies, accusing them of engcndering
caste, and with signs of mystic meaning,
notices of portentous import in these days
of equalzed humanity, and secrets Of cabal-
lstic expression, had organized and were
now carrying on Blue Vein" Society.
D1.,a 1ha,, hoI >Ior l.
and constitution did not reach the color of a
dark mulatto, and therefore such an one, and
any one of blacker hue, could not enter the
aristOcratic eXclusiveness of their society. 1t
was this that partly led to the Chllicothc
Convention, and its enunciation of resolves
by the dissatisfied. Peter Clark and Easton,
for their participation in that assembly, be-
came at once the champions of the blacks
and objects of enmity to the "blue vein I"
caste. Now, in the Clark Literary Club
there are shades from the brightest, near
Caucasian blood, to the darkest color found
in Hottentot woods. AS a matter of I'M
avoidable sequence, it was to be expected
that this political division would disturb the
blissful calm always heretofore characteristic
of the Club. The storm eliminated at the
meeting last night, when Goggn, an aristo-
cratic representative of his race, and there
fore, according to "De Pugh " of the blue
vein caste, offered the following resolution
" ReSoired, That it has become expedient
to dissolve this Society as now known under
the name of the Clark Literary Society, and
to reorganize under different name and differ
ent auspices.
Resolred, That a committee of five be APP
pointed to act as committee Of reorganiza-
ton, and to report new name for the
Society"
An earthquake or any other small event
of like nature would not have caused a
greater CONSERVATION among the humble
class of members than did that last desperate
move of the enemy. They recovered, how
ever, from the shock, and valantly did Eas-
ton, or - De Pugh," lead the van to rescue
the Society and Clark from this disgrace.
Now this, now that man spoke for and
against, until personalities ran high, and
feelings only to be assuaged in untoward ex-
preston OF fiercest words swept through that
meeting like a tropical tornado. The resolu-
ton came to a vote In the dead calm of tie
vote, but scarcely was the vote announced
when Easton became an object of blue -veined
wrath.
Goggin moved to expel him, which was
vigorously seconded by score Of voices.
Then the storm turned, but without losing
its former force, and Easton was tossed
about by friendly and hostile efforts until a
messenger came to call away VIM. Jones on
urgent business. Now Jones was opposed to
the presumptuous aristocrats, but they were
not slow to take advantage of his departure
The tie vote, their enemy's great card
| was gone, and Immediately the resolution tC
change the name came up for consideration
but upon this Clark's friends, the valorou.
blacks of humble origin, bolted. Out in the
vestibule they gathered, and counted noses
to be sure of having broken the quorum
Seven members of the society constitute a
lawful body to transact any business, arc
the count revealed the fact Of an existing
quorum of seven members inside the church
where the meeting was held.
This was caused by the want of uniformit,
Of action on the part of Clark's friends, fol
one of them did not know what his part,
was about until he remained long enough L
give the enemy power to expel Easton, anC
only when they attempted TO pass the reso
luton for destroying the name Of the Clarl
Literary Club did he manage to discovel
where his presence was most needed.
, The meeting thereupon adjourned, AM
, but for the unlucky time that suggested Il
the stupid man among Mr.. Clark's friend,
that his side had long since gone out Il
break q quorum, the Clark Literary Clul
would not have been in existence to-day
Easton, however, is no longer member, an,
1 81 ful tIn;r