New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1873-10-30
From the Cincinnati Commercial.
4 Caste Convention,

From the Cincinnati Commercially
4 Caste Convention.
To he Editor cfMc Commercial:
The demands already made upon Congress
and the preparations now making for renewed
efforts to influence members to pass
SUPPLEMENTAL CIVIL RIGHTS BILL
invest with an air of interest the social con-
dIti"n OF the colOred people Of this country.
! IL Is commonly assumed that all negroes
without regard to condition, complexion, or
circumstances, only await the opportunity
that will be afforded by the laws sanction
to thrust themselves into obnoxious promi-
ncnce in public places-more radical persons
maintaining that even the domestic hearth
stone cannot then be kept sacred from the
invasion OF these social Notwithstanding
i'll advance that they have not the least com :
prehension of what is termed proprietv.
| In view OF its Importance, then, it becomes
my duty as Il truthful chronicler OF even Is to
| record the transactions of a
| CASTE CONVENTION
recently held by our African blondes of both
sexes.
1t was not intended that the proceedings
| should be made public, but your correspond
ent, with his everlasting "nose for news"
obShtCh lhC pldtc lUT tS StSSlOnS,
and by the aid of Madame De IIues' "Sweet
Sixteen" or 'Bloom of Youth" or some
thing OF that kind, was enabled to gain en-
trance, Notwithstanding the ''visible admx-
ture" is a prominent characteristic Of his
cadaverous countenance.
had some difficulty in producing
"BLUE VEIN"
on my person, which was necessary quail
tiratipn for almiS sion hpt ttf,rtppu fave
the brave" and | was able to palm of a
scar (gven me by brick, as Il token of es-
TEEN and affection from a schoolmaster for
zone Of them things"
Taking my seat i'll an obscure corner,
where l might note the classic features Of the
individuals comprising this unique assem-
blage, without attracting attention, l gave
myself up for a few moments to thoughts
upon the business Of the dissatisfaction with
the conglomerated condition of our society,
and felt constrained to admit that in many
material points the fault could be remeded
| left the solution of the problem to the COM
bined intelligence of the distinguished per-
sons who felt called upon to work it out, and
turning my valuable specuatiOns in another
channel, began to pay some attention to the
appearance of those who had arrived a little
in advance of the time for calling the meeting
to order.
Near the stage sat young man who might
easily be mistaken for a native of the Emer-
aid Isle. l afterward learned that he was
appropriately named Paughs, those append
ages of his being about the size of small
hams. He had a habit of attempting to in
sert his digits under his hair, and was totally
unconscious that, under the circumstances,
success was impossible. Every time Mr.
Paugh's figure focused on myretina, L thought
of the saying Of an old friend, that the Irish
are lost tribe of niggers, any how"
Near him was the tall, gawky, spiritless
Nabal, q son of Mr.. Pharaoh, the banker
He had an open countenance, the lower jaw
reminding me of a cellar door it was impos-
sible to keep closed. In company with him
was the
GRAND DUCHESS OF s0APSUDS.
And her numerous faml y-or rather all save
one, who (beng too highly tinctured to cs.
cape the scrutiny Of the efficient dust detec-
tive, Mr.. Clenup, stationed at the door, had
very prudently been omitted from the list Of
invitations. A little to the right of her
ladyship sat Miss Capers, a demure and
digniiied little body in company with the |
sweetest smiles, the most languid afiectation,
and the most tattering tongue it has been
my fortune or misfortune to meet. In soce- |
ty a little angel-at home a devil. (Beg
pardon, that slipped) Her father held some
sort OF official position on sleeping car, sup
plying wayiarers with travelling comforts. |
Her mother, unable to pass the ordeal,
remained at home, but had given her daugh- |
strict injunctions to bring home full report, |
and especially to remember what the other
ladies said on the question.
Miss Capers was escorted by Mr. New
combe, who in passing through the CITY,
concluded to stop over for a day or two" |
No one seemed to know much about this |
gentleman, and so far as | could learn. his |
best recommendation consisted in his straight |
hair, fair complexion, and cloth suit. This |
was sufficient passport, and he passed. (Mr |
\. sadly miscalculated the price of provisions |
here, and left in haste, without the customary
courtesy of informing his hostess, who was |
little surprised, he being an excellent |
boarder-''never kept the table waiting" |
and always ate as if he appreciated the
cooks labors.) However, he was q nice
looking fellow, if he was afflicted OCCASION
ally with alteration of mind
Away over to the left discovered the fam
liar face OF Professor Cremona. His ambro-
sial Ilocks fall gracefully around an empty |
Uranium, an his line form has for 10, these |
many days, been the glory and admiration of
Hibernian Kitchen mads-only his feet indi- |
cate his true nationality. BY them he was |
once detected and ingloriously expelled from |
a theater, into which he had sailed under |
false pretenses. The Professor was suffering
from a crick in the neck, the result of an |
awkward attempt to bow on both -ides of |
the street at once. He was engaged in con-
versation with the fair
COUNTESS DE CUISINE,
Who had managed by diligent application |
Of meager talent to relieve herself temporari- |
ly OF the odious stain left by a mahogany
colored parent. Ordinarily, the Countess |
seeks to leave the impression that she is of
Hebrew extraction. Why she il afflicted |
with the idea of resemblance TO the race l 1
can't conceive, unless it be the peculier quail !
ty OF her natural headgear. There may be |
o likeness in that
Not far from the Countess my glance en-
countred group Of persons with family char /
acteristes too dark, apparently, TO be /.
inaugurated, but when / discovered the |
Frenchiness Of their accent l was no longer !