New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1873-11-06
Entertainment 10 the Jubilee
Singers.

Last night the Lord Provost entertained
this now well-known company of colored
singers to dinner in his residence, ROYAL
Terrace, where they were met by a select
party of ladies and gentlemen. The singers
mixed freely with the her guests, who were
all charmed by their intelligence and aflabii.
ty. On the covers being removed the Lord
Provost proposed the health of President
Grant-the best President, he said, America
had seen for long time past. Rey. G. D.
Pike, b. A., the district secretary OF the
American Missionary Association, responded,
and in doing 50, remarked that the emanc-
patton of the slave had entaiied great sac
rifice OF money and blood on the Northern
States, but he thought it had been worth the
cost. If those connected with the Fisk
University had been in the habit Of pro-
posing tOasts, he would have asked them to
drink the health of the Queen, for whom they
all had great admiration, but he trusted
they would take the will for the deed After
the ladies had retired, his Lordship gave the
toast Of the Jubilee Singers" and in doing
SO expressed the deep feeling of pleasure it
gave them all to welcome their cOlored
brothers and sisters to this country. He
hoped the object for which they had come
would be crowned with success. Mr.. Isaac
z. Dickerson, one of the singers, an intelli-
-
of age, was called upon to respond. lie
said they esteemed it great honor and
q great priyilege-one which they would
never forget-to be the guests Of their dear
old friend the Lord Provost. His hospitality
and his expressions of kindness for them and
their work, had gone to their hearts. They
came before the public not TO show what
they could do, or to make any display OF
themselves; they came before them poor
they had just come out Of bondage. AS he
sat at table that night he could not help
comparing his past with his present condition
1t was only ten years since he was in slavery !;
then he had no privileges whatever. Now
he had the privilege of sitting here surround
ed by friends and he felt how truly grateful
they all ought to be for the wonderful change
that had been brought about for his people.
A few years ago he was a slave in Virginia /;
to-day, he was in the enjoyment Of ali the
privileges Of q freeman. Then he was spb-
ject to the auction.block and the lash to-day
there was no auction block and no la.h in
the United States; all were permitted to
enjoy the rights of freemen and women
He hoped they should prove worthy of the
deep sympathy and interest their friends had
taken in their enterprise, and that the negro
race might yet be people whom no nation
would be ashamed to own. (Applause }
j ne health OF Mr.. Geofge l.. W hite, rcasu-
rer of Fisk University, was also cordially
pledged. The gentlemen then adjourned TO
the drawing-roou, where a large company
OF ladies and gentlemen were assembled to
make the acquaintance of the jubilee Singers.
Among the gentlemen present were Lord
Ardmillsn, Mr.. Waldegravs Leslie, Mr.. Ry.
derz Messrs. Coutts, London,) Rev. DR..
Hanna, Rev. DR.. Robertson, Professor Blai.
kie, &c. In the course OF the evening q
number Of ladies and gentlemen present
favored the company with songs, and the
Jubilee Singers also rendered in an exceed.