New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1873-10-09

BfkEA C"LiE"E, ny, sept. %, is }.
{. I Fonf-...i Rals.I., c.
DEAR SIR: Having just returned from a
trip to the Northwest, find copy Of the
BInghamton q. y. } !Staadard, containing ex
tracts from two articles in the Raleigh On. c.
Nars, ,ritici-ing my poor speech at Elmira,
y. Y, and yorr Kind letter in my defense.
As the Meas suspects, | ain carpet-bag-
ger much more than is agreeable to me. But
carry the bag mainly at the North. Here
1 have very comfortable home, in very
beautiful place, and, like You, am advising
my friends 10 come and see and share in our
delightful climate and noble WORK.
Who am is almatter Of little account :;
but, as YOU committed few mistakes, il NAV
be well To correct them. 1 an genuine
Yankee; born in Massachusetts,, but reared
on farm i'll Rrownhelm, Ohio, where NV
Oldest brother, Charles, still lives, d farmer.
My brother James is president OF Oberlin
College, where he has remained as student
tutor, professor, and president, since we en-
tered iis first freshman class, in lisa. NV
brother George, the youngest OF the family,
is professor, and now acting president of
the Agricultural COLLEGE Of Michigan. Mv
Oldest sister IS the wife Of farmer III Brown
helm. My second sister. a graduate of Obar-
lin College, ia the wife Of Rev. NJ ". Fair
field, pastor Of the Congregational Church in
lansing, Michigan. Ny youngest sister,
also graduate, is the wife Of Professor
a., &C. h. A -
Mary, the best Of the family, who was the
wife Of Rev. &. II. Baldwin. awaits us in
Heaven.
Five years ago wa. appointed president
Of this young college, having been sixteen
years principal Of the preparatory department
aged eishty-onc and seventy-nine -God bless
the dear old folks--are still upon the farm to
which they took their three boy sfifty-iive years
ago. We hope they will spend the winter
with us. Is this sufficient to inform the
Ntrs who l am?
Am ASHAMED Of my colors?" SO far from
it, it is one Of my temptations to be too proud
Of them. At the age Of sixteen became an
earnest Abolitionist. AT twenty-ona. for
iack OF better material, was employed by
The Anti-slayery Society AN abolition lee
iurer. At twenty-five l taught a large col
ored school four months in Cincinnati with
out much gain Of popularity, pleasure, or pay.
And thus continued an anti slavery lee.
tnrer, preacher, and teacher till the great
evil was removed. And now / find myself,
in common with all good people, North and
South, most heartily rejoicing. Why should
be ashamed Of my colors:
As to miscegenation, my experience has
been Ike yours. l have found none to advo-
cate 1t and very few to practice it north Of
Mason and Dixon's line.
My speech in Elmra presume was mo"
disgusted with than any one else not ior
any untruth it contained, but because 1t con.
tanned so little that desired TO say. con-
dned my remarks to the State Of kentucky
where am well acquainted. stated that
the city schools were generally in good con-
dition, but that in the country the state o,
education, Of the schools and school-houses
was lamentably low. stated that in twenty
counties Of Kentucky more than one-half Of
the population over ten years Of age are un.
able to write that in twelve counties more
than ons-third, and in the whole State more
than one-fourth over ten years of age are
unable To read. l account for this sad state
OF things by the fact that, in the days O
slavery, the wealthy slayeholding class had
very little interest in general education
none at all In the education Of the negroes
and little more in that Of the poor whites
stated that fully half the school.houses
had seen in trip through SIX mountain
courties, had no windows. and many of then
no doors, and one no floor and that onl,
enc was painted, plastered, and furnishe,
with suitable seats and desks. might hay.
said, but did not, that this was the only goo,
schOolhouse had seen in the rural districts
Of Kentucky; and that when congratulate,
the people at the county seat on having $.
good a school-hou,e 50 near them, they sal.
that Yankee came into that neighhorhoo.
IN search Of coal, Iut not finding it, a. he an