The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1874-08-14

correspondent from Cassopolis to the De-
trot Post says:
Twenty-Five years ago or more few fugitive
slaves found safety and quiet by the kindly and
sagacious help OF some Quaker families, in this
region, and soon after Virginia STAKEHOLDER,
named Saunders, freed his slaves. bought
tract OF land for them in Cass county, sent
them there and helped them to start in the new
county and in their new estate Of freedom
Naturally enough this " Saunders settlement"
formed nucleus around which others gathered,
fugitives came in the old days of peril and were
safe, settlers came from Ohio and Indiana and
found social life and enjoyment. The land ia
rich and was bought at moderate cost, and the
result is that Calvin township has now 1,500
colored people, or a majority OF it's population,
aud other towns near have goodly number of
coIored settlers. Fortunately they have held
close to the land, and industriousy cleared and
improved their farms, until now they are mostly
in comfortable condition. and some of them
rich in lands, and floeks. and herds their av-
erage thrift and growth in wealth Of purse and
of character beng indeed remarkable and en-
couraging when we consider their scanty means
and limited opportunities in their early days.
They have always kept up a celebration OF West
India emancipation the 1st Of August. and have
joined with it, in these latter and better DAYS
for them, fit commemoration and enfrachise-
ment in our own country.
These celebrations have always been seasons
of enjoyment to them, and since the men Of
their colony are voting citizens their meetings
command added attention and respect from
their neighbors, and from leading men.
On Saturday went out from this place to
their celebration, riding nine miles southeast
through rich and cultivated country. passing
by the good farms and the plain but comfort
able homes OF the settlers in Calvin the best
part of the distance, until just past good
school-house and neat church, we reached Calvin
Center. the crossing of the roads, with store
on two sides, and a flag floating from tall
staff, indicating that the place Of gathering was
near. marshal on horseback. wearing his
red scarf, met our company and asked US to
turn northward few rods, where we found q
fine brass band seated in their wagon and long
lines of carriages and wagons coming In from
different directions. Soon all moved south
toward the grove to the sound OF excellent
music found the roads alive with people, and
the beautiful forest grove already throngea.-
We passed into its welcome shade, winding cur
way through tents and stalls for eating and
amusements going past q noisy cannon plant
cd on high ground and diseoursing sounds more
forcible than elegant at frequent intervals. A
company OF 1,500 persons, of all shades of
complexion intermingted, but harmonious and
on the best terms, gathered close around the
speakers stand, while over 5000 were other.
wise occupied, there being good 5000 present.
The President, q fnelooking and intelligent
colored man, called US to order, the cannon
pealed out its imperative notice Of the opening
exercises, the band followed with fine concord
OF sweet sounds, and the chaplain-black as
any old African bishop among the early church
fathers made a simple and most appropriate
prayer.
For nearly three hours the speaking was
listened to with interest. G.. b. Stebbins, of
Detroit, opened with some historic sketches
OF West India emancipation, the trials, and
abuses, and success Of its advocates incidents
OF our own snti.slayery struggle, OF personal
acquaintance with Garrison. Gerntt Smith and
others OF our emancipation days, closing with