National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-04-16
COLORED CONGRESSMAN.
HOW THE ENFRANCHISED RACE Is
REPRESENTED IN WASHINGTON

REPRESENTED IN WASHlhGTO"
SKETCH OF OUR SABLE LEs1SLAToRs-
ROBERT B. ELLIOTT AND HIS YOUNG WIFE
OTHER CoLoRED MEMBERS FROM SOUTH
CARoLIEA-LYNCH, OF MISSISSIPPI, RA-
PIER, OF ALABAMA, AND WALLS, OF
FLORIDA
TSpecial Correspondence OF the st. Louis G.obe.]
WASHINGTON, D. c., April Z, 1874.
When the first black man took his place q
Representative In the House Of Congress, Amsri-
cans looked on with wide-opened mouths and
eyes with caustic criticism and openly expressed
doubts of his ability to retain snd ill the place Of
honor creditsbly to himself and to the white
: nation. Strangers, looking down from the gal
Ieries on the mass Of legislative humanity
wrestling ih uordy battles, pitied the member
Hedged in, as It were, sure that he would soon pc
crowded cut, and that this experiment Houiu
indeed mean everlasting political failure ior tns
intrusive race. Southern spectators sconed anu
withdrew aristocratic eyes in naughty disdaln;
Northern opponents whispered, with Dated
breath. 1.-THE white mans tool" and fatched,
with microscopic eyes, every word and act; and
sympathfzers waited and believed. One swallow
does not make Q spring, but throng suggests the
bIossoming of q summer. In the grouping OF the
colored members one may, perhaps, recognize
distinctive traits which give promise of the full
hIlment Of sufficiently brilliant career to Justify
the best wishes for the coming race. In the
House there are seven colored members and first
OF all place
r. q. ELLIoTT, OF SOUTH CAROLINA.
And Just here let me say that Benjamin F. But
ler after the late grand oratorical effort Of this
member, chose to claim him for Massachusetts.
"What do you think Of South Carolina nowH"
said member, triumphantly.
"What do you think Of Massachusetts" re-
eponded Butler, quickly.
Mr.. Elliott Is an African Of pure decent, about
thirty-two years of age, with all the traits Of
physiognomY peculiar to his people; but these are
toned down, refined, and are in no way repulsive,
and the soul looking through, lightens the shadow
that covers them like fash of sunlight His lips
are full his nose broad, complexion bright, teeth
perfect and white, in strong contrast with sur
rounding color, his forehead is high and somewhat
sloping and his head well covered with crisp, |
close-curled ebon hair. Deep in the chest, broad
In the shoulders shapely in limb, In his neat dress
OF black, he is 8 distinguished and agreeable fig
ure; and there is no awkward gesture, no obse- |
auious movement to point back to life Of cring-
ing seryitude. He was born free In New England, |
and from childhood was remarkable for exhibit |
items of mental power that, notwithstanding |
weight Of color and poverty, would not down" /
do not know that can better illustrate this |
than by little story afiost concerning the crop
ping out Of youthful elOquence.
In q small Town IN new 1OIk tnere hppo1IeQ !
one day boy OF sixteen, o ragged negro; to de- /
liver antislavery lecture. An audience as
sembled at the church wherein he spoke, and went |
away in beHildered admiration of the young |
speaker. The members Of the little village |
. lyceum were fayorsbly impressed with the
boys ability, that they cordially invited him to
yemain and take part in debate, the question for
discussion being the feasibility Of the immediate
abolition Of slavery. After some urging, he con-
scented. Among the members Of the lyceum were
several who have since proven their mental cali
bre In Congress and in various official positions.
They boy sat still and listened, and when the last
one had spoken, he advanced in his ragged dress,
and with modest, unassuming manner, addressed |
the assembly. 1t is said his words were electrical
with a strange eloquence; that his listeners sat |
bewildered, and his opponents were complety van
pushed in the forensic battle. He tore the srgu-
ments brought to bear upon his position to shTeds,
attacked the enemys stronghold and left never o |
word Of II to tell the tale.
The excitement of his audience was tremendous,
and the little black boy in his ragged garments
was the idol Of the hour. This boy was our pres
ent brilliant member Of Congress. Mr.. Eliott's |
nature is aggressive, Ike most natures OF unusual
strength, and hts education has had much to do |
with 1t. He received his primary education in |
private schools in Massachusetts; in 1858 he en-
tered High Holborn Academy, In London, Eng |
land; in 1885, entered Elton College, England, and |
graduated with honor in 1859. Having lived in
free atmosphere abroad, never experiencing the |
frettng OF the petty barriers daily met with |
here, he arms himself to cover, doubtless, al in
nate delicacy easily wounded, in Q naughty self.
assertion. 1 noted it when he made his speech on
the civil rights question. The blade Of sarcasm
with which he annihilated his rude Southern op-
ponent was welded as one would WELD q knife a
bone, singing snake. 81 an what 1 am" was
the rude spirit land believe in my own nobility"
Mr.. Elliott resides in Columbia. SC, in home
surrounded with all that refinement of taste can
suggest. He is the pOssessor Of one Of the finest
Law and miscellaneous libraries in his State, and
the happy husband Of one Of the most beautiful
and intellectual women
HIS YOUNG WIFE
Is a Quadroon, with q complexion of the creamy
hue Of the Southern magnolia, just tinted with
suggestion Of the prim-roses on Cheeks and lips;
her eyes are large, brown and expressive, under
their long sfIken lashes, and she has the sweetest
and brightest expression and manner in the world.
could fully understand as I looked at her, as
she sat in the House gallery, listening to her hus-
bands speech, how he could hurl back with happy
defiance the insInuations Of Southern member,
who, wrapping an imaginary pale-fsced daughter
In his legislative arms, spurned undesired ANAL
gamation Of the white and colored races. Mr.
Elliott stands high at the bar in his State, has q
large legal practice and white partner, (who, by
the way is an ultra Democrat and is looked to
by the Reform party with earnest and expectant
eyes. He is wide awake to the need of reform,
and within his party, under the present rule, it
will have his hearty support. There are four
delegates from South Carolina-Elliott, Rainey,
Ransier aud Cain-and they are exceptionally
clever men.
Mr.. RAISEY
Was born at Georgetown, S. c., of slave parents
who succeeded by indomitsble industry In pur-
chasing their freedom, thus laying the corner. 4
stone for their sons advancement. He was |
bright earnest hoy, and, although debarred by
law from attending school, acquired good edu-
cation, losing no opportunity in informing his I
mind by travel and observation. His father was
barber and he himself followed this occupation
till 1882 when he escaped from the Notifications
OF the ConfederateS, on which he was forced TO
work, and went to the West Indies, where he re- |
manned until the close of the war, when he re-
turned to his native town. Mr.. Rainey is forty |
two years OF age, and is 9 light mulstto, with |
regular features bright, pleasant eyes, has Pc
culiar genial expression Of face, q broad, clear,
sincere brow, and remarkable profusion OF silky,
glossy hair, which gives him the appearance Of |
having always been freshly combed for the occa-
sion. He is Of medium height graceful and easy
in his movements and po;Eesses the smallest kind
Of hands, which he uses gracefully in gesturing
He is an exceedingly courteous man, suaye not
naturally aggressive, rather seeking to avoid
Wordy collisions by tact; but when he does resist
ne does IL wen. as . speaker ne u nuent, even
eloquent, with an agreeable voice, every word of
which is sure to be clearly enunciated. He is
held in great respect by the members Of the
House, and am sure he is confident that he pos
Eesses the power and merit to continue to hold It.
heard Mr.. Rainey make an tmpromptu speech,
in reply TO eminent members, and 1t was effective
and pungent in Tone rejecting credit in its mod
Grafton combined with hearty earnsstness (al-
ways q successful combination) which his oppo-
nent did not possess.
Mr.. Rainey was q member Of the State Senate
of South Carolina in 1870 resigning When elected
TO the Forty-frst CongrGss. He is q man Of family
and Of comfortable worldly means. The next
colored member is /
ALoNZo g. RANsTER,
OF Charleston, S. @. He has q commingling Of
French or Hsytien blood, and has q look Of man
of great courage and sagacity. He has reached {
middle age, is sto1t and heavily, even clumsIly I
built, moves and speaks unessIly when beginning
speech but warns up TO degree Of ease and !
fuency as he proceeds As have only hoard him 4
speak at the Women's convention, II trust my sex :
will remember that he did not finch in the face of
our last convention here,) may not be quite fair
in my judgment. Almost any man would feel ,