National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-08-14
gatiuual gFpnbIifa1.
CIVIL RIGHTS.
NOTES FROM THE EDUCATIONAL CON.

NOTES FROM THE EDUCATIONAL CON-
VENTION AT DETROIT, MICH.
Correspondence OF The National Republican
DETROIT, August Z, 1874.
It is matter of interest to the educators oil
the country who are now assembled here in
national convention that 50 few of their Co
workers are present from the States Of the
South. The North and West are very fully
represented. State Superintendent Fleming,
Of Tennessee, and Superintendent JiIIson, OF
South Carolina, are the only white superin-
tendents present from that section. State Su-
perintendent Cardoza, Of Mississippi, is tho
only one Of the colored superintendent who is
Ihere. He came accompanied by United States
Senator (eleCt) Bruce and Secretary of State
Hili Of the same State. These gentlemen put
up a the Biddle house, the second hotel OF the
city. As might well be expected the old
cry of ''nigVer'' was raised. There were
enough Of the Bourbons present to rise and
say, "Mr. Proprietor, We object" How
could It be otherwise when there were In
the same hotel two Democratic Jersey women,
one Democrat from Virginia, and one Of the
same ancient faith from the old State of Ken
lucky? The three colored gentlemen from
Mississippi, after entering their names, were
provided with rooms. So far so good, but the
tug of war was certain. It mattered not as TO
the Centlemauly bearing of the parties, and
may say, in passing, that none were more gen.
tlemanly, both in manner and appearance.
Supper was very soon announced by q COL
ored waiter through the wide halls of the va
rious floors of the hotel, aud, Of course, the
three colored guests, having arranged their
toilets, proceeded TO the dining room, where
they took their seats. At the table were seated
two ladies and child from New Jersey. At
another table sat two men, who on seeing the
colored gentlemen in the room, dropped their
knives and forks as suddenly as if they were
struck by lightning. There were probably
hundred ladies and as many gentlemen in the
dining-rOom at the time, but only two of the
former and two Of the latter seemed in the
least inclined to drop their tenderloins as a
sacrifice 70 the prejudice against colOred per-
sons. Inc two ladies, afler a few moments
reflection, concluded to withdraw. One Of
them-the mother-sttempted to remove the
child; but the child, having no prejudice against
the colored gentlemen present, strongly OBJ
jeCted 10 being taken from his berries and
cream. till finally the mother seized him and
forced him TO 20 with her. Il was q sight to
witness tho little creature looking backward at
his splendid plate OF berries.
Now it was time foT old Virginia to move,
and for proud Kentucky to follow after, last
but not least. AMI 50 these two made for the
proprietor. Said ''Old Kentuck:' "Sir, you
have HiggsrS in your house. How much do 1
owe your And the Virginian, following, said:
can insult, landlord; en- insult. My bill, also,
please" The Landlord, not then knowing the
official dignity of the Objectionable guests, nor
the fact that they came to the educational
convention, grew pale, and trembled at the
prospect of ruined business if be entertained
the cOlorcd men any longer. This ended tho
first act. Nov for tie second. --.
As said, the balance Of the guests cared
not whit for the presence Of colored men
among them, but acted toward them as they
did toward oseh other In fact, there was but
one United States Senator in the hotel, aud he
was a colored man. There was another in the
city, bot here he had his own home. moan
Hon. Mr.. Chandler, who, at the splendid re-
ceptiOn given 20 the delegates, made no distinc-
tioG on account Of color. The night passed. |
The COloFed gentlemen remained in the hotel |
Morning came, and with it came the hotel |
clerk knocking at tho Senator's door. Rap, /
rap, rap. Come in, ." responded Superintend- |
ent CGrdoZa. Seeing the clOrk, Senator Bruce |
inquired, "Well, sir, what is your erTs1d P'
the clerk responded, "Well, gen
tlemen, the proprietor instTdCts me to say 70 !
you that you must not appear in the dining /
room again, and that you can have your meals |
served in your rooms" well, well" said |
the Senator, land we are in the State of Mich |
igan. Now, II we were IN Kentucky we might |
Expect this kind Of usage, but here in Michi- |
gan, who Wouldl Tell the landlord, j" he con- !
tinued, tell the landlord III SEQ him in q few
The clerk departed, and Bruce,
CnrdoEc and Hill consulted together as the |
proper course TO be pursued.
They concluded to pay their bills and 90 from
the city, but or reaching the Office they found
an unexpected turn in the tide. There were in
the hotel at least hundred and fifty guests
who were members Of the convention, ard who
seriously objected to the ill-treatmsnt of their
friends. These, through spokesman, said to
the proprietor: well, sir, these gentlemen are
OF our convention, and If they leave
this hotel we leave with them; and, what Is
more, If they cannot find courteous treatment
IN Detroit, we will ask the convention TO sd-
Iourn to town in this State Of Michigan where
they aud we will De treated cOurteously." The I
effect Of this eloquence was magical. "Break-
fast is ready for you, gentlemen" said the
landlord, aud the cOlOred men, accompanied
by ". 2. Rogers, esq, Of New Orleans, vert
10 breakfast in the diniug-room, where their
presence caused no further sacrifice of tender
Ioin or Of berries and cream. In the course of
the daY Bruce and Hill went to Niagara, but !
Mr.. Cardoza, feeling that his treatment was
The result Of a concession, changed TO the Rus
sell house, which is the first-class hotel Of the
city, where he Is treated with all the courtesy /
enjoyed by others. Before Cardoza's depar-
ture the proprietor Of the Biddle house made |
credit, and name the fact as an act of justice |
to that gentleman, aud at the special request |
Of Mr.. Carioza.
This ends the second act. Now comes |
another picture Of the "ciyl rights" experience |
Of these coloTed gentleman during their at |
tendance on the educational convention. This |
will show how varied may be the experience Of
q colored man if he chances to have q tOlerably |
light complexion.
On the arrival Of theAfississippI delegation, |
one Of their number, Mr.. Cardoza, went into a
barber shop kept by an Irishman. "ShaYe, |
surf" asked Pat. eyes, sir" answered Car |
doza. The barber proceeded in the usual way |
till he came TO dress CardoZa's hair. you've !
been traYelin', Msther," said Pat. eyes" |
said Cardoza. 81 thought so by the stiffness !
of your hair" said Pat, winding up with the |
suggestion, ga good shampoo will take all that
stiffness out" Shampoo, then" said Car
doEa. The Irish barber worked very hard for
twenty minutes, but gave it up, saying, II
guess, sur, it won't all come out" CONWAY.
VIRGINIA SPRINGS.