davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1874-02-26
From Kentucky.

BARDsTowN, KY, Feb. Ii, 1874.
To he Efii9r ocile Nclo National Era and Cfi.et:
SIR: As it has been some time since l
wrote to your paper, L thought your readers
would like to hear from old Kentucky.
Though feel my inability TO write an inter-
esting letter, yet shall attempt to make it
readable.
Bardstown is situated about forty miles
southeast of Louisville, and is one Of the
hcalthiest places in the State I; it has several
furnishing schools in and near it; the most
celebrated are Saint Joscph's College and
Nazareth Academy, both Catholic. The
colored people have but one school here,
taught by a colored teacher, and they exhibit
an unwillingness to patronizc This one, that
is truly reprehensible and it is a lamentablc
fact that a great many of our people will send
their children to school taught by white
person in preference to sending them to
colorcd teacher, no matter what his qualiica-
lions are. l give this as an instance, the
Sisters of a Catholic school have twice as
many colored scholars as the colored teacher
has. and a large number have 10 connection
with their church.
The political cauldron is boiling fiercely in
our county the Democrats are preparing to
have n county convention next Monday TO
elect delegates to their State convention.
Excitement runs very high among them.
Each is confident that his man will be in
structed to cast the vote of the county for
this or that man, and 1 anticipate lively
time among them. The aspirants foT county
Offices are numerous, although all are Demo-
Gratis. / expect the colored voter will be
pulled about until, in desperation, he Will
say yes, he will vote for all of them, in order
to get some rest.
Such has been my experience in the past,
and the nauseous odor of the negro is for
gotten until after the battle. The Republ-
cans have not a single man in the race for an
office. l don't know whether they are going
to keep of the track, or are just waiting Tor
more opportune time. However, there is
time enough yet.
Yours, very respectfully,
l.. S. SLAUGHTER.
New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1874-02-26

don't know that we shall visit Washing
ton again, unless we could sing to the Con-
gressmen in their seats in the Senate and in
the House, and soothe the hearts of those
who cannot be otherwise touched.
1 have nothing new to write you.more than
we have been we'll received in Manchester,
Liverpool, and vicinity, and made more
money in the above-named places than in
any place we have been in the same allotted
time. AS the people in and around Man
chester were in direct communication with
the South, and dealt extensively in the staple
which they produced, they were in deep SYM
pathy with the Confederacy, and many of our
friends were afraid we would not find much
enthusiasm there, or very little assistance,
but we were never better received anywhere
than in Manchester and Liverpool
The weather is moderate and much like
our southwestern spring. We have had very
little frost or snow, and no skating where we
have been. Heavy fogs have been with us
for three consecutive days, but left US this
and we hope to have pleasanter
weather from this on.
BENJAMIN NJ. HOLMES.
New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1874-02-26
Settle that Question OF Civil
Rights

LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, Feb. II, 1874.
God loves to see justice meted out to every
man, and to see them in the enjoyment of
those rights without which justice is merely
name but a great number, who are well
worthy Of these enjoyments, has been de-
prived of them by the common laws of the
land, in defiance of the higher law. The
question Of civil rights is one of infinite inl-
portance to every human being, and is, OR
ought to be, especially to every true phian-
thropist. The matter has been and is still
presented by nine tenths of eight millions of
the defendants Of Africa to the throne of
common God for the reconciliation that once
existed in the days when Adam and Eve
were in the Garden of Eden. 1t may be said,
however, that the tranquility which there
existed was merely ephemeral, all Of which
shall leave to your better judgment; butit
is very evident, however, that they violated
the Divine mandates without any provoca-
ton whatever, and by SO doing they pro-
voked high heaven to anger. Had it not been
for that their peace would not have been
OAonSh' NiNA ID WudI Ill ustllC
Of all that is good and great, evoke this
grand Commonwealth to bestow to her col
ored citizens. DO this and you will become
strong; but if you fail to do it you will be
like a Kingdom divided against itself, which
caunot stand. L hope that this may meet
the appreciation of every true friend of hui
man liberty, and all ask is that each and
every man edo to others as they would have
others do to them therefore, those who are
in authority have before them a duty which
demands nothing more nor less than equal
justice to all, regardless of race or color or
previous condition. Oh ye statesmen of this
our great and free Republic; how long will
you battle with justice! Here 1 must calm,
myself, believing that my race have num-
Der of worthy friends in authority, one of
| whom is the honored Senator Sumner,
| who, like Simeon of old, waited for the con-
ISOLATION of Israel. He has invoked high
heaven, and has labored day and night for
the upbuilding of the colored race, and
although on a late occasion he may seemed
to have departed from his early principles,
we must remember that "to err is human, to
| forgive divine" c. b.
New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1874-02-26
From New York.
OwEGo, n. Y, Feb. II, 1873

OwEGo, n. Y, Feb. II, 1873.
10 tie Eauor Tie Neo Nafioaol Era aaa Citizen:
Among the many beautiful towns of New
York State, Owego is by no means the least.
With the Susquehanna gliding peacefully
through it, and Graded between high and
noble hills, it presents rare attractions Of
natural and artistic beauty. One Of these
hills, situated ON the north side of the town,
Is particularly beautiful and impressive.
II is covered with dense foliage of ever
green, and on the side facing the town, can
be seen tall white monuments lifting their
snowy heads above the moaning hcmlocks"
like ghostly sentinels guarding the places
where the peaceful dead lie buried. Cold
and calm though they look, who knows but
that when ones eyes are turned toward
them, the mind may not be dwelling on kind
rcmcmbrances Of the departed, and hopes and
fears for the time when he too must take up
that peaceful abode" and who knows but
that these thoughts may not make truer and
better men and women in Owego. Not far
from the town is a spot called Glen Mary,
named by n. p. Willis, in honor of his wife,
1t is, indeed, a lovely spot, picturesque and
solitary.
One might easily suppose it The (avorite
abode Of the muses., and that they are ever
ready to aid those minds which can drink in
The influences Of nature, grasp and hold The
signing zcphyrs, perfume OF howcrs, song Of
bird, and ripping water, and tarn them into
words. Such mind had Willis, and in this
spot he exercised his power, the result Of
which has been fame. The cottage in which
he lived still stands, though it has been re-
modelled. Owego has, too, some medical
interests. "They say" there is spring here,
the waters OF which have life giving proper
ties, and are capable Of preserving youth.
turning gray heads to black, and bringing
roses TO wiIhcrcd and discolorcd checks.
The colored population OF Owcgo is small
but colored men, are Ike the whites, working
their way along the road OF prosperity and
enlightenment, and conduct themselves in
such manner as to command the respect Of
their townsmen.. There is among people Of
towns and villages that unity Of interests,
local pride, and congcniality CT association
which makes life attractive and pleasant
end in place Of the cold forms Of cities, there
are true affection and hearty good will; and
all ofthesc attractions has the town Of Owego.
MATE.
New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1874-02-26
From Arkansas.

TO The Editor Of The Neio National Era and Citizen:
PINE BLUFF, Feb. 10, 1874.
Since my last, business has been rather
dull in this section, on account of the low
price of cotton, which has ranged from ten
to thirteen cents. Most of the laborers
come out in debt to those who have furnished
them supplies while they were raising the
crop. The old system prevails ofraiainga crop
on credit and paying when the return comes in.
So many freedmen have come over from
Georgia and other States there is competition
for the renting CT cotton lands and rents are
high in consequence. The lale decision of
our supreme court, that State scrip was re-
ceivable fer all taxes except interest on the
public debt, has had very bad effect on our
schools, as State scrip is only fifty five cents,
and the taxes were levied before the decision.
Most of the cities have decided to pay the
teachers in greenbacks, but the coxntry
schools cannot generally do it. The effect
is a hardship on the peoples dearest inter-
csts. Generally the people are favorable to
our free system, and it is growing in
favor very rapidly; and the promptitude of
trustees and school boards in meeting this
exigency, Is good sign for progress.
Our political skies are becoming clearer,
and, with good financial and social policy,
we might receive large accessions to our
population, provided our school system were
wisely carried out.
We are demonstrating here in our schools
that the sons and daughters of Africa can
learn mathematics as rapidly and thoroughly
as those Of pure Caucasian blood, and some
of the smartest are pure Africans.
The need Of an educated ministry for the
freedmen is more and more obvious, as the
young are becoming acquainted with letters,
and call for intelligent men in the pulpit, as
well as in the school-room.
NJ. w. MARTIN.
New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1874-02-26

must apply to all public schools. Let this
be done, and "the axe will be laid unto the
DOT OF the trce.' Let our public schools be
open alike to all classes, and very soon the
spirit of caste will pass away. But as long as
we have separate schools, this spirit, the
relic of slavery, will exist, and work its baleful
influence. If Congress shall, in the civil
rights bill, make an exception with regard to
public schools, the work will only be partially
done. Agitation and discussion win con-
tinuc, and VIC shall not have peace and haf-
lnony till all our public schools, and indeed
all institutions governed or regulated by law
arc open alike to all classes of citizens. Ii
is to be earnestly hoped that our legislators
will have wisdom to lead them to enact just
and righteous laws, and thus secure to every
citizen ali his rights, immunitics, and privi-
ieges. NJ HENRY SMITH.
New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1874-02-26
From Ohio.
RADICAL.

To tie EaRor ertse NetD Natioaal Era and Citizen:
Allow me, If you please, to reply to
an article that appeared in your paper
paper few days ago. 1 feel it my duty, as
student of the University, and being one
Of the young ladies, to deny the assertion
that has been circulated about the conduct
Of the young ladies of Wilberforce Uni
versity. 1t grieved me sadly to thiak that
any one identified with the black race could
circulate such slandcrous report. Even if
it were true, instead of blazing it before the
whole world, some other effort should have
been made to rectify the moral conduct of
the young ladies of this University. Ad-
hitting that one or two young ladies have
behaved indiscreetly, and done what is per-
fectly fashionable in some of the gay cities
of the East, does that justify the writer in
using such sweeping language? Where is
his logic? Where is his common sense ?''
Is he learned in that valuable science? Mr..
Editor, there are young ladies here from the
East, West, North and South of high moral
standing, and before they would dare to do
that which is contrary to the laws of pro-
priety, Mr.. Editor, they would rather die
yes, die first.
We young ladies of Wilberforce are here
to improve our minds, to become intelligent
women, to prepare ourselves to go forth into
the world to instruct those who have not the
means, and who have not kind friends and
parents to send them to place of learning.
We are not, nor yet do we intend to be like
the beautiful butterfly, flying from flower to
flower, slipping the sweet honey from therein.
But We are like the busy bee, always seek
ing, always desiring, always intending to do
whatever we find to do that will be for good;
endeavoring to elevate our race.
And instead of being so divided as the
black people are at this present day to con-
New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1874-02-26
JAMES w. WHITE
From Ohio.
EENIA, Feb. Is, 1874

EENIA, Feb. Is, 1874.
70 tie Editor crhte NelO National Era and CHisen:
GENTLEMEN: We would beg your indul-
gence that we may be allowed to correct the
language in which we have made Mr.. Fred
erck Douglass to say, when once visiting
our University, that the worst school is
the best school," Highly approaching the
authority of man whose wisdom, eloquence
and usefulness have been SO potent for good
to the cause of humanity, we could Motive
would not by any means misreprescnt him.
1t is proverbial in these parts that Mr..
Douglass was known to say that the best
school oftimes becomes the worst schoop'-
his explanation of the same affordpg general
satisfaction.
a careful scrutiny Of this remarkable lam
guage readily demonstrates the plea which
Wilberforce makes in her own behalf.
RADICAL.
New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1874-02-26
Extracts from an Address of HOr.
ace A. Day before the POlytech-
mic Branch Of the Anne rican I'm.
siitute. November, 1878.

1t must be conceded that transportation,
IN all its various forms and phases, is next to
agriculture the largest interest employing
more capital than any other.
Any circumstances which operate to adj
vance or lessen the cost of this vast interest
reaches all classes and pursuits.
The evils which have grown up In connec-
ton with transportation, have at last begun
to shake the foundation and stir the hearts
of the people, and if not eradicated, will
utterly overthrow the Government.
The time has come when the people de-
mand that their public highways, canals and
railroads shall be subject to more govern
mental control, and so operated that all may
equally share the benefit without special
advantage to any class.
The conviction is fast taking hold on the
popular mind, that capital invested in public
highways should not be permitted to make
profit at all, and to be allowed only such
returns as can be found in the average annual
increase of the wealth of the people in all
other pursuits now about 3 per cent: per
annum
venture to assert that, when railroads and
canals are built with convertible bonds,
bearing not exceeding 65-100 interest, the
half the present charges, and that the high
rate of interest due to our present financial
system, is the primal cause of not only the
railroad Generalization everywhere existing,
but of the panic which is now outworking its
terrible effects upon all our industries, and
the commerce of the country. And when
the nation plants itself upon the solid rock Of
currency based upon the credit and re-
sources of the nation, upon real values, we
can have peace and prosperity, and not till
then.
The circulation of the United States, the
currency, never was and never can be specie
| alone. The mixed character Of specie and
bills of banks, based upon the specie or bull
lion, has in. it neither stability nor security
our whole history has proved this. To be
| sure we have again and again made believe
specie payment, and always humbugged and
aeeced the people, weighing down all oul
industries, and at every decade of about
twelve years, had the fallacy and unsound
ness of this false sytem demonstrated, by
its entire failure and panic.
These panics, which always serve to rol
labor and benefit idle and usuriously en-
ployed capital could not occur under the
operation of the solid system advocated by
labor reformers.
The specie-basis system may, with grea
propriety, be called an ignus tat,sus. 1t ha'
the same relation to our actual condition al
the apex bears to the base of pyramid. Al
early as 1865 had occasion to publish {
criticism upon Mr.. Mccullough, then abou
to be clothed with the power of Secretary o
the Treasury, in the hope to save the coun
try from the infection of so unqualified
person. Iquote here few sentences from
that publication: How easy it is to sa
that paper currency should be converted
into coin"
And how utterly absurd it is to attemp
the invention of system by which such
conversion shall be made possible. Wha
New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1874-02-26

trive means and ways to unite in one bond
of brotherhood. Perhaps there is not COL
lege in this land of any age but what has
had rebellious spirits to encounter. If 1t is
true, as the gentleman has asserted, that the
rebellion of Our college was caused on &C.
count of the inability of the Faculty of Will
berforce to govern the students, Mr.. Editor,
the worthy gentleman has left the impression
upon the minds of the deeper thinking part
of the world that there is no race capable of
governing itself; for among all nations, be
they black or white, there has been rebellion.
leila r. BALL,
Wilberfoace University,
Xenia, Ohio.
New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1874-02-26
From Alabama.
EUFAULA, Feb. II, 1874.

EUFAI IN, L VU' IT RS' II
To The Editor Of Eas Nt,o Natioaal Era and Cili-en:
VIII you be so kind as to correct the error
of "Wm. j. Stevens" Of Selma, Alabama,
who, in his biographical sketch OF me, classed
me as being "about thirty-iye years DID,"
While "old age is honorable" desire to
inform "Wm. ]. Stevens" and the readers
of your valuable paper, that 1 am not twenty
eight years old yet. ask this favor as
subscriber, and for the satisfaction OF my con-
stituent, (who would have me TO be older.)
BY publishing this card you will confer a
favor on me.
Respectfully,
So A, T., WILLIAMS
New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1874-02-26
COMMUNICATIONS
FROM THE
STATES AND TERRITORIES.

New NATIONAL ERA does not hold Itself responsible
views expressed by correspondents. ell written aud
interesting communications will be gady receiyedl
The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1874-03-12

"a new phase is announced of the aston
fssIing trial of Mrs. Waite, at Portland,
Me-, on the charge of bigamy. The
charge was preferred, it will be remem-
bered, by John Waller, who claimed that
the defendant twas his wife, and that she
rad deserted him and his two children.
He named n1a4ks upon her body by which
she could be identified Mrs. Waite
bore these marks upon her person, and
the children of Mr. Waller swore to her
identity. In spite of this evidence, Mrs.
Waite maintained the most remarkable
compoSuTe, and convinced the many
spectators present at the trial that she
was either Il most wonderful actress or
the victim Of a not less wonderful cumbi-
nation Of circumstances The last move
Is the publication of letter from the true
Mrs. Waller, who is known by the aliases
Of Kate Waller and Catherine Mex enzie.
This person claims that she was married
to John Waller, MAY %, 1862. and that
her children were born Feb. q, 1868,
and Sept. ,, 1868; that she left him four
years ago, because he abused her: that
she had scar on her arm where he cut
her with an AK, and another in her tenn
pie where he sruck her with block of
wood. She adds that she will have her
children before long, if she has to steal
them. Ii the letter is genuine, aud the
true wife Of John Waller produced and
placed on the witness stand, the rs llfv
will surpass in interest many OF tae cfea-
tons Of fiction.
The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1874-03-12
Advice ac sIIc Women.

The woman's temperance crusade in
Ohio is going forward apparently with
augmenting energy and power In not
| a few places it absorbs almost the entire
attention Ofevery class ofpeople, business,
to great extent, giving place to meetings
for consultation and devotion Indeed in
all Southern Ohio the new method Of fight
ing the grog shops is the one absorbing
theme of public interest and discussion.
The elements Of power in the movement
are plain to see. In the first place "con-
science makes towards Of the liquor-sel-
lers, and they tremble whenever God-fear-
ing men and women come to demonstrate
with chem and entreat them TO forsake
their desperate calling. If the remons
trance is uttered in Christian spirit. if
the rights and feelings OF the grog-sellers
are not outraged, bat duly respected, if
the prayers Of the besieging women are
the utterances of hearts quickened bv the
Holy Ghost and full Of tenderness and
love, and if care Is taken to keep the pro
ceedIngs free from any mixture Of physical
coercion or scenic display, We can easily
understand how only the most hardened
and desperate men can successfully resist
such a moral tide But the organization
OF such movement on Il large scale, one
town taking it up in imitation of another,
and yielding to an excitement kindlad
from sources outside of itself. must in
volve dangers from which thoughtful
minds will shrink. Moreover, the his
tory ofhuman effort abounds in examples
Of permanent evil following close on the
track Of apparent and temporary good; |
and we frankly confess our fear that, |
when all the results, temporary and per |
manent, of this new movement shall be /
summed up, the showing will be disap
pointment to the friends of temperance. |
We are very sure that such result can |
be averted only by the utmost efforts to
keep the movement, on the high ground /
Of religious principle, and thus to save it |
from the dangers that attend all such ex- |
-ChriStian Union
The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1874-03-12

A spondent in the Rural Home
writes: To test the difference in yield be
tween planting in drills or in hills,
planted six rows acros the field three and
half feet apart, and hills two feet nine
inches IN the row, and by the side of them
six rows in drills, with seed once in TWEEN
ty inches, and rows about the same as the
other. The yield by weight proved to be
two and a half bushels or twelve and a
half bushels to the acre in favor Of the
drills, although they had been damaged
some by the horse having to turn around
or them while cultivatiDg those in the
hill: A former year | had thirty bushels
to the acre more in favor Of the drill
planting. This experiment was with early
rose