New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1874-07-09

mas peen on the increase since the establish.
ment OF the bank. twill greatly impair the
confidence of people too much given to
superstition in such Institutions, and induce
them 70 be their Of bankers, in which case
less money will be saxed and less property
acquired. One cannot help sympathixing
with a hard-working man who, BY much sac
riiice and self-denial, lays aside his first con.
siderable money for "rainy day." and then
loses twenty per cent. of it and suffers the
inconvenience of the delay that may attend
the settlement of his accounts. Many of the
benevolent soclties in this city deposited in
the Freedman's Bank, and they must feel
'nese complications very sensibly, as their
OBJECTS cannot be carried out without fire.
quently resorting to their treasures. Hav-
ing such embarrassments to cross their first
efforts, It may be 4 long time before they
will trust another bank. But the depositos
have acted with much good sense and for
bearance in this emergency. There is more
sorrow at what has befalles the company
than disposition TO complain or to speak
harshly Of those who have managed the
affairs of the bank up to this period. News
papers here, generally opposed to any move
ment having for its object the elevation of
the negro, have made this suspension
theme Of reproach to- the colored people.
They speak OF it as an example ofthe greedi-
ness and insincerity Of Northern men, and
enforce their profession of being the best
friends of the colored people. There is a
chuckling satisfaction in their comments al
most provoking. 1t seems strange, after the
absolute failure Of other banks and of one in
this city, which actually defrauded hundreds
OF poor men, that these malicious taunts
should be directed against the Freedman's
Bank. 1t is an illustration, however, of the
ridiculous extent to which prejudice will lead
men.
The atfray between Hon. John Amber
Smith and Andrew Washburne, Esq, pro-
duced no sensation beyond the immediate
circle of their acquaintance. Our Congress-
man struck the first blow, but Washburne,
being large man, would have made of him,
had not friends interposed, what Mr.. Man
tillini threatened to make of himself, "a
demnition body" 1t is believed by those
who have gone below the surface of the
trouble, that the actual reason why Hon.
John Amber Smith assaulted MIR. WASH
burne was because the latter gentleman
seems to have better prospect for the non-
lnatiOn to Congress and the present incum-
bent, betrayed into an excess of envous
rage, knew no filter means than vulgar
fight by which to manifest his chagrin and
disappointment. Besides being a scandal to
the high office of one party, this affair serves
to show that the pugilistic tendencies of Vir-
ginia gentlemen are in nowise on the decline.
When there are no ''altars and fires" to
fight for, they fight for office or any other
honorable cause. Apropos of nominations,
it should be stated that there are three names
prominent in that connection-Messrs. Bur-
CESS, Washburne, and Smith. The second
gentleman is the only one who has not ex-
pressed an opinion on the civil rights bill.
The others are decidedly opposed to mixed
schools which, as respects other parts of the
bill, resembles the play Of Hamlet" with
Hamlet omitted. Mr.. Smiths friends, in
GLIDING several colored men who have en-
ployment at Washington, are working vigor-
ously in his behalf, and he may, after all,
secure the nomination.
While we are opposed to the other gentle
men on account Of their pronounced hostility
to our rights, mere silence on Mr.. Wash
evidence of sympathy with our cause. Until
we have explicit assurance of his purpose to
vote for the bill, our support will be with
held, and his silence will be regarded as
equivocal, and designed evasion of ques-
ton which, Of all others, most closely con-
Germs our welfare and lies nearest our
hearts.
Mr.. John W. Wolff is prominent Repub-
lican in this State. He has written letter
to r. NJ. Beckley, (whose vacillation may
be pardoned for the sake Of the letter which
it called forth,) expressing his conviction of
the justice Of the civil rights bill, and pro-
nouncing himself unequivocally in favor of
it. This was brave deed. No other Re-
publican in Richmond would have done it,
No other Republican in Richmond is favora-
BILE to the bill. In spite of the opposition of
friends and the hate of foes, he boldly de-
clares himself true to the spirit of the Con-
stitutlon and the rights of the negro. This
secures to our eepse an ally whose fearless
and aggressive Spirit in the interests of equal
ity and law will add strength and encourage
mcnt to our present efforts, and relieve us
of the disagreeable necessity Of supporting
those nominal Republicans who desert us
where their aid is most needed, and, like the
witches in Macbeth
keep the word Of promise to the ear,
But break it to the hope"
Civil rights will be the issue and the test,
and Mr.. Wolff has defined his position too
clearly to be misunderstood or misinter-
preted. @& B.
From Alabama.
HUNTSVILLE, ALA, June %, 1874.
To the Editor of the Ne,o National Era:
"This is an interesting and novel specta-