The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-10-03
AMERICAN NEGROES IN ENGLAND.

HOW JUBILEE SINGER FOUND THAT HE WAS
A FREEMAN FOR THREE MONTHS SOCIAL
DISTINCTION.
I. J. London, one of the American Jubilee Singers
England, writes to the Pittsburg Gazette as fol-
lows
have never known practically the meaning Of tho
word freedom in its highest but three months III
my life, and though it is with shame for my own
boosted land of freedom say II, yet it is true that
those three months have been spent in Great Britain
And now affirm that no black man, born and raised
the United States America can reize what il is to
be absolutely free And further that no black
. man in America can realize what he suffers, and
what depressing and Illuminating influence Ills
manhood and higher nature is under until no
is able TO rise above and breathe an atmosphere
tainted by the deadly aud polluting poison or
American prejudice. Think what il would be be able
to to any hotel restaurant confectionery any
place OF amusement and not simply TO be able make
your way IN at the point of some law, but to be bso-
lutey welcomed-no better but just the same as any
other man who pays his money--and then not tn
be stuck away in some hole or corner lest some OF tho
other customers VIII sec you and become indignant be-
cause ''nggers'' money pays for just the his
does, and Is just gladly received II is possible,
just imagine what ii rs TO be from home at meal time,
and without the slightest hesitation walk into any
taurant eating house, and get what you want with
out any one to make YOU feel Uncomfortable and not bs
compelled to walk by hair dozen places IN
order 20 find some man who dares defy public opinion
at the risk OF his business by letting You have
secluded nook, what you want and taking your money
for it, II you go into store for goods the clerks do
not all suddenly get too busy to wait upon you
after all Is compelled to wait on you, or
who happens to be just as willing 30 wait on you
any one else, as If to say:-"Ahl you have to wait
Niger MS Is very often the in America If you
enter "bush and there is no American Il
whtelthere is no one to draw up her dress least you
black IL, or up his look scorniul At YOU
II for any you walk the streets with white per-
son Of either sex, one says 'Iook at the niger
with a white person. y or looks upon the one with YOU
as IL hencelorth they are to be regarded as lcpcrs
Perhaps some will say that this is because we arc
Jubilee Singers" II So to such would reply, was
4 Jubilee Singer in America before was Ia England.
How different was their treatment here For three
weeks they sang in one Of Mr. Moodys meetings. A
hall had been built for him in the east Of London, with
scangs for about Il 600 The choir consisted Of about
100 persons Seats were assigned to US in front and
next TO the stand Every member or tho choir re-
ceived with the utmost kindness and instead OF try
ing to insult they tried IN every conceivable way
make US feel welcome and near the close OF the series
Of meetings tea was given for the stewards officers
and choir about 10 IN ai We were invited We spent
an hour or more socially with them before tea, thon
promlscuously the ladies and gentlemen coupled them
selves OF, and arm in arm went into the tent TO par
take Oh the sumptuous repast provided for them. No
two OF the Jubees sat together and was there
20 insult or in any other way make US teel unwelcome.
We were simply treated as any white people would
have been under the same circumstances.
Wcstopped one day in London At a fine private
boarding house in Queens square While we wero
there, rather the day got there or we were out
at the time Of which now speak,, man from In
diana came there and engaged board for himself and
family He sent his luggage and was to come himself
the next day. But when they came the next morning
we were just through with our morning dcyotons and,
of course, all in the house They walked in and saw
us and walked out and left u.s. wcnttwo doors below
and sent for their traps. The landlady did know
what on earth to think Of such conduct We knew
but, for our counry's sake, ashamed to tell
her. But had they known IL they need not have gone,
for we left in couple ofhours ourselves.
On reaching the station Tor depot you call ~ we
saw tall man and woman, whom we suspected o. beng
Americans Soon our suspicious were confirmed when
we saw him looking after some pondeToGus trunks s'
friend, brother and felow-ctizen's expense 50, as
there are eleven Of US we could pIeuy wen mayo