Smyrna times., 1875-09-15
A Suggestive Story.

Not only the weather, but the country.
just now seems to be in an eHceptionallv
cheerful and benCficent mood. Sometime
IN the golden air, the bountifll harvest, the
coming home after the Summers holiday.
and settling down to the routine of dutv
again, has worked together to bring all the
kindly influences of human nature upper.
most and to put gloom and bitterness out of
sight fora season. One ofthe pleasantesta and
most suggestive signs of the happy temper of
the times was little scene which occurred
IN Philadolphia last week. A gentleman
who began life under prcculiar hardships,
but who has acquired afilucnce and social
position by his shrewd business faculty and
strict integrity, gave festival to the in.
mates OF Home for aged men and women
OF which he is the President, and. we he.
lleYe, the founder. The little feast. with
Its fruits and flowers, was beautiful in itself
ana was made more memorable for the
poor old creatures by every attraction
which the kind hearts, liberal purses or
talents OF the friends of the donor could
offer. y well-known lecturer read a pocm.
A public singer gave her best songs There
were stories, dramatic recitations. music
laughter and hearty good will. The old
folks IN their cracked voices sang a hvmn
which brought tears to the eyes, and they
ate and laughed and told their stories too
and, we have no doubt, scored down the
day as one of the whitest Of their lives
When it grew late those who gave and
those who took parted, and were the wiser
and better and twice blessed for the hanpv
thought of the good man who. had brought
them together
Our readers may WONDER however, why
this quiet little pleasure should be broucbt
before their notice and we are almost re-
luctant to state the cause. The capitalist
who founded the charity and gave the
feast, the poor creatures who were made
happy by it i'll so delicate and thoughtful a
way, the men and women who frightened
1T by all the efforts which culture. refine.
ment and exceptional talent could offer,
were i'll one way different from most of
those who read the story-they were all
colored
We who know how entirely the social and |
individual status Of the educated class of
colored people IN the cities corresponds
with that of the like class of whites. feel |
that we owe them an apology for bringing
their condition, and this little incident as |
testimony to their condition, before our
readers. But we do it for the sake of their
own race. We have been forced so often
lately TO rebuke ignorance and purblind
folly OF demagOguc- who attempt to lead
the cOlored people into cnmity against the
whites, and on the other hand to deplorc
the laziness Of the great masses among
them who are content to sit down on their
wrongs and make their ancient slavery y
pedestal to support all future idlencss and
discomfort, that we are heartily glad to lift
this other picture into their sight. Here
are men and women born slaves or the
children of slaves, who have CONQUERED
education, wealth, and social refinement,
and come quietly to the aid of their help
less brethren with practical efiectual help
and Christian kindness of treatment. The
lesson Is significant one, when contrasted
with the suicidal policy advocated by many
colored politicians. We should be clad if
We could hope it would bear its proper
ruit.-N. y. Tribune.