New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-09-08
4 SVCC ESTJVE STORY.

Not only the weather, but the country, just
now seems to be in an exceptionally cheerful
and beneiiccnt mood Something in the golden
air, the bOuntiful harvest, the coming home
after the Summers holiday, and settling down
to the routine of duty again, has worked to-
gether to bring all the kindly influences OF
human nature uppermOst and to put gloom and
bitterness ont of sight for a season. One OF
the pleasantest and most suggestive signs OF
tho happy temper of the times was little
scene which occurred in Philadelphia last
week. A gentleman who began life under Pc
culiar hardshps, but who has acquired aliu-
ence and social position by his shrewd
business faculty and strict integrity,
gave festival to the inmates OF
a Home for aged men and women OF which he
is the President, and, we believe, the founder.
The little feast, with its fruits and flowers, was
beautiful in itself, and was made more men,
orable for the poor old creatures by every
attraction which the kind hearts, liberal purses
or talents of the friends of the donor could
Offer A we'll knOwn lecturer read poem. A
public singer gave her best songs. There were
stories, dramatic Rotations, music, laughter
and hearty good will. The old folks in their
cracked voices sang a hymn which brought
tears to the eyes, and they ate and laughed
and told their stories too, and, We have no
doubt, scored down tho day 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
happy thought of the good man who had
brought them together.
Our readers may wonder, however, why this
quiet little pleasure should be brought before
their notice; and we are almost reluctant to
state the cause. The capitalist who founded
the charity and gave the feast, the poor
creatures who were made happy by it in 50
delicate and thoughtful way, the men and
women who frightened it by all the efforts
which culture, refinement, and exceptional
talent could offer, were in one way different
from most of those who read the story-they
were 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 con-
dition, 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 80 often lately to rebuke the
ignorance and purblind folly of demagogues
who attempt to lead the cOlored people into
enmity against the whites, and on the other
hand to deplOre the laziness of the great
masses among them who are content to sit
down on their wrongs and make their
ancient slavery pedestal to support all future
idleness 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 educa-
ton, wealth, and social refinement, and come
quietly to tho aid of their helpless brethren
with practical effectual help and Christian
kindness of treatment. The lesson is a signifi-
cant one, when cOntrasted with the suicidal
policy advocated by many colored politicians.
We should be glad if We could hope it would
bear its proper fruit.