Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-09-11
Representative COlored Men.

Senator Bruce, of Mississippi, and Repre-.
sentative Rainey of South Carolina, present
notable instances of the fact, which is no
longer denied by those who are fair and i'm
partial, that it rests entirely with the col
ored people themselves whether they have
the respect and goodwill of the superior
race. Both of them have uniformly con-
Quoted themselves with perfect propriety
since their entrance into public life, and in
their intercourse with associates have al
ways appeared to scrupulously observe the
| golden rule. There is not democratic
member of either house of Congress who
| does not speak of them and treat them with
| respect. If Mr.. Bruce was one of the most
| distinguished of the white citizens of Miss
| ssippi, his colleague, Senator Lamar, could
not treat him with more Difference. In
| everything of public character that affects
the state of Mississippi Mr.. Lamar always
! before acting consults with Mr.. Bruce.
| During the last session of Congress the al
most unanimously democratic legislature of
| Mississippi passed resolutions compliment
| ing Mr.. Bruce for his course in the Senate.
A short time ago Senator Beck, of Ken
lucky said to me in his bluff, honest way,
" Rainey and Bruce are men, both Of them,
and | am for them all the time" Mr.. Beck
then narrated an incident showing the in
uate modesty of Mr.. Rainey, and his regard
for the feelings of others, which he said ce-
nented the man to him as long as life. Mr..
Rainey was one of the committee, as was
Mr.. Beck, who was then member of the
House, appointed by the House to go to
Boston with the remains of Senator Sum-
ner. After leaving Washington there was
some talk among the members of the COM
mittee as to the possible reception that would
be accorded Mr.. Rainey at the hotels, and it
was thought that embarrassment might en-
sue, although nothing was said on the subject
in MIR. Rainey's presence. On arriving at New
York the committee of the two houses went
to the Fifth Avenue and took quarters.
When the hour for dinner arrived the men,
bers of the committee went in body TO the
diuing-room, Mr.. Rainey alone being absent.
He remained in his room, sending word that
he was indisposed, and requesting his din
ner to be sent to him. Every member of
the committee was well satisfied that Mr..
Rainey's indisposition was not serious but
was assumed out of delicacy for their feel
ings, and to avoid any possible contingency
of embarrassment to them. The next morn
ing, when the committee was assembled for
breakfast, the same report of Mr.. Raineys
indisposition came from his room, with the
request that his breakfast be sent to him.
At this Mr.. Beck spoke out, and said that
Mr.. Rainey was member of the House of
Representatives, he was a member of the
committee in charge of the funeral remains
of Charles Sumner, and he was as much en-
titled to respect as any other member of the
committee, sand" concluded Mr.. Beck, al
for one am not going into that dining-room
without Rainey," This was taking the bull
by the horns. Senator Hoar, who was also
one of the House committee was dispatched
to Mr.. Raineys room with the unanimous
aud peremptory request of the committee
that Mr. Rainey join them. Mr.. Hoar soon
returned with Mr.. Rainey on his arm, and
the two at the head of the committee marched
into the dining-room and took their seats at
the table prepared for the committee. This
was in the infancy of "civil rights" and
there was much staring and whispering on
the part OF the guests who were at break
fast, but no comments sufficiently loud to be
heard were made. The members of the
committee were especially attentive to Mr..
| Rainey, which soon established his status
on firm foundation. After this Mr.. Rainey
was not troubled with "indisposition," and
no question was raised at any place as to his
presence.-BaLimore Sun.