The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-12-27
VOL. XLVI.--N0. llS.
JOHN BROWNS MARBLE BUST
PRESENTED TO TIM RET. HENRF HTGH-
LAND G.iRNET ny hrs FRIENDS.


How the Coiored Artist Looks and Talks.
The tall, white object on the platform OF
Shiloh Presbyterian Church. in Sixth avenue.
last evening. enshrouded in a long sheet. was
only the bust OF John Brown. but It presented n
marvcllously ghostly and gravcliko appearance
undor the lowered gasNghts. 1t WAS the work
OF Miss Edmonia Lewis, the young colorcd
sculptrcss. who. prior to her return to Rome
desired to present 1t to the Rev. Henry High
land Garnet. the veteran abolitonist," who
many years ago encouraged Miss LOWS TO
persovcre In her determination to adopt art as a
profession. for which she was we'll fitted by
nature. The church was moro than two
thirds full. and probably one fourth OF the
attendance was composed OF white persons. 1t
was nearly o'clock when the Rev. Henry
Highland Garnet walked in. limping perccptl-
bly,, and using his stout stick less as n walking
cane than rs a crutch. lie was accompanied by
Miss Eyclna Williams. Miss Eimonia Lewis.
Charles Redmond Douglass. the Rev J. s. At
WELL MIR. Olnnd Bourne. and others. Miss
Lewis and Miss Williams took their sents in n
front pew. and the gentlemen ascended tho
platform. whore DR.. Garnet introduced the Rev.
J. S. Atwell as President The assembly sang
America" and then DR.. Garnet said that he had
brought Miss Williams there to assist him.
and he asked her to rsad tho Dying Cleo
patra." composed in honor of Miss Lowis's
work exhibited at the Philadelphia Exhibition.
Miss Williams is young colorcd woman. well
educated. and with pleasant intellectual face
Her voice is clear. anl OF sufficient strength to
be heard In every part Of the church. and her
pronunciation perfect. She was dressed tastc-
fully, AM when. having lnshod the reading Of
the poem, she bowed, calmly and gracefully.
and retired. hearty applause followed.
DIR. Garnet then addressed the assembly
After reiorrng briefly 10 his physical weakness
which prevented him from speaking loud or
long. he said that Miss LOWS. the talented
young artist who had honorcd the colored
people at home and abroad. had in her veins
the blood OF two races. both OF which had been
fearfully abused for ages pas, in this land. Her
mother was IN Indian. her father an african.
Many years ago. he said he had received a visit
from Miss Lewis. Shc was then q little girl.
Bho is not very big now but she was much
smaller then. She told him that shc was going
10 be an artist. and spoke so confidently OF her
future career that he WIS as,onished at her
boldness. Then. as he looked at her and
thought how small was her figure and how vast
her aspirations. a smile broke out upon his
face. Not q smile Of rdiDule. however" he
said. but smile of admiration, Tor had
learned very carly In life Il vDr TO dcspise tho
Efforts @; young pnrson~. put ny hani upon
bSr t-ai ana SAD, Go on. M eAllI
Neveril' l'essS ne know wei the almost insur-
mouh;Ri!c . inirulties tnnt woman OF her rdco
would have % encounter in pursuing IA career
Of art, and lie feared t0r her ultimate success
But she received words OF hope uud encourage
ment from other sources. MI. Garrison. whom
she saw soon atcrw9rl. told her not to despair.
hhe modelled baby loot from some clay and
showed il to aim. and the great abolitlonist's
eneoriu um was condensed into the two words,
Well done" She perseyercd nohy. and sur
mounted every obstacle. During Lrr arduous
and patient studies In sunny Italy, she found
that tie oor line was not drawn there. SO
rigidly as il is here. II tho beautiful hue of her
skln-. Tor ali cQloTed persons. the Doctor
my attention nj ali. il invar.a6iy made favor
abe imnressif9n and her success. 4 Sow, was
ders for nine busts OF John Brown and Of many
other distinguishcd p"tsens ot this country.
lneluding one of the .;allaut Col Shaw Of he
Tie speaker drs RS. Mss Lew!s's agitation
rs she stood by while the Commission - whose
iure for the Philadelphia Exhibition were max
ing thoir selections. she saw many pieces re-
white men and shc had lut little hope that ths
result Of her own ahors on the DYING Cleo
patra would he ndludgcd worthy Of accept
ance, But Tue comm s7iun"rs were men OF ialr
Hud impartial c'larHU ter and their knowledge
an instant 70 overlook t-e merits OF TIE young
eOlored uptress' work. They accorded IL u
kng thcir decision. and unable % conceal her
hhppingss. burst into tears. Ia the DAYS OF tri-
umph that followed wen her WORK was uni
yersaliy admired, the praises showered upon
her were 50 overwhelming that TO avoid hear
Ing them, she was obliged to absent herself al
pr Gagnsi tPcR II sPokS Orisjjy Of John Browns
Harper's Ferry. I said to him, Friend Brown.
It seems 10 me that there Is but little hope in
your undcrakng.' He replied: Friend Gar
per- FRY; butt DO. there viii be plenty Of
Thr speaker added that John Brown never IN
his NE swore drank iintoXiciiing Liquors. or
to comply now with a last request 81 his old
trsnd, B'iore starting Tor HarperS Ferry
want 5aur people to sing Blow YET tic Trumpet.
net said. pareuthrtically. So. niAet IN years
atcr his death, the ola abolitlonlsts request
Miss WlllMms read John Browns last letter
10 his children. AMI also his last spec 10. deiv-
cred in court al the close ot his trial and lust
before sentence of death was passed upon him.
At the close OF tho reading Mis5 LOWS was IN
yited upontle platform 90 anyeil the bcst. She
Is. de ldedly. a remarkable looking woman.
Her indian mOthers race rs seen plainly IN her
face though her hair seems 10 have much o!
tho Afr an tenden 10 crspncss. II rr .oun-
ish am ~ cannot ba said that there ar my very
marked indications 4 gen Us m il. Her hair is
eye- large and somewhat rolling. Her complex
lon Is nol 30 unr'np tomialhTy bNtrk as On" hrY.
Henry Highland Garne, - but u is Gum ieutY
dagk e. lose nolhing oi that htanlY Iqt which,
he says. colOred persons are famed. H"r ngure
Is short and plump, ana whatoyer her renl age
may be she might readily be- mistaken Tor an
eightGen year-Pid sfhlo2i laS gir s Sae was hand
somely dressed IN a oiAiS SliH dfesS' oi c,4no-
ably in front, II was trimmed with white, and
Bho wore a pair OF snowy Whlte kli gloves, ana
white lace ruflle around her neck. from which
long gold chain also hung.
She had no difficulty in unyeiling the bust
There were no strings or other Intricate cumbl-
nations attached t. the covering with Which 70
puzzle and entangle the unwary, She simply
seized hold OF tho sheet with both hands, and,
with more Nigor than ccremonya sho pulled II
of and pitched II into corner Then. ~ she is
no orator she retired proc pitatey 20 her seat
Tho bust was said 10 he lifo size. but II looked
heroic II had very heavy beard, with large
whskers and mouetaehe, and represented
Rrayo and thoughtful man, with careworn aud
Bomewh0t rugged face. II looked. perhaps,
younger than WIS ohm Brown when he started
Tor HaTper's Ferry.
Charles Redmond Douglass, the youngest son
OF Fred Douglass. delivered u hriei presentation
address and DR.. Garnet in reply said that since
the nnltyrdom Of John Brown, nineteen years
ago he had never ceascd to remember Dec. z
On that day he had met with his lock and many
white persons Of Now York IN his church, ana
they had prayed that God would by some
means sav0 the abolitonists life. They had
remained in their pews max ng short speeches
and praying. until tho hour OF execution was
past. And on every. ann Eersary Of that dark
day he and his people had mot In tho church
and had fitting exercises.