Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1879-04-18
Local
FRED. DOUGLAS IN STAUNTON.

Local
FRED. DOUGLAS IN STAUNT0N.
HIS RECEPTION-THE LECTURE ATTEND
EDDY MANY PROMINENT WHITE CITI-
zENs AND LADIEs-sKETCH OF IT.
Sc, &C.. sc.
Tt having been understood for some
weeks that the famous Fred Douglas,
who is, with the exception perhaps Of
Prof. Lapgston, the ablest colored man in
the United States, would be here to lecture
on Tuesday night in aid OF the Jubilee"
now being held at the Augusta Street
colored Methodist church, a good deal of
curiosity had been aroused to see and hear
him. The desire to see was chiefly felt by
the colored people, but the desire to lear
was equally shared by the whites. At
5 O'Clock the crowd of blacks at the Val
ley R. R. depot saw him descend from the
cars with Rev. Mr.. Perkins, a colored
minister of Maryland. They took car
rage and were driven to the Virginia Ho-
tel, the leading hotel Of the city, where
they registered and were assigned to rooms.
After tea, taken in the general dining
room, the lecturer, who had received calls
from several of the prominent white citi-
zens of Staunton, repaired to the church.
Mr.. Douglass is now over sixty years OF
age, his complexion being what is known
c,I foot
in height and of large stature he begins
to show the stoop of advancing years. His
hair is the regulation wool but white as
snow and flows wide over his shoulders.
He was dressed in black broad cloth suit
and wore a light colored felt hat. He is a
man Of great information procured eby in
cessant reading, of strong common sense
of gentlenlanly bearing and of kindly heart.
The last named possession was evidenced
but a few months ago when bearing that
his former owner in Maryland was IN de-
clining health, he went long journey to
see him for the last time. The former re
lation of owner and slave had changed to
that of firm friends and his final interview
with his former master is said to have
been deeply affecting. His interest IN the
welfare of his race since emancipation. has
been unceasing butdiffered from the politi-
eian's in that his efforts have been chiefly
directed to the improvement of their con-
dition and teaching them the value OF up
right manhood, though he has not been
able to separate himself altogether from
the excitement of campaigns and now and
then is as excited and unjust in his views
as the veriest politician. He is not pol
itician however, nor an office seeker and
his present place as U. s. Marshal OF the
District of Columbia, is, we believe, the
first he ever held under government. ex-
cent that on one occasion he acted as Com
missioner to Hayti. He is an agreeable
speaker and admirably adapts his argu-
nent to mixed audience such as ne lec-
tured to Tuesday night. The audience was
fullv one half white and included many OF
chr nrominent citizens and large number
of ladies'. The City Council. Tuesday
evening, that being the regular meeting
night paid Mr.. Douglas the compl-
ment of adjourning to attend his lecture.
His STYLE as lecturer is extremely enter
ea;ning and quite frank. He said some OF
sths plainest things to both the blacks and
whites as to their duties. To the former
he remarked, .sWe must quit our old tricks
and be upright and honest men,"
.,d then he told the story OF the
oo1o red preacher who being invited
NV n lantation owner to say something In
bic serr ION about the sin of chicken steal
ing, obie, tied on the ground that 1t would
..tbrow a .,ampness over the meeting" 10
tho uhites re said-''Its no use OF your
talking about our going away from you.
We are not 90 ing. We were raised up
With Won and we like you and we are going
ito stay right here aud grow up Win you
you talk about our dying out like Indians.
WIN we are not like the Indians +! Give
the Indian blanket ard a gun ana some
feathers and he is satisfied, put where Can
won find a darkey that don't want a oeave
and coat cut in the latest style: LIZ
advised colored men to learn and WORK
and 90 to congress like he intended TO 40
Iaughter). s'You needn't laugh" SAID LIE
sneaker, .sIf can stand congress reckon
oonrrass can stand me-" In urging the
blacks to discard their old habits ne SAID,
..vou must baptize frequently" and then
with ouizzical look he added ''you know
nee water. use it frequently" His sallles
of humor were received with hearty laugh
for nv both colors in his audience. In In
trodncing Mr.. Douglas, his companion
n. Raw Mr.. Perkins said it was through
his efforts the speaker had been lnouceo
to visit Stanton but he found from the
large crowd of colored people at the depo'
compared with the number present LII 'iio
church. the chief anxiety had been TO see
him. We give below sketch OF NIL =
lecture on
sELF-MADE MEN.
At night the large audience, nearly one
,1al.e being white, assembled in the coloreo
M r. Church to hear the Hon. Fred.
DOUGLAS deliver discourse on "oell-maoe
men,, The evening was opened by the
singing of the Little church IN tne
vood.' by- the Jubilee Singers. and
.sprayer.n by Madam Dunn, of Baltimore
both of which were very creditable per
formances. The Rev. Mr.. Perkins, OF
MARYLAND. after few very sensible
remarks as to the colored people living on
,ood terms with the whites. introduced
HON. FRED. DOUGLAS,
who delivered an addressed over two hours
duration. full Of wholesome advice to
h. nth white and black. MI. Douglas is
w. suasiye and eloquent speaker, and dug
inc he entire length of his speech Their
,,vas not symptom of impatience amonf
his aud fence. He was formerly the slaV