Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1881-11-25

James A, Smith (Democrat) U,757:
w. D. Howe, (Fusiou) 5O,161.
The majorities are as follows
LoWery's majority over King, 25,OO1;
Stands majority over Yellowly, 28,O9O;
Myers majority over Spellman, 29, $40;
Hemingway's majority over Bynum,
N,7l7; OWNS majority over Wimber
ly, 2S,398; Catchipgs' majority over
Fitzgerald, 26,724; Smiths majority
over Howe, 1856.
-
THE lecture last night by Mr.. Freder-
lex Douglass, on "Self-made Men, at
the Greenlaw Opera House, was highly
entertaining and instructive, and was
attentively listened to by On intelli-
gent audience, composed mostly of
colored people. There was, however,
fair sprinkle Of white citizens repre-.
senting both political parties. Mr..
Douglass is man Of fine presence,
easy manners, and has in an emf.
ment degree all the elements ofa great
platform lecturer. Recalling the ro-
mantle and pathetic aspects of his
life and seeing the man before South
ern audience now in the full power
and mellowness of a green old age, VIC
can well understand the sway he ex-
ercised over Northern audiences in
times past when he was looked
upon as the typs of a down.
trodden race. His life, viewed
from any standpoint, is invested
with peculiar interest. Rising like
Saul of old, a head and shoulders
above his people, he became their ad-
vOcate, defender and exponent.
Brought up under the most favorable
conditions and relations that could
exist under the slavery system in an
indulgent Southern family, he learned
to read and write at an early age, and
soon began to pine for freedom.
When grown he made his es.
cape and was warmly welcomed
at the North and afterwards in
England. He was not the first nor
the last slave that escaped, but he was
the only one that ever made what
might bo called an enduring national
reputation. He has been a conspicuous
figure for thirty or forty years. His
writings and lectures in all that time
mark him as a man of great intellectu.
ality. He was powerful accession
to the old Abolition party,
and had the advantage Of COM
ing in contact with all
its able leaders. From them he
learned the culture, the maunerisms
and the style which so distinguish him
now. He has enjoyed the confidence
and intimate association of such men
as Garrison, Wendell Phillips, Henry
Ward Beecher, Charles Sumner, Vice
President Wilson, Abraham Lincoln,
Andrew Johuson and host of others
whose names will ever be historic.
There has arisen in this
country but one Fred Douglas,
and he fills and will gil a large and
conspicuous niche in the history Of
the times in which he lived. 1t can
not be said that he derives his strength
Of character, hisequipose and original
ity from the African race, His mis-
sion has been to aid in the emancipa-
tion aud the moral elevation Of the
negro, but the fact remains that no
black mar has done such q work.
Ex- Senator Revels, Of Mississippi,
comes nearer up to his intellectual
standard than any colored man we call
to mind at present. Mr.. Douglas has
been fully recognized for his ability
and rewarded for his services. He has
| lived to see some of The
race he represents in Congress
aud all emancipated and made equs
before the law. He has held importan
offices, and is in easy circumstances
Ills lecture last night contained very
little to stir up old prejudices, ant
was full of sound thought, common
sense and good advice. Much that h,
said about the dignity and necessity o
labor should be laid to heart b.
both white and black. Their,
cannot be another Fred Douglas
but the humblest may learn lessons o
, patience, determination and self-ro
spect from him. He emphasized tn
great home truth that work, and no
luck, is what makes men, and tha
very considerable success may be at
tanned without great natural endOw
ments. The very respectful an
tender manner in which he spok
OF his old master, Captain Aul
whom he visited in Maryland, two O
three years ago, after an absence {
over forty years was quite touchin.
and showed that his heart was stirrc
by soft memories. He said; "W
, parted good friends, and Captain Aul
, has since gone to his long home;
shall soon follow" There was som,
b thing indiscribabls, mournful, y,
beautiful, in these words as uttered
tk;, cvor,- -booJnd coft rosoad olJ ~,