The banner-enterprise., 1884-08-09
DID NOT WANT HIM TO RIDE W.THWH1TE
PEOPLE.

WILMINGTON. N. G. June, oOth, 1854.
TThe following would have been published
before, but was mislaid.-Ed.
Mr.. EDIToR:-I am q student of the Yves
tern Theological Seminary, Allegheny City,
Pa. 1t has become my pleasure to spend
my vacation in your State, engaging in cir
c~ulating the word of Of God, both il. print
and by speech; q colporteur as you may
term me. My mission is one hof lsve for
the salvation of souls, it matters not wheth-
er those souls be incarceratcd in white or
black bodies. The great injunction Of our
word to his apostles is eco we out into all
the world and preach my gospel to every
creature
Having promised the good brethren at
Smithville. that / would be with them on
Sabbath last, / decided so down on Satur-
day afternoon. Arriving at the wharf where
| was directed to take the Steamer for the
above named place; / saw lying there at the
dock, a very common looking little concern
called the "Steamer Louise" Being inform
ed that she would be the last, and only boat
for Smithyille that afternoon, | went aboard
with the intention Of paying Tor, and getting
the best passage obtainable. | was success
full in doing so though, with much difficulty.
After taking my seat, q little white man
whose appearance bore a striking similitude
to that of the boat, approaching me in the
following manner; "Look ere, you're sittin'
in de wrong place, colored people can't ride
ere on dis deck" Indeed? said I, "yes,,
dey ride down dere." Where in the hold ?
'Yes." The reply to the audacity of this
little man brought forth a we'll charged vol
ley of law and logic, from before which, he
vanished.
A few moments had elapsed, which | pre-
sumo gave him time for recovery from the
first attack, he reappears with another tale.
This time he brings with him another man
whom he declared had chartered the boat.
At this the man spoke up and said that if he
was to pay for the boat, why none could ride
up there but his own. But on seeing that
such 1imsy, frivolous objections had not
weight enough to move me, he hauled his
little boat out into the stream and sailed for
Smithviile. a
As we sailed on, | noticed several eolored
men and women, who were just as intelligent
in appearance and refined in manners, for |
did not see item drinking whisky, smoking
cheap cigars and sinking pipes, coming out
of the hole and sitting on dirty boxes and
barrels on the lower deck, while they paid
the same fare, and ought to have received
the same accommodation that the white pas
sengers received who rode on the upper
deck. en tss4els
The thought then occurred to my mind,
why is it that colored people take such &C
commodations while there are other public
c~onveyances running the same route, upon
which they may enjoy the full benefits of
their right and privileges.
Now, on the line to Smithyille, there are
other boats running, more respectable look
ing, and managed by parties who will give
first class accommodations for first class
fare. asa 7ata4 e
Let the colored people learn to patronize
those and those only who recognize them
as fellow citizens fellow men and fellow
women.
] am yours sincerely,
II. Il. WILSON.