The bee., 1884-01-19
LOUISE CLARA.


have been waiting and watching for those
letters from me on our Washington Socie-
ty? As told you it will be impossible
for me to write everything in one letter.
therefore I shall deal with our society in
general to begin with. As you we'll know
that our society is nothing like it used to
be in days gone by, in the time of VIM.
slade, Samuel catcher, the Cooks, the
Chases, the Parks, Browns, Syphaxes,
Wormlys and others. In those days the
Washington society was what may call
looked upon themselves with respect.
The social circle would not dare to admit
drunkards, gamblers and other men in
their houses; married men were considered
gentlemen and knew where they belong
| ed and how far to go. They were differ
ent from what they are now. | know
when mama was young the parties were
given different. was looking over her
scrap-bOok | saw plainly that on one oc-
casion there was sOciable given by one
of our prominent eolorcd society people
and among those present, were Mr.. and
Mrs.-C. and daughters and not Mr.
and Miss c married man, leaving Mrs.
c at home. Our girls were more digni-
fled and reserved. Comparing our society
when then with this now, records will
show that society scorned fresh married
men, gamblers, horsejockies, and the
drunkard, but now the best of the Wash
ingtOn society don't seem to be happy
unless this class of men is admitted.
Some people claim that an ignorent pei son
has no sense. Can you deny the fact,
that our mothers and fathers were ignOr-
ant? Is it surprising to know that our
parents were subjected to servitude that
our best society were servants and were
compelled to entertain in the kitchen of
white people and thought at that time
that they were in paradise? | see some
men and women now who were hotel
walters, ,cOachmen, chamber maids, cooks.
washerwomen, seamtresses and the like,
all holding now prominent positions in
society. Then there Is another class
like the above, who have discarded their
parents because they are black In days
gone by the line never was drawn, except
when the Lotus club organized which en-
deavored to establish cast i'm our cOmmun-
lty. The servants, washerwoman, the
bcllmen, waiter. eOachmen and others
had just emerged from their former con-
dition and organized caste organization.
Some of the members desired first to keep
out the blacks and have Il mulatto organ
ization, but ut that time the blacks were
holding the best positions and drawing
more money than the class that desired to
establish caste, hence it was decided to
bring i'll the blacks. The Lotus club con-
sisted of strangers to great extent.
Their plan OF action was to run out the
old citizens. Prof J. p. S. who was one
of the most prominent men severely crit
cised the action of the Lotus club which
very soon after Was disbanded. The 155l,
street Presbyterian church had been sejz-
Ell Dy the strangers and the color line
drawn again, the citizens of more intelli-
gence got control of it and placed it bacl,
to its former condition. Mr. l.. one of
the elders had great deal to do with es-
tablishing reform. Some of our citizens
who had been contaminated by the in
iluence of the strangers commenced TO
realize the condition in which they de-
sired to place our respectable community.
joined hands and rebelled. Mr.. and Mrs
T. were prominent members of society:
their house was always open to citizens
In those days such people as they, could
past for white, but they honored their
race, and would notnide their idenity, The
yonng ladies were very careful with
whom they associated, it was general
rnle that the person had to be known be-
fore he was admitted to the social circle
at this time can assure you. that tbere
are several respectable families that gen.
orally make an investigation before one
OF these characters from the states are ad-
mitted Our girls make gross mista kes in
admitting Tom, Dick and Harry to their
houses when they know nothing about
them, only as government employees. i
Know OF several cases where men and
women came here from other states and
are placed in positions and within a few
months you can hear the by word, so
he is gentleman" he is in the govern
ment. Our more intelligent refined so-
eiety at this day and time judge people
by their money and position although he
may be gambler, libertine, drnnkard or
some other notorious character. Clara,
take my advice and be careful with whom
you associate. You are we'll aware that
you are to be married soon to gentleman
that this community and the country
honors. To show him respect, you must
respect yourself. know when you shall
have reflected in your married state, the
passers by cannot say that there is Clara,
an immoral girl that was false to the man
before united into the holy bonds of we'd
lock. l can point out to yon this day
people in whom the world confide, but,
alas alas! In my next shall deal with
society in '63, and tell you the mode of
/ Il