National Republican., 1885-01-17
FRED DOUGLASS, PHILOSOPHY
The Famous Old Man Wakes Eio-
quent 20 a Visiting Party OF Young

quent TO "a Visiting Party OF Young
People.
Miss Hattie A. Morris, Of Cleveland, o.,
accompanied by party of friends from
Harvard university, visited Hon. Fred
eriok Douglass at his home q day or two
since, and spent several hours in social
converse with him and Mrs. Douglass.
The presence of tho young people called
forth many "reminiscences Of his past life
and happy remarks Of practical wisdom.
Referring to the discouragements, which
young men encounter, he said, that
man can not ordinarily expect to rise to the
topmOst round of successful achievement
by single bound without taking
the intermediate steps. He observed
in the time of the California fever that
those who took money with them brought
back nothing those who went empty
handed, depending on diligence and
economy, returned in possession Of wealth.
Referring to his own early experience he
said. in the frst few years of his public
life, having thon wife and four children,
no received salary of only 1850 year,
but managed to lay by portion Of this
for future use.
Speaking of tho A. N. E. Church
Reuiew, published by DIR. Tanner, Of
Philadelphia, which he had recently
read he praised it in glowing terms, and
said that while it made no pretension to
excellence In artistic skill it nevertheless
contained much valuable information set
for til inwell written articles. "As tho first
literary magazine of the colored race" he
said, "it is most creditablo and we have
reason to be proud of it. Twenty years
ago like production would have been
impossible"
II am engaged in reading the writings
and speeches Of Romes ancient senators
and statesmen" he said, referring to his
book -strewn table. "In. my reading
observe one thing in particular-tho pro-
| fundity and incisiveness Of their style.
Such laconic brevity is scarcely obsery-
able in the utterances Of modern states
manship. The Roman senator cracks tho
nut and gives you the kernel. We have
not made much progress in these matters
since their time"
In answer to the suggestion of the de-
sirableness of an authentic publication of
his lectures and speeches, he said it was
his hope at some time to arrange these
| for publication along with collection of
his letters. He wished something to be
left as q memorial of his work, humble
though it was. 1t might in some way
help to weaken the force Of the criticism
some one has made, That If the negro
were sunk in the depth of the sea, all
that the negro has done and the negro
himself would be forgotten within twenty
years"
During their visit the company wal
served with tea. Mrs. Douglass pres iding
The members of the party were deeply
impressed with the generous hospitality
of the host, and realized that they were
in the presence of man of varied ex'
pericnce, having mind stored with use
full knowledge; and the success of whose
life illustrates the difference between
mere knowledge and practical wisdom.
On the departure of tho company Mr.
and Mrs. Douglass followed them to the
door. and all were delighted with the
charming beauty of the view of Wash
ington and tho Potomac illumined will
the glory Of the setting sun.