Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-12-04
The Color Line Abroad.

FREDERICK DOUGLASS ON THE STATUS OF THE NEGRO
IN EUROPE.
From Private Letter Published in Boston Transcript
The masses OF the people, both In France and in
England are sound in their convictions and feel
ings concerning the colored race The best ele-
ments OF both countries are just and charitable
towards u.s. had the great pleasure yesterday OF
an interview with member, may say venera-
BILE and highly distinguished member, OF the
French senate, NJ. Schoelcher, the man who In the
nrst hours OF the revolution OF 1S4s drew up the
decree and carried through the measure OF enamel
patton to the slaves in all the French colonies.
senator Schoelcher is now over eighty years
old, but like many other European statesmen,
is still able to work. He attends the senate
daily, and in addition to his other labors
ne Is now writing the life OF Toussatnt the hero of
testimonial OF the gratitude OF the emancipated
people OF the French colonies is seen in his house
In the shape OF figure OF Liberty In bronze break
Ing the chains OF the slave. The house OF this
venerable and philanthropic senator has in it
many of the relics OF slayeholding barbarism and
cruelty. Besides broken letters and chains, which
had once CALLED the limbs OF slaves, he showed Inc
one iron collar with four huge pr0ngs placed upon
the neckS OF refractory slaves designed to entan-
gle ana impede them in the bushes IL they should
attempt 10 run away. had seen the same hellish
implements in the states, but did not know until
saw them here that they were also used In the
French islands
N. Schoelcher spoke much in praise of Thomas
Jefferson, but blamed Washington The latter
couid nave, ne said, abolished slavery, and that it
American republic. l spoke to him OF Alexander
dumas. lie said he was a clever writer, but that
ne was noth1ng In morals or politics. He never
SAID one word for his race. So we have nothing to
thank Dumas for. Victor Hugo, the white man.
could speak for us, but this brilliant colored man.
VINO could nave let down sheets OF fire upon the
heads OF tyrants and carried freedom to his en-
shaved people, had no word in behalf of liberty or
the enSlaVed. Ihave not seen his statue here in
Paris shall gotO see it, as 1t is an acknowledge
ment OF the genius OF q cOlOred man, but not be-
cause honor the character OF the man himself
Tuesday, through the kind offices of Mr. Theo-
dore stanton, who procured tickets for us, had
the pleasure, with him and Mrs. Douglass, OF sit
ting In the forward part OF the gallery Of the
french house OF deputies, and listening to the de-
LDeratlonS OF that august body, answering to our
House OF Representatives, but with powers more
enlarged. Colored faces are scarce in Paris.
Q days ramble. They are mostly from Haytt and
the French colonies. They are here as Students
and make very respectable appearance met
the other day, at the house OF Pere Hyacfnthe
MI. Janv1er, OF Hayti, young man OF the color of
our Well-remembered friend Samuel r. Ward who
Is one OF the finest scholars and most refined gen.
tlemen In Paris: was very much delighted to
the colored race, and to find him SO highly appre
ctated by civilized ladies and gentlemen Of Paris
II race can produce one such man, it can produce
many.