The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-09-18
An AtfabIg RgtOImeT.
Written for The Constitution.

should meet such man, stop and speak to
him. You will find that his name is Professor
Brandon. You will also discover from his con-
yersation that he is an Englishman, and you
will gather the impression that he is man of
learning and great traveller.
You will also discover that the professor is
character; that under his mild and shrinking
exterior is concealed the stuff out of which
martyrs are made. In quiet way the profess
sor has had a considerable career in Georgia.
He came south to take the position Of principal
of an academy in little village not handred
miles from Atlanta. So far as his scholarship
and his literary attachments we're concerned
he was admirably fitted to fill the position, and
the night when the debating society
of the town opened its doors
to the public and invited the citizens and
their families to hear the young men discuss
the grave questions that are usually settled on
these occasions. Naturally, the professor, as
the head of a literary institution, was asked to
participate in the debate, and, quite as natu-
rally, he gave his consent.
The mater under discussion had some bear
ing on the race question. l have forgotten its
exact terms, but it related to the social differ
ences and the social prejudices that exist be-
ween the whites and the negroes. Every
body turned out to hear the discussion, which
was in the nature of an event.
am told that number OF the young men
who participated gave evidence of remarkable
forensic ability, discussing the question with
degree of power rarely displayed on such occa-
sions; but this fact was lost sight of for the
time, for when Professor Brandon arose and,
in gentle and persuasive tones, proceeded with
his remarks, everything else was forgotten.
The audience, shocked and paralyZed, sat and
listened to sentiments that were never heard
in the village before, and will never be heard
there again.
doubt if there is any official report of the
professors remarks extant. If there was re-
porter present, he probably dropped his pencil
and neglected his duties. There are those,
however, who have a somewhat vague remem-
brance of the plea which the professor made.
According to good authority it was about as
follows
my friends, the time has come when civili-
cation and progress ought to shed a new and
searching light on tho matters which have
been engaging our attention. l shall keep you
but little while. have tendency TO hoarse-
ness and my voice is naturally not strong, but
l desire to say to you here and now that l think
you have totally miseonceived the grave and
far-reaching character of this discussion. 1t
goes far beyond the temporary question OF
social equality. l think, my friends, that
be convinced that the white man is not ethno
logically superior to the negro. 1t is common,
l am told, for those who hold the views that /
am now endeavoring to maintain, to be asked
whether they would be willing for their daugh-
ter to marry a negro. am frank to say that 1
should be perfectly willing for daughter OF
mine to marry respectable negro.
ITO show you why l am OF this opinion, I
will relate little circumstance which l
think is interesting apart from any bearing
may have on this discussion. Not very long
iago was present at the meeting of one Of the
most prominent pathological associations. In
close proximity at my side, in faet-sat a jet
black negro, who, at one stage Of the proceed
ings, arose, and, with the most perfect pro-
priety, announced that Grote had
and the fact that the jet-black negro was
correct in his criticism has been shown bysub
sequent historical events. Now, my friends,
do you not think it would be an honor to claim
such a negro as that as a member of your fam
ily?"
I need not say that the professors eloquence
failed to elicit a storm of applause, nor
was there any riot when he
took his seat. Shocked, the
people slowly dispersed; paralyzed, they made
their way home. A great silence fell on the
town. 1t had been outraged; but so affably
and innocently had the deed been done that
there was no protest.
But at midnight that night Professor Bran
don was aroused by knock at the door of his
lodgings. He arose, dressed himself, and adj
mitted one of the prominent citizens-a gen.
tleman who had been very friendly and appre-
ciative.
81 called" said the prominent citizen, ito
see if you were feeling anyways lonesome. |
just thought I'd drop in. Blamed il l don't
think the weather is worse than it was this
time last year.
'I'm very glad to see you indeed" said
Brandon; "but wasn't feeling lonely at oil
came home and read two of Horace's odes--
chow exquisite they are !)-and then said my
prayers and went to bed"
"Well," said his visitor "I used to own
niger named Horace, and he was a blamed
good one, but l never heard thath owed any
body. ms! inst thought Ia drop
wasn't lonesome and sort OF homesick. 1 know
blamed WE'LL" Colonel Galloway continued,
running his powerful hand through his bushy
gray hair, II know blamed we'll il = was a long
ways from home and had accidentally STUN
bled on to a line of discourse or argument, as
you may say, calculated to fret and poster the
entire population" here the colonel made
sweeping gesture with his long arm-"I would
feel right down lonesome. Maybe It's different
with yoa."
my dear SIR" exclaimed Professor Bran
don, with an affable smile, "when you have
travelled as much az / have your medium OF
observation and experience will undergo u
most radical change. Why. when 1 was in
Constantinople year before last was as much
at home as | was in Copenhagen few months
The colonel laid his heavy hand on Professor
Brandon's shoulder.
But how about fretting and Fostering the
population? Did you drop any remarks calcu-
lated TO make their gorge rise?'
81 delivered few lectures to the English
speaking residents on life in the Orient" re-
piled the Professor, still smiling placidly. sit
was all very pleasant, / assure you"
Colonel Galloway rested his elbow on the
small table and gazed into tho fame Of the
lamp. There was panied expression on his
face He looked at his watch; the hands
marked five minutes to one o'clock
sit is nearly train time,o he remarked.
Eyes" said the professor. "Do you know"
he added, "that when came here the concus-
sion Of the passing trains made me absolutely
nervous at night?
The colonel smiled peculiar smile. eyes.
they are mighty bad, ;" he said. Especially in
small town like this" Then he arose and went
out into the hall, returning almost Immediate
ly with a large new vaige. 81 brought this
along" he said by way ofexplanation, $50 that
ny wonld have no trouble about packing up
our things and I've brought your first quar-
tiers pay. You win have TO take the next
train 10 avoid trouble, and I've got everything
fixed"
1t was some time before the professor could
be brought to understand the situation, but
when he did understand, he accepted il 50
placdly and 80 cheerfully that Colonel Gala
way was amazed. The professors only regret