The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1888-12-05
Selected Storp.
Professor Brandon.

uuy IL llu1 TdlHbI ulutI llculul1 hclSuI.
with full beard, dreamy, far-away
look in his blue eyes and an elusive
manner that is sometimes called timid
ity by those who talk at random-if
you should meet such a man, stop and
speak to him. You will find that his
name is Professor Brandon. You will
also discover from his conversation
that he is an Englishman, and you will
gather the impression that he is man
of learning aud a great Traveller.
You will also discover that the pro-
fessor is al character; that under his
mild and shrinking exterior is con-
cealed the stuff out of which martyrs
are made. In a quiet way the professor
has had considerable career in
Georgia. He came South to take the
position of principal of an academy in
little village not hundred miles
from Atlanta. So far as his scholarship
and his literary attachments were con-
cerned, he was admirably fitted TO fill
the position, and he gave unbounded
satisfaction until 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 man discuss the grave ques-
tions that are usually settled on these
occasions. Naturally, the professor,
as the head of literary institution,
was asked to participate in the debate,
and, quite as naturally, he gave his
consent.
The matter under discussion had
some bearing on the race question. l
have forgotten its exact terms, but it
related to the social differences and the
social preiudices that exist between
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 occasions; 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 senti-
ments that were never heard in the vii
lage before, and will never be heard
there again.
l doubt if there is any official report
of the professors remarks eXtant. II
there was reporter present, he prob.
ably 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 il
was about as follows:
"My friends, the time has come
when civilization and progress ought tC
shed new and searching light on the
matters which have been engaging oul
attention. shall keep you but little
while. l have tendency TO hoarse
ness and my voice is naturally no
strong, but l desire to say to you here
and now that l think you have totally
misconceived the grave and far-reach
ing character of this discussion. Il
goes far beyond the temporary question
of social equality. think, my friends
that before l am done you will be con
WINGED that the white man is not ethno
logically superior to the negro. 1t il
common, am told, for those who hole
the views that | am now endeavorin!
would be willing for their daughter t.
marry negro. l am frank to say tina
l should be perfectly willing for
daughter of mine to marry respect
able negro.
"To show you why | am of thi
opinion, will relate little circum
stance which l think is interestn!
apart from any bearing it may have OF
this discussion. Not very long ago
was present at the meeting of one o
! the most prominent pathological asso
0 Citations. In close proXimity-at m
side, in fact-sat a jet black negro, who
at one stage of the proceedings, arose
and, with the most perfect propriety
announced that Grote had misinteI
preted a passage from Thucydides, an
the fact that the jet-black negro wa
correct in his criticism has been show
by subsequent historical events. Now
my friends, do you not think it woul
be an honor to claim such a negro a
= that as member of your family?"
r need not say that the professor
eloquence failed to elicit a storm of az
plause, nor was there any riot when h
/. took his seat. Shocked, the peopl
slowly dispersed; paralyzed, they mad
their way home. A great silence fe
on the town; it had been outraged; bu
so affably and innocently had the dee
been done that there was no protest.
But at midnight that night Professo
Brandon was aroused by knock at tn
door of his lodging He arose, dresse
himself, and admitted one of the prom
nent citizens-a gentleman who ha
been very friendly and appreciative.
- called - said the prominent cit
zen, 10 see II you were ieeling any
drop in. Blamed if l don't think tn
weather is worse than it was this tim
last year"
elm very glad to see you indeed,
said Brandon; A." but l wasn't feelin
lonely at all. came home and rea
two of Horace's odes-(how exquisit