Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1891-05-07
Ex-sEvAroR n. n. BRUCE.
His Visit Here ON Thursday and Address
at the Bruce Association Reception.


The leading colored citizen of the United
States. Hon. B. K. Bruce, eX-United States
senator from Mississippi visited the city
on Thursday ana made the address at the
sixth annual reception of the Il. X. Bruce
Association at the Institute Hall.
The ex-senator who has also held the
position of registrar of the treasury and
who Is now recorder of deeds for the Dis
trict of Columbia arrived here at 5 o'clock
Thursday afternoon. He was met by a
committee of the Bruce Association and
was driven to the residence of Elias Ander-
son, No. 800 Tatnall street.
A representative of THE GAZETTE
called there and hao the pleasure of an ex-
tremely interesting chat with the ex-sen-
ator. Mr.. Bruce is remarkable man.
independent of the fact of his national
prominence, he Immediately impresses his
visitor with a weighty impression of his
personal gifts. He is extremely versatile
and a most attractive onversationallst.
In reply to the reporters questions he very
modestly disclaimed any individual credit
on the score of the success of his public
career. He thought that had he been a
citizen of Alabama instead of Mississippi
he would never have entered the United
States Senate
There are colored men in that Staten
he quickly added whose mental acquire
ments are quite equal and would probably
same opportunities | had. But consider
all these things only as evidence of the
glorious liberty, equality and freedom
afforded by the constitution"
The burden of the ex-senator's CONVERSE
ton is the race problem and the multi
tndinous question affecting the hopes and
aspirations of his race.
Up to 8 o'clock the house where he
stayed was continuously invaded by dele
cations of colored citizens anxious to do
honor to their leader.
Ii was o'clock before he made his ap-
pearance at the Institute Building. The
lecture hall was beautifully decorated for
the occasion. The platform was mass of
flags and greenery, palms, potted plants
Asbury G. Sterling, president Of the
Bruce Association, was in the chair. Others
on the platform were the Rev. w. d. Cook
of Bethel A. NJ. Il. Church, Charles Mason,
James ). Jones, James f. Bell, William A.
Page, Elmer Davenport, w. H. Wright, G.
1, Gray. Samuel H, Baynard, William
Atwell, j. w. Jones, William Waters and
others.
President Sterling introduced the Rev.
w. d. Cook, who in turn introduced in a
brief speech the speaker of the evening,
ex-senator Bruce. Notwithstanding the
poor acoustic qualities of the hall, Mr..
BrlIce's fine oratorical powers enabled him
to be easily heard throughout heightened
and most eloquent discourse upon the
Race Problem The address was fre-
quently interrupted with hearty applause.
Senator Anthony Higgins, who had
promised to be present, did not put in an
appearance at any time throughout the
evening.
Refreshments were served at II o'clock.
Following some delightful music by j.
9. Wright's orchestra the benches were
cleared away and the guests indulged in
dancing The committee on reception
was as follows; Master of Ceremonies,
James #. Bell; Floor Manager, William
A. Page; Assistant, Elmer Davenport;
William Atwell, ]. W. Jones, William
Waters.