The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1891-09-15
BLANCHE K. BRUCE,
Interesting "reminiscences of the
Famous oolored Statesman
WHO WILL SPEAK IN WHEELING
On Emancipation Day.-,How He Has
Made Friends Everywhere His
First Meeting and Subsequent In-
terytcw With u Proud Sffssourian.

Tho following extract from Wash
ington letter will be of special interest
to Wheeling people in view Of the fact
that Mr.. Bruce is to be the orator Of the
day, at the Emancipation celebration
here on the 22d instant:
eve have met before"
Quite q simple sentence that, and yet
it is historic and dramatic. Mai. ]. J..
Moan, q leading newspaper writer, in
the rooms OF the Press club one even
ing recently, told the story in his
graphic style. He said:
"There never was a more gentleman
" and polished statesman in either
House OF Congress than Blanche X.
Bruce, who at one time was q represen.
tative OF the state OF Mississippi in the
United States Senate. He is Il man OF
distinguished appearance, with the
physical strength Of the African race
and the intellectually Of tho Caucasian
happily combined. His African anCes.
tors were OF the higher type, and his
father was one of the most cultured Of
our best white families You know
there arc tribes and families in Africa,
as there are in other continents, and
among other races. Some negroes are
superior men, and their ancestors have
been superior men for many genera
tons. Albeit they have lacked educa-
tionai advantages, such as modern civ
ilization presents, they have steadily
developed, as other races have devel-
oped, BY traditional education. Then,
again, there are tribes in Africa whose
members cannot count more than two,
nor appreciate anything beyond their
aboriginal surroundings. The lower
orders OF slaves were bought and sold
ut low figures, in the dark days OF alav-
cry in this country, while the higher
types were more valuable. They were
regarded as Chattels, in those days,
and were classified in value according 10
their intelligence or lack thereof.
"Well, rs was saying, Senator Bruce
came Of one OF the best types OF the
negro race, on his mothers side, while
his father was a member OF distin-
Cuished and highly cultured family.
At an earlyaige he left Mississippi. and
went to Missouri. where he'resided and
supported himself for number OF
years by his own labor. When it he
came possible for him to return to- Mis-
sissippi, in the days OF reconstruction, he
did so. He was elected sheriff OF his
county, saved his money, was frugal,
and ultimately was elected to the senate
bv the legislature OF Mississippi, the
first negro ever honored with such q
position in,the ,history OF our country.
He came to Washington, appeared Ber
fore the vice president, took the oath
OF office, and assumed his seat. lie
was quiet, unobtrusive, dignitied and
handsome. He was not very warmly
welcomed by all OF his colleagues OF his
own party, while senators on the
other side OF the chamber
scarcely recognized him. His
wife was beautiful woman, intelligent,
educated, yirtuous and attractive, yet
society did not easily accede to her the
standing which is usually accorded in
Washington to the wife. Of a United
States Senator. But neither the sena-
tor nor his wife seemed toexpect imme-
diate recognition, socially; and they
were certainly not solicitous OF recognl-
tion. so far as could be judged by APP
pearances. They did not obtrude them
selves upon a social world which was
diliatory in extending thehandot fellow.
ship. They accepted conditions ana
surroundings, as they found them. SEN
ator Bruce, in answer to an interroga-
tory OF u friend, one day said: Il have
been informed by an old adage that
Rome was not builded in day; and l
do not expect the conditions OF the
greatest republic on earth to be changed
in single generation for the comfort
and happiness OF race; certainly not
for the delectation OF single member
of that race. | am satisfied And lie
was
SIN the senate chamber Mr.. Bruce
was always busy. He was writing let
tiers to his constituents, preparing bills
or drafting reports uponbill which had
been referred to him in the various
committees Of which he was. q member;
and, occasionally, making brief speeches
upon pending measures. But III every
thing which lie said and did he was
almost an ideal senator in dignity, self
composure and manliness. Rapidly he
made friends, for manly men always Sc
cure recognition among their peers, re-
CARELESS OF adverse circumstances.
"Lcwis V. Bogy was at that time one
OF the senators from the great State Of
Missouri. He was d wealthy man, de-
scended from one Of the pioneer French
families OF the Mississippi Valley, and
was very naughty and proud. lie was
n gentleman OF great deal more than
ordinary ability, of distinguished pres
ence, aud was recognized us one OF the
leading men OF his party in the Senate
Hepever, by word or look, gave rec39g
milton Of any kind to the colored gentle
man who at that time represented, IL
part, the. great State OF mississippi
They passed and rephssed each other on
the floor of the Senate, i'll tho caplto
corridors, in the restaurant, in commit
tee rooms, but were not acquainted be
cause Senator Bogy evidently did moi
desire an acquaintance with the gentle
man OF an inferior race who had attain
ed the dignity and honor OF senator
shin from Southern State. Indeed
he had said, in private conversations
that he would never recognize Bruce
and had expressed surprise that ever
members Of his own party in the Senate
would affiliate with negro. The reader
will scarcely be able to appreciate thu
bitterness of feeling which then ex
listed, without having lived n'Wash
+. ington and having been acquainted
with the circumstances OF that day. 1
was not unnatural, and therefore mo-
reprehensible, for Senator Bogy to en-
l.. 10