Evening journal., 1910-10-18
NEW NEWS OF YESTERDAY
The AriStOCrat and the Ex-
Slave Who We're Friends
By aHoIIand.p

In 1876 Blanche X Bruce, born in
slavery. and the first negro to sit in
the United States Senate, was made a
member of that body by the Missis-
sippi Legislature. Two years late
that state named as its other sena-
torial representative l.. Q. c. Lamar,
who had drafted the ordinance of Sc
cessiOn adopted by Mississippi. led his
regiment-at York town and Williams
burg, and otherwise labored assidu-
ously IN behalf OF the Confedera2y.
In color, in antecedents. in training.
in politics, the ex-slave and the man
who was destined to win a seat on
the United States Supreme Court,
were as far apart as the Poles; yet
shortly after Mr.. Lamar had become
senator n was noticed with more or
less astonishment in various quarters
that he and the senior senator from
Mississippi were on the most friendly
terms.
There are old residents in Wash
ington who doubtless can easily re-
call how Senator Lamar and Senator
Bruce used to walk arm in arm about
the residential streets Of the capital
city and through it's parks and
squares. Seemingly. it never occurred
TO the white man that the companion
OF his outings was OF another race,
that his early life had been spent in
bondage. And when Senator Bruce
retired from the Senate and became
Registrar OF the Treasury in 1881
the intimacy between him and Sena-
tor Lamar continued. their walks
about Washington being ample out
ward evidence OF their friendship.
Together, during all the period that
both men we're in the Senate, they
would visit the Postof1ice Department
relative to appointments. Whenever
It became necessary for him to go TO
the department. Senator Lamar would
courteously ask his negro colleague
to accompany him. and more than
once they we're seen making their way
there arm in arm, as though they
were old cronies. And II was noticed
that the advances Invariably came
from Senator Lamar; that Senator
Bruce did not presume upon the
official relations that existed between
him and Senator Lamar to force his
personal attentions upon the latter.
At the beginning Of Grover Cleve-
lands first term as President Senator
Lamar became Secretary of the In
terror. Not long thereafter be sent
word to Senator Bruce, then getting
ready 10 retire as Registrar OF the
Treasury. that he would like to see
him A little later the secretary was
receiving the registrar as he would
an old friend. and confessing to him
that he doubted whether he was as
we'll equipped for an executive Office
as he was for judicial or legislative
post But" he said, Il am going to
make as good a Secretary of the In
terror as I am able" Then he brought
up personal matter.
Senator" he asked, "how many
appointees Of yours are there in this
departments?"
WELL" replied Bruce, Il can't tell
off-hand. but possibly there is larger
number here than I should have asked
for"
do you think so. SENATOR" queried
Secretary Lamar. well have sent
/ for you simply 20 say this: Not one
OF your appolntees in this department
shall be touched. You can tell them
! all that they need feel no anxiety
they shall stay here as long as I am
Secretary Of the Interior"
Shortly after Justice Lamars death.
I'm 1893. Senator Bruce was reminded
of this incident
Judge Lamar was faithful to that
self-imposed and unsought for prom
ise,' said Bruce Not an appolntee
Of the Interior Department named on
by recommendation was removed by
him. And when I recall this and all
the other great kindnesses and the
solicitude he showed for me az all
times, do you wonder that I shall
speak of him as one Of the noblest
characters aud truest gentlemen l
have ever heard of or known"
Copyright. 1910, by e. ]. Edwards
All rights reqervaal