Widnes Examiner. — 1890-02-22 (Widnes, Cheshire, England)

HEROINE OF THE PRE-EMANCIPATION MM.—The American papers record amongst other victims of the influenza epidemic the name of Mrs. -Mlle° better known by her maiden name of Prudence Crandall. Miss Crandall belonged to what Mies Martineau-truly called the "martyr age" of the United Statesawhen the friends af human freedom had to work with the prospect of the gaol and Judge Lynch before their eyes. In 1832, Prudence Crandall, a young, gentle, and educated Quaker woman, opeoed a boarding And day school for girls at Canterbury, in the State of Connecticut. This academy was for the higher instruction of pupils who had passed through the classes of the common schools. A negro girl applied for admission. She was the daughter of a free black in comfortable circumstances; she was bright, intelligent, and a member of a Christian church. Miss Crandall decided to adsait her, and the other pupils made no objection whatever. But if they were "young and foolish," there were older heads to prevent such an unheard-of scandal. The Quaker schoolmistress was speedily informed by indignant parents that "they would not have it said that their daughters went to school with a nigger girl," and that Sarah Harris must therefore be expelled. Prudence Crandall was made of go New England stuff, and ref u-aiel to yield. The white children were withdrawn, and she then advertised in Garrison's Liberator that her school would be opeli to "young ladies and little misses of colour." The Canterbury people were still more indignant, ard a town's meeting was called to avert orabate the " nuisance" of a school where coloured children were to be educated. The resolutions adopted were couched in this spirit, and Mr. A. T. Judson, afterwards a judge of the United States District Court, waited upon ' Miss Crandall to represent to her the fixed determination of the people that no such school should be permitted either in the town of Canterbury or in any pail of the State of Connecticut. When the coloured pupils came to Miss Crandall's they were subjected to mean and almost nameless persecutions, and, other means failing, the Legislature passed the retrospective "Black Law" of 1833 for the suppression of the school. The bells of Canterbury were set ringing for joy when it was known that this infamous law had been added to the statute book. Miss Crandall was arrested, and, refusing to give bonds for good behaviour, was actually sent to prison and placed for one night in the cell that had been previously occupied by a murderer. The disgrace thus inflicted ,upon the State of Connecticut was deep, and the effect was very different to what the promoters of the law had .expected. When Miss Crandall was tried for the "crime" of educating negro girls, the first jury disagreed, but the second convicted her. An appeal was made to the highest court of the State, and the whole proceedings were finally- quashed on technical grounds. After an attempt had been made to burn down the schoolhouse, Prudence Crandall left Canterbury, but re- 1 mained to the end of her long and useful life the friend of the negro. She lived to see the race emancipated and to witness strenuous and liberal efforts for the education of the coloured children—the "crime" for which she was imprisoned in a murderer's cell. THE POPULAR BEVERAGE for Breakfast, Luncheon, Tea, wad Supper In all seasons is