Year: 1869

Tho Negroes and the Inauguration Ball.


Shall negroes be admitted to the Inaugural


tion ball at Washington? ''That's the ques-


ton" But why not? Why should the radi-


Gals seek to evade the logical consequences Of
their prolonged efforts to hoist the negro into


position towards which it is but just to Sambo


to say that he has manifested no Extensively


covetous inclination? Why should Mr.. Sumner,


or Old Ben Wade, or Miss Anna Dickinson be
debared from opening the ball, each with


dusky partner? The gracefulness, the elegant
manners, the livelness, the tasteful costumes,
the conventional propriety and the undisputed


beauty which before the war used to consti-
tute the charm of ''quadroon balls" in New
Orleans, might well enhance the attractions Of
a ball at the Treasury building in Washington.
II any Of the dukes and duchesses Of the crea-
tion of the ex-Emperor Soulouque should also
be present at the ball their gorgeous attire
and mellifuously sounding titles would delight
even the Jenknses Of the radical newspapers.
Nevertheless one radical newspaper feels con-
strained to appeal to the recognized ''under-
standing Of some Of the elements of high
breeding" on the part Of our colored fellow
citizens, in order to induce them, inasmuch as
some Of the managers Of the ball dispute their
right to be present, ''to treat the whole affair
with lofty contempt by refusing to patronize
it," ., We may at least hope that this Jesuit
cal appeal will not be successful in excluding
George T. Downing, chip Of the old block.
although shade lighter than the old block,
from serving up supper at the Inauguration
ball-if such be his ambition-worthy Of his
own and his fathers reputation. The ladies
of Washington, Philadelphia, New York and
even Boston are said to be hesitating whether
they shall order new and fashionable toilets
for the Inauguration ball. They are waiting
to learn whether Dinah and Susannah will be
admitted to It. But even If admitted it would
be difficult for Dinah and Susannah to outstrip
their feminine rivals Of Caucasian descent. In
fact, as between the two colors, we have no
doubt that Dinah and Susannah would be
thrown in the shade. It is undeniable, how
ever, that, short sleeves and low neck, ebony
or mahogany, the charms of an African belle
in pure white are brought out in very shining
relief But, after all, it appears by late ad-
VICES from the national capital that such
Charms will shine at the Inauguration ball
only by their absence. What we intimated
above is confirmed by our Washington corre-
spondent, who says, sSambo has had no de-
sire to 20 to the ball at ALL" He adds that the
letter to Mayor Bowen asking whether
negroes would be admitted was put up
job" and was written not by negro but by
certain ''rollicking blades" whose object was
''to sell" the Mayor. The respectable colored
men of the district, headed by Downing, the
caterer, and Booker, the hair artist, have no
titled the committee that they and their friends
have no intention or desire to go to the ball.
Taking high-toned view Of the matter, 'they
recognize that the ball is something arranged
by, q party Of private gentlemen in honor of
Gen, ,>ral Grant, and that those gentlemen have
q right TO invite whom they please, or to sell
tickets to whom they please" Many white
radical might take lessons in true instructive
politeness from bis colored brethren.