Publication: THE NORTH STAR
Date: July 6, 1849
William C. NellTitle: Items from a Spectator's Journal. During a recent visit to Philadelphia,
Location: Rochester, New York
Items from a Spectator's Journal.
During a recent visit to Philadelphia, I was much interested with the several colored Schools, public and private, as also
various Institutions where indigent and children are charitably provided with the means of mental, moral and physical comfort.
So much has lately been transmitted through the North Star of the progress and resources of our brethren in the city of Brotherly
Love, that I feel justified in reserving the major part of my own lucubrations as a spectator. I cannot forbear however an
allusion to the North Star association, a circle of devoted anti-slavery friends who manifest a readiness in and out of season
to enlarge the circulation of the paper regarded by them as an efficient auxiliary in a good cause, and this too as I am happy
to learn without lessening their hearty good will and patronage of the other prominent anti-slavery periodicals. A meeting
was held under their auspices in Wesley Church, which was addressed by Robert Douglass, Jr., among others, in an elegant and
pertinent manner, setting forth the claims of the paper, and urging a generous support. I trust the Philadelphia North Star
Association will be successful in their effort, and that other cities will follow the example, thus creating a wide spread
impetus in its behalf. The paper has successfully redeemed the pledges given at the outset; the favorable testimony of the
Press generally to the ability displayed in its columns - the position it has already won as a faithful exponent of the colored
American - the channel through which his wants can be manifested - his incentives for improvement encouraged - his faults
rebuked, and his virtues exalted, are among the reasons why the hand and heart of himself and his friends should be zealous
in its support; its watchfulness of the schemes of our common enemy, Slavery, and its twin ally the American Colonization
Society; its bold tones in denouncing the former, and the skill in which it implies the scalping knife of truth to the latter,
alike commend it to patronage. As a class the colored people have not yet done their duty in sustaining an Anti-Slavery Press.
A few days since I heard an intelligent colored man rebuking another for not having subscribed for the Liberator, adding that
as long as he lived, the old pioneer sheet should be found on his table. Did but a similar spirit animate the nominally free
colored people, their cause would progress with most rapid strides.
WILLIAM P. POWELL, of New-York city, with a determination of keeping up to the times, has recently removed his colored Sailor's
Home, to 330 Pearl-street. A more favorable location could hardly be selected; the house is peculiarly adapted to his plan,
and can accommodate seventy persons. Spacious drawing and dining rooms, and private ones when desired by families. Library
facilities, sleeping and bathing departments, are all arranged in the most unique order; though termed the Seamen's Home it
is not exclusively such, and any who feel disposed to award their patronage will in the language of "mine host," "find every
attention paid to their comfort."
JOSEPH C. HOLLEY, recently an anti-slavery lecturer, though not now contributing as often as formerly to your columns is
yet helping the cause along at Brooklyn, precept and example, Like Roger Sherman of Revolutionary fame, when not directly
engaged in devising ways and means for the people's enlargement, employs his time at his shoemaking bench; his customers are
no less satisfied with his work on account of a complexion unlike their own. May he, like the above named patriot, be not
a peg behind his contemparies in Freedom's cause.
A visit to the Northampton Water Cure, and its enterprising proprietor David Ruggles, is at all times and particularly the
present, very gratifying, the success thus far attending his persevering efforts has warranted the erection of an additional
house, which is now about finished and ready for patients. The Water Cure is pleasantly situated near Bensonville, on the
west bank of Mill river, about two miles from Northampton Centre - the scenery around the building is a feast to the lover
of the picturesque and romantic, and invalids can enjoy their retired walls
Within a few years past, Boston has received quite an accession of colored citizens, a large majority hailing from the Southern
States, and who now rank among the most industrious classes, many quietly pursuing the even tenor of their way, securing the
means of comfort and elevation. There never was a greater libel uttered than charging the colored people with laziness. Indolent
ones of course there are whose presence and evil influences are a continual eye-sore to the better portion; but the masses
whether claiming a Northern or Southern origin as far as circumstances allow, honorably emulate the examples of enterprising
white men. Of this there are abundant facts in confirmation.
Boston and New Bedford, have each contributed their quota of colored adventurers in the California gold hunting expedition,
many of them have sacrificed long established business and fair prospects, investing much capital with the hope of realising
a fortune. As with the whites so with them, their mission is condemned by some and approved by others. In business relations
a colored man may now succeed if perseverance and patience be among his virtues. Daniel Laing is a co-proprietor of a Power
Printing Press, has now a fair share of patronage, as have also several journeymen compositors - more facts of this kind could
be mentioned. Colorphobia does not now seem as rampant as in days gone by. There are but few if any Omnibuses from which a
colored passenger is colonized. In Eating Saloons and Soda Refectories they are generally treated as others, and in places
of popular amusement, where the "upper ten" mostly do congregate, colored persons find ready access to seats of their choice
- and as an encouraging fact it may be mentioned, that in several instances this equality is practised where a few years since
the very shadowing forth of such an advance would have given altogether too much color to the idea.
WM. W. BROWN, who soon leaves for Europe, is an accredited delegate to the Peace Convention about to assemble in Paris and
to be presided over by Lamartine. How would American Republicans here at home reciprocate, if a colored delegate was sent
from Paris? We cannot answer - perhaps with fraternity and equality. WILLIAM G. ALLEN former editor of the Troy National Watchman,
is now lecturing in this vicinity on the history, literature, and destiny of the colored race, and with gratifying acceptance.
One individual who had never been known to express any favorable feeling for the colored man and his cause, on leaving the
lecture room the other evening confessed that the impression made on him by the subject as presented had given him new and
exalted opinions of the class hitherto deemed so inferior. - Thus a chord had been struck in his breast never before vibrating
to such sentiments. On Saturday evening June 2d, by invitation of WILLIAM J. BOWDITCH, Esq., a large delegation of colored
school children partook of picnic festivities in his beautiful grove at Brookline about five miles from the city. The weather
during the week had been extremely unpropitous, but on this day as if by benevolent design, a bland atmosphere, and cloudless
sky greeted the merry-hearted children, their friends and benefactors; a variety of innocent recreations were indulged in,
and not only by the juveniles, but by those of a larger growth, and that too most heartily. Several distinguished friends
of the anti-slavery cause were present, who consistently appreciated such an opportunity. On separating, rounds of happy cheers
were given in grateful testimony to the Proprietor and his lady, both of whom always appear most pleased when contributing
to the happiness of others. W.C.N.
Boston, June 1849.
