Martin R. Delany - The Condition, Elevation, Emigration, and Destiny of the Colored People of the United States

M >> Martin R. Delany >> The Condition, Elevation, Emigration, and Destiny of the Colored People of the United States

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David Jones Peck, M.D., a graduate of Rush Medical College, a talented
young gentleman, practised Medicine for two years in Philadelphia. He
left there in 1850.

William H. Allen, Esq., A.B., successor to Professor C.L. Reason, is
Professor of Languages in Centre College, at McGrawville, N.Y. Professor
Allen, is a gentleman of fine education, a graduate of Oneida Institute,
and educated himself entirely by his own industry, having the aid of but
fifty dollars during the whole period. The Professor is a talented
Lecturer on Ancient History, and much of a gentleman.

Martin H. Freeman, A.B., a young gentleman, graduate of Rutland College,
in Vermont, is "Junior Professor," in Allegheny Institute, Allegheny
county, Pa. The Professor is a gentleman of talents, and doing much good
in his position.

Rev. Molliston Madison Clark, a gentleman of great talents, a noble
speaker, educated at Jefferson College, Pa., sailed to Europe in 1846,
and was a member of the Evangelical Alliance. Mr. Clark kept a regular
Journal of his travels through the United Kingdom of England, Scotland
and Ireland. As well as a Greek and Latin, he is also a French and
Spanish Linguist. He has all the eccentricity of Rowland Hill,
manifested only in a very different manner.

William C. Nell, of Rochester, N.Y., formerly of Boston, has long been
known as a gentleman of chaste and lofty sentiments, and a pure
philanthropist. Mr. Nell, in company with Mr. Frederick Douglass, was
present by invitation, and took his seat at table, at the celebration of
Franklin's Birth Day, by the Typographical and Editorial corps of
Rochester. In 1850, being again residing in Boston, he was nominated and
ran for the Legislature of Massachusetts, by the Free Soil party of
Essex county. Mr. Nell stood even with his party vote in the District.

He recently issued from the Boston press a Pamphlet, on the colored men
who served in the wars of the United States of 1776, and 1812. This
pamphlet is very useful as a book of reference on this subject, and Mr.
Nell, of course does not aim at a full historical view. The
circumstances under which it was got out, justify this belief. He was
collecting materials in the winter of 1850-51, when he was taken down to
his bed with a severe attack of disease of one of his lungs, with which
he lingered, unable to leave his room for weeks. In the Spring,
recovering somewhat his health, so as to go out--during this time, he
had the little pamphlet published, as a means of pecuniary aid,
promising another part to be forthcoming some subsequent period, which
the writer hopes may soon be issued. Mr. Nell, is an excellent man, and
deserves the patronage of the public.

Joseph G. Anderson, successor to Captain Frank Johnson, of Philadelphia,
is now one of the most distinguished musicians in the country. Mr.
Anderson is an artist professionally and practically, mastering various
instruments, a composer of music, and a gentleman of fine
accomplishments in other respects. His musical fame will grow with his
age, which one day must place him in the front ranks of his profession,
among the master in the world.

William Jackson, is among the leading musicians of New York city, and
ranks among the most skillful violinists of America. This gentleman is a
master of his favorite instrument, executing with ease the most
difficult and critical composition. He is generally preferred in social
and private parties, among the first families of the city, where the
amateur and gentleman is more regarded than the mere services of the
musician. Mr. Jackson is a teacher of music, and only requires a more
favorable opportunity to vie with Ole Bull or Paganini.

Rev. Daniel A. Payne, commenced his literary career in Charleston,
South Carolina, where he taught school for some time. In 1833 or 1834,
he came North, placing himself in the Lutheran Theological Seminary, at
Gettysburg, under the tutorage of the learned and distinguished Dr.
Schmucker, where he finished his education as a Lutheran clergyman. To
extend his usefulness, he joined the African Methodist Connexion, and
for several years resided in Baltimore, where he taught an Academy for
colored youth and maidens, gaining the respect and esteem of all who had
the fortune to become acquainted with him. He is now engaged travelling
and collecting information, for the publication of a history of one of
the colored Methodist denominations in the United States. Mr. Payne is a
pure and chaste poet, having published a small volume of his productions
in 1850, under the title of "Pleasures and other Miscellaneous Poems, by
Daniel A. Payne," issued from the press of Sherwood and Company,
Baltimore, Maryland.

Rev. William T. Catto, a clergyman of fine talents, finished his
education in the Theological Seminary in Charleston, South Carolina. He
was ordained by the Presbytery of Charleston, and in 1848, under the
best recommendations for piety, acquirements, and all the qualifications
necessary to his high mission as a clergyman, was sent out as a
missionary to preach the Gospel to all who needed it; but to make
himself more useful, he joined the African Methodist Episcopal Church
Connexion, and is now a useful and successful preacher in Philadelphia.

The musical profession of Philadelphia has long had a valuable votary in
the person of William Appo, an accomplished pianist. Mr. Appo has been a
teacher of the piano forte, for more than twenty years, alternately in
the cities of New York and Philadelphia, and sometimes in Baltimore.
His profession extends amongst the citizens generally, from the more
moderate in circumstances, to the ladies and daughters of the most
wealthy gentlemen in community. This gentleman is a fine scholar, and as
well as music, teaches the French language successfully. His young
daughter, Helen, a miss of fourteen years of age, inherits the musical
talents of her father, and is now organist in the central Presbyterian
Church. The name of William Appo, is generally known as a popular
teacher of music, but few who are not personally acquainted with him,
know that he is a colored gentleman.

Augustus Washington, an artist of fine taste and perception, is numbered
among the most successful Daguerreotypists in Hartford, Connecticut. His
establishment is said to be visited daily by large numbers of the
citizens of all classes; and this gallery is perhaps, the only one in
the country, that keeps a female attendant, and dressing-room for
ladies. He recommends, in his cards, black dresses to be worn for
sitting; and those who go unsuitably dressed, are supplied with drapery,
and properly enrobed.

John Newton Templeton, A.M., for fifteen years an upright, active, and
very useful citizen of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, was a graduate of Athens
College, in the State of Ohio. Mr. Templeton, after an active life of
more than twenty years, principally spent in school teaching, died in
Pittsburg, in July, 1851, leaving an amiable widow and infant son.

Thomas Paul, A.B., of Boston, a gentleman of fine talents and amiable
disposition, whose life has been mainly devoted to teaching, is a
graduate of Bowdoin College, in Maine. Mr. Paul is now the recipient of
a salary of fifteen hundred dollars a year as teacher of a school in
Boston.

Rev. Benjamin Franklin Templeton, pastor of St. Mary street Church,
Philadelphia, was educated at Hanover College, near Madison, Indiana. In
1838, Mr. Templeton was ordained a minister of the Ripley Presbytery, in
Ohio; subsequently, in 1841, established a church, the Sixth
Presbyterian, in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, from which place he was
called, in 1844, to take charge of his present pastorate. Mr. Templeton
is a beautiful speaker, and an amiable gentleman.[3]

John B. Russworm, a gentleman of splendid talents, graduated at Bowdoin
College, many years ago. Mr. Russworm was a class-mate of Honorable John
P. Hale, United States Senator, and after leaving College as his first
public act, commenced the publication of a newspaper, for the elevation
of colored Americans, called "Freedom's Journal." Subsequently to the
publication of his paper, Mr. Russworm became interested in the
Colonization scheme, then in its infancy, and went to Liberia; after
which he went to Bassa Cove, of which place he was made governor, where
he died in 1851.

Benjamin Coker, a colored Methodist clergyman, forty years ago, wrote
and issued, in the city of Baltimore, Maryland, a pamphlet, setting
forth in glowing terms, the evils of American slavery, and the wrongs
inflicted on the colored race. Rev. Daniel A. Payne, a talented
clergyman, mentioned in this work, has now in his possession a copy of
the pamphlet, and informs us, that the whole ground assumed by the
modern abolitionists, was taken and reviewed in this pamphlet, by Daniel
Coker. We may reasonably infer, that the ideas of Anti-Slavery, as
taught by the friends of the black race at the present day, were
borrowed from Mr. Coker; though, perhaps, policy forbade due credit to
the proper source. Coker, like Russworm, became interested in the cause
of African Colonization, and went to Africa; where he subsequently
became an extensive coast trader, having several vessels, one of which
he commanded in person, taking up his residence on the island of
Sherbro, where he is said to have lived in great splendor. He died in
1845 or 1846, at an advanced age, leaving a family of sons and
daughters.

Henry Bibb, an eloquent speaker, for several years, was the principal
traveling lecturer for the Liberty Party of Michigan. Mr. Bibb, with
equal advantages, would equal many of those who fill high places in the
country, and now assume superiority over him and his kindred. He fled an
exile from the United States, in 1850, to Canada, to escape the terrible
consequences of the Republican Fugitive Slave Law, which threatened him
with a total destruction of liberty. Mr. Bibb established the "Voice of
the Fugitive," a newspaper, in Sandwich, Canada West, which is managed
and conducted with credit.

Titus Basfield, graduated at Franklin College, New Athens, Ohio,
receiving his religious instruction from the late Dr. Jonathan Walker,
of that place, a physician and Covenanter clergyman. He afterwards
graduated in theology at the Theological Seminary of Cannonsburg,
Pennsylvania, was ordained, and traveled preaching and lecturing to the
people of his peculiar faith and the public, for several years. He went
to New London, Canada West, where he has charge of a Scotch congregation
of religious votaries to that ancient doctrine of salvation.

Mary Ann Shadd, a very intelligent young lady, peculiarly eccentric,
published an excellent pamphlet, issued from the press in Wilmington,
Delaware, in 1849, on the elevation of the colored people. The writer of
this work, was favored with an examination of it before publication,
which he then highly approved of, as an excellent introduction to a
great subject, fraught with so much interest. Miss Shadd has traveled
much, and now has charge of a school in Sandwich, Canada West.

James McCrummill, of Philadelphia, is a skillful surgeon-dentist, and
manufacturer of porcelain teeth, having practised the profession for
many years in that city. He is said to be equal to the best in the city,
and probably only requires an undivided attention to establish the
reality.

Joseph Wilson, Thomas Kennard, and William Nickless, are also practising
dentists in the city of Philadelphia. Mr. Kennard is said to be one of
the best _workmen_ in the manufacture of artificial teeth, and _gums_--a
new discovery, and very valuable article, in this most beautiful and
highly useful art. He devotes several hours a day, to the manufacture of
these articles for one of the principal surgeon-dentists of Arch street.

James M. Whitfield, of Buffalo, New York, though in an humble position,
(for which we think he is somewhat reprehensible), is one of the purest
poets in America. He has written much for different newspapers; and, by
industry and application--being already a good English scholar--did he
but place himself in a favorable situation in life, would not be second
to John Greenleaf Whittier, nor the late Edgar A. Poe.

Mary Elizabeth Miles, in accordance with the established rules,
graduated as a teacher, in the Normal School, at Albany, New York,
several years ago. Miss Miles (now Mrs. Bibb) was a very talented young
lady and successful teacher. She spent several years of usefulness in
Massachusetts, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, after which she went to
Cincinnati, as assistant-teacher in Gilmore's "High School for Colored
Children," which ended her public position in life. She now resides in
Sandwich, Canada West.

Lucy Stanton, of Columbus, Ohio, is a graduate of Oberlin Collegiate
Institute, in that State. She is now engaged in teaching school in that
city, in which she is reputed to be successful. She is quite a young
lady, and has her promise of life all before her, and bids fair to
become a woman of much usefulness in society.

Doctor Bias, of Philadelphia, spoken of in another place, graduated at
the close of the session of 1851-52, in the Eclectic Medical College, in
that city. The doctor is highly esteemed by the physicians of his
system, who continually interchange calls with him. He is also a
practical phrenologist,--which profession he does not now attend to,
giving his undivided attention to the practice of medicine,--and has
written a pamphlet on that subject, entitled, "Synopsis of Phrenology,
and the Phrenological Developments, as given by J.J. Gould Bias." No man
perhaps, in the community of Philadelphia, possesses more self-will, and
determination of character, than Dr. James Joshua Gould Bias. Mr.
Whipper says of him, that he is "a Napoleon in character." The sterling
trait in his character is, that he grasps after _originality_, and
grapples with every difficulty. Such a man, must and will succeed in his
undertakings.

FOOTNOTE:

[3] During the last twenty years, there have been, at different periods,
published among the colored people of the United States, twenty odd
newspapers, some of which were conducted with ability. Among them, the
"Colored American," in New York city; Samuel E. Cornish, Philip A. Bell,
and Charles B. Ray, at different times, Editors. "The Demosthenian
Shield," issued from a Literary Society of young colored men, in the
city of Philadelphia. "The Straggler," by Philip A. Bell, New York, out
of which the Colored American took its origin. The "National Reformer,"
an able monthly periodical, in pamphlet form, in Philadelphia; William
Whipper, Editor. "The Northern Star," a Temperance monthly newspaper,
published in Albany, N.Y.; Stephen Myers, Editor, still in
existence--changed to ----. "The Mystery," of Pittsburg, Pa.; Martin
Robison Delany, Editor--succeeded by a committee of colored gentlemen as
Editors. The "Palladium of Liberty," issued in Columbus, O., by a
committee of colored gentlemen; David Jenkins, Editor. "The
Disfranchised American," by a committee of colored gentlemen,
Cincinnati, O.; A.M. Sumner, Editor--succeeded by the "Colored Citizen";
Rev. Thomas Woodson, and William Henry Yancey, Editors. The "National
Watchman," Troy, N.Y.; William H. Allen and Henry Highland Garnett,
Editors. Another issued in New York city, the name of which, we cannot
now remember; James William Charles Pennington, D.D., and James McCune
Smith, M.D., Editors: the issue being alternately at Hartford, the then
residence of Dr. Pennington--and New York city, the residence of Dr.
Smith. The "Excelsior," an ephemeral issue, which appeared but once, in
Detroit, Mich.; William H. Day, Editor.

The "Christian Herald," the organ of the A.M. Episcopal Church,
published under the auspices of the General Conference of that body;
Augustus Richardson Green, Editor, and General Book Steward. This
gentleman has, also, written and published several small volumes of a
religious character; a pamphlet on the Episcopacy and Infant Baptism,
and the Lives of Reverends Fayette Davis and David Canyou. The
"Elevator," of Philadelphia; James McCrummill, Editor. The "Ram's Horn,"
New York city; Thomas Vanrensellear, Editor. There is now a little
paper, the name of which we cannot recollect, issued at Newark, N.J.,
merely a local paper, very meager in appearance. "The Farmer and
Northern Star," in Courtland, N.Y., afterwards changed to the "Impartial
Citizen," and published in Boston; Samuel Ringgold Ward, Editor. "The
North Star," published in Rochester, N.Y.; Frederick Douglass, and
Martin Robinson Delany, Editors--subsequently changed to the "Frederick
Douglass' Paper"; Frederick Douglass, Editor.

A number of gentlemen have been authors of narratives, written by
themselves, some of which are masterly efforts, manifesting great force
of talents. Of such, are those by Frederick Douglass, William Wells
Brown, and Henry Bibb.

Of the various churches and clergy we have nothing to say, as these do
not come within our province; except where individuals, from position,
come within the sphere of our arrangement.

There have been several inventors among the colored people. The youth
Henry Blair, of Maryland, some years ago, invented the Corn-Planter, and
Mr. Roberts of Philadelphia, 1842, a machine for lifting cars off the
railways.

It may be expected that we should say something about a book issued in
Boston, purporting to be a history of ancient great men of African
descent, by one Mr. Lewis, entitled "Light and Truth." This book is
nothing more than a compilation of selected portions of Rollin's,
Goldsmith's, Furguson's, Hume's, and other ancient histories; added to
which, is a tissue of historical absurdities and literary blunders,
shamefully palpable, for which the author or authors should mantle their
faces.

If viewed in the light of a "Yankee trick," simply by which to make
money, it may, peradventure, be a very clever trick; but the publisher
should have recollected, that the ostensible object of his work was, the
edification and enlightenment of the public in general and the colored
people in particular, upon a great and important subject of truth; and
that those who must be the most injured by it, will be the very class of
people, whom he professes a desire to benefit. We much regret the fact,
that there are but too many of our brethren, who undertake to dabble in
literary matters, in the shape of newspaper and book-making, who are
wholly unqualified for the important work. This, however, seems to be
called forth by the palpable neglect, and indifference of those who have
had the educational advantages, but neglected to make such use of them.

There is one redeeming quality about "Light and Truth." It is a capital
offset to the pitiable literary blunders of Professor George R. Gliddon,
late Consul to Egypt, from the United States, Lecturer on Ancient
Egyptian Literature, &c., &c., who makes all ancient black men, _white_;
and asserts the Egyptians and Ethiopians to have been of the _Caucasian_
or white race!--So, also, this colored gentleman, makes all ancient
great white men, black--as Diogenes, Socrates, Themistocles, Pompey,
Caesar, Cato, Cicero, Horace, Virgil, et cetera. Gliddon's idle nonsense
has found a capital match in the production of Mr. Lewis' "Light and
Truth," and both should be sold together. We may conclude by expressing
our thanks to our brother Lewis, as we do not think that Professor
Gliddon's learned ignorance, would have ever met an equal but for "Light
and Truth." Reverends D.A. Payne, M.M. Clark, and other learned colored
gentlemen, agree with us in the disapproval of this book.--EDITOR.

XII

STUDENTS OF VARIOUS PROFESSIONS

There are a number of young gentlemen who have finished their literary
course, who are now studying for the different learned professions, in
various parts of the country.

Jonathan Gibbs, A.B., a very talented young gentleman, and fine speaker,
is now finishing his professional studies in the Theological School at
Dartmouth University. Mr. Gibbs also studied in the Scientific
Department of the same Institution.

William H. Day, Esq., A.B., a graduate of Oberlin Collegiate Institute,
is now in Cleveland Ohio, preparing for the Bar. Mr. Day is, perhaps,
the most eloquent young gentleman of his age in the United States.

John Mercer Langston, A.B., of Chillicothe, Ohio, also a graduate of
Oberlin College, a talented young gentleman, and promising orator, is
completing a Theological course at the School of Divinity at Oberlin. It
is said, that Mr. Langston intends also to prepare for the Bar. He
commenced the study of Law previous to that of Theology, under Judge
Andrews of Cleveland.

Charles Dunbar, of New York city, a promising, very intelligent young
gentleman, is now in the office of Dr. Childs, and having attended one
course of Lectures at Bowdoin Medical School in Maine, will finish next
fall and winter, for the practice of his profession.

Isaac Humphrey Snowden, a promising young gentleman of talents, is now
reading Medicine under Dr. Clarke of Boston, and attended the session of
the Medical School of Harvard University, of 1850-51.

Daniel Laing, Jr., Esq., a fine intellectual young gentleman of Boston,
a student also of Dr. Clarke of that city, one of the Surgeons of the
Massachusetts General Hospital, who attended the course of Lectures the
session of 1850-51, at the Medical School of Harvard University, is now
in Paris, to spend two years in the hospitals, and attend the Medical
Lectures of that great seat of learning. Mr. Laing, like most medical
students, has ever been an admirer, and anxious to sit under the
teachings of that great master in Surgery, Velpeau.

Dr. James J. Gould Bias, a Botanic Physician, and talented gentleman of
Philadelphia, is a member of the class of 1851-52, of the Eclectic
Medical School of that city. Dr. Bias deserves the more credit for his
progress in life, as he is entirely self-made.

Robert B. Leach, of Cleveland, Ohio, a very intelligent young gentleman,
is a member of the medical class for 1851-52, of the Homeopathic
College, in that City. Mr. Leach, when graduated, will be the _First
Colored Homeopathic_ Physician in the United States.

Dr. John Degrass, of New York city, named in another place, spent two
years in Paris Hospitals, under the teaching of the great lecturer and
master of surgery, Velpeau, to whom he was assistant and dresser, in the
hospital--the first position--for advantages, held by a student. The
Doctor has subsequently been engaged as surgeon on a Havre packet, where
he discharged the duties of his office with credit.

Also Dr. Peter Ray, of Brooklyn, named on the same page, graduated at
Castleton Medical School, Vermont, spent some time at the Massachusetts
General Hospital, Boston, where he held the position of assistant and
dresser to Surgeon Parkman, in his ward of the hospital.

Dr. John P. Reynolds, has for a number of years been one of the most
popular and successful physicians in Vincennes, Indiana. We believe Dr.
Reynolds, was not of the "regular" system, but some twenty-three or-four
years ago, studied under an "Indian physician," after which, he
practised very successfully in Zanesville, Ohio, subsequently removing
to Vincennes, where he has for the last sixteen years, supported an
enviable reputation as a physician. We understand Doctor Reynolds has
entered into all the scientific improvements of the "eclectic school" of
medicine, which has come into being in the United States, long since his
professional career commenced. His popularity is such, that he has
frequently been entrusted, with public confidence, and on one occasion,
in 1838, was appointed by the court, sole executor of a very valuable
orphans' estate. The Doctor has grown quite wealthy it is said,
commanding a considerable influence in the community.

Dr. McDonough, a skillful young physician, graduated at the Institute,
Easton, Pennsylvania, and finished his medical education at the
University of New York. The Doctor is one of the most thorough of the
young physicians; has been attached to the greater part of the public
institutions of the city of New York, and is a good practical chemist.

Of course, there are many others, but as we have taken no measures
whatever, to collect facts or information from abroad, only getting such
as was at hand, and giving the few sketches here, according to our own
recollection of them, we close this short chapter at this point.

XIII

A SCAN AT PAST THINGS

It may not be considered in good taste to refer to those still living,
who formerly occupied prominent business positions, and by dint of
misfortune or fortune, have withdrawn. Nevertheless, we shall do so,
since our simple object in this hasty sketch of things, is to show that
the colored people of the country have not as has been charged upon
them, always been dregs on the community and excrescences on the body
politic, wherever they may have lived. We only desire to show that they
have been, all things considered, just like other people.

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