A[mos] G[erry] B[eman] to Frederick Douglass, September 22, 1855
FROM OUR NEW HAVEN CORRESPONDENT.
NEW HAVEN, Sept. 22, 1855.
DEAR SIR:—As the sober season of the year
is fast approaching, the thoughtful in this city
are preparing for it. We had two courses of
Lectures last winter, besides several "out of
due time." This winter promises to rival that
of the last season. The "Young Men's Christian
Association" have made their arrangements
for a Course of Lectures this fall, having engaged
some of the most able speakers in the
country. The Young Men's Institute Lectures
will, probably, commence at the usual
time, and, then, we hope and expect that the
"People's Course" will be given. Last winter,
they were commenced, amid many evil prophecies
of a failure, but, they were successful
beyond the most sanguine expectations of those
who caused them to be delivered. Among the
speakers this year we hope to number FREDERICK
DOUGLASS, Esq.; there are multitudes in this city,
who would rejoice in an opportunity of hearing
his eloquent voice in behalf of the down-trodden,
and oppressed. Your book, "MY BONDAGE
AND MY FREEDOM," is being circulated in
this community, and thus many will form an acquaintance
with the "noblest Roman" in all the
country. At present, there is quite an excitement
here, growing out of a homicide committed
last April by a young man upon another,
whom, he supposed, had supplanted him in the
affections of a young Lady; the plea of his
counsel will be the popular one of "."—
During the week a large Temperance meeting
has been held to sustain and invigorate the
public sentiment in relation to the "Maine
Law;" and truth to say there is need of it. In
many places Liquors are sold on what is called
the "sly," and those who have a craving for the
stimulating beverage, know where to find it,
and those who sell, know their customers, and
the consequence is, there is much used, and the
ruinous effects are but too apparent. We are
sorry to see that quite a number of young men
are taking rapid steps in the downward road to
ruin—in dens of infamy—around the gambling
board, amid the fumes of tobacco and obscenity,
they seem resolved to throw away the precious
morning of life—squander their earnings—blast
their reputation, and hurry onward to a tomb
less, dishonored grave. The "New Haven Literary
Society" have been remodelling the Constitution,
and seem determined to do something,
which shall be a credit to themselves, and of
much use to society. We hope, before long, you
will hear a good account of their noble efforts
in the broad field of social, moral, and political
elevation. Several spirited meetings have been
held by the citizens in relation to the "National
Convention" to be held in Philadelphia,
Oct. 16th, and two delegates here have been
elected to attend it.
THE LUCA FAMILY have returned from a long
professional tour to this, their native place. At
the request of their many friends, they are about
to give a subscription Concert in the most popular
Hall in the city. Already, their list of
subscribers is large, and, among them we notice
some of the most respectable of our citizens,
and many of the most cultivated in the science
of music. They are soon to start on a professional
tour through Western New York and
Ohio, and perhaps some other States, where, we
trust, multitudes will witness for themselves the
skill of their performances—especially that of
the young pianist among them, Master CLEAVELAND
O. LUCA.
One of the most truthful remarks, which ever
fell from your burning pen, was this: "."
Let every one write these words in letters of
fire on their souls, let their spirit dwell in the
heart, and govern the mind, and the day of our
elevation, and the freedom of the slave is sure
to come.
A. G. B.