James R. Johnson to Frederick Douglass, February 26, 1852
Miss Elizabeth T. Greenfield—"The Black Swan."
Friend Douglass:—Our esteemed colored brother, the blind lecturer, William F. Johnson, has stated to me some facts relative to pro-slavery management with the "BLACK SWAN," and her acquiescence in it.
Miss Greenfield went to Buffalo, Oct. 6th. Mr. Rogers of the Phelps House, a gentleman of kind heart, and urbane manners, secured for her an introduction to the Musical Association of that city. Mr. H. E. Howard, exchange broker, was President of the Association. On the 18th of October, Miss Greenfield had a rehearsal at the Townsend Hall, preparatory to the anticipated great concert to be given at that place Oct. 22d.
On that occasion, Mr. Howard said to Mr. Johnson, (who was Miss G.'s. Agent,) that at the concert on the 22d. the colored people must have separate seats assigned to them.
Mr. Johnson, and also Mr. Prime, pastor of the colored Presbyterian church, George Ware, jr., a member of that church, and Paton Harris, deacon of the colored Baptist church, all earnestly remonstrated with Miss Greenfield, entreating her not to yield to such a restriction. But she did yield.
Accordingly notice was given that "the Gallery will be reserved especially for colored people who may wish to attend the concert." Twenty-four colored persons took seats in the gallery. It is to be said in their defense, that their ardent love for music, and their deep interest for the singer, induced them to submit to the painful and insulting proscription—"just this once." Honor to the hundreds who, with just indignation, kept aloof from the concert! It is Mr. Johnson's opinion that at least three hundred and fifty color-
ed persons would have been present, had there been no proscription. He says that the concert at Rochester, where no distinction of color recognized in the seating, presented a pleasing contrast.
The censure which we feel constrained to pass on the conduct of Miss Greenfield, may be in some degree modified by the reflection, that she, as other human beings, has found it exceedingly difficult to entirely escape the contamination of pro-slavery philosophy, which, like the frogs of Egypt, has infested our houses, and our kneading-troughs. But no "organic sin" should be so viewed, as to destroy in us a recognition of individual obligation to do right in the sight of God, though we may be required to act, and to die in a despised minority.
If the "Black Swan" had said to Mr. H. E. Howard—"I will not consent to such an insulting proposal as that of seating the colored people by themselves; I love that people too well; and love the human race too well, to lend my influence to sanction such a deed of darkness," she would have done more for destroying wicked caste, and undoing the heavy burdens, than any Congress orator, though ever so faithful, can do for a series of years. Will Miss Greenfield think of these suggestions. They are made in kindness. They may do her good. We want her help in the great work of abolishing invidious distinctions, and of practically recognizing mankind as one great brotherhood, under the care of "Our Father"—and redeemed by the example, and by the death of our one common Savior—the LORD JESUS CHRIST.
Yours truly,
J. R. Johnson.