“THESE STUPID BLACKS.”
BY REV. G. B. WILLCOX, D. D.
That they are not altogether idiotic, is occasionally made to appear rather significantly. In a class in Yale College, not long ago, was a colored youth of high scholarship and fine promise. In the same class was a white student from South Carolina, with nearly or quite the same name, and consequently a seat at recitation next to the sable scholar. Anent which occurred, substantially, the following correspondence between the Southern father and a gentleman of the faculty:
“——, South Carolina.
“Prof. ——
“Dear Sir:—My son informs me that he is obliged to sit next a negro day after day, which is highly disagreeable to him and offensive to me. Will you please provide some different arrangement? Yours, etc.,
——.”
“Yale College, New Haven.
“——, Esq.,
“Dear Sir:—Your favor is at hand. It is true that the students are arranged alphabetically for the present term, and a colored student has his place next to your son. But, at the commencement of the next term, the arrangement will be in the order of scholarship, in which case, the colored youth will be so near the head of the class, and your son, I regret to say, so near the other extremity, that there will be no farther embarrassment on that score. Yours, etc.,
——.”
Speedy result: A note from a disgusted father, calling home a disgusted son.