The Jubilee Singers have recently gone to Germany to continue the work they have for the last six years been so successfully doing in the United States, Great Britain and Holland, in the interests of the education of their race at Fisk University, Nashville, Tenn.
Within a few days of their arrival at Berlin, they had the honor of appearing before the Imperial family of Germany under circumstances of peculiar interest. They were invited by their Imperial Highnesses, the Crown Prince and Crown Princess, to sing some of their slave songs at the New Palace, Potsdam, on Sunday afternoon, Nov. 4, and on presenting themselves at the appointed hour they found, to their joy, that they stood in the presence of His Imperial Majesty, the Emperor of Germany, as well as in the presence of the Crown Prince and Princess, with their children gathered around them. Thus three generations stood together in the home circle, listening to this little company of emancipated slaves from the United States, as they sang the songs of the days of their bondage. And never did their strange, touching songs produce a deeper impression, or call forth heartier expressions of sympathy for, and interest in, the work they are laboring to do for their race in America and in Africa.
His Majesty, the Emperor, made many inquiries of the President of the University respecting the Singers, and their personal history, and the work they had accomplished, while the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess conversed freely with the Singers, making inquiries, and expressing great delight in the singing. It was especially gratifying to learn from the Crown Princess that four years ago, when the Jubilee Singers had the honor of singing before her Royal Mother, the Queen of England, she had received a long letter speaking of the Singers and their mission. The Crown Prince said, “These songs, as you sing them, go to the heart—they go through and through one.”
The first public concert was given in Berlin, at the Sing Academy, on the 7th of November, and was greeted with such hearty demonstrations of approval, that success in Germany seems quite well assured.
A GOOD USE OF NEGRO SUFFRAGE.
An article of two and a half columns in an Augusta, Ga. paper, begins thus: “The Superior Court room in the City Hall was crowded last evening with the colored voters of the county who had assembled to listen to addresses from Hon. Jos. B. Cumming, the Democratic nominee for Senator, from the Eighteenth Senatorial District, and Hon. H. Clay Foster, Independent candidate for the same position. Both these gentlemen were present by invitation of the colored people themselves.” Then follow abstracts of the speeches of the two candidates, wherein each attempts to show the colored voters that he has a stronger claim upon them than his competitor. This political gathering was peculiar in several respects. The audience was composed of Republicans, while the speakers were both avowed Democrats. The assemblage comprised a distinct class in the Senatorial district. This class was composed of those who during most of their lives had enjoyed fewest opportunities to obtain knowledge and learn how to vote intelligently. And what is most vital, they, as the speakers seemed to tacitly acknowledge, held the balance of power. In other words, they, whatever their standing might be in society, and whatever qualifications they might possess or lack, were to decide which of the two candidates should represent the PEOPLE of the Eighteenth District in the State Senate.
Whether or not it was humiliating to the pride of “high-bred” citizens of the Empire State of the South to vie with each other thus publicly in soliciting the votes of their former servants, is of little consequence. Neither is it a matter of very great import that a political gathering of “niggers” (negroes would be more elegant, but less pointed,) was respectfully addressed by Southern white men, and respectfully referred to by a Georgia Democratic paper. That all the colored voters of that district will be urged and helped to pay their taxes, and thus for one year at least avoid disfranchisement, and will have an opportunity to vote unmolested, though a good reason for congratulation, is nothing worthy of very great consideration. But the prominent and startling feature of this incident is the fact that those who, through no fault of theirs, are least qualified for the responsible trust, hold the balance of power and cast the decisive vote. In this instance, no great issues are involved, and if, under the influence of wise and virtuous leaders of their own race, our colored friends always see as clearly what is really for their good, the danger will be lessened. As an indication of what is now uppermost in their minds upon such occasions, and for the encouragement of those who contribute to the funds of the A. M. A., I will quote the questions they put to the candidates:
“1. Are you in favor of the States levying a tax for educational purposes—the benefit to be equally enjoyed by all classes?
“2. Are you in favor of the State continuing the annual appropriation of $8,000 to the Atlanta University for the higher education of the colored youth?