The Black Man: His Antecedents, His Genius, and His AchievementsBrown, William Wells
History
The Black Man: His Antecedents, His Genius, and His Achievements
Brown, William Wells
African Americans -- Biography
New Bedford has produced a number of highly-intelligent men of the
"doomed race;" men who, by their own efforts, have attained positions,
intellectually, which, if they had been of the more favored class,
would have introduced them into the halls of Congress. One of these
is J. B. Sanderson. An industrious student, and an ardent lover of
literature, he has read more than almost any one of his years within
our circle of acquaintance. History, theology, and the classics, he is
master of. We first met him while he was on a tour through the west,
as a lecturer on slavery, and the impression then made on our mind
became still stronger as we knew more of him. Although not at the time
an ordained minister Mr. Sanderson, in 1848, preached for one of the
religious societies of New Bedford, on Sunday, and attended to his
vocation (hair dresser) during the week. Some of the best educated of
the whites were always in attendance on these occasions. His sermons
were generally beyond the comprehension of his hearers, except those
well read. Emerson, Carlyle, and Theodore Parker, were represented in
his discourses, which were always replete with historical incidents.
Mr. Sanderson has been several years in California, where he now
preaches to an intelligent congregation and is considered one of the
ablest religious teachers in the Pacific state.
"Honor and fame from no condition rise:
Act well your part--there all the honor lies."
"Who does the best his circumstance allows,
Does well, acts nobly: angels could no more."
In stature Mr. Sanderson is somewhat above the medium height, finely
formed, well-developed head, and a pleasing face; an excellent voice,
which he knows how to use. His gestures are correct without being
studied, and his sentences always tell upon his audience. Few speakers
are more happy in their delivery than he. In one of those outbursts
of true eloquence for which he is so noted, we still remember the
impression made upon his hearers, when, on one occasion, he exclaimed,
"Neither men nor governments have a right to sell those of their
species; men and their liberty are neither purchasable nor salable.
This is the law of nature, which is obligatory on all men, at all
times, and in all places."
All accounts from California speak of J. B. Sanderson as doing more for
the enfranchisement and elevation of his race than any one who has gone
from the Atlantic states.
TOUSSAINT L'OUVERTURE.
At the commencement of the French revolution, in 1789, there were nine
hundred thousand inhabitants on the Island of St. Domingo. Of these,
seven hundred thousand were Africans, sixty thousand mixed blood,
and the remainder were whites and Caribbeans. Like the involuntary
servitude in our own Southern States, slavery in St. Domingo kept
morality at a low stand. Owing to the amalgamation between masters and
slaves, there arose the mulatto population, which eventually proved to
be the worst enemies of their fathers.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account