The American Prejudice Against Color | Page 2

College in America that has ever
called a colored man to a Professorship, and one of the very few that
receive colored and white students on terms of perfect equality, if,
indeed, they receive colored students at all.
In April, 1851, I was invited to Fulton, to deliver a course of Lectures. I
gladly accepted the invitation, and none the less that Fulton had always
maintained a high reputation for its love of impartial freedom, and that
its citizens were highly respected for their professed devotion to the
teachings of Christianity.
I am glad to say, that on this occasion I was well received, and at the
close of my first lecture was invited to spend the evening at the house
of the Rev. Lyndon King. This gentleman having long been known as a
devoted abolitionist,--a fervid preacher of the doctrine, that character is
above color,--and as one of the ablest advocates of the social, political,
and religious rights of the colored man, I, of course, had a pleasant visit
with the family; and, remaining with them several days, conceived a
deep interest in one of the Elder's daughters,--Miss Mary E. King, who
was then preparing to enter the College in Mc. Grawville. I
accompanied Miss King to Mc. Grawville, where she remained in
college, a year and a half.
Boarding in tenements quite opposite each other, we frequently met in
other than college halls, and as freely conversed,--Miss K. being of full

age, and legally, as well as intellectually and morally, competent to
discuss the subjects in which, it is generally supposed, young men and
women feel an absorbing interest.
It is of no consequence what we said; and if it were, the reader, judging
in the light of the results, will perhaps as correctly imagine that, as I
can possibly describe it. I pass on at once, therefore, simply stating that
at the close of the year and a half, my interest in the young lady had
become fully reciprocated, and we occupied a relation to each other
much more significant than that of teacher and pupil.
Miss King returned to her father's house in October, 1852. I visited the
family in December following. Then and there we discussed the subject
of marriage more fully between ourselves; and deeming it a duty
obligatory upon us, by an intelligent regard for our future happiness, to
survey, before consummating an engagement even, the whole field of
difficulties, embarrassments, trials, insults and persecutions, which we
should have to enter on account of our diversity of complexion, and to
satisfy ourselves fully as to our ability to endure what we might expect
to encounter; we concluded to separate unengaged, and, in due season,
each to write to the other what might be the results of more mature
deliberation. This may seem unromantic to the reader; nevertheless, it
was prudent on our part.
After remaining in Fulton a week, I left for Boston. Several letters then
passed between us, and in January last, our engagement was fixed. I
will not speak of myself, but on the part of Miss King, this was
certainly a bold step. It displayed a moral heroism which no one can
comprehend who has not been in America, and who does not
understand the diabolical workings of prejudice against color.
Whatever a man may be in his own person,--though he should have the
eloquence, talents, and character of Paul and Apollos, and the Angel
Gabriel combined,--though he should be as wealthy as Croesus,--and
though, in personal appearance, he should be as fair as the fairest
Anglo-Saxon, yet, if he have but one drop of the blood of the African
flowing in his veins, no white young lady can ally herself to him in
matrimony, without bringing upon her the anathemas of the community,

with scarcely an exception, and rendering herself an almost total
outcast, not only from the society in which she formerly moved, but
from society in general.
Such is American Caste,--the most cruel under the sun. And such it is,
notwithstanding the claims set up by the American people, that they are
Heaven's Vicegerents, to teach to men, and to nations as well, the
legitimate ideas of Christian Democracy.
To digress a moment. This Caste-spirit of America sometimes
illustrates itself in rather ridiculous ways.
A beautiful young lady--a friend of mine--attended, about two years
since, one of the most aristocratic Schools of one of the most
aristocratic Villages of New York. She was warmly welcomed in the
highest circles, and so amiable in temper was she, as well as agreeable
in mind and person, that she soon became not only a favorite, but the
favorite of the circle in which she moved. The young gentlemen of the
village were especially interested in her, and what matrimonial offer
might eventually