The American Prejudice Against Color | Page 9

dense multitude
surrounding the house of Mr. Porter, I at once came to the conclusion
that I should not be permitted to live an hour longer. I was not
frightened--was never calmer--prepared for the worst, disposed of my
watch and such other articles of value as I had about my person.
Mr. Porter was below stairs at the time the mob approached. Soon he
came running up, introducing the Committee to whom reference has
already been made. They at once addressed us. I do not remember their
words,--the purport of the whole, however, was that death was intended
for me, provided we had been married; and as it was, I could only
escape it, by Miss King consenting to go with them, and by myself
consenting to leave the village; and further, that there must be no delay
by either party.
One of the Committee, in order to assure me of the terrible danger by
which I was surrounded, drew back the window curtains and bade me
look out. I did not do so, however, since it was not necessary that I
should look out in order to feel fully convinced that there were men
below, who had determined to degrade themselves below the level of
the brutes that perish. Such cursings, such imprecations, such cries of
"nigger," "bring him out," "d----n him," "kill him," "down with the
house," were never heard before, I hardly think, even in America.
Of course, to have attempted to resist this armed mob of hundreds of
men would have been preposterous. It would have been, so far as I was
concerned, at least, to have committed myself to instant death.
Compelled, therefore, to make the best of our unfortunate situation,
Miss King consented to go with the Committee, and I to leave the
village--she, however, taking care to assure me in a whisper, that she

would meet me on the following day in Syracuse. The lady was now
conducted by the Committee through the mob to the sleigh. Not a word
was spoken by a single ruffian in the crowd. All were silent until the
driver put whip to his horse, when a general shout was sent up, as of
complete and perfect triumph.
"Mistaken souls!"
Having reached her father's house, one of the Committee addressed a
speech to her, hoped that for the sake of her family, and the community,
Miss King would relinquish all partiality for Professor Allen, advised
her also to go around among the ladies of the village, and consult with
them, and assured her that he would be glad to see her at his house; and
at any time when she felt disposed to come, he would send a sleigh to
bring her.
Nothing remarkable about this speech. But the tone in which it was
delivered!--that cannot be put upon paper. The speaker evidently
thought the young lady would receive it all as a mark of gracious favor,
and as assuring her that though she had been "hand and glove" with a
coloured man, he would nevertheless condescend to overlook it. He
was dealing with the wrong woman, however; and he received such a
reply to his harangue as only a virtuous indignation could have
prompted.
The reader must also be informed that a double-sleigh load of
able-bodied men followed close behind the one in which Miss King
was taken home. What this movement meant, I am not able very
satisfactorily to conjecture. I venture the opinion, however, that the
good folks supposed their victim would jump out of the sleigh in which
she was riding, if a good opportunity should offer, and run back to the
Professor; and so this last load, no doubt, was put on as the rear-guard
of the posse.
Now for myself. Miss King having left, and the mob having been
informed that I was about to leave, they were somewhat quieted, but
were far from being appeased. That portion of the Committee that
remained with me, thought there was danger yet; and so, indeed, there

was, judging hideous noises, bitter curses and ruffianly demonstrations,
to be any proper criterion. They still cried, "bring him out" and "kill
him." The Committee thought the safety of the house required that I
should be removed at once; so I having gotten together my hat, valise
and other effects, they took me under their protection and conducted
me to the village hotel.
While I was being conducted out of the door, all manner of speech was
hurled at me--a bountiful supply of that sort of dialectics which
America can beat all the world at handling. However, the main desire
of the mob at this point seemed to have been to get a sight of me; so
they arraigned themselves in a double file, while I was conducted
through the