Friday, October 3, 1862
THE HERO OF THE PLANTER
Public
reception of Robert Smalls at Shiloh Church – Addressed by rev. J.N.
Gloucester, Prof. W.J. Wilson, Robert Smalls, Rev. H.J.H. Garnet and Others –
Presentation and Resolutions – The Sentiment Against Colonization
The colored
people of the City assembled in large numbers at 6 p. m. yesterday in the
Shiloh Church, on the corner of Marion and Prince Streets to do public honor to Capt. ROBERT SMALLS, their
gallant brother, who, with his comrades, “seized a rebel gunboat, rescued his
family and those of his companions from slavery, passing six forts, reaching
the Union squadron and presenting the Government with the trophies of his
achievement.” Punctually the house was
crowded with the most intelligent and respectable portion of the African
Americans of the great Metropolis. The female portion of the audience was very
numerous, remarkable for every visible characteristic that adorns the sex.
Neither personal attractions, taste, nor dignity were lacking.
MR. J.H. TOWNSEND presided and after he had opened
the exercises with a few introductory remarks, Rev. JOHN T. RAYMOND delivered a
prolonged and fervent prayer, invoking the most radical and complete change in
the condition of the colored race in America.
The first speaker was Rev. J.H. GLOUCESTER, who, in
a very extended and empathetic address reviewed the present posture of affairs
in this country, regretted the ninety days delay involved in the President’s
Emancipation edict which however, he was inclined to look upon as merely a day
of grace to the rebels. The speaker was followed in warm and spirited
addresses by Prof. W.J. WILSON of Brooklyn, Rev. H.H. GARNET and others, all of
whom commended that unwritten page of the history of the present war which is
inscribed with the deeds of the black man, and were equally empathic and
decided in their views against forced colonization. The sentiments
continually elicited the most enthusiastic plaudits. The choir alternated the
addresses with the very beautiful chanting of “John Brown’s Hymn,” “There’s a
Better Time A-coming,” and other favorite Emancipation ditties, and throughout,
the entire audience was wrought up to a high pitch of pleasurable excitement.
While Prof. WILSON was speaking, ROBERT SMALLS
entered the house and was received with deafening cheers. A few minutes later, he was presented on behalf of the
colored community, with a massive and very handsome gold medal, executed by
BALL & BLACK of this City. The medal bore on its face a representation of
Charleston harbor, with the steamer Planter
and Fort Sumter in the foreground, and the Union squadron in the distance, and
on the reverse side, the following inscription:
“Presented to ROBERT SMALLS by the colored
citizens of New York, October 2, 1862, as a token of their regard for his
heroism, his love of liberty, and his patriotism.” ROBERT SMALLS, whose famous
escape and personal appearance we have already made familiar, replied in a very
modest and touching address. recounting his desperate venture, and expressing
the hope, that as he was about to return to his duty as a pilot on the Union
fleet at Port Royal, he might yet guide it safely into Charleston harbor. Mrs.
SMALLS and her little boy, ROBERT were presented and the whole family were
greeted with wild and prolonged cheering. The following resolutions were
then read by Prof. REATON, and applauded to the echo:
Resolved. That the colored people
of the City of New York cordially welcome Mr. ROBERT SMALLS, of Charleston, S.
C., as a representative of the loyal people, comprising four millions, of black
Unionists, now living in the rebel or semi-rebel states.
Resolved. That Mr. ROBERT SMALLS
has nobly represented this loyal population:
First – By achieving his own liberty
and freedom from the despotism which now broods over the South.
Secondly – By securing the liberty of his wife and
children and of those of the crew of his vessel, thereby carrying out most
gloriously and promptly the doctrine of immediate emancipation.
Thirdly – In that the act of seizing the gunboat
and passing successfully the six forts which environ Charleston harbor, he
developed a capacity for military and naval conduct excelled by nothing which
has occurred in the present war and equaled by only a few events in any other
war.
Fourthly – By presenting to the
Federal Government the valuable prize won by his prowess, he has shown in his
own behalf and of those whom he represents a faithful devotedness to the cause
of the American Union which ever has and ever will illustrate the conduct of
the black citizens of the United States.
Fifthly – Our brother SMALLS has by
this one act proven beyond any man’s gainsaying the safety, the justice and the
easy possibility of the General Government’s accomplishing immediate and
universal emancipation.
The concourse then, amid general good feeling and
cheers for Admiral Du Pont, adjourned.