George Washington Flowers Memorial Collection DUKE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY ESTABLISHED BY THE FAMILY OF COLONEL FLOWERS r ■ GEORGE THOMAS DOWNING. George Thomas Downing Sketch of His Life and Times BY S. A. M. WASHINGTON NEWPORT, B. I. THE MILNE PEINTERY 1910 BIOGRAPHY OF GEORGE THOMAS DOWNING A spirit brave has passed beyond the mists, He was a champion thro' direful years, Nor feared to face the foeman's dread array, He dared the lightning in the lightning's track, And answered thunder with his thunder back, 'Twas for his race, not for himself, he spoke. EORGE THOMAS DOWNING was born in New York, December 30, 1819. His parents, Thomas Downing, born 1791, was a native of Chincoteaque, Accomac County, Va., and Rebecca (West), of Philadelphia, Pa. Their family, all born in New York, consisted of five children, viz: George Thomas, the subject of this sketch, Thomas and Henry (twins), Jane and Peter William Downing. I George Thomas was not only successful as a public man, but he showed marked business ability. In 1842, he established himself in business on Fourth Street near the corner of Broadway, in New York. In 1845, ne leased the premises at 690 Broadway, under the firm style of George T. Downing, Confectioner and Caterer. Here assembled many of the notable families of the city, viz : the Astors f Kernochans, LeRoys, Schermahorns, Kennedys and many others of the elite of New York. Through repeated over- tures he was induced to establish a summer business in Newport, R. I., and in 1846, he leased the estate at the corner of Catherine and Fir Streets, and in 1848, leased the premises on State Street at the foot of what is now known as Downing Street, which he purchased of William Smith in 1850. During the year of 1849, ne bought of Charles Sherman the Bellevue Avenue estate, opposite the old Atlantic House, in which the United States Naval q. Biography of George Thomas Downing Academy from Annapolis was located for several years. In 1850, he moved to Providence, opening his catering establishment on Mathevvson Street, near Westminster Street, after two years, removing to the house on Benefit Street near College Street. During the summer months he catered to the summer colonists in Newport. During the fall of 1854, he erected the Sea Girt Hotel, with four stores on each side. The hotel was sumptuously furnished for a resort for the wealthy. On the night of December 15, i860, while Mr. Downing and his family were in Boston, an incendiary's torch was placed to the structure, causing a loss of $40,000.00. Mr. Downing felt the loss keenly, but undaunted, he immediately had the present building erected, Downing Block, it being the first block of stores in Newport for summer business, which started business people from other cities, coming to Newport. The upper part of which he rented to the Government for a hospital for the Naval Academy. In 1865, Mr. Downing established himself in business at the Capital, Washington, D. C, conducting the House Refectory for twelve years, after which he remained in Newport, con- tinuing his business until he retired in 1879. His death occured July 21, 1903. If a long life of usefulness and honor can make a man's name great, certainly no one has a higher claim than the one whose name heads this sketch. He had all the characteristics that befall mortals, pride of birth, intel- lectual vigor, inexhaustable energy, and always ready to defend the oppressed and down trodden of all nationalities. His father's, parents humble habitation was near the historical "Downing Meeting House." They and their children owned their own land. They had charge of the village church. The elite, male and female, gathered in their home on Sundays, before and after services, to talk the gossip of the County and discuss the general news of the week. The Wharton, the West, the Taylor families, the Curtis family, of George Washington connection, the Biography of George Thomas Downing J Wise family and other like notables were its visitants. This country residence was humble and unpretending, but bore the impress of industry, taste and happiness. Flowers surrounded the house, on the outside as well as within of this happy home, with its inviting surroundings, order exhibited itself. Sturdy oaks, which the woodman's axe had spared, towered up and stood forth around the house, evoking emotions of reverence, they counted back centuries. Though there was no carpet on the floor, A neat rug was at the door, And the white floor told of pride, As one entered the door. The card, the loom, the spinning-wheel had their places; the yard was well filled with chickens and geese, with their heads all borne aloft, had their pond, so the boys and girls were enabled to sleep on downy beds of ease. Among the traditions of the family is, that an audacious would be robber, forfeited his life in an attempt to enslave one of its members. They were famed for their strength, agility, and general aptness, and enjoyed the reputation of being ready and able to defend their rights. Their son Thomas was playmate of Thomas A. Wise, afterwards Governor of Virginia, not being satisfied, he left his home, and followed the troops marching north in the war of 1812; he halted at Philadelphia, a stranger, he remained there awhile, and then went to New York, where he located and established business at number- 5 Broad Street. The locality at that day, was not only the section where New York merchants had their counting houses, where banks and brokers' offices centered, but merchants resided in their stately homes. His business increased so, that he leased on both sides of his original place, numbers 3, 5, 7 Broad Street, where he remained forty-six years. Dickens visited his house, when in America, as did Lord Morpeth and other distinguished foreigners. It will be remembered, how great was the 6 Biography of George Thomas Downing sensation Col. Harmon Thorne created in Paris, at the time of his residence there, when all that money could produce, was obtained to have his receptions stand out in regal splendor, these were supplied with fried oysters from number 3 Broad Street. Mr. Downing presented to Queen Victoria some choice American oysters, which she recognized by sending him a gold chronometer watch, which Com. Joseph Comstock brought to America and delivered to the happy recipient. Mr. Downing died, April 10, 1866, lamented by all who knew him. The Board of Commerce of the City of New York adjourned to attend his funeral. His wife, who died several years previous, was a faithful wife, and devoted mother, she was highly respected and known for her benevolence, determination of character and queenly grace, such were the parents of George T. Downing. Two of whose brothers, Thomas and Henry were educated in the schools of New York, the youngest brother, Peter William Downing, was educated in Paris, where he remained seven years, his sister died when a young girl. The subject of my sketch, inherited his father's com- manding figure and kingly bearing, his aggressive tempera- ment and manly character, he was reared under Christian influences, and taught to stand up for his rights, as well as of the weaker ones, and repel invasion, by force if necessary. The first school he attended was kept by a Mr. Charles Smith on Orange Street, from there he went to the old Mulberry Street School whose members became eminent leaders in the battle of life, with several of which he pursued classical studies, and enjoyed the advantages also of private instruction, he finished with a collegiate course at Hamilton College. He spoke with and shook the hand of Lafayette when a boy. When fourteen years old, he organized a literary society with a number of boys of his own age, in which they discussed "live subjects," they adopted a resolution, for example, to refrain from celebrating the Fourth of Biography of George Thomas Downing y July, because in practical lines, the Declaration of In- dependence was to the colored American, "a perfect mockery." Downing's public career began when he was but a youth as an agent of the Underground Railroad, he helped to spirit away "Little Henry" the slave who was put in jail in New York, situated in the Park, near where the Old City Hall now stands. He was arrested but matters were compromised. The value of the slave being paid. On the 24th of November, 1841, he married Serena Leanora de'Grasse, she was educated in Clintor Seminary, Oneida County, New York State. As travelling was so tedious in those days, being by stage coach, she spent her vacations with Garret Smith's daughter, in Peterboro, where George T. Downing did most of his courting. After her graduation, she returned home, and they were married. Her father, George de'Grasse, was a native of Calcutta, India, his Hindoo name was Azor, he was such a handsome boy, that Count de'Grasse on going to Calcutta, saw and fell in love with him; he took him to Paris, adopted and educated him. He came to New York, where he bought large tracts of land, one of which he purchased for his summer home, extended from 24th to 25th Streets and from 8th to 9th Avenues, another of which was from Aaron Burr in 1802, for which the family have the deed on parchment, signed by Aaron Burr, they were life long friends. Aaron Burr presented him with the looking glass out of his daughter Theodosia's bridal chamber. He married Maria Van Surley, daughter of John and Margaret Van Surley, natives of Germany, in 1808. Margaret Van Surley was a huxster in the then, great Bear market in New York, she owned her own Stall. John Van Surley fought in the Revolutionary War, , they traced their ancestery back many generations, the first record in their family Bible being dated 1630. George and Maria de'Grasse had a large family, all daughters, except two sons, the daughters were all educated in Seminaries at home. The eldest son, Isaiah George de'Grasse, after attending school in New York, went to Geneva College, where he received 8 Biography of George Thomas Downing a classical education, from there he went to Newark, Deleware, then to a Theological Seminary to study for the ministry. He was ordained in 1837. He preached in old Trinity Church, in New York, on Broadway, at the head of Wall Street. Bishop Underdonk offered him the Rectorship of it, if he would renounce the colored Ameri- cans, he refused to accept the sacred calling under such unchristain like conditions. In 1839, ne preached in Trinity Church, in Newport, R. I. He went to Jamaica as a missionary, where he contracted the fever and died. The younger son, John Van Surley de'Grasse, attended both the public and private schools in New York till 1840, he then entered Oneida Institute, after which he went to college in 1843, from there he went to Paris to Aubuk College, he spent considerable time in the Hospitals of Paris. He travelled through France, England, Italy and Switzerland. He returned home in the ship, Samuel Fox, as surgeon, he settled in Boston in 1854, and was admitted, a member of the Massachusetts Medical Society. Such was the family George T. Downing married into. He was a man of the greatest activity, to him there was no such word as "rest," he could not be quiet, if he would, with the coolness of the German, the clear headedness of the English, he had the dash of the French, and the crowning ardor of the African, how could he have done otherwise than fill up his life with thoughts and noble deeds. He was active in the organization of the Anti-Slavery Society. He attended conventions of colored people to better their condition. He was one of the famous committee of thirteen, which was organized at the time of the Fugitive Slave Law; this committee did much in arousing public sentiment against the enforcement of that iniquitous measure. Mr. Downing had a lengthy conversation with Fernando Woods one day, during which Mr. Woods said, "I want to introduce you to Millard Fillmore." Mr. Downing thanked him kindly, and said he desired to be excused, as he could not touch the hand which signed the Fugitive Biography of George Thomas Downing 9 Slave Bill. He was selected by the committee to deliver an address of welcome to that illustrious Hungarian patriot, Louis Kossuth, on his famous visit to this country. He was active in the efforts to abolish the property qualifica- tion placed upon colored people, by the State of New York. In those days colored men had to own two hundred and fifty dollars worth of real estate, in order to vote. In early life he took an active part in organizing the Grand United Order of Odd Fellows, he was Grand Master for several years in connection with the sub-com- mittee of management for the Continent of America. He was also active in Masonic circles, being a Royal Arch Mason. His personal reminiscences and recollections of the anti-slavery struggles and public men would fill a volume. In praising the abilities and recounting the deeds of others, he lost sight of himself, but the listener could see the hero of many a conflict of mind and arm in the stalwart form, the flashing eye, the ardent manner, the eloquent voice and courtly demeanor of the brilliant con- versationalist, a living epistle of inspiration unto young men, urging them to earnestness, manliness, courage and progress. He spent his life in writing and speaking for his people, without asking or receiving any pecuniary reward, and often at a personal sacrifice, he was always ready to respond whenever and wherever the trumpet called to arms. He was in New Bedford, when a despatch came calling upon the friends of freedom to repair forth- with to Boston, he took the first train for the Hub. It was at the time of the agitation over the fugitive slave, Anthony Burns. While standing on the streets of Boston, a body of men from Worcester marched by with a banner inscribed, "Freedom," a number of police assaulted the procession and captured the flag. Mr. Downing's whole nature was aroused, he rushed into the crowd and used his muscles, strength and agility. After a desperate struggle, in which the banner was torn almost to shreds, he captured it from the police, and amidst expressions of admiration io Biography of George Thomas Downing at his courage and strength, and applause at his success, he bore the emblem to the office of Robert Morris, which was nearby. Mr. Downing with J. S. Martin, took a con- spicuous part in the first anniversary meeting of John Brown's death, in Tremont Temple; the meeting had been publicly announced, but leading Beacon Street citizens and the city authorities, decided that it should not be held, this however did not stop the movement or prevent the meeting. It was held, but the police who were out in full power, overpowered the people. The meeting was therefore adjourned to meet again in the evening, in the Joy Street Church. Notice was given, and the friends of freedom were urged to be out in full force in the evening. The Mayor of Boston sent for Messrs. Downing and Martin, and attempted to dissuade them from holding the meeting, he said blood would flow if the meeting was held. The courageous men replied that they had a right to assemble, and that they were determined to have free speech in Boston. The Mayor then spoke of his inability to furnish sufficient force to protect the meeting, he was told in reply, that was a matter for him to decide, that they had not been protected in their meeting in Tremont Temple by the authorities, but they were determined to meet that night in the church, and if necessary, protect themselves, that they would be prepared for any emer- gency. Placards were widely distributed and posted, calling upon the enemy to be out in force. A howling mob of thousands gathered in the neighborhood and around the church at the hour of meeting, but the friends of freedom, nothing daunted and fully armed, packed the edifice. The meeting was held. The right of free speech was vindicated. The skulking, faithless authorities were whipped into their duty. The whole police force and the militia were called out, and thus the shedding of blood, the sacrifice of life and the consequent destruction of property were prevented. The martyr John Brown was honored. His son was there with two revolvers and a Biography of George Thomas Downing n bowie-knife, which he laid on the Bible when he stood up to speak. Wendell Phillips made a characteristic speech. At the close of the meeting, the leaders betook themselves to Mr. Downing's house and slept on their arms, or rather watched with their weapons of defense in their hands, pre- pared to resist to the death any attack that might be made upon them. Young John Brown was the centre of this "Daniel's Band," who dared to stand up for the right. Mr. Downing was instrumental during the war in forming several colored regiments, but not until he obtained from John A. Andrews, the "War Governor of Massachusetts*' written assurances that he would exert the whole power of the state to secure for every soldier equal and exact justice, to prevent any discrimination on account of color. While Mr. Downing was on a visit to Washington, the Hon. Nathan P. Dixon, then member of Congress from Rhode Island, suggested that he take charge of the House Refectory, after maturely considering the subject, he decided to take charge of the department and use it as a channel through which to secure the interest of his race. As its head he was brought in contact with leading states- men of both parties, whose respect and confidence he never failed to secure and keep. He was daily consulted upon matters of legislation. During the Vice Presidency of Hannibal Hamlin, one of his attendants in the restaurant, who had been in the employ of his predecessor, came to him one day and re- ported the presence of colored people, with an air and look of, what shall I do? Mr. Downing unhesitatingly said, serve them, and send anyone to me who may complain. He became intimate with Charles Sumner, a warm feel- ing of mutual regard sprang up between them, they often visited each other, and years of friendly intercourse was passed with each other. The Senator paid the following compliment to Mr. Downing on the senate floor in one of his speeches on the Civil Rights Bill. In continuation of a speech, he said; "But I have not done with you my 12 Biography of George Thomas Downing friend. I am going to hand you over to be answered by one of your fellow citizens, who has no privilege on this floor. I put George T. Downing face to face with my excellent friend, the Senator from Maine. The Senator will find his argument in one of the papers of today. I shall read enough to show that he understands the question, even constitutionally. 'But I come directly,' he says, 'to misconception, to thwarting justice. The Senator from Maine opposes Senator Sumner's amendment; he says it invokes an appli- cation of some principle or provision of the Constitution somewhere or an application arising from the general fitness of things, possibly to enable it to evade the domiciliary rights of the citizens of a state.' These were the precise words of the Senator, I remember them well; I was aston- ished at them; I could not understand by what delusion, hallucination or special ignisfatuus the Senator was led in- to the idea that in this bill, there was any suggestion of invading the domiciliary rights of the citizens of the states. Why, sir, the Senator has misread the bill. I will not say he has not read it. He certainly has misread it, and now let our colored citizen answer him. T do not speak unadvisedly, when I say that no such end is desired by a single colored man, no such design can be gleaned from any word ever spoken by Charles Sumner; his amendment can not by any reasonable stretch of imag- ination be open to the implication.' Not a senator, not a lawyer says this, it is only one of our colored fellow citizens, whom the Senator would see shut out of the cars, shut out of the hotels, his children shut out from schools, and himself shut out from churches, and seeing these things, the senator would do nothing because Congress is powerless! Our fellow citizen proceeds: 'The amendment says that all citizens, white and black, are entitled to the equal and impartial enjoyment of any accomodation, advantage, facility or privilege furnished by common carriers, by inn keepers, by licensed theatres, by Biography of George TJwmas Doivning ij managers of common schools, supported by general taxa- tion, or authorized by law. Does any of the same invade the domiciliary rights of a citizen in any state?' That is not my language, sir, it is Mr. Downings, he further says: 'Could any man, white or black, claim a right of en- trance into the domicile of the poorest, the humblest, the weakest citizen of the State of Maine by virtue of Mr. Sumner's amendment, when it shall become a law? Cer- tainly not. A man's private domicile is his own castle. No one, not even with kingly pretensions, dare force him- self over its threshold. But the public inn, the public or common school, the public place of amusement, as well as common carriers, asking the special protection of law, created through its action, on the plea and for the benefit of the public good, have no such exclusive rights, as the citizen may rightfully claim within his home; and it seems to me to be invoking the aid of an unholy prejudice, in attempting to force the idea that Mr. Sumner desires or that the colored people in petitioning for civil rights are designing to break into social circles against the wish of those who compose them.' It is difficult to answer that; but the writer proceeds: 'I have the testimony of Senator Morrill, this same Senator, to the fact that equality before the law, without distinction of race or color, is a constitutional right, for we have his declaration to that effect recorded, and further setting forth that it is the duty of the circuit court of the United States to afford a speedy and convenient means for the arrest and examination of persons charged with a dis- regard of the same.' I have not verified this reference. I read it as I find it. The Senator will know whether he has heretofore employed such generous language, in conformity with the Consti- tution. Assuming novv that he has used this language, I think, as a lawyer, he will feel that George T. Downing has the better of him. I ask my friend to listen further and he will perhaps confess. 14. Biography of George Thomas Downing 'If equality before the law be a constitutional right, as testified to by Mr. Morrill, and if it is the duty of the federal courts to protect the same, as he further affirms, is not all conceded as to the rights of Congress to act in the case in question, when it is shown that the public inn, the public school, the common carrier are necessary institutions under the control of law, where equality, without regard to race or color may be enforced? Can there be any question as to the same? I further invoke the letter of the Con- stitution in behalf of Congressional action to protect me in the rights of an American Citizen.' Again I say, this is not the argument of a lawyer, but of one of those colored fellow-citizens for whom my friend can find no protection. 'For instance, that article which says, 'The judicial power shall extend to all cases in law and equity, arising under the Constitution.' If equality before the law be, as Mr. Morrill has declared, a constitutional right, the judicial power of the United States reaches the same. Another section says: The citizens of each state shall be entitled to all the privileges and immunities of citizens in the several states.' The writer is not content with one clause of the Constitution. "Another section says: 'No state shall make or enforce any law, which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States.' Another section says: 'The United States shall guarantee to every state in the union a republican form of government.' The section last cited, contemplates a case where a controlling power shall strive to have it otherwise, and the subordinated in- dividuals need protection. Congress is left to judge of what constitutes a republican form of government, and consequently of the rights incidental thereto.' Then again, another section says: 'The Constitution and the laws of the United States, which shall be made in pursuance thereof, shall be the supreme law of the land.' Another section says that, 'Congress has power to make all laws Biography of George Thomas Downing ij which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into ex- ecution the powers invested by the Constitution in the government of the United States. Will it be said that the power is not vested in the government of the United States to protect the rights of its citizens, and, that it is not necessary and proper to do so?' The senator admits that there is a constitutional exhibition against prescribing men because of their race or color in enjoyment of rights and privileges, but he denies the existence of a constitutional right on the part of a Congress to act in defence of the supreme law, when a state may disregard the Constitution in this respect !' I read the Constitution otherwise, I con- clude that when the supreme law says of right, a thing shall not be, Congress, which has that supreme law as its guide and authority, has the power to enforce the same.' That sir, is the reply of a colored fellow-citizen, to the speech of my excellent friend. I ask senators to sit in jndgment between the speech and the reply. I ask if my excellent friend is not completely answered by George T. Downing? If the latter has been able to do this, it is be- cause of the innate strength of his own cause and the weakness of that espoused by the senator. Our colored commentator places himself on the texts of the Consti- tution and interprets them liberally, justly, for the equal rights of his race. The senator places himself on those same texts, but in an evil moment surrenders to that malig- nant interpretation which prevailed before the war and helped to precipitate the rebellion." The above is given in full to show the esteem Mr. Sumner had for Mr. Downing, and also as a tribute to the noble senator. Mr. Downing had the Senate gallery at Washington thrown open to colored persons. He and his family were the first colored persons to occupy a box in a Wash- ington theatre, thus vindicating civil rights to the fullest extent. He lead in stopping the disgraceful treatment of colored persons travelling between Washington and Balti- 16 Biography of George Thomas Downing more, on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. He called Mr. Sumner's attention to the matter. Mr. Sumner spoke of it in the Senate, when legislation affecting the road came up. An official of the road assured Mr. Downing that the grievance would be remedied. At the suggesture of Mr. Sumner, Mr. Downing wrote a letter to that effect, and ad- dressed it to the senator, who read it before the Senate and withdrew his objection. Mr. Downing was at the Senator's bedside during his last illness, with his hand clasped in his, the great senator cried, ''Don't let my Civil Rights bill fail," and then he slept the sleep that knoweth no waking. Mr. Downing took a prominent part in efforts to re- construct the South. It was his proposition to send dele- gates from the several states to Washington, to remain there during the session of Congress. The proposition was earnestly endorsed by Horace Greeley. It was carried out. Mr. Downing headed it. The delegation held that well known interview with President Johnson, in which a running debate took place, much to the discomfiture of his Excellency. He was passing through the southern states, on his way to New Orleans, when a letter was handed to him from the Ku Klux Klan, with the cross bones, skull and coffin on it, saying, "you are so surrounded now, that we can not reach you, but we will bide our time." It was through Mr. Downing that the first appointment of a colored gentleman in the Diplomatic Corps of the United States was made. In this connection the able and scholarly, Mr. Edward Bassett had the honor to be appointed, Minister Resident and Consul General for the United States to the Republic of Hayti. The first reception given in Washington of a social and political character, was given at Mr. Downing's residence on Capitol Hill, during the first week of President Grant's first in- augural, that is to say, it was the first time members and senators, judges and representative men and ladies were thrown socially in contact with leading colored representa- Biography of George Thomas Doivning iy tive society. This was indeed a fine stroke of social political diplomacy the good result of it can be summed up in a few words. Many of those there, who knew of the colored people, only as freedmen, refugees and contra- bands, had their eyes opened to the realities of a large, powerfully intellectual and highly cultivated social side of the colored question, which was to them very strange, a revelation, still gratifying, nearly every newspaper in the country, that had a Washington correspondent, made elaborate references to the royal entertainment, and per- sonal description of the men and women who were present. Mr. Downing was as much sought after by members, as if he were an index. Few of the important bills or resolu- tions introduced in Congress, while he was there, but what received his supervision. Members found him a man of superior intelligence, farseeing and reaching, earnest in his devotion to his race, hence they sought him, believing by so doing they would counsel one of the wise and sagacious representative colored men. In this they never made a mistake, for if there was a man in the country who proved his fealty to the cause of human rights, equal justice and free citizenship, if there was a man who made sacrifices of business and everything else, save principle, to advance justice, that man was George T. Downing. In a word, where there were rights to be maintained, equal and exact justice to secure, wrong to redress, great problems to be solved, he took a leading, often the leading part, for over a half a century. Everywhere his plume was seen in the thickest of the fight for unconditional civil rights and universal suffrage, with Douglass, Sumner, Phillips, Garnet, Garrison and Ward, he led the race out of physical bondage into the bright light of freedom. It is now for the younger men to gather inspiration from the lives and labor of their heroic seniors and carry on the work. In a league in Boston, addressed by the late Bishop Henry C. Potter, advocating colonization to Africa, who said, "no self-respecting colored man would remain in 1 8 Biography of George Thomas Downing America." Mr. Downing rose and said, "I am self-respect- ing, I consider no man my peer, this is our home, we will stay here to Christianize you ministers." I recollect that down from 1863 to 1882, he caused nearly all the leading Democrats of the country to be hitting at him, first there is the address to President Andrew Johnson and the people of the United States, February 7, 1866. This address was prepared by Messrs. Downing, Douglass, Lewis H. Douglass and John P. Jones, Esq., it was a sweeping arraignment of the Democratic policy of Andrew Johnson, it was one of the many thorns put into the touchy side of that man. For this and the very busy side that Mr. Downing took in Washington, urging certain measures and policies upon the law makers, the bold demand in the name of the colored Americans, for full, fair and equal citizenship, drew on him the fire of the Conservatives and Democrats of the country, and at this time it was the Herald, "Bennett's paper," which was then supporting Andrew Johnson's policy, said that Downing had better stick to his oysters and let politics alone. Mr. Bennett doubtless thought of the fact that it was Downing's oysters which probably gave him the notoriety and enabled him to fill the position he holds to- day, because it was to Mr. Downing's father at 3, 5 and 7 Broad Street, where the Dexrel building now stands, we owe the present Herald. Had he not come to the pecuniary assistance of the elder Bennett, the Herald would not have lived a year, to the day of his death Mr. Bennett was grateful for this service and often acknowl- edged it by editorial notices of Downing's business, which could not have been bought. I quote from the New York Town Topics of June 27, 1895, page 15. Nor was George T. Downing backward in lending the son money. In a campaign, Mr. Downing refused to support Mr. Blaine, he was made a target of much private and some public criticisms, but he believed that the Republican party had proven faithless to the colored people and that neither the party nor its unfortunate candidate was worthy BiograpJiy of George Thomas Downing 19 of the suffrages of the former unflinching and unfailing colored allies, he had come to feel that the Democratic party of today, was not what it was twenty-five years ago. After a Republican supreme court declared Civil Rights legislation null and void, he conferred personally and in some cases by letter, with leading Democrats in New Jersey, Connecticut and Ohio and found them ready to accord equal and exact justice to all men. He found the Demo- crats voting for and passing laws for the enforcement of Civil Rights. It was no difficult thing for him to oppose Blaine. He saw the necessity and wisdom for a division of the colored vote. He hoped the Democrats who did not enjoy their confidence, would act so as to make it possible for the colored men to support their public policy, v/ithout a sacrifice of self-respect or a compromise of manhood. Mr. Downing was by nature an independent and bold thinker, and had the courage of his convictions. He was on terms of personal intimacy with Sumner, Phillips, Garrison, Theodore Parker, Robert Purvies and the early abolitionists and made a fearless leader, sans penr et sans reproche. His acquaintance with the public men of our country was very wide, he knew personally, Henry Clay, Daniel Webster, John J. Crittendon, Silas Wright, Stephen A. Douglass, Henry A. ' Wise, Horace Greeley, William Cullen Bryant, Ralph Waldo Emerson, John G. Whittier and many others. His efforts in his adopted state, Rhode Island, were signally effective. It was mainly through his efforts that distinction in the public schools was abolished. For twelve years he beseiged the legislature, till victory was won, he and others at the time refused to support the Republican party's nominees and put up their own candi- dates, making the school question an issue. He travelled through the state, appealing to the friends of equality be- fore the law. His candidates received a decent vote. The next legislation removed the proscriptive features from the 20 Biography of George Thomas Downing statute book. In a municipal election in Newport, Mr. Downing and others supported a Democrat, with the understanding that colored people should be represented by one of their number on the school committee of the city. The Democratic Aldermen kept their pledge. Mr. Downing labored to have the law repealed against the inter-marriage of the races, and that limiting to a property qualification, the franchise of naturalized citizens. He took a decided stand against discrimination in the re- organization of the Rhode Island militia. The Governor commissioned him captain of a colored company of the state militia, he immediately returned the commission, with a letter protesting against the discrimination. The Governor, be it said to his credit, promptly sent a new one, with no qualifying phrase. In another way his name is entitled to a place in Newport's history, for it is associ- ated with the Old Stone Mill. When Judah Touro died, it was found in his will, he had left $10,000.00 for the purchase of what is now known as Touro Park, that it might be devoted to public purposes. Governor William C. Gibbes, who then owned the land and the old stone mill thereon, refused to sell it for less than $16,500.00, and the city refused to make good the difference. That the city might not lose the advantage of the liberal bequest, sixteen gentlemen made up the balance, of whom Mr. Downing was a large contributor, he was the last of the sixteen to pass away. Bellevue Avenue was only open as far as Perry Street, across at that point there was an old farm fence with corn, pumpkins, and other farm produce grow- ing within, the owner refused to sell the land. Mr. Downing was one of a posse committer appointed to open Bellevue Avenue to Bailey's Beach, which has since been the beautiful drive, and homes of the ultra fashion- able and multi millionaires. He was named for the col- lector of the port of Newport; the late George H. Norman, Colonel Thomas W. Higginson and Charles Sumner stand- ing as his sponsors. This he declined, for he felt that he Biography of George Thomas Downing 21 would be obliged to sacrifice some of his labor for his people, by holding such an official position. He was appointed by Governor Davis to meet the delegation from the British Parliament to discuss arbitration rather than war. He also held many other honorary appointments, but none of these would he allow to come between him and his cause, in whose interest he was present in person or by letter at every meeting of importance in the east for over a half a century. When the New England Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church was in session, about one month before he passed away, at the suggestion of Bishop William B. Derrick, a committee was appointed to call on Mr. Downing, and express greetings and assurances of good will, in behalf of the conference and the general church. The committee called and presented an address, to which Mr. Downing replied in part, as follows: ''Gentlemen, ministers of an important calling, I do not know that I was ever called upon so unprepared, times are quite different now. I was a fighter as well as an urger, I owe it all to that man, (pointing to his father's picture). I have left to you a harder lot than was allotted to me; I have stood with Philip A. Bell, when we were in the midst of a mob, telling them to stand back. It is not so now, but there seems to be a devilish spirit, determined more than ever to crush us. I am afraid the church is not doing its duty, in building character to stand for the right, re- gardless of all things. Then we made a sacrifice for principle, today we are sacrificing principle for material things that pass away. Principle is eternal." These were his last public words. The family of George T. Downing consisted of Serena Ann Miller, born in New York, she married George Wash- ington, a native of Boston, Mass., deceased, their issue, George Wendell, born at Newport, deceased; Serena Leanora Pierson, born at Newport, deceased; Mary Cordelia, born at Newport, deceased; Eugene de Grasse, born at Newport, now resident of Brooklyn, N. Y.; Armenia Augusta, born 22 Biography of George Thomas Doivning at Washington, D. C, deceased; Clarence Telford, born at Newport, deceased; Georgenia Medora Drusilla, born at Newport. She is studying in the Lincoln Hospital in New York, where she has made very proficient progress. George Isaiah was the second child of George T. Downing, born at New York, deceased; Thomas Downing, born in New York, now a resident of Boston, Mass., where for over forty-four years he has been a clerk in the Foreign Department of the Post Office. Cordelia, born in New York, married in Washington, D. C, to Mark Rena de Mortie, a native of New Orleans, engaged in business in Richmond, Va., from there to Boston, Mass., issue Louise, born in Richmond, Va., deceased, Irene Dow, born in Newport, married Marcus Fitzgerald Wheatland, M. D., of Barbadoes, W. I., now a resident of Newport; Rebecca Medora fifth child of George T. Downing, born in Newport, deceased; Mary, born in Newport, deceased; Georgenia Frances, born in Providence, deceased; Philip Bell, born in Providence, now residing in Boston, Mass., where he has been for many years, an honored employee at the Custom House; Peter John, born in Newport, deceased, was an officer in the Custom House in New York for twenty-three years. 1 will close the history of this noble man, by quoting the following lines, which portray so ably his life, written by Miss Josephine Salone, graduate of the Rogers High School, now the wife of Professor Yates of a western seminary, written and dedicated to Mr. Downing on his eighty-second birthday, December 30, 1900. "Here's health to one whose heart is true as steel, Whose years have passed in Freedom's holy cause, In caring for a brother's woe, a brother's weal In fighting direful wrong and baneful laws. Here's health to one whose lofty mien and brow Bespeak the noble mind, the spirit proud, That feareth not the tyrant bold, I trow That cringeth not when traitors thunder loud. Biography of George Thomas Downing 23 Here's health and more of hale and hearty years, For one who loved the fires of wit and joy, Who oft dispersed these gifts amidst his peers, And friends who sought a heart without alloy. Although in twain the fateful sisters three, Have cut the mazy web of many friends Who brightly traced life's morn and noon with thee, A beacon light still shines and pleasures lend. So here's a health to thee! Still may there be Full many friends to cheer, to soothe, to love, Thus shall December, bleak and wintry see, A merry gleam of May, a springtide from above." CALL NUMBER 326*93 D751W Vol. Date (for periodical) Copy No.