THE FISK JUBILEE SINGERS.

Waikato Times, Volume 2632, Issue 2632, 25 May 1889, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE FISK JUBILEE SINGERS.

All will remember the advent of tho Fisk Jubilee Singers in our midst and tho successful appeal made to tho philanthropic and religious feelings of the community. The idea was conveyed, if not absolutely stated in exact words, that the troupo consisted of emancipated slaves, who, having given their services for years in the noble work of raising funds for the support of tho university established for coloured people in tbe States, were now striving to obtain some personal reward for their labours. The springs of sympathy were tapped, and gushed forth in streams, which were fondly supposed to benefit those missionaries of a one time oppressed and enslaved race. Alas! for human credulity. The disclosures in the Supremo Court this week prove that there was nothing in tho Bhow of a philanthropic character, but that it was simply an enter- | prise run by an astute speculator for his own private purposes. The members of the company were engaged on salary, and the arrangements differed in no respect from those of an ordinary business undertaking. Of course in all this there is nothing to complain of, and singers and speculators may have separated by mutual consent at tho conclusion of the tour. But were not the religious public who flocked in crowds to tho Town Hall and elsewhere gulled by the representations which had been made ? Tho performances wero excellent, and those who attended received value for their money ; but it was not simply their intrinsic merit, but the sympatny artfully aroused, which drew the overflowing audiences. The bait was skilfully prepared, and deans and dignitaries, staid Presbyterian divines, Christian young men, and others who came within the circle of what Mr Purves in expressive phraseology terms '* the goody goody people," rose to the fly. If they had known that these "emancipated slaves" were being run by Loudin as a private speculation it is not likely that the same measure of support would have been received from this quarter. Mr Loudin admits having cleared a profit of £8000 on his Australian tour, and for this result he has greatly to thank the religious dignitaries, who so warmly took up the causc of the Jubilee Singers. As to the personal quarrel between Mr Loudin and his agent, which was the cause of the action, the matter is one of little public interest. Possibly, as the one who worked out, if he did not originate, the ingenious scheme which turned out so successfully, Mr Price considered that he was entitled to some share in the profits beyond his regular salary. If so he reckoned without his host. The law has decided that a bargain is a bargain, and it would have been paradoxical that in what Mr Justice Williams referred to as "as hard and clever a commercial transaction as he ever heard or read of," any departure from sharp business principles should have been allowed.—Loader.