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INDIGNITY TO THE LEARNED PROFESSIONS:
A Rich Scene. — A day or two since; two individuals of sable hue made their appearance on our streets, clothed in habiliments of the most fashionable cut and quality. Upon inquiry it was found that the ebony-colored personages hailed, one from Philadelphia the other from some other Northern village —one being a lawyer, who had come here to enlighten the negroes as to their rights under the law, as it will be expounded by the Freedman's Bureau. The other styles him self "professor," and proposes to undertake the general supervision of negro education in this city. Unfortunately for this brace of learned darkies, Scurry—the inevitable Scurry—ever on the lookout for recruits for the street brigade, happened to come into contact with them, and in default of satisfactory papers, they were furnished by him with a broom each, and allowed the privilege of sweeping the streets. It was a rare sight, that of these gentry, arrayed in purple and fine linen, with broom in hand, working away at the completion of their task, the perspiration razeeing their paper colors from erect positions, together with the dust accumulating on their persons and apparel, giving them anything but a professional appearance.
The disciple of Blackstone declared that "there was no law making a citizen of one State sweep the streets in another State;" and the parson protested that "it was a shame to put a minister of the Gospel to sweeping the streets." Scurry, however was inexorable, and did not appreciate this exposition of law and moral philosophy.
The next day at roll call they were found non est, much to the regret of Gen Scurry, who entertained high hopes of making them efficient scavengers. They have probably secured their papers, and will, we suppose, now move in what they regard as their legitimate sphere. We sympathise with the commander of the street brigade in the loss of these recruits to use his useful corps. But what a fall to them, and damper to their aspiration! Oh, cruel Scurry!
"Imperious Caesar dead and turned to play,
May stop a hole to keep the wind away."

Transcription Notes:
hard to decipher certain words. possibly because of the scan? ---------- Reopened for Editing 2024-01-31 15:09:30 "Sable" is a dark brown or black color. There is a 1956 book, The Sable Arm, documenting some of the 180,000 Black troops who fought with the Union Army.