The colored American., 1866-01-06
CELEBRATION OF THE FIRST
ANNIVERSARY OF FREEDOM

Il -
ANNLV kRSARY OF FREEDOM.
According to announcement, notwith
standing the unpropitious appearance
of the elements and the abominable dirty
condition OF the streets, the above Ccle-
hratlon took place in Springfield Baptist
Church. It may not be out of place
here to state Why it is that this Celebra
ton is called the first Anniversary of
Freedom. On January lst, 1868. the
celebrated Emancipation Proclamation of
Abraham Lincoln, the late lamcnted
President, took effect having been an
nounced throughout the whole Union for
the space OF Que hundred days previous,
and from that day, Slavery ceased to
exist wherever the United States armies
carried the Stars and Stripes. This
January lst, 1866, being the first new
years day since that memorable date on
which our race find themselves fully
secured in the liberty guaranteed by
that Proclamation, and forever free from
the bondage of slavery. we deemed it
but rig ht and proper, that. that day
should be celebrated in an appropriate
manner, for it is to us the Jrrst Anniver-
, sary Of Freedom.
Long before the appointed hour the
building was crowded from floor to roof
with an eager and altogether happy and
decocous audience.
Shortly after the appointed hour the
chair was occupied bg Mr. Robert Kcut,
and the exercises Of the day commenced
by the Choir singing in mastery style
the sacred chorus BLOW ye the trumpet,
Mr. Robert A. Harper, presiding at the
organ.
AZ the conclusion of that spirited
piece, the Rev. John Bryan engaged in
prayer, and was followed with few APP
propriate introduction remarks by Rev.
Samuel Drayton, following which, the
reading Of the Emancipation Proclanla,
ton by Simeon w. Beard,
Being again refreshed and re~annima-
ted by some delicious music, Chaplain
Henry NJ. Turner, arose for the Grafton
Of the day.
We regret exceedingly that we were
unable to get full report of the speech,
from the fact that it was delivered tu>
tenap0rc, but we shall present in our
next weekly issue short outline Of
the principle features Of it which will
enable our readers to recall to memory
many # its sublimest beauties and finest
conceptions. At tire conclusion of the
Grafton, Captain Bryant, Agent Freed
mems Bureau made few remarks. He
advised the freedmen to make contracts
Immediately. He told them that no
lands would be given them by governs
ment, but that ali must earn an honest
living; that as they would live at the
South, it wa not only for their interest,
but it was their duty to cultivate friendly
relations if possible with those who were
formerly their masters. He further ad-
viscd tAem to be honest, industrious and
pedceable and in every respect, conduct
themselves like good citizens.
Mr. j, n. Ellis, editor of the Daily
Transcript followed Captain Bryant in a
few short and pointed remarks. He said
he concurred in the advice given by his
friend from distant State, that he was
q Georgian by birth, and as q Georgian
he told them that the Southern men were
their best friends.
The proceedings were brought to a
close by the Rev, Mr.. Eaves expressing
bis unbounded pleasure at sharing in
such a glorious Ju52iee. He had beer
laboring for the last thirty years for the
good Of the colored people and had been
a participator in many q joyous demon
stratien by them, but he had never seen
nor participate in one like the pres
ent
DR.. West, then pronounced the bene
diction, when The immense concourse dis
persed in an orderly anl respectable
manner; all heartily satisfied that the
First Anniversary Of Freedom had been
perfect success.
Thad. Stevens and the radicals in Con
rress have concluded that they can not
defeat the Presidents plan of reconstruct
ton, and are about to introduce now
programme, intended to. cireumvent the
President. A committee Of Congress are
to make a trip South and report upon
the condition of affairs as they shall lind
them. Thad. Stevens will appoint the
sub committee, SO that the character of
its report may be easily anticipated. The
object is to delay the reconstruction Of
The South on the Presidents plan.
There are heavy rises Of water in both
the Cumberland and Tennessee rivers,
and bridges are all swept away on the