Cleveland daily leader. [volume] ([Cleveland, Ohio]) 1865-1873, 1866-04-20
CITY NEWS.
CIVIL RIGHTS BILL CELEBRATED
Salute of Sixty-fVe Guns-Speeehes at
CARROTS HaII-Great Enthusiasm.

Wednesday afternoon a salute of sixty-fv'
guns was fred in honor of the passage o
the Civil Rights Bill, by the cOlOred citi
zens of Cleveland.
In the evening quite a large ~coneourse o
the colored people assembled in Carrots
Hall, where excellent music was furnished
for the occasion, and a number of then
white friends had also assembled TO joir
with them in their rejoicing,
At eight o'clock the meeting was opened
with prayer by Rev. Amos G. Beman Ccol-
ored.) Rev. J. A. Thome was then introduc-
ed, and entertained the audience for twenty
minutes with a speech full of instruction 10
the colored race. He expected to occupy a
subordinate position, but as some Of
the colored orators were absent he felt it
was right to speak. On the question of
freedom he thought no one could strike the
right chord better than a eolored man, but
as they were of one common brotherhood he
had q right to be there. He was a believer
in enthusiastic re~joieings on all great occa-
sions. They should be improved r~eligiOusly
and earnestly. Religion has its fasts and
festivals. So in governments there are
times of struggling and times of rejoicing.
He thought the present was a time for the
colored people and their friends to rejoice.
The Civil Rights Bill was considered the
foundation of the elective franchise. twas
the base upon which the superstructure of
Tpfxraroa1 erYH fro "a r-oY,Tl 1arfos-1- l., -
ed. At the close of his remarks be extended
the hand of fellowship to all present as
American citizens.
Rev. Mr.. Monteith then followed in q few
well-timed remarks to the same effect as
those uttered by his predecessor, with some
additional advice with reference to temper
ance and virtue. He considered those two
principles the corner stone of liberty in our
government.
Rev. Amos G. Beman was next intro
duced, and said every eolored man ought
10 have a copy of the Civil Rights Bill in
bis house, Study it, make its provisions
Known 10 all his brethren. He continued
at some length, reviewing the course Of
statesmen of the past generation.
When the war first began the pride Of the
would not allow them TO receive
colored men in their ranks, but before it
was over they humbly knelt and asked the
black man to help them. So it was in the
South. Jetf. Davis would not use them, but
he afterwards prsyed-aot to Europe or the
living God-but to the black man to help
him out of his difficulty. He waited and
watched long for them to come, and finally
so much discouraged over the dis
appointment, he jumped into his wife's
and away he went.
Judge Bishop was next introduced, and
laid he had never heard Of or participated
IN a celebration where the full letter and
spirit OF the Declaration of Independence
be properly celebrated until the Civil
Rights Bill had been passed. For the right
# universal suffrage he contended now and
would continue to do so while he lived.
His remarks were listened to with mark
ID attention, and were received with i'm
nense applause.
The following resolutions were offered
md unanimously adopted
RESOLVED, That we feel called upon, with
'ut distinction Of race or color, to rejoice
n the passage of the Civil Rights Bill as
great triumph of righteousness, placing
ii men on a footing of equality before the
aw in respect of their Civil Rights.
ReSotved, That we approve and applaud
he noble stand taken by Congress in pass
ng the Civil Rights Bill over the veto of
he President. by q majority indicating the
of that branch of the Government.
ResolUed, That as a meeting largely com
,osed of eolored citizens, We rejoice in this
step taken by eur Government in
Ae work of elevsting the colored race
throughout eur country to the full ENJOY
nent of the right Of citizenship.
Excellent music was furnished and the
speaks well for the character and
Intelligence of our colored citizens.