The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1867-08-08
For the Standard.
TOT LI6 SGIuuHTt.
REPUBLICAN CELEBRATION OF THE FIRST
OF AUGUST IN MURFREESBOROUGH.


REPUBLICAN CELEBRATION OF THE FRS
OF AUGUST in MURFREESBOROUGH.
Early on the morning of Thursday, Is
August, 1867, large numbers of Republican
from Hartford, Northampton, Berthe ant
Gates Counties, and from Southampton
County, Va, commenced pouring into thu
beautiful and classic town of Murfreesboro'
until by 10 o'clock, A. NJ, nearly three thou
sand Republicans, mostly colored, had as
sembltd to celebrate that dies alba IN the
calendar of Freedom, the anniversary OF
West India emancipation in 1888. AS the
great historical work of the Acknowledgement
of slaves has been now nearly wrought out,
Russia having freed her serfs Brazil having
declared liberty throughout the borders OF
that vast tropical empire, the benignant
Queen of Spain having bestowed the boon
of freedom upon her colonial dependencies,
and. grandest of all, the great American Re-
public having indicated its principles and
traditions by creating four millions of bond
men into demonstrating the malign shad-
ow of human slavery lingering only in a
few dark corners of the earth it was thought
eminently fit that the first of August should
be COMMUNICATED by the late slaves of this
and adjoining counties as the great and I'M
mortal day which marked the opening OF
the new epoch OF emancipation.
Shortly after 10 o'clock, A. NJ, the Union
Leagues of Hartford, Gates and Northamp-
ton counties, and the United Benevolent
Stars of Lincoln, of Murfrecsborough, to-
gether with about hundred pupils OF Miss
lydia Warwick's school for colored youths,
and very large concourse of citizens. form
ed in procession at the African Church in
the eastern extremity of the town, and
marched in profound order through the prin-
cipal streets to the beautiful grove in front
of the Baptist Church, where the speakers
stand was erected The following was the
order of march:
The Union League of Murfreesborough.
The United Benevolent Stars of Lincoln.
The Juvenile Colored School.
The Gates County Union League
The Northampton County Ann Holden
Union League.
The Northampton County Macedonia
Union League, and an immense crowd of
citizens, making the procession nearly mile
in length. The following were the officers
of the day: Grand Marshals, Henry South
all and Frank Stewart; Assistant Marshals
Robert Baily, John Wilson, Alonzo Greene,
Orrell Greene, John T. Reynolds and John
Vincent. A police of colored men were de-
tached for the purpose of preserving order,
their duties under the direction of George
Worrel
The speakers stand was handsomely dec
Grated with flowers and evergreens, with the
flag of the Union fluttering in the breeze
above it. The banner of the schools with
the inscription, our Fellow Heroes" was
placed in front of the stand, encircled by
the school children who were tastefully dress
ed in white and decked with blue and white
ribbons presenting very beautiful appear
ance. The various societies also wore their
appropriate regaria and badges
The large assembly was called to order by
John 7. Reynolds, when prayer was offered
by Andrew Reynolds; after which the pat
riotic ode, Rally round the Flag, Boys!"
was sung with fine effect, the sweet voices of
the children melodiously blending with
those of their elders.
Rev. VIM. Reid, of Hartford County, was
appointed Presidents Calvin Moore, Vice
President, and John T. Reynolds, of North
ampton County, Secretary.
During the singing. the eminent and elo-
quent orator, James Henry Harris, of Ra-
leigh, n. c., was escorted to the stand by
: the two grand Marshals Mr.. Harris was
introduced to the audience by G. H. Foster,
Esq. of Murffsesb borough, who expressed his
qualification at the pleasing duty assigned to
him in presenting to them so distinguished
an exemplar of the capabilities for improve
ment Of the colored race, and called upon
them to emulate the virtues which had en-
titled him to have, in the words of Tenny-
son,
1.-The grand old name of gentleman"
bespeaking their thoughtful attention to the
wise words of instruction which the orator
Of the day would address to them.
Mr.. Harris was received with applause and
proceeded to make very able and instruc-
tive address, couched in chaste and well
chosen language, and marked by discrimi-
mating thought, set off by all the graces of
the accomplished public speaker A COM
plete report would be impossible, and an at
tempt to give one here would do him and
his argument great injustice To those who
have heard Mr.. Harris, it is sufficient to say
that he fully sustained his established repu-
tation as an able expounder of the princi-
piles of Republicanism, of the duties and
privileges of the colored people and of
the true relations of the two races. Unfor-
tunately, his remarks were interrupted by a
heavy rain; after which, however, he re-
sumed his discourse, making his points
rapidly and building up compact and in
destructible argument for the Republican
party, giving entire satisfaction to all true
and loyal, rational minded men, of all classes
and both races. The conservatives present
were pleased at the moderation of his coun-
sells and at the sound and sensible advice he
gave to the colored people; and the general
expression was that his visit would be pro-
,luctive of good. He was heartily cheered
ut intervals, and his closing appeal to regis
ter and vote as freemen was received with
great enthusiasm.
There were between $500 and 5000 people
on the ground and yet there was not sin
gle instance OF intoxication or disorder but
perfect peace and quiet prevailed through
out the day in all the large assembly; and
the spirit of the people was cheered and
enlivened by the contemplation of the Wis
ions of glorious future which the prophet
ic eloquence of the orator disclosed to them,
VIM. REID, Ch'nn'n.
JOHN T. REYNOLDS, Sec'y.
GEN. LoNGsTREET AND HIS DETRACToRs
John M. G. Parker, ESQ.,, of New Orleans,
TO whom Gen. Longstreet wrote his recent
letters on reconstruction, and who is now