The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-01-02

EMANCIPATION DAY.-Throughout the South
the first Of January Is now celebrated By the
colored classes as the anniversary Of the
Emancipation Proclamation Of President Lin
coin, and the various ''civic societies. military
and fire companies" in each city unite in OBJ
serving the day.
The colored population of Charleston have al
ways been fond ofpubhc displays, and the parade
Of yesterday showed that, notwithstanding in-
famous weather, their propensities were still the
same. It was expected to form the procession
at 10 o'clock, but the different societies were
not up to time, and it was nearly before they
were in marching order. Most Of the societies
met at their halls and were marched through
the different streets to the corner Of Meeting
and Calhoun, where they were formed by the
marshals Of the day. The different colored
fire companies were by far the most showy, as
their uniforms were bright and in pleasing
contrast to the mixed appearance Of the civic
societies.
The streets we're in fearful state, the mud
was soft, slimy and adhesive, and the mar
shals had great difficulty in arranging their
forces without bemixing them and spelling the
glory OF their attire. as the church was only
a short distance from the corner, there was,
properly speaking, no extended parade, and
the marching and countermarching on Meet
ing-street vas done with the intention OF ar
ranging the, procession.
The companies, as they came on the ground,
we're preceded by music, and the sound at
tracted lsrge crowd of spectators, principally
colored, WHO clustered around the corners and
in the vicirity Of the church until the oonclu-
sion of tae ceremonies. They could hear
nothing, and many Of them were too closely
packed to see more than foot beyond their
noses; but the day, the occasion, and, more
than all, tae pleasure OF forming part OF
large crowd we're sufficient inducements to
cause therl to remain.
The procession, what there was Of it, was
very creditable. The firemen were dressed IN
their gay uniforms and bore banners with the
names OF .heIr companies and the date Of or
eaaizaton. Ono military company (unarmed)
was present, and in addition to United States
flag bore banner with a strange device"
It had the necessary stripes, but in the centre
of the blue union was single gold star. The
Masons we're headed by q venerable brother,
who carried an open Bible, brass candlsstick
and candle and sword. The Mechanics AS
sociation had very neat and tasteful banner
OF blue, embroidered with gold. The other
societies had No distinct mark, and were Last
in the crowd that surged on ell sides. Not
withstandlng the muddy condition OF the
streets they were filed with people, who pressed
forward anxious to obtain look, and careless
Of their own clothes or their neighbours toes.
The marshals had great difficulty in opening
the way to the church, and it was fully one be-
fore the host were seated.
The church had ben guarded bya select
committee from an early ar in the morning,
but theic efforts to keep the doors closed and
the crowd from entering were futile. They
would see and hear, and before the arrival OF
the procession the seats were well filled. The
committee we're frantic, but after herculean
exertions they succeeded in accommodating all
to square inch Of room, and the ceremonies
commenced.
A prayer was delivered by the Rev. Edward
Laurens, colored, and the Emancipation Pro-
cJannatio.. read by Samuel Dickerson, colored,
who afterwards introduced the orator OF the
day, Rev. F. L. Car1ozo, colored.
The Grafton, as was natural on such an occa-
sion, was re-iew Of the condition of thu COL
ored man in state OF servirude and at the
present time. The orator dilated on the ad-
vantages Of freedom, and advised his hearers
to cherish this boon and show to the world
that taey we're worthy Of the name Of free
men. The speech wss devoid Of all radicalism,
and considering the small amount OF prepara-
ton, was very we'll wosded. The ideas express
ed and the advice rendered were both good, and
if the colored teople will but hearken to such
moderate leaders, and not submit themselves
to the influence Of designing and bad men,
they will be respected as GLASS, and VIII be
enabled to improve their present condition.
Altar the grafton was concluded, the differ
ent companies and societies escorted each
othe, to their halls, the Union League being
headed by Peter Miller, known to this commu-
nifty IS q popular musician in Kershaw's regi-
ment, the Second South Carolina Volunteers.
The day was closed with q ball given by the
Prudence Fire Company, at the Military Hall.
TIE Comet Fire Company appeared in the
ocsssion with new banner, which had been
presented to them during the morning.
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