American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1869-07-17

MR.. EDITOR The cOlOred popu-
lation in the neighborhood of Cen
trail Academy, assembled upon the
premises of Mr.. +. Cordts, on Satur
day the Sd day of July, (the fourth
being Sunday, for the purpose of
aschool exhibition, and the common
Grafton of the great day of Ameri-
can Freedom" The scholars, who
are under the tutorage of Mr.. High
gate, went through their exercises
on the stage in a very creditable
manner, indeed, but the exhibition
was only of declamatOry character,
as far as we heard, and did not indi-
cate how much progress they had
made in other branches they were,
however, all beginners about four
months ago. We think it would be
a good idea for them at the close of
their schools to have a public eXami-
nation, and invite competent persons
to examine all the pupils in the diff
ferent studies they have pursued dur
ing the session this would give gen
eral satisfaction to the parents of the
children, inform them as to the abil-
tiles of their teacher and stimulate
the scholars to greater exertiOns.
They have large, new building,
upon grounds they have bought, and
which has been erected by their own
honest efforts; it is designed for
church, and they hold service in it
every Sabbath, also school during
the week. This Is rather reflection
upon the white people of the same
community, who have been trying
for two years to build a church, but
are no nearer the object now than
when they commenced.
After the school exhibition was
over the audience were RECALLED with
speeches by Messrs. High gate, Drane,
Montgomery, and Jordon. The two
first speakers INDUCED in PERSONAL
ties and billiugsgate, to no small ex-
tent, and waxed warmer as the COM
bat thickened. The whele tenor of
their addresses was to the amount,
that it would not do to try and leave
the white man out of the game that
their old masters, and the boys they
played marbles with, were their best
friends, and that the Yankee carpet
Dagger had served his time. The
speech of Jordon was, in our opinion,
the ableSt, and most suited to the
time; the doctrine, he promulgated
can be subscribed to by black and
white: /. C. all unite Ill one common
effort for the good of all, and take
the best ndtire men for Office. To
use his expression, "he would push
any good man up who would pull
, pull him after him." meaning that he
would not hesitate to support white
} man, if he would protect the claims
of his race to equal civil rights. The
, efforts of the two first were very la
; bored, and to casual observer, ap
: peared as though they could scent
} the sweet odor of the loaves and
I, fishes of office afar off. There were
) a number OF the first white men OF
t the vicinity upon the grounds during
/ the most of the day, who were treat
\ ed in the most courteous and hOspi
e table manner, partaking of the bOun
; ties of the occasion, of which there
= appeared to be the greatest abunt
. ance,. and amongst which ice cream
p and lemonade formed no small item
@ forcibly reminding us of the days o
+ yore when we poor white folks wcr'
= wont to do likewise upon similar o.
e casions. Every thing passed Off il
$ the most quiet, decorOus, and friend
\ w manner until about the time thu
t second table was being set, when, tt
r use the expression Of some Of thu
r getters-up, the "poor, starved mig
e GER from n distance made a ruSl
i upon the good cake and roast pig
h then commenced general game o
n grab, when whole shOats and larg,
cakes went into baskets, boxes ant
:, trunks. faster than they were eve
;. known to do in the same length o
4 time before. Enough victuals wer
e carried home by those who furnished
II them, to feed all on the ground, if the,
:. had behaved properly, but they wOul'
I not see it packed off by those VIII,
brought none, and they were right
= People who 80 to such places, if the.
$ expect to be treated with cordia!it,
;. must behave themselves. We thinl
e the "darkies" manifested a yer,
friendly disposition towards til
IF whites, and are in reality fast rccON
e ering from the delusion into whic
Ie they have been led by designing me
G. and intcrlopcrs. They have at las
is made the discovery that their intel
~ ests and ours are identical. The
IA are ready to meet us on half wa
], ground, and we think it time for u
J. 70 extend to them the right hand {
fellowship, politically socially, the