The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1869-10-05
TnE COLORED PEOPLE.
Their Celebration at CIarESburg.

The colored people celebrated the
Sixth Anniversary OF the Emanclpa-
tIon proclamation at Clarksburg, on
the 10Th ult. Some twelve or fifteen
hundred were present from all parts Of
the State. We are indebted for the fol.
lowing report Of the affair to the Graf
ton Echo:
They were then formed into line by
the chief marshal Moses Miller OF
Clarksburg, and headed by the Clarks-
burg brass band with banners flying
took up the line Of march for the fair
grounds which place had been selected
for the occasion. Conspicuous In the
process Ion was large copy OF the
Emancipation Proclamation In o hand.
some frame borne proudly by an old
grey headed man.
Upon arriving at the fair grounds they
assembled In a large building and or.
ganlzed by appointing Rev. Robert
Steele Of fClarksburg President. Charles
Ankrum Sec., Rev. N. o. Brown OF
Grafton, Chaplain.
The Introductory address was then
delivered by the President In very
appropriate manner, setting forth the
great objects for which they were as.
sembled. After he concluded the Chap.
lain invoked the Divine blessing, after
which the Rev. A. ]. Philips was In.
troduced, and he spoke Tor some forty
minutes In very eloquent strain and
was listened to throughout with marked
attention, and called forth numerous
cheers OF appreciation. After Mr.. Phil.
ips concluded q recess was taken for
dinner, and In q short time all were
busily engaged In doing justice 10 the
good cheer that had been provided.
After dinner was dispensed with they
all scattered through the grounds. and
for an hour or two they gave Them
selves up to enjoyment, and for short
time mirth and hllarlty reigned su-
preme.
At two o'clock they were again
called together, and Mr.. T. ]. Fergu.
son, OF Ohio, was introduced. He com.
menced by giving history of slavery,
from Its introduction In the United
States, up 10 the time OF its death, by
the act OF emancipation. And he en-
deRvored to Impress upon them the i'm.
portance OF self-exertion TO qualify
them TO properly enjoy the many
rights and privileges that have resulted
from the birth OF their Independence.
He earnestly impressed upon their
minds the necessity OF helping them
selves, 10 work and pull together, TO
place their children In the school, and
work shop, and let the rising genera.
ton OF colored people as they grow up
improve themselves In such manner,
BY their own earnest effort, that their
Importance as a class will be felt in
such manner that they may demand
without shadow Of opposition, every
right and privilege OF American cltl.
zena.
He went on further and spoke Of the
great hobby that had been raised by
the opponents OF Republican principles,
the question OF social equality. As far
as social equality was concerned, they
did not ask nor want It; that a certain
distinction would always exist. They
did not intend to force themselves upon
the white men, nor did not want sthe
white man 10 force himself upon them;
that the equality they asked and claim.
ed was equality before the law. He
very earnestly advocated the adoption
OF the Fifteenth Constitutional Amend-
ment, as the very proper channel
through which they might expect their
claims and privileges az American cltl-
zens. During the course Of his remarks
he spoke Of the rapid strides which
hRYe been made during the last few
years towards the freedom Of the world.
Russia, one OF the proudest despots OF
Europe, has disenthrAlled her millions
OF serls; Brazil has Issued her Procla.
nation OF Gradual Emancipation, and
Spain alone remains 10 follow Of all
the nations who have any claim to po.
litical power.
During the entire tune occupied by
Mr. Ferguson In the delivery OF his re.
marks he had the undivided attention
OF his audience.
He closed by utterlng a fitting and
eloquent euloRy on Virginia, the Old
Dominion and Mother Of Statesmen,
and mentioned with pride the fact that
he was born In the State, and was
proud of his birthplace, He closed
amid loud and continued cheering,
Mr.. Alexander Spriggs, Of Grafton,
but had some little difficulty at first In
getting the attention OF the audience,
who were getting somewhat impatient,
but hlLeE q nAUAt AlLue Luey U6CdLub
quiet and gave him the attention he
deserved. His remarks throughout
were delivered in good style and were
well appreciated. He paid special at
tention TO the cause OF education, and
to the fact Of money being collected
from the colored people for education.
al purposes and no provision made
for the education OF their children. His
remarks were backed up by sound
argument and facts, and reflected great
credit upon the speaker. i
Rev. N. @. Brown, OF Grafton, WAS
then introduced and spoke at some
length. His remarks throughout were
replete with good, wholesome advice
and sound logic, and were received
with much applause.
The assembly was then entertained
by some we'll selected strains OF music
by the Clarksburg band, twho by the
way deserves special mention.) They
were present during the entire day, and
added much TO the enjoyment or the
occasion and ELECTED much applause
for the mastery manner in which they
dispensed their melody.
The evening now being pretty well
spent, preparations were commenced
Tor returning, they again fell In line
and marched back to town In an order
ly manner and upon arriving In town,
again they halted, and after several
airs by the band three times three were
given and they quietly dispersed.
The day throughout was beautiful,
the air cool and 6racing, and the sun
shone just warm enough 10 make II
comfortable. Not a single act occurred
during the day calculated to mar the |
enjoyment Of any, and all returned TO
their homes highly elated with their
days enjoyment.
GENERAL GRANT is said to have re-
rna,bnd Ao.In 9, 4, on,,,n....lo,. L.. .os..