The weekly North-Carolina standard., 1869-01-13
For the Standard.
Emancipation Celebration in Robson.


In accordance with the patriotic spirit of
our beloved fellow-citizens, the day which
| gave birth to the freedom of the colored
race of America, was duly celebrated in an
appropriate manner. In response to call
issued by the leading colored men of Lnm-
bcrtnn oui Republican iellow-citizens met at
| the Courthouse to hear the Proclamation of
Emancipation read and listen to addresses
from that sterling Republican and true
| friend to the colored race, Dr. Alfred Thom
as late agent of the Bureau, and the Rev.
| VIM. H. Butler (coloretD. The Courthouse
was decorated with flags. the emblems of
| American freedom, and crowded with Union
loving citizens, who made the welkin ring
with various soul-stirring and patriotic
| songs.
The meeting was called to order by the
Rev. w. H. Mcintyre, the talented coored
| presiding Elder OF the Methodist Church,
who read in a clear and forcible
style that celebrated proclamation of
Abraham Lincoln which struck the shackes
of slavery from the limbs of four millions
of colOred Americans. The reading of this
second declaration of American freedom
was received with rapturous applause such
as was never given before in the town of
Lumbcrton. After singing that soul-stir
ring hymn my country it is of thee" &C.,
the President introduced DR.. Alfred Thomas
to the audience who delivered an oratinn
suitable to the occasion. 1t has been our
privilege on former occasions to listen to the
Doctor when he was warming up the hearts
OF the loyal people of this region of country
IN MS manly defence of the grand principles
OF the Republican party, but never have the
people sat under the sound of his voice with
SO great an interest as they did on that me-
morable evening. When>he reviewed the
patriotism which inspired the heart of that
noble martyr in the cause of American lib
erty, Abraham Lincoln, when he signed the
proclamation which sealed forever the fate
of that curse of the nation slavery The
DR.. was followed by the Rev. w. H. Butler,
(colored) in a speech of an hours length
which may truly be said to have been "feast
of reason and a flow of souln At the
conclusion of the address, Sheriff B. A.
Howell rose and stated that it became his
painful duty to announce to the audience
that their friend, the Dr., was on the eve of
taking his departure for Washington City,
perhaps forever. He hoped, however, that
circumstances would arise that wouldinduce
= Iuc ILL., " IctuIu VI Inc SCclicS OI Ills IorIIiCr
and useful labors. In connection with others,
they had resolved to present to their friend
a watch and chain as token of their es-
teen and regard for the true. faithful and
efficient manner in which iie had discharged
his duty as an Agent of Bureau, and for his
bold and fearless defence of the rights of tile
co'ored people in the District over which he
has presided. The watch was presented to
the DR.. by the Rev. W. Fl. Mcintyre in "a
neat and very appropriate speech in which
he rendered to the DR.. the thanks of the
colored people and his white friends for his
kindness to them, and the many favors they
had received at his hands. Tue Dr. made u
brief response, and concluded by remarking
that his heart felt more than his lips could
utter. The ceremonies of the evening con-
cluded with singing and the giving three
roaslng cheers for the cause of American
Freedom and DR.. Alfred Thomas, the colored
mans friend ROBSON. 4
Lumberton, Jan. 2, 1859. 2Nl9o