Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1870-08-11
LOCAL NEWS.
The Fifteenth Amendment.


THE CELEBRATION AT NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
TURNOUT OF coLoRED PEOPLE.
Outside of Wilmington the Fifteenth Amend
ment celebration by the colored people at
Middletown, last Saturday, was the largest yet
held on the Peninsula. Notwithstanding the
intensity of the warm weather, at an early hour
the colored people, neatly attired, began to wend
their way into the town. large numbers on foot,
but much larger proportion on horseback and
in every conceivable kind of vehicles, the capa-
cious peach wagons of the neighboring farmers,
neatly canopied and festooned with flags. wreaths
of flowers and eyergreens, largely predominatlng.
by o'clock the village of Middletown might
have been taken in mistake by stranger for Q
settlement of colored people, with here and
there white face peering over some balcony or
looking from window.
The utmost order and decorum was noticeable
on the part of the newly enfranchised race, and.
contrary TO the old custom under the slave
regime, when drunkenness and roting were sure
tosucceed when any considerable number entered
the town, they. upon this OCCASION Immediately
repaired TO their church, where their celebration
was inaugurated by religious services. At hall
past ten o'clock procession was formed, with
Thomas Gould as Chief Marshall and started for
the village OF Odessa, three miles distant. where
they were met by large delegations from
SMYRNA and Appoqunmink, which swelled the
aggregate 10 at least Two thousand persons in
line. Meanwhile Middletown, depopulated Of
corners. every arriving train having extra cars,
adding largely to the already accommodating num-
beers.
About one o'clock the procession returned
from Odessa. and being joined by a large NUM-
her of the latter arrivals marched through the
principal Streets Justify cheering iii front Of the
residences of well known Union men. anu then
proceeding TO an open field in the Northeastern
part Of the town, where the procession was dis
missed until the afternoon exercises. by this
time fully 1000 colored people We're on the
ground, amongst whom respectable number of
their white neighhors were visible. apparently
enjoying the pleasure of the spectacle as much
as the active participants. The way in which
the refreshment tables. candy and cake stands,
and watermelon booths. We're patronized, must
have been very gratifying to those having those
commodities for sale, and none the less so TO
those who marched i'll a cloud of dust to Odessa
and back under a scorching sun, with the Their
lnometer at 96 i'll the shade.
About half-past o'clock the signal was given
and the vast crowd surrounded stand erected
i'll the centre of the open field ut being mpossi-
bic to procure grove) where Professor Wm.
Howard Day acted as Master of Ceremonies.
The Mount Vernon Cornet Band of Wilmington
and the Silver Cornet Band of Smyrna alternate
~ performed appropriate airs throughout the
exercises. The meeting was opened by the an
nouncement and singing of one of Wesley
hymns led by Rev. James Wilmore, followed by
prayer by the Rev. Mr. Pollett, after which
Prof Day introduced Richard E. Smith, who
DlleIlN welcomed lnB VISITORS 10 the Nllltpt VI
Aiddetown. Mr.. $. said his welcome, to-day
to the colored people, in enjoying the rights o.
citizens under the old flag, was no less hearty
than in the days of the rebellion, when he wei
coined them as soldiers to fight for the flag
Mr. Daniel Hamilton, from Wilmington. wa
then introduced, who briefly addressed til,
meeting, after which two letters were read on,
from Frederick Douglass the other from Dayi'
II. Gustus, of Wilmington, regretting their i'll
ability to be present, and Astounding III good ad
vice to the newly enfranchised race. After fey
brief remarks from S. Hcrsey, of Wilmington
Prof. Day occupied the balance of the Afternoon
III an address of rare eloquence, and nnaiswel
able logic; free from aspersions upon any elias
of people or political organization, and caleula
ted not only q stimulate the colored people t
become educated and good citizens, but I
arouse within others the inquiry as to whethe
the prejudiees existing against the colored rae
are not entirely nnwarrautahle
The meeting then after cheering the speaker
adjourned. and the people went quietly to the
homes and to the depot to await the arrival
the various trains, nothing occurring tlruigAol
the day to mar the pleasure Of the occasion. Al
out of gathering Of between four and five tho
sand people, only one colored man was seen III
state of real hltoxicaton. The colorel Poop
OF Middetown have reason to be proud Of the
successful celebration. and the farmers Of ii
lower end of New Castle are certainly very high
favored in having among them a class OF peop
who are using every effort to serve them faii
fully and by their endtayoring To make good III
useful citizens, enhance tile general prospect
and happiness OF the community.