Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1870-04-27
THE FIFTEENTH AMENDMENT.
Grand Jubilee Among the CoIcred People
OF Knoxville.

OF Knoxville.
According TO previous announcement the
colored people of Knoxville and vicinity cele-
brated the ratification of the Fifteenth Amend
ment on the 10Th inst, bya procession, speeches,
&c. The procession was formed at 10 o'clock,
A. NJ, on Main street, under the direction ofthe
Chief Marshal, DIR. j. b. Young, and notwth-
standing the rain commenced falling just at that
time, was a very creditable affair The princi-
pal features were the appearance of the colored
fire companies in uniform, with their engines
handsomely decorated with flags, cvergreens
flowers, &c. One of the engines bore a large
sized likeness of President Lincoln, and the
other, in addition to Mr.. Lircoln's, also bore the
likeness of President Grant. Another feature
was triumphial car, handsomely decorated,
upon which sat thirty-seven colored girls, taste
fully attired, representing the States of the
Union. Preceded by the brass band, the pro-
cession movcdfhrough the line of march pre-
viously marked out, to Methodist Hill, where a
stand had been prepared for the occasion.
Owing to the rain, the large crowd was. forced
to adjourn to the Court House, where every
available space in the lower court room and yes
thule was fillen Here the fifteenth Amend
ment was read by DIR. j. b. Young. A number
of girls were then introduced, and recitcd an
original poem in highly creditable manner.
Original poems were also read by James Scott
and VIM Franklin, both of whom were warmly
applauded. NJ. j. r. Gentle was then intro
duced and made few well timed remarks in a
plain, common sense way, which were well re-
ceived. He was followed by Rev. G. w Lie
We're, who made speech which was alike hon.
4 4.
quiet man, attending closely to his calling, he is
nevertheless close observer of men and things
and knows how to clothc his ideas in language
which will be appreciated by an audience. He
showed up some of the fallacies which certain
parties are trying to palm off upon the colored
people, in such way as to have salutary eff
feet. His speech was listened to with interest
and was frequently interrupted with applause
Rev. VIM. Howell was the next speaker, who
also made some good points, showing himsel
acquainted with the political history of tn,
country, as well as the Scriptures
At the close of Mr.. Howclrs speech, lout
| calls were made for Rev. John G. Tate, of An
derson county, familiarity known as Bishop
| Tate" He is man of fine natural ability, ant
| possesses accomplishments which might we'll b.
| envied by the most talented His speech, though
short was fraught with sound doctrine and in
tersperscd with inimitable witicisms, making i
| altogether spicy affair. At times the applaus
which greeted him was so enthusiastic as to com
| pei him to desist for the moment. Rev. j. p
jay also made fine speech, and was vocifer
| ously checred. Other speeches were made an,
we regret that our space forbids fuller notice
Taking it all in all, the affair was highly sue
| cessful The rain prevented great many iron
being present who would have been otherwise
| yet there was large number out. The process
sion reflected credit upon those managing it, an
| was indeed very handsome affair The speeche
were all good, and will tell upon the future in
| terests of those who heard them.
| We cannot close this notice without speakn
of one other matter We have never seen
| gathering of this kind either among the white
or the colored people, which was marked b
such uniformly good behavior as this. Will
enthusiasm ran high, as might naturally be e1
pected, in view of the great event being celc
brated, when speaking was over the large crow
dispersed going to their homes quietly and sc
berly. No Keeling drunkards were present {
disturb the harmony of the occasion. The eA
ercises were closed by the vast audience jonin
in singing,
Praise God from whom all blessing flow" &C.,
to the tune of Old Hundred The genuin
melody in that splendid old song, as rendere
on this OCCASION showed that it proceeded fror
hearts that fully comprehended its import, an
it never applied more aptly than on this occ'
| sion