The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1870-01-04

EsIANcueATIoN DAr. This day was duly
celebrated by the eolosed people on S.
gturday last. asshengh but q comparatively
small number part ipatsd. Thers y6ts
several thousand ID ths psocesh, In ]
1886; since which tinses on eccsed-,
ing anniversary. ithea ~ "a. 6tieed thas
the crowd has been sgfoving small by
degrees ana beapdully less. There
was not O white emce in the procession.
which was &prmed in front OF Janney's
Hall, at IL o'clock q. M, and was COM
posedof the various Republican Socie-
ties OF the city, and numbering about
70 persons, who, preceded by the Re
Publican band and marshaled by Charles
Minort and VIM. Simons, marched
through some Of the principal streets to
the Capitol Grounds. In front OF the
building, large platform had been erect
ed. arched with evergreens, eto. We
noticed on the stage Gov. Scott, Messrs.
Simeon Corley. John E. Robertson and
VIM. Shiver, Comptroller Neagle, Secre-
tary of State Cardozo and Senator Nash
Representative Thompson, Chairman of
the Committee of Arrangements, being
leader OF the band, requested James
Davis to preside. Prayer was offered by
the Rev. William Johnston, (colored.)
Assistant Adjutant. General Elliott. color
ed, read the Emancipation Proclamation.
Nash (colored) was hen introduced, and
read ON address. whioh-as Beverly is re-
garded one Of the "big guns" among the
colored people-we give entire:
FRIENDS AND FELLOW CITIZENS: Seven
years ago to-day the proclamation which
announced that freedom had come to our
race on this continent was given to the
world. AS we stand here celebrating this
the birthday Of freedom to us, oil the
past with its privations, griefs, separa-
tions and horrors seems to US like hide
Gus dream. l look into the faces of men
and women who in times past secretly
and stealthily wept and prayed that their
deliverance from bondage might come,
more from an instructive desire that it
should come, al irrepressible feeling that
it ought to come, than from o we'll
grounded hope that it aoould come. /
want to revive in the memories Of those
who stand before me recollection Of the
longings and cries for freedom that went
up from their hearts to God in times
past. How they thought that with free
dom they would lead better lives; edu-
cate their children; build up around
them the safeguards of well-ordered
home, and develope in themselve noble
and useful characters. We all cherished
such hopes. My friends, there is q mys.
terry shrouding the history Of our people.
which. when rightly considered, justi-
6es US in believing that we have Il
destiny worth struggling for. A prey to
stronger people, our forefathers were
stolen from their native land, and scat
tered almost to the four corners of the
earth. The cupidity and cruelty of man
brought us to this continent, and planted
us here; and we cannot be rooted out
We are accustomed to say that it was
Abraham Lincoln who gave Us freedom.
Mr.. Lincoln, great and good as he was,
only proclaimed to us the freedom, which
had been coming ever since the first Afri-
can was sold into slavery in this country.
There is sense of justice in the hearts
Of men, which, though trampled under
foot, distorted and diverted from it's true
path, will eventually bring all things
right. This feeling Of justice, aroused
by the sight Of O race doomed to slavery
in the midst Of freedom and free institu-
tions, increased in power and activity
until it eliminated in what is usually
called the Abolition Movement. begun
by William Lloyd Garrison. who pro-
claimed to the nation as it's duty: the
immediate and unconditional abolition
Of slavery" Lam talking to men and
women who remember-who cannot for
get-the past And they we'll know what
strenuous efforts were made in this South.
land to shut out from the hearing of the
| slave all knowledge of the great move.
Still, information would creep in. South.
abolitionists, forgot to be prudent, and
that there was in the country band oi
men and women pledged to secure theil
freedom. I do not propose to dwell
upon the history OF the abolition oi
slavery; it is enough to know that We
have been delivered from that horrible
pit, and that Southern politicians. in
order to save slavery from the advancing
public opinion set in motion by the abo.
litionists, brought on the bloody war
which ended in its destruction. Thus oul
deliverance came. All the forces of God
worked for US. The prayers and expos
tulations of good men and women; the
thunders of artillery; the burning ot
cities; and the sacrifice of thousands oi
lives, were the means by which we were
made free.
With freedom came citizenship. We
who were yesterday ohattels have had
laid upon us, for our own protection and
for the good of our common country,
the privileges, responsibilities and duties
Of citizenship. How shall we use these
in order that they may endure and result
in good to ourselv.s 8 and our country