The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1870-05-27
RATIFICATION.
Brilliant Celebration at Princeton,
Yesterday.

NC EOuSMDOASO III L AiAOOtOHs OO4O4O
8 o'clock in the morning that quiet
village was made busy one by the
arrival. in wagons. carriages, and
trains, on the iron track. the dusty
highway, through the shaded lane and
down the broad turnpike. of happy
Americans. rejoicing that. although
of African descent, they were Ameri-
cans at last.
The procession formed promptly as
indicated in the order previously pub
lished:
1. Silver Band of Princeton.
2. The carriages containing Presi
dent, orators and chaplain.
Among the number were Rev. w.
). Landlord. Profs. George FL. Jack
son, James NJ. Townsend and VIM. r.
Land, Esq, of Evansville; Capt. D.
f. Embree, and Rev. T. B. Nc
Cormick, of Princeton, and j. I.
Mahorney, of Indianapolis.
3. A large wagon containing thirty
seven young ladies tastefully dressed,
representing the States. and singing
as they passed. as only free girls can
sing, while the old flag waved proudly
above their heads.
"The Star spangled Banner,
/ Oh, long may 1t wave,
DER the land OF the free and home of the
brave"
After this followed wagon after
wagon, Of all sorts, sizes. and de-
scriptions, filled with jolly humanity,
and bearing aloft on ornamented ban
ners the sentiments of their hearts,
as follows:
I'VE delight to honor Chase, Gar
rison and Phillips"
"Thaddeus Stevens to live in the
Fifteenth Amendment"
John Brown in '59-Emancipa-
ton in '63-Suffrage Ia 10"
"The walls of prejudice are crumb-
ling"
Ethiopia is stretching forth her
hands"
Princeton, Evansville and Vim
cennes were each well represented by
Sabbath School delegations.
The Good Templars. in full regalia,
from Washington, made fine dis
play. These, with a large body on
horse back, led by the Evansville
Brass Band, (cOlored), made a really
martial appearance.
After marching through the princi-
pal streets to the grove. the assembled
multitude partook of picnic dinner,
in which strawberries and cream,
were prominent among long list of
delicacies.
At O'Clock, Rev. w. s. Landlord.
OF this city, President of the day,
called the meeting to order. Chap.
lain Bass, invoked the Divine bless
ing, after which J. T. Mahorney, Esq,
of indianapolis, in clear voice read
President Grants Ratification Proc
lamation and the Fifteenth Amend
ment. which was received with great
applause.
After music by the Princeton Silver
Band, the President introduced the
Rev. james M. Townsend, (colored)
who addressed the assembly. He
said he would have been glad if some
man Of more age and experience had
been called upon to break the ice, but
he, too, felt like speaking on this
grand issue. The event they com.
memorated was one of the grandest
ever chronicled in the history of the
world an event that raised four mil
lion FROM chattelhood to manhood,
from slavery and degradation to liber-
ty and elevation. They did not here
rejoice in the success of any political
party, but rejoice that they were
now men.
As God was God of justice, He
had heard their prayer and made
them free.
The grafton of Mr.. Townsend
proved him to be an eloquent speak
or, an earnest thinker and finished
scholar.
Captain d. T. Embree. of the
Princeton Bar, was next introduced.
He reviewed the past, and in a mas
terly manner contrasted it with the
! present. His grafton was listened to
with rapt attention, and received
! with rapturous applause.
: The other speakers were Mr.. Geo
81. Jackson. of this city; VIM. r
J Land, Esq, of the Evansville Bar
Rev. T. B. Mccormick. John T. Ma
horney, of Indianapolis, and Fred.
, erick T. Boaz, ESQ.,. of Massachu
} sets.
All the speakers acquitted them
selves with great credit.
Between the speeches, the Prince
ton Silver Band and the Evansville
Colored Band furnished excellent
> music.
It was estimated that there were
not less than fifteen hundred people
on the ground. the number being es-
timated by many at over two thou
sand. among whom were some of the
first people of the surrounding coun.
: try.
After a day spent in the happiest
manner, the assembly broke up. with
three rousiug cheers.
Not disorderly thing occurred