Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1870-09-13
CELEBRATION
Of the Fifteeth Amendment, al
CHARLEST0WR.

1IauculSeu VI ILLS COuutJ has al lasI cOho
and gone.
Early on Thursday morning our town was
the objective point to which, it was thought,
all Africa would tend. The day was fine
Here and there, groops of the colored popula.
ton could be seen cougregating in small num-
beers on the street corners. Up to about ten
o'clock the numbers had not visibly increased.
Then came the sounds of music from colored
band. And, shortly after, some few members
of delegations from the county leagues began
to appear upon the main street. The town
leagues, headed by the Grand Marshal of the
day-Henry Houke-riding Fitzhugh Lees
charger, made their appearance and marched
to the "fam" of the drum out to meet the
Shepherdstown league. Then, forming in
line, they marched in column to the Court
House square, where they were halted, and a
flag presented by the ladies" as their speaker
stated, and they were enjoined to "keep it near
their hearts"
After this was done. the column was again
formed and the march continued to Cookies
woods. What TRANSFERRED there, we do not
know Noticeable amongst other things was
the fact that not white man was seen in this
procession. Not even the invited speakers.
Where were Bracket, and Ames, and, last
and least, Charles Davies? They did not face
the music Why were they not among their
"colored friends" 1t looked very much as if
these carpet baggers were ashamed to be seen
riding in company with the very men whom
they, at midnight hours, had been hugging to
cote for them. They evidently did not relish
being seen in broad daylight in such COM
pany. Therefore it was that the luckless
Charles-whom O'Connell in open court de-
nounced IN such unmeasured terms, failed to
put in his appearance; and the two preachers
in buggy, an hour and half after, went out
unescorted to ''meet their friends once more"
They did not even return with the procession,
but went as they came; stopping in town a
few minutes, their faces all wreathed in smiles,
enjoying, evidently, how effectually they had
"combed the wool over the myers eyes," as
old Ben Stanton calls them.
procession marched through town and re.
turned to the Court House square. Which
property, Charles Jeemes says, the people of
Charlestown did noS get on the square, but
belongs to the Court House square in Shop
herdstown. Here the line was halted and
speeches made by - Mitchell and A. B.
Wilson, Of this place. Mitchell complimented
his friends upon the order and decorum with
which the festivities of the day had been con-
ducted-calIed upon them to seek education
as the only true means of securing to them
the liberties with which they had SO lately
been invested. Spoke of the 18th Amend
ment. It brought them freedom. The black
man wanted more. In consequence the gov.
eminent had passed the 18th Amendment
This, he said, gave them the right to testify
in courts and set on juries. Then the 18th
Amendment was passed. 1t gave them equal
rights" The right to vote and the right to
hold office. They could now hold any Office
from that of street cleaner to President of the
United States. They should not be satisfied
until they filled the last position. He then
alluded to the finances, remarking that Grants
administration was one of progress and econe-
my.
Wilson spoke next. He also complimented
the colored people on their decorous behavior
during the day, and spoke for short time in
the same strain as his predecessor, and retired.
Thus ended the day. The colored people
have reason to be proud Of one thing-their
coudact on this occasion. 1t merits approval
No drunken man was seen in their procession,
and there was no disorder. Their music was
good, and their conduct excellent.
s9~ The Labor Congress which recently
assembled in Cincinnati, adopted platform
which looks to very radical change in gov