Semi-weekly Louisianian. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1871-1872, 1871-10-05
Iiberia. Was introduced by Rev.

LiDcIAt, WAS lutIOUuCcu ny ncN
Elisha Weaver. Mr.. job nson sal,
it was twenty-nine years since h
had been in the United States, an,
he was proud of the progress tn
colored citizens had made here. /
would be a strange prediction tc
have made when he was last her
that the black man would now be
Representative in Congress. H
knew it was the custom of tn
Anglo-Saxon race to say that tn
black race could not attain to equal
ty in intellect. This was mistake
for God had made all equal, ant
the only difference was in the com
plexion. After some remarks re
lative to the country he had com,
from he said they had met to rejoic,
over what had been won. The,
should remember that he who would
be free must first himself strike til,
blow. He was there as the repre-
sentative of country which had
alliances with fifteen countries, anC
that was owing to their efforts. The
black man should strive on until he
acquired all his rights.
Mr.. Allen Coffin then addressed
the audience at some length, and
when he had concluded.
Mr.. E. W. Turner read number
of letters from distinguished gentle
men apologizing for not being pre-
sent. Among these were letters
from President Grant, General
Sherman, Secretary Belknap, Gov
ernOr Cooke, Senator Pool, David
Clarke, of Hartford, Conn.,, and
Colonel John w. Forney. The
following extracts will be read with
interest !:
Governor Cooke says "The event
which you commemorate was not
only one of the most momentOus,
but one of the most Christian events
in the history of our country, and,
1T might be added, in the history of
the world. 1t not only embodied the
great political principle underlying
our free institutions as first an
nounced in the Declaration of In
dependence, but it was a sublime il
lustration of the golden rule, first
proclaimed by the Saviour of man
kind, which is the essential ele-
ment of all true Christianity"
Senator Pool said: Attendance
on the Joint Committee of Con-
Sress prevents him actively partici-
pating in the exercises in celebra-
ton of the emancipation proclaim
alton. 1t is most proper and use
full that the anniversary of that
great and humane measure should
be celebrated, and the memory of
is author kept ever alive in the
hearts of the American people. The
emancipation proclamation realized
what was before but theory in the
great Republic. Shadow became
substance, humanity justice and
national pride. All unite to swell
the importance of the event which
We celebrate. Who shall set bounds
to your rejoicing that no man can
ever again be slave under the
American flag"
Hon. Gerrit Smith says IL trust
that the occasion to which you in
'ite me will be happy one. I am
too old to attend to it, but not too
old to rejoice in it. l am "a"
Colonel John W. Forney says
"Of all places on this continent
Washington city is the most appro-
pirate for this anniversary tribute
to an immortal patriot. 1t was there
that the first experiment of eman-
cipation was tried. 1t Was there
that the great sentiment was
originally carried into effect. 1t was
there that the colored race first
proved their fitness for suffrage and
for government. 1t was there that
Lincoln sowed the seed, although he
did not live to gather the harvest,
of liberty"
The assemblage then dispersed,
and the Stanton Guards marched
back to their armory, well pleased
with their celebration. Everything
was conducted in the best order,
and nothing occurred during the
day to mar the harmony of the oc-
casion.