The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1871-05-26
FIFTEENTH AMENDMENT.
RatilIcation JubiIee Yeslerday.

lrage bestowed upon them, and was at
tended with all the ceremonies usual in
services of like sort. But day OF such
great importance to so many OF our citi-
zens demands more than passing note,
and we propose giving a brief ac'
count of the days proceedings. Aproces'
sion was advertised to form in front of
the Second Ward Market House at twelve
o'clock, but it was two o'clock and ten
minutes before the procession was form
ed and the command to start given. They
moved up Market Street, as advertised,
and we believe followed the route pre-.
viously laid down, without u single devia.
ton. The marshals and assistants took
the lead, followed by the Washington
Brass Band; which played beautiful mu-
sic, by the by, and stuck to il with
u tenacity worthy the cause, After
the band came mounted citizens, then
about forty carriages, containing the Of
fcers and speakers Of the day and citizens
generally The whole line was about
seven minutes in passing any given point,
and must have been nearly half mile long.
One Of the notable features Ol the process.
sion was the car, containing the young
girls representing the States that ratified
the amendment, who were beautifully and
appropriately dressed. Among the DIFF.
lcrenL notices displayed in the process
sion, we noticed the following " Freemen't
ut is nm honor to be freeman;
Grant rules III Republic" "West Wiz.
ginia," Along the streets were assembled
the majority Of the colOred people in
town, as welas many whites who were
out to see what sort of display our new
" enlranchised friends would make; and
we think many OF tlrOse who had predict.
ed that they were unable TO do anything
creditablc went away feeling that there
was some brains among the Colored
people alter al Athalfpast four o'clock
the procession arrived at its destination,
the Second Ward Market House, from
whence il started, and was dis
missed Unlike most Of such process.
sions, but few dropped out during
the march so that II was nearly as long at
the end MS Mt the beginning. In the even
Ing the speaking, NC, was announced TO
come Off in the Market house hall, and
long before the time the hall was well
filled so that when the exercises com.
menCed the hall was comfortably full.
The first speaker was Hon. j. l., Rivers,
oil Flushing, Ohio. Mr. Rivers made Il
very fine and appropriate address, urging
upon the col0red people to acqnit them.
selves in manner becoming American
citizens, to be sober Industrious
and above all things to acquire
what education they could them.
selves, and go hungry rather than not
educate their children. The speaker said
the lines ofdistinCtion between the COlored
and white people are now blottcd out and
all that we need to make ourselves citi.
zens Of intelligence is that education TINT
hitherto we have been deprived Of Mr.
Rivers was listened TO very attGntivGly
and greeted with applause at the con.
clusiOn. lie is II very fluent
speaker and uses good language, showing
great deal ofcultvaton. Jas. W. West,
of Wheeling, followed Mr.. Rivers 1--WE
have Mr.. Vests speech in full, and will
try and print itto.morow.)
DR.. VIM. Walker, of Steubenville, then
made the closing speech, and although we
do not wish to give DR.. Walker undue
credit, or dlspArage the efforts of the other
gentlemen, we are compelled to say that
his speech was the masterpiece Of the
evening. The Doctor Is certainly very
fine speaker, and shows that he Is better
posted in the history Of our country than
ninetenths OF those who would not give
him credit for knowing whath does. Our
article Is too long TO admit Of more than
one argument Of his lie said colored
man can do what white man can, all
else being equal. For instance you should
see man build house worth million
Of dollars and usk me to de the same. |
could not on my small wages, but give
me his wages and can; although I
might have the taste 10 build, and desire
to have such house, yet could not for
] would lack the means. If were to go
home and say 10 my wife that would
like u plum pudding, she would say we
have not the materials but can make a
corn cake; would have TO eat II, not
through taste but through circumstances;
and so when people look for too much
from those colOred people who have never
had any advantages OF education, they look
for that whichis impossible, and must wait
until they have had an opportunity to rise
up to the level That we are reaching.
Mr.. Walker urged upon Ills friends the
great advantages Of education, and
begged of them to take every opportunity
possible TO acquire education for them
selves or children. After the close of his
remarks, refreshments were served to all
present, and very enjoyable season
spent During the evening the band
played some excellent music, and nil
passed Off very pleasantly, not disa.
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