Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1871-09-22

looking u the freedom of the slaves, was cele-
bratcd by parade of the Stanton Guards and
other military organizations, and interesting
exercises In the White Lot. south of the Execr.
tive MarsiOn, and in homer of the event a salute
of leo guns were fired. In CONSEQUENCE of the
parade and review of the Knights Templar
attracting the attention of the public, the pro-
cession was not as large as was expected and
many Of the Guards having been disappointed
IN getting their uniforms, there were less than
hundred in line They, however, Iaade a sol
dieTly appearance, uniformed As they were in
blue, with white shoulder knots and pOmpons
and were headed by the Columbia Brass Band
tional Guards.
THE ROUTE OF TIE PROCESSION
was down Sd street TO Pennsylvania avenue, to
the Capitol, around the Capitol by the south
east, thence - the north side, along the Capitol
grounds by the northwest TO Pennsylvania ave
nue., up avenue to 18th street, up avenue to
Circle, down IL TO 18th street, down 18th street
to Vermont avenue. along Vermont avenue to
10y street to Executive avenue, through Exec
utlve avenue 70 White Lot
1t was ain O'Clock when the procession ar
rived, and
THE EXERCISES
we're opened by singing anOpening chorus, after
which Rev ID. W. AnCier. on offered a nraver
The Proclamation of the 22d OF September. 1jss;2
wasrt az by the secretary, as also the Proclama-
ticn Of January l, 1ses. America was sung
by the audience, Columbia and South Washing.
ton bands accompanying.
MIR. j. NJ. Langston was then introduced and
SPOKE - follows:
huuEt<s Oh k'rok. -. VI. L1ngSf0n.
% Mr.. President The history OF all nations
famous for works wrought in behalf of religion
law, science, and freedom, is marked by epochs
and eIas, DAYS and events. worthy OF special
cOmmemOratlon. Associated always with sucn
times andOccurrences are the names of the great
and good men who for the hour represent the
Judgment and purpose OF the nation, whose
history il distinguished by noble and generous
deeds in turtherance of the welfare OF mankind.
To-day We celebrate an event, or rather a
successlon OF events which renders peculiarly
he mos
ter Of American history; and associated insapa-
rably with these events stands the name of the
good, the great, the immortal Lincoln.
OUR CONFIDENCE IN PROVIDENCE.
In his eulogy of the martyred ernancipator of
our race, the philosOphic Emerson tells u.s.
There is a serene Providence which rules the
fate of nations which makes little account of
time, little of one generation or race, makes no
account OF disasters, cOnqUers alike by what Is
called defeat or by what is called victory trusts
aside enemy and obstruction, brushes everything
immoral a inhuman, and obtains the ultimate
triumph OF the best race By the sacrifice Ofevery-
thing which resists the moral laws OF the world.
IL makes Its own instruments. creates the man
Tor the time, trains him in poverty. inspires his
genius, and arms him for bis task. II has given
every race its own talent, and ordains that ONLY
that race which combines perfectly with the
virtues of all shall endure"
In this Providence, 80 truthfully described. our
confidence l. implicit Made free by its pOwer
and goodness, We hope to be led through its
agency TO influence and greatness. In the spirit
OF intelligent faith, gratitude and thankfuiness
therefore, the copsummation of our freedom
DIGNITY AND APPROPRIATENESS OF OUR CELE-
BRATION.
The dignity and appropriateness OF our cele-
bration are amply vindicated by the magnitude
and Importance OF the triumph implied in our
emancipation.
This achievement is one of such signal i'm
portance. of such faT-reaching consequences so
essential to the national life and liberty that il
stands, in moral significance second to no act re-
corded In our national annals. What the fathers
OF our government announced III the Declaration
by this act Is Incorporated into our national
Constitution, and i'm practice well as in theory
I'VE hold that all men are created equal" and
.'that governments derive their lust powers from
the consent of the governed
We celebrate the triumph of national virtue
over national vice; the triumph Of national law
over State and national violence; the triumph
oi the principles Of intelligent civilization over
national and State barbarism; the triumph of
The principles Of our national declaration over
the inculcatiOns of a once insolent slave oil
garchy; the triumph of freedom. with all it,
blessings, over slavery, with IFS incalculabie
evils; the triumph of republicanism over mis-
named democracy; the triumph OF christianity
itself over the infdelity and atheism inculcated
by the false teachings of despotism. IApplausel
In this triumph, the Sentiment and opinIoI,
which once found expression in the statement
that this is white mans government" and
% this white mans country" are forever de-
stTOyed; and neither IN our Bible, nor STATE or
national Constitution i there to be read in any
articles, any section, clause, or phrase, the word
white" nor in any Of our State or national
public documents, Is there to be found any phra-
seology imposing discrimination, as to citizen
ship or political power by reason OF complex
1On In the organic law OF our nation. as in the
fundamental law OF the States, a broad and com
prehensive doctrine OF citizenship, without re-
gard TO nationality or complexion, has been
adopted.
IL may net be denied. therefore. that We ceIa
brate, the triumph OF that democracy which
while II forgets not the things that belong To
ltsef, II none the less sOlicitOus to preserve and
defend those things that belong OF right TO an
others-a democracy which is no less ust in its
demands than equal and impartial in its CON
cessiOns. Loud appiauss.1
PROGRESS OF OUR CAUSE.
Step b. step, with moderation and wisdom this
grand result has been gained In its manage
ment no misstep has been taken. No want of
sagaclty, no display of weakness marks it "a
seen to-day in history. IL is interesting 10 trace
The progress Of it, accomplishment"
=, NJ. -angston then proceeded to quote from
the emancipation act of April 10th, 1862; the
PROCLAMATION Of September 22d, 1862; the opinion
OF Attorney General Bates OF November 18th,
1St2, On the question, Is a man legally inca
saeitated 10 be citizen of the United States by
the sole fact that he is a colOYsd and not tcsite
man" the proclamation Of July 1st. 1888, ire
teITing in this connection 20 the acceptance of
cOlOTed troops, and the organization of the
Fieenmen's Bureau,) and after quoting the 18Th,
18th and 18th amendments to the Federal Con-
stitution, continued as follows;
''Thus step by step from the position of Ainqs
We have been advanced by legal enactment
first 10 the position OF second to the position
OF citizens third to the position OF UOteTs with
clta~tbilltlts anu uutlt>. t0c privileges
and immUnities attaching 20 these several char
acteTS, and all this has been accomplished since
the I'D Of September, 1862 ON that day the first
step was taken, and To day we celebrate the
completion OF the grandest moral. political and
legal reformation that the world ever knew
Nine years ago to-day we were without country
or government, legally and politically outcasfs
and nODdescript>; to-day We are the legal peers
and political equals of any and all of our fellow
citizens while all avenues To Official place,
whether in the state or nation, at hOms or
abroad. are open 10 Us, and positions in the
courts as judges, lawyers, jurors and Witnesses
upon complete equality with all Others, are not
only Tot denied Us, but in very Elany eases are
accepted and filed by persons of negro blood.
THE REPUBLICAN PARTY AND COLORED
VOTES.
ON the 9Th Of March. 1851, Abraham Lincoln
was inaugurated President OF the United States;
hs administration was sustained by the repub-
hcan party, and TO this party belongs the honor
of inauguratins and peTfectng these great
measures; nor is there any other political organ
ization in the country at once willing and able
To support and maintain them
First. Considerations of gratitude, considera-
tons OF self-nterest. considerations of pa trotsm
render IL the duty Of the coored American TO
support by his innuence and vote this great party
of freedom. And the same considerations, which
would induee him TO support the republican