The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-01-03
COLUMBIA. s. C..
Wednesday Morning. January 8. 1879
The Emancipation el.bration.

Wednesday Morning, January 8. 1879.
The Emancipation Celebration.
The freedmen Of Columbia and the
vicinity celebrated, on the frat OF the
new year. their emancipation from slave.
~. That this event should be celebrated
by these people is both reasonable and
commendable. Contemplated from their
standpoint. it is q great and happy
event for them and their children; con.
templated from our standpoint
standpoint OF the ex.slaveholder- is
also q subiect OF congratulation to our
selves. II the freedman is happy at the
thought Of his release from bondage, so
are we relieved Of the weight of human
and Divine responsibility that attached
to 'the institution" and rejoice in our
release from heavy burden.
In our Judgment, African slavery was
established in the providence Of God,
and in His providence it passed away,
amid the disasters of 1866. It had done
its work. The fat of Oh All-powerful
and All-wise Governor went forth, aud
the slave became free. Wenre inclined
to think that what may be called slave
civilization had eliminated at the period
of the abolition of slavery in this ooun-
try, and that, therefore. it was alike aa.
vantageous to white man and black man
that the relations of master and bonds
man should no longer exist.
It is. however, we may add, matter
of prime importance that the black man
should understand to whom his graft
tude is due-and especially so, if he un-
dorstands gratitude to imply lively
sense Of favors to be hereafter received.
Not to the North, not to the Radical
party. does the negro owe his freedom.
Southern persistence and Southern
pluck prevented Lincoln from securing
peace at the expense of the negro's free-
dom. God uses human means to work
out his problems. To God &c the
colored men in this country owe their
free condition. To Him is their praise
and gratitide due.
If. now, this be true, as true it is. it
follows that the colored people ought to
consider we'll the auspices under which
they celebrate their EMANCIPATION. Not
under the auspices of bond swindlera.
and scurvy politicians ought they to
celebrate the day, but gathering together
peacefully and quietly, they should call
upon some good and trusty man of their
own race to speak to them, and advise
them of their duties and responsibilities.
Let them see to it, that if body. slar !
before. they are not soul-slaues now.
Nor let them forget that, although they
are weak race in point OF numbers and
God-given powers, that, after all, they
alone are free whom the TRUTH makes
free.
We wish the colored race we'll. We
desire to see their claims fully recog-
nized and their rights fully conceded.
But, at the same time, we caution them
against the folly of pride, presumption
and lust OF power. Their supremacy is
due to accidental causes, and must pass
away before the onward march and the
irresistible power OF the stronger race
with whom they are identified. Let
them beware lest the future shall show
the folly OF rejecting just such unwel-
come words as we are now scattering.
But we speak the truth, and woe to the
colored man if he hearkens not to the
warning voice. We hope, however, for
better understanding than heretofore
between the races at the South. That
will come when the days of the carpet
bagger and native demagogue shall have
passed away.
One and another EMANCIPATION we
hope to see the colorcd men celebrate
all through the South: Ills their emanci-
patton from, the yoke Of the ca,pet-bagger,
and tie Mieues and s,Dindlers. Let that
day come speedily. It will not be
second in Importance to the day recently
celebrated.
Breeze In tho United states Court, on