New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1873-04-24

Eleven Years Of Freedom.
Emancipation Celebration Imposing Pro
confederation by n. r. Greener-R..
marks by Frederick Doagiass-Lett.r r,
from President Grant, Vice Pr.stden, VIII.
son. Senator sumner, Gsrritt smith and
othsrs-Grand Ball at the Inauguration
Building.
Wednesday being the eleventh anniversary
OF the day on which President Lincoln signed
the law declaring that henceforth slavery
should not exist in this District, it was ap-
propriately celebrated by the colored resi-.
dents Of this city Thursday, the 18th, the
Indictment weather OF the preceding day
rendering display impossible.
Nine o'clock was the hour set for the as.
semblage of the various organizations, but
the threatening look of the weather and their
previous hard luck seemed to have scared the
members. for up to ten O'Clock, with the ex-
ception of q few mounted marshals and a
crowd of spectators, the rendezvous was un-
occupied. As the day got brighter, however.
the crowd increased, and it was determined
that the affair should take place, and up to
one o'clock the different organizations
marched up and took the places assigned
them.
About 80 O'Clock the order to march was
given, and
THE PROCESSION
moved Off in the following order: Detach.
ment Of police under Lieut.. johnson Marine
band Company A, Stanton Guards, Capt.
Marshall; Company G, S. G., Capt. Batson !;
carriages, containing DR.. J. l.. n. Bowen,
president; G. W. Smith and L. w. Turner,
secretaries W. c. Costin, sergeant-at-arms !;
John A. Gray, Jerome Johnson, n. F. n.
Wilkinson and Walter Lewis, chairmen of
committees r. T. Greener and F. Doug
lass, orators, and Rev. J. A. Handy, chap
lain; Sixteenth district delegation, with Jor-
dams drum corps; $. II. Williams, chief mar
shall. With them were company of mounted
men, commanded by d. l.. Martin, all bear
ing small flags; hose carriage drawn by two
horses, on which was seated female attired
as the Goddess Of Liberty. She was sup
ported by the army and navy, represented
by diminutive soldier and sailor. S. J..
Bowen Pioneers, Capt. Reed; South Wasll-
lngton Pioneers, No. 2, Capt. Tyler, headed
by the South Washington band. Shepherd
Pioneers, Kings band, West End Pioneers,
Twilight Cadets, headed by drum corps !;
Eleventh, Seventeenth, and Eighteenth dis
trict delegations, John Bronson, chief mar
shall; chariot drawn by four horses, and
bearing young woman representing the
Goddess of Liberty. She was surrounded by
several States. Laboring Association, No
|, Lewis Willis and John Stoddard marshals :;
Friends of Zion, with banners and flags,
marshaled by Henry Bird Mt Hope Lodge,
No. I, Good Samaritans, f. Cooper, marshal,
and the Protective Union.o
In consequence Of the lateness Of the hour
the route was somewhat shortened, and the
assemblage returned to the space in front of
the City Hall, where they were addressed by
Mr.. r. T. Grecner, the orator of the day, in
an eloquent'and instructive speech. He was
followed by Hon. Frederick Douglass. who
made short address in his usual happy style
Letters regretting their absence were then
read from President Grant, Senator Anthony,
Senator Pratt, Hons: Horace MAYNARD, Benz.
F. Butler, A. G. Riddle, s. J. Brown, Robt
Harlan, n. G.. Ordway, a. NJ. Clapp, and
others, among which were the following:
SENATOR SUMMERS LETTER.
WASHINoTON, April lG, 1872.
DEAR SIR : | regret that it is not in my
power to be with you according to the invi-
tation with which you have honored me.
This is day whose associations are as pre-
ciOus to me as to you.
Emancipation in the national capital was
the experiment which prepared the way for
emancipation everywhere throughout the
country. IL was the beginning OF The great
end.
Here, as, in other things, you are an ex-
ample to our colored fellow-citizens in the
States. Your success here will vindicate the
capacity Of colored people for citizenship,
and your whole race will be benefited
thereby.
Here let me speak frankly. Much has
been done, but more remains to be done.
The great work is not yet accomplished.
Until ysur equality in civil rights is assured
the pillar of your citizenship is like the column
in J.. nor of Washington-unfinished and i'm
pert, It. There is constant talk Of finishing
lhat column at great cost of money, but the
irst thing to be done is to finish the pillar of
your citizenship. Here shall gladly work,
but trust that you will all work likewise,
nor be content with anything less than the
whole.
Accept my thanks and best wishes, and
believe me dear sir, faithfully yours,
CHARLES SUMNER.