New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1873-02-27

The cath Annivsrsaay OF his Birth-Csle.
brrien by the Lincoln Memorial Club.

present, who entered heartily into the spirit
Of the occasion.
After due attention had been paid to the
solids prepared for the delectation of the club
and its guests, the cloth was removed and
various toasts were read and responded to in
good style.
First in order was the toast to the memory
oi the hero Of the evening, which was as fol-
lows:
Abraham Lincoln, Patriot, Philauthro-
past, and Martyr"-A country rescued from
threatened ruin and guided safely through the
perils Of a great civil war pronounces him the
first; grateful race rescued from slavery be-
slows the second title murdered for his good
deeds, at the very moment his heart was
meditating mercy toward those whom the as
sassin represented, the whole civilized world
yves the last.
God keep his memory green
To this toast each gentleman present re-
op0ndcd. and Mr.. Thomas y. &. Liverpool as
follows:
Mr.. PRESIDENT: This Is the siHty-iourth
anniversary Of the birth of Abraham Lincoln,
who, while President Of the United States,
liberated millions Of ouI brethren. 1t is the
purpose Of the NHmbers Of this club To meet
on each recurring anniversary to show that
they hold in grateful remembrance the man
that degraded aud hrutalized and kept in ig-
aorancc an entire race.
Ia contemplating this, the grandest act in
the history Of this or any other country-the
act which has caused us 10 assemble around
this festive board Tonight, and will send the
name Of Abraham Lincoln down 10 the latest
poSterity my admiration of the man is in
creased by the fact that lac belonged To a diff
ierent race of people, a large and influential
3. Ill. 81 Al
Was Of an inferior race, whose normal condi-
ton was slavery; that if liberated and thrown
upon lis own resources he would become
worthless, reyel in vice and idleness, and
finally lapse back into barbarous state.
The author of the emancipation proclama-
ton did not sympathize with this idea, but
believed that out of one blood God created
all nations, and, desiring 10 see every man
the equal with the other, proclaimed slavery
abolished.
1t is generally claimed that the liberation
Of the slave was the necessary result Of the
war that il was inevitable but, sir, | in
cline To the opinion that, had Mr.. Lincoln
favored il, slavery would be more secure in
this country to-day than ever TO those who
have given this subject but little thought this
ASSERTION appears strange and, perhaps, start |
ling, hut when il is remembered that, at the !
time the proclamation was issued, loyal and
patriotic men everywhere were oppressed. |
and entertained grave doubts as to whether
this mon would he saved, and our armies |
were meeting with as many defeats as yicto- |
res, IincCln's recommendations were readily |
accepted and acted upon, the assertion APP |
pears less strange, and by no means startling
feel, therefore, that | hazard nothing in |
saying that. had Lincoln wiled it, slavery
would still be in existence. Holding this |
opinion, rejoice in being member of this |
memorial club, which has been organized to |
assist in keeping his memory green. would |
rejoice still more if similar clubs were organ
ICED in every State, city, and town in this |
Union.
Peering through the dim vista of the future,
see sight, as the 10Th day Of February
rolls around, that fills Inc with enthusiasm: 7!
il Is our people, who have come to fully I'M
derstand to whom they are indebted for the
great boon they enjoy, coming up from every
quarter, and assembling themselves in mass
meeting for the purpose ofhonoring the men,
cry of our hero, and thanking God for the
giit Of such benefactor. All over this land
Washington's birthday is celebrated be.
cause he is the father of his country so will
Lincoln's be because he is the savior of our
race.
The second toast was then read
Ten years Of freedom have indicated the
wisdom Of emancipation, and the colored
people, by the manner in which they have
exercised their political functions have de-
monstrated their fitness and their willingness
to aid in preserving the jewel Of freedom il
the American family.''
Mr.. Lewis ID. Easton spoke in reply to
this:
Mr.. PRESIDENT AND GENTLEMEN: 1t is
with confidence l assume a task originally in
tended for ADLER hands, and which was only
Yesterday committed to my charge.
Nearly two weeks ago, ill our CITY Coun-
cal, certain emigrant from Kentucky as
serted that THE per capita tax on the people |
OF Cincinnati is larger than that Of any city in
the country not governed by NEGROES or car
pet-baggers."
For carpet-bag member of our municipal
legislature, who aspires to the Mayorality at |
The next election, this was remarkable adj |
mission and while willing to concedc the |
fact as regards his own individual case, we
are by no means ready to admit the state
ment in general as correct proposition.
1t IS meet and proper, Mr.. President, that
III this body, organized for the perpetuation
oil a grateful esteem, the wisdom of emanci-
l.ation should be indicated and Justice done
the memory OF the great Emancipator', by
a true representation of the manner in which
The negro has met the responsibilities of
American citizenship.
The "colored member" as depicted in a
recent magazine article, charges the negro
legislator with being both ignorant and cor
rnpt. That he is ignorant no one will pre-
tend 10 deny, his opportunities being scant, |
rather he had no chance 10 become learned, |
and his corruption is generally limited by the |
extent to which he is dupcd by his white DO.
htical confreres into advocacy of measures
whose results lac could not foresee.
y well-ioupded lack Of confidence in the
loyalty, justice, or humanity Of former mas.
tiers necessitated the sending of the ..colored
member" To the Legislature, and have vet
10 learn of one who betrayed his constit-
uents, or who was returned by them when
they were convinced of his corruption.
Lieutenant Governor Dunn, of Louisiana,
died without the means to pay for his home
stead, notwithstanding he had been several
wears in high official position. Hon. L. L.
tardoZa, Secretary Of State for South Caro-
Ina, by an uncompromising resistance to the
Financial Board,' consisting of the Gov
ernor, Treasurer, and Attorney General.
prevented the addition Of millions to the
debt of that almost bankrupt Common.
wealth.
A standing protest against the idea Of ne
gro advancement in civilization has been
made of our failure TO emigrate in any con-
siderable numbers, without taking in view
The circumstances surrounding us or the
places to which we were restricted. Eman-
ClDatiOn refItes that charpa and tn-Jay on