The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1876-05-18
connEsposupxcE.
WAsurxaras, D. g.. May 6. 70.

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The fourteenth Of last month was an
ryentful day here. The eleventh an.
nirersary Of the assassination Of Abra.
ham Lincoln bad been selected as the
time to illustrate the great work of
emancipation by publicly unwilling a
statuary group tue accomplishment Of
that towards which our martyred pres
ident had been so largely instrumental.
The accounts OF this affair, spread
broadcast, have reached the eye OF ev-
cry reading person in the land ere this,
but no pen portrait can do full Justice
TO the picture presented to the observ-
ers eye. The group, beautiful work
in bronze, by Thomas Bell, represents
the person Of President Lincoln in be-
roiC size, standing upright with his arm
extended, holding in his hand the man,
uscript Of the proclamation Of January
lst 1868, while, rising from keeling
attitude, his letters newly broken, is
the figure Of the emancipated slave.
Other symbolic embIems are appropri-
ately arranged This work is the re-
suit Of contributions by colored people
exclusively, the origin Of which was
an Offering Of five dollars by a poor
washer.woman Of Marietta, Ohio, who
the day after the martyrdom Of the
president, placed that sum at the dis
posal Of the Western Sanitary Com
mission, with the expressed wish that
it should take that form. The graft
tude Of her race, eager to manifest it's
self, responded with enthusiasm, until
it eliminated in this manner.
Frederick Douglas, the ftly chosen
orator Of the day and occasion, fully
maintained his high reputation as such
aud even added to his gathered laur.
els.
The discourse, whichnecessarily!dealt
largely with the life and public SER
vices Of the great Emancipation, discuss.
ed more, perhaps, in criticism than in
eulogy his conduct towards the colored
race.
While high tribute was paid to the
honesty Of purpose that characterized
the public and private life Of one who,
the speaker said, was in all his sympa-
thies and preiudiees, prominently the
white mans president, the acts of one
who would rather save the Union than
destroy slavery did not meet the full
appreciation Of those who desired to
see in the nations extremity their great
opportunity. Said the orator "Yet
all through doubt and defeat, as well
as 10 prosperity and victory, orr faith
in him, though sorely taxed and strain
ed, never wholly failed. Even when
be strangely told us we were the cause
Of the war; when he still more strangely
told us to leave the land in which we
were born when he refused to employ
our arms in defense Of the Union: when
accepting our services a. cDlorel sol.
diers, be refused 70 retalate when we
were murdered as cosored prisoners;
when be revoked the proclamation OF
General Fremont when he refused to
remove the commander Of the Army Of
the Potomac, who was more jealous 10
protect slavery than 10 suppress the
rebellion; when we saw all this, oar
hearts believed while they achei and
bled." Despite all, the colored people
were able TO take comprehensive
view OF the situation aud its eircum
stances, and TO make reasonable allow
ance for them in behalf Of one who TAX
ing him all ii all. was the one ID whom
the hour and mao had met for their re
dcmption. The day was one long to
be remembered, even here where great
aud startling egents are not uncom.
mon.
A short time ago the nDtci revival.
a 4 IL 4