The New York herald., 1879-07-29
AN AFRICAN CELEBRATION.

AN IMMENSE THRoNG or coLoRED PEOPLE DO
HONOR TO LlBERIAN INDEPENDEScE--AN I'M
PREssIvE GRAFTON BY BLACK MAN-soNGs
DANCES AND GENERAL HILARITY.
ley TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD
SAVANNAH, Ga.. July %. 1879.
The largest demonstration made by colored
folks in this section occurred here to-day in COM
memoration of the independence of Liberia. The
affair was under the auspices of the American Union
Ethiopian Association of this city. Nearly five
hundred visitors came with the Morning Star
Benevolent Association from Augusta. Delegations
were present from Charleston. Beaufort, Macon and
Atlanta The procession was formed at eight O'Clock
this morning. After a short parade it proceeded to
tho cars and conveyed to Thunderbolt. four
miles distant. where the celebration took place.
Cars run throughout the day closely packed. and by
noon probably three thousand negroes
the ground. Hundreds went out by the road in
wagons and vehicles OF various descriptions. 1t
grand gala day md made general hoM-
day by the negroes of this city. Among those pres
ent a number of colored semen from the
United States steamer Boutwell,. which
ut anchor in the stream opposite Thunder
bolt. Exercises commenced ut o'clock.
occupying about two hours and q half. The large
platform decorated with bunting. cabinet
organ and an immense chorus furnished the music
Proceedings opened with the hymn. "The Year OF
Jubilee Has Come" followed by prayer by Rev. J. s.
Habersham (colored. Then the hymn. "The
Beautiful Land.'
LIBERIA DEscnIBED.
Rev. j. c. Haines. black ebony delivered an ad-
dress on Liberia, reviewing it's history from the
inception of its struggle for independence and
public and the herosm Of it's natives. Haines is
intelligent black man. He used excellent language
and displayed fine descriptive powers. CON-
pletely entrancing hundreds Of his hear
and stirring up considerable enthusiasm
the subject or colonization in Liberia. People in
Georgia. particularly in Savannah. have heretofore
taken little stock in Liberia emigration schemes;
but the speech OF Mr.. Haines describing tho land
fertile climate glorious, and picturing q life OF
abandoned ease fascinated the Imagination of the
colored folks. There much sound sense in
the address, and no cautioned his hearers not to leave
good homes tor prospective better ones. He also
combated tho assertion that tho black man has no
history and by we'll considered arguments citing
incidents historical to prove that such not tho
case. In closing his argument that the black man
has history he said:-"These are not my words.
my opinions, my assertions but are the utterances
OF history. to which any person is privileged to
FLAG PRESENTATION.
His address was followed by the presentation Of
the 1ag of Liberia by the Rev o. L. Houston (col-
ored) on behalf of the Savannah ASSOCIATION to the
Morning Stars of Augusta. The flag is similar to
that of tho United States, with the exception
that it bears but large white star in the
centre of the stripes. without any ground. 1T was
received by Warren Brooks. of Augusta,
Ga. An artillery colored company of Savannah
on the ground and after the presentation fired
salute. The other exercises consisted of declama-
tions. short addresses and singing. followed by
dancing. Among the songs was IN original one by
Abram Burke of Savannah. sung to the tune ''Mary-
land, my Maryland" by six voices, entitled "Sweet
Africa" of which the following Is a sample:-
There il a land do not see,
'Tis Africa, sweet Africa.
There ~ land beyond tho sea,
'Tis Africa. sweet Africa.
Almighty Father. gracious Lord.
In lifc's first dawn tender franc
Does thy protection. caro- proclaim.
or Africa, sweet Africa
During tho afternoon hundreds of colored folks
locked to Thunderbolt largely increasing the crowd
ana general hilarity reigned till dark. There
were some ten twelve private fights and
knockdowns, but cutting shooting,
and the parties were promptly arrested No serious
disturbance occurred. which is remarkably credita
ble considering the crowd and the tact that whis-
key has been flowing freely. So great was thecrow
the superintendent Of the railroad states that
he will be unable to get them all in before tour
five O'Clock tomorrow morning.