The Aberdeen examiner. [volume] (Aberdeen, Miss.) 1866-current, 1879-07-10

III luIi lorce ana UNIFORM, ana giving
a huge Barbecue at the railroad tank
about mile from the city Exactly
why the colored people celebrate this
day, whether because they are in
splred by patriotic desire that
burns in their bosoms to commemo>
rate the day upon which the indie
pendence of the United States from
subsection to the government o.
Great Britain, and of every Other
nation, was solemnly declared, signed
and proclaimed by our forefathers Of
1776, or whether as token that they
cherish in their memories the day
upon which the emancipation procla
nation was issued-which was not
on the 4th of July-is not question
that requires to be positively and
emphatically disposed of in this
paragraph, but it is a fact that they
do honor that day, with more or
less of display and ceremony, and
that the fire company of Aberdeen
celebrated the Fourth of July, last
Friday at the railroad tank, as afore~
said
The Rough and Ready colored
Fire Company of Columbus, in re-
spouse to invitation, joined them on
this occasion, and arrived in Aber,
deem at an early hour on Friday
morning, having been transported
over the country upon wagons, in
consequence of the low stage of wa
ter in the Tombigbee not admitting
of an excursion upon the Little Cor
poral, as per original programme.
After the two fire companies and
those of the white citizens who had
been invited and requested to attend,
had arrived upon the grounds, the
programme was begun by the read,
ing of the Declaration of Independ-
ence by Beny Ward, the reading of
which upon these occasions shows, at
least, that they are not mistaken in
the day they celebrate. An impor-
tant and very commendable feature
in the government of Company No.
l, is the universal absence of politics
at their meetings; at no time during
the sessions of the company or at
their celebrations, are political
speeches permitted to be made, and
all who addressed the assembly on
the occasion of the celebration last
Friday, confined themselves exclu-
sively to matters pertaining to edu-
cation, domestic concerns, anecdotes,
and other subjects Of non-political
nature.
After the reading of the Declara-
ton of 1776, G. p. Westbrooks, a
colored teacher, was introduced, and
made speech in which he advised
his race to improve every advantage
and facility afforded them for the
education of their children, and gave
other good advice. Mayor T. B.
Sykes being called for, responded in
very appropriate remarks concerning
their duty as fremen, and devoted
the remainder of his talk to relating
side-splitting anecdotes and humor-
Gus stories, to the delight of his
hearers. Capt. J. w. Lee was also
called, and in short speech "tickled
their fancy" and retired, with ap>
plause. At this juncture dinner was
announced, and the two companies
formed into line at the tap of a drum,
and took their respective places at
the tables, while the invited white
guests were conducted to tables which
had been prepared for them.
This affair is spoken of as one of
the most orderly demonstrations
ever made by the colored people Of
the county, remarkable for the con-
trast which it presented to similar
occasions in our recent history, when
the State and municipalities were
under the rule and government of
Radicals, carpet-baggers and SCALA
wags, when, upon almost any occa'
sion where the colored people were
congregated, they presented such a
spectacle as would justify the idea
that they were lot of demons who
had made their escape from pam
demonium, SO malignant and pois-
ouous were the teachings and hatred
that those political adventurers in.
stilled into their minds. The color
ed people, one andall, on Friday, con
Quoted themselves in quiet, sober,
orderly and gentlemanly manner, and
hardly a harsh word or an indeco-
rous action occurred during the
celebration.
Go to SHELL & BURDINE's for YOU
Hair Brush, your Tooth Brush, YOU