The daily gazette., 1880-08-19
FIRST EDITION.
NEGROES TO THE FRONT.

Oo6iNs
nuL IN the parade and meeting that
followed the pole-raising the negroes
came to the front in a manner that
showed they were determined not to
allow themselves to be ignored by the
Republican party during the present
campaign.
In the first place, the negro band
had TO be secured the managers did
not dare to overlook the claims of this
organization on an occasion like this.
Then, after the band had marched
around town about an hour, the pro-
cession was formed and started from
the Lincoln Club rooms, on Market
street between Fifth and Sixth. The
line was formed in about this order
Platoon of Stalwart Negroes.
Mt. Vernon (colored) Band.
More Negroes.
The Garfield Veterans.
More Negroes.
The Bird Guards.
More Negroes.
Young Mems Republican Club.
More Negroes.
In addition, hordes of little negroes,
many oi thOhi piOuuiJ wearing odl-
field caps, ran backwards and for
wards along the line, shrieking like
Ii tie demons, while the sidewalks were
crowded by negro bucks and wenches
who gazed proudly upon those of their
colored brethren who marched with
the white men in the parade.
SO Extensively forward were the ne
groes that sOme of the members ofthc
Young Mems Republican Club and of
the Bird Guards refused to turn out.
The parade, while going to the place
where the meeting was to be held Con
Church street, below Ninh) went out
of it's way in order to pass the Bayard
Club wigwam, Ninth and Lombard
streets. The Club was holding bust
ness meeting, and the members about
one hundred and fifty strong, came
outside and spread themselves along
the sidewalk while the motley process
sion went by. The negroes cheered
Justify as they marched, but the Bay
ard Club took no notice of this, few
groans by some small boys being the
only response. 1t is likely the process
sion was taken in this direction with
the deliberate intention of raising a
fight. The negroes led the van and
the white men in line had no choice
but to follow them wherever they saw
proper to 90.
As the procession countermarched
past the speakers stand, ON Church
street, below Ninth, the flag was run
up and the negro band played Gwen
rally round the flag, boys" Five
lanterns, ON halyards, were also run
up to the peak, the effect being very
pretty.
. wal hundred people, white and
black, but principally the latter, having
assembled, the meeting was abruptly
allied to order by letteI-carrier George
| Jackson, who announced that Lewis t.
| (irubb had been selected AS chairman
nd VIM. ID. Sparks as secretary. On
.ach selection he called a vote, which
resulted unanimously in the affirmative,
yhereupon Mr.. Grub took charge OF
he meeting, and introduced Anthony
Higgins, Esq.
Mr.. Higgins responded in strained
and labored speech that seemed very
poor and miserable in contrast with his
usual earnest, thoughtful efforts on tie
,tump that attracted the admiration, even
hough they did not echo the sentiments
If his political opponents. 1t seemed as
though he was laboring for applause.
| When he first mentioned the name OF
| Garfield he paused, and letter-carrier
Jackson, taking the cue, at once jumped
| his feet, and with crazy-looking
| rin on his face yelled "three cheers for
| ,iin'ral Garfield" which the negroes
ave with great gusto. Mr.. Higgins said
iarheld fought four years IN the late
var (though the records show he
vas in the service only eighteen months).
| lie also alluded to the panic OF 1873,
md to the great improvement of the
| country during the last two years, claim
ng that the latter was entirely due to
he Republican party and its admins
| tratiop of national affairs. He also
| tightly euogized the national banking
| ,ystem, which he said was distlnctively
| Republican measure, and had been op-
posed by all Democratic statesmen, par
icularly by Mr.. Bayard, of this State.
As for Delaware, Mr.. Higgins said IL
vas a great joke to declare the people
| ruled the state.
This is government Of the assessors
/ anu COLLECTORS, anu VI iACNJ SO0iS ''SA,
Who rule by their own sweet Will, VINO
have for their law base conspiracy
,oaipst the State Constitution, called an
ct of assembly. =,
Concluding, Mr.. Higgins said, awe
ought TO carry New Castle county; we
ught to carry Delaware and we Will
| carry the nation. Whatever we are IN
Delaware, we still live in Republic" /"
Mr.. Higgins was presented with a
handsome bouquet, by the chairman, on
behalf of a Republican lady, for which
he returned his thanks.
Further addresses were made by FRED
e. Bach, President of the Young Mems
Republican Club, and George w. Rob
erts, of the Postofiice. ., .-
The meeting adjourned with hearty
cheers by the negroes, who felt they had
enjoyed one night of glory.