The banner-enterprise., 1884-01-26

it by freeing all the slaves,I would
do it; and if l could do it by free.
ing some and leaving Others alone
l would also do that"
Thus 1t will be readily seen that
the Emancipation Proclamation
was a war measure, but we need
not care why nor how it, was
brought about-since it delivered
us from the thraldom of slavery;
hence, We may Justly celebrate the
day Of its issuance. rs
But I have depressed a little.
And | think l am safe in saying
that the bravery of the colored
troops in the wars of the revolution
and 1912, was more from forced
circumstances than from patriot
ism; for, it is hardly presumable
that a people denied the rights of
citizenship, would be very loyal TO
any government. Let this be as
it may, they did good service for
the government. In the late rebel
hon there was something more to
actuate the Negro than pride or
the gain of lucre. 1t had in it an
inspiration that challenged and
even surpassed patriotism, or love
of country-it was the love Of free
dom.
How we'll the black soldiery act.
ed their part in the many battles
in which they engaged, will be bet
ter related, by the impartial histo-
rian. o. "
And thus, the struggles and the
sacrifices made by the colored race
and its friends, can be no better
concentrated than by celebrating
a day made memorable and even
glorious, by their ultimate success
and the freedom of the race. But
1.-THE battles din hath passed away,
And DER the furrowed plain
Spring, fresh and green, the tender blades
OF Freedoms golden grain;
But eagle eyes must watch the field,
Lest the fell foe should dare
To scatter. while the sewers sleep,
Prescriptions noxious SNARE
And, amidst our great reJoicings,
let us not forget those who gave
their all in an effort to secure our
liberty, especially such as have
passed beyond the river-among
whom were; Brown, Lovejoy, Sum-
ner, Garrison, Stevens, Smith, Will
son, Seward, Chase and a host of
others, and la~stly-though not the
least-the father of the "Emanci-
patton Proclamation" Abraham
Lincoln. Their names have an
indelible impress upon the heart of
every American Negro. They are
dead but still liveth; and, | imag-
inc that the shouts of glad millions
on this anniversary day, as they
are waited heavenward, are caught
up by the angelic host, and that
the very arches of heaven are made
to resound the echo of our jubilee.
1t may not at all times be pleas
ant to recur to the past, but as it
is a matter of history, with some
of us it is quite as vivid as though
it was but yesterday.
Twenty-one years ago to-day,
many of you who are within my
hearing stood upon auction blocks.
You were in dreadful suspense.
You knew not whittier you would
be sent. The hearts of the fathers
and mothers, and of the sisters
and brothers were all aching.
A deluge of tears, as it were,
swept down the streets of almost
every city and town. You were
being separated from those most
near and dear.
To-day you stand upon that same
soil once drenchea IN human tears,
which have been absorbed by the
meridian brilliancy of the sun of
freedom; to-day you stand upon
that same soil as free men and
American citizens.
What a contrast! Let the glad
of millions leap for joy
Hark. Methinks | hear seven
millions of voices on this "Eman-
cipation Day." shouting
"Glory to God! for the struggle is ended,
Glory to God! for the victory won,
Honor to those who the right have defended.
Through the long years since the conflict begun.
God! at Thine altar In Thanksgiving bending,
Grant that our eyes Thy great goodness may see;
o, may Thy light, while the temples veil rending,
Show. through its portals, the path of the free
Let us turn from the blighted
past and look to the bright future,