National Republican., 1888-04-17
PACKED TO TIE DOORS.
Immense Gathering in the Fourth Bap-
list Church.

list Church.
As Il continuation of the festivities of the
day commemorative exercises were held In
the Fourth Baptist Church on X between
Twelfth and Thirteenth streets last evening.
The edhcc was crowded almost 10 suffoca-
ton with auditors, who bore upon their
smiling countcnanccs the evidence that they
were happy in the rcmcmbranccs Of the day.
Mr.. Henry johnson was chairman OF the
meeting. and Mr.. W. III. Jordan, secretary
The exercises opened with prayer by the
| Rev. $. e. Lamkins, and then Mr.. Henry
| johnson made an appropriate Introductory
| address. Mr.. w. ii. Jordan, after reading
numerous letters from prominent people
rcgretting their inability to attend, read
Iincoln's memorable cdict which eInanc-
! pated the colOred race from the curse of
slavery.
| non. FREDERICK DOUGLASS,
| the orator of the evening, was introduced
| and spoke as follows:
FRIENDS AND FgILow.CIrrzENs: II has been
| my privilege to assist In several anniversary
| celebrations of the abolition of slavery in the
District Of Columbia, but remember no
occasion of this kind when | tclt a deeper
solicitudc for the future welfare of our oman.
cipated people than now,
| The chief cause OF anxiety j. not IN the con.
| dition of the colored people of the District Of
| Columbia, though there Is much that Is wrong
and unsatisfactory here, but the dcplorable
| condition of the negro in the southern stat cs,
| At no time since the abolition Of slavery has
| there been more cause for alarm ON this
account than at this iuncture in our history,
| | have recently been In two of the southern
! states-SOuth Carolina anu Georgia, ana my
| impression from what ! saw, heard, and
learned there is not favorable TO my hopes for
| the race. know this H. a, sad message TO
freedom in the District of COLUMBIA, but |
know, too, that have Il duty TO perform. and
that duty is to tell the truth, the whole truth,
and nothing but the truth, and / should be
| unworthy TO stand here, unworthy of the con
fdence of the colorcd people Of this country,
| II should from any considerations OF policy
withhold any fact OF feature Of the condition
| try ought 10 know.
The temptation on anniversary occasions
like this Is St9pIophesy smooth things, to be
| joyful and glad, t. indulge In the Illusions of
hope-to bring glad tidings on our tongues,
| and words of peace reveal. But while know
Il Is always easier 10 be the bearer OF glad
tidings than sad ones, while know that hope
Is powerful motive to cXcrtion and high On
deayor, while know that people generally
would rather look upon the bright side of their
comes time when II is best that the worst
should be made known, and In my Judgment
that time, in respect to the, condition
Of the ,GGolored pconle Of the south,
| hope nor fear should he allowed 10
control our speech Cry aloud and spare not
ls tllp WOTt bl WlSNbIl us Ntll dN Dl GtIlNlIt,
We shall know the truth, and the truth shall
make you free applies 10 the body not less
| than the soul, 10 this world not less than the
world to come. outside the truth there Is no
solid foundation for any of us, and assume
that you who have invited me to speak, aud
| yuu who have come To- hear me speak, expect
me to speak the truth ~ | understand the
| truth,
The truth at which we should get on this
occasion respects the precise relation Subslst,
ing between the white and coored people of
the south, or, In other words, between the
colOred people and the old master class of the
south We have need to know this and otukc
II to heart,
II Is We'll said that "a people may lose itS
liberty in day and not mis-, II IN half II CEN
tcury," and that the price of liberty Is cter'
nal vigilance" In my Judgment, with my
knowledge OF what has already taken place
In the south, these wise and wide.Qwake SEN
timents were never more apt and timely man
now
lave assisted in lighting one battle for the
abolition of slavery, and the American people
have shed their blood In defense of the Union
and the constitution, and neither nor they
should wish TO fight this battle over again
and in order that we may not, we should LOOK
the facts In the face to-day and, II possible
nip the evil In the bud.
have no taste for the role OF an alarmst
II my wishes could be allowed TO dictate my
speech would tell you something quite the
reverse of what I now intend lwould tdl
you that everything IL lovely with the Negro
in the south; would tell you that Tie right