Charlotte messenger. [volume] (Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., N.C.) 1882-18??, 1888-01-07
THE DAY WE CELEBRATE.

on last MONDAY by the c0l0reu cltl-
zens as never before. 1t was the
largest and best celebration we have
ever seen here by our people, and it
speaks volumes for them, showing
that they have not forgotten and still
appreciate the patriotism, heroism and
christianity of the noble abolitionists
and martyrs in the great struggle that
made us freemen.
All civilized nations have their
days to celebrate, and almost all of
them are in commemoration of days
on which they were to some extent
relieved of burdens and made better
and freer men. Then why should we
not celebrate this our emancipation
day The day on which we were
freed from the most inhuman slavery
ever known on earth. Days yet fresh
in the memory of thousands of free
men who were once slaves.
The first of January is an appro-
pirate day for several reasons 1t is
the beginning of the calendar year,
and it was on that day that the slaves
were generally sold, hired and forcibly
separated from each other often for the
last time. 1t was on that day that
thousands of British slaves were set
free, etc. Other days might give us
pleasanter weather, but the first of
January is the day for us to celebrate
above all others. Every town and
village and hamlet in the United
States should assemble every military
and civil organization, every church
congregation and every individual of
color, and appropriately celebrate this
our day of freedom.
Let us offer up prayer and thanks
to Him who brought us out of the
wilderness and if we continue to trust
Him, will make us what we ought to
be. Let us be merry in song, and
good will to all men. We should
make this day Of praise and rejoic-
ing. Let us praise Him with the
psalter and the harp and the instru-
ment with ten strings. Let us sing
psalms and anthems and the merry
songs of Zion.
Last Monday broke upon us beau
tifully bright and clear and pleasant.
We could not have had a nicer day of
our own ordering. 1t had been an
nounced that the day would be appro-
priately celebrated by the citizens,
assisted by the Light Infantry and the
Neptune fremen. Soon after two
o'clock drums were heard on the
streets and glittering guns and bright
blue uniforms were seen moving to-
ward the fremen's hall, and then a
line of march was formed by four
marshals on horseback The process
sion was led by the Steel Creek brass
band; then the Charlotte Light In
fantry. commanded by Capt. G. j.
Toole, Neptune Hand Fire Engine
Company, Capt NJ. G. Taylor; citi-
zens on foot, carriage drawn by four
blacks, with the orator and essayist.
Promptly at three o'clock all had
reached the First Baptist church.
There waiting, was grand choir,
made up of members from the different
church choirs in the city, under the
direction of Prof. J +. Rattley. Mr.
James Smith, of Clinton Chapel, pre-
sided at the organ, while Mr.. Phil
Claiborne, Of Clinton and Mrs. Mile
johnson, of the First Baptist, led the
soprano voices. Mr.. Lee Wilson S
tenor was excellent and specially no.
ticcd by all present. The music was
well selected and well rendered.
DR.. j. 7. Williams as master Of
ceremonies, called the house to order
and prayer was offered by Rev. j. A.
Tyler. After music by the choir, the
Emancipation Proclamation as issued
by President Abraham Lincoln, was
read by Mr.. Napoleon B. Houser.
Then the choir rendered another fine
piece and Miss Minnie h. Sumner
read with much force and to the graft