National Republican., 1888-03-23
THE EMANCIPATION DAY.
why the Committee is Opposed to u
Street Parade.

EDITOR NATIONAL REPUBLICAN: have
hccn requested by the committee onarrange.
ments aud those who are opposed to street
parade on April l6, the twenty-siNth ami
vorsary of the emancipation of slaves in the
District OF Columbia, to prepare statement
Of expenses Of the costs Of street parldes on
such occasions. In submitting this report
desire to state that the cOlOrcd people don't
contribute 800 tone hundred dollars) to-
ward these celebrations, because they are
opposed to street parades. The greater por-
ton, which amounts to 80, 100, is contributed
by the white people, Democrats and Repub-
licans, consisting Of the District commission
els, members Of Congress, and employees in
the departments. The money collected Is not
appropriated for the purposes for which
II is collected, and often the finance COM
mittee is embarrassed and frequently unable
to meet the demands Of the committee on
arrangements. Indeed, street paradcs are
unnecessary, expensive, and injurious to
the cOlorcd people. The opposition to
street paradcs Is not only made by the
committee, but by the better element Of the
Colored people. In a report in the NATIONAL
REruBilCAN April 10, 1856, the following
when Hon. Frederick Douglass rose to de.
liver his uratiun before the Chase celebration,
IL the,lsracl G.. VI. l.. church last evening, the
church was well filled with representative
Colored audience and IA number oi white.
EefUrc the oratons the secretary of the meet.
ing read letters Of regret from senators Logan
aud sherman, Hon. John e. Fremont, and
others, and u committee reported resolutions
which declared that the time had come when
the celebration of the emancipation Oi slaves
should cease by means OF parldcs and that
such commemOratlons In the future be held at
a suitable church or hall, where speeches
would be delivered.
These resolutions were written by Mr..
Douglass and read by Mr.. Chase, and In sup.
poit Of them Mr. Douglass, in his speech on
that occasion, among other things, said:
The thought is already gaining ground that
we have not heretofore received the best inlu-
cnCc which this anniversary Is capable of cx-
crting that tinscl show, gaudy display, and
struggling professions, which empty the alleys
and dark places of our city into the broad day.
light OF our thronged streets and avenues, thus
tlrustng upon the public view vastly undue
proportion of the most unfortunate, unim.
proved, and unprogrcssivc class of the colored
people, and thereby inviting public disgust and
contempt, and ropelling the more thrifty and
Self.respcctng among us, Is positive hurt to
the whole colorcd population of this city.
These annual celebrations of ours should be so
arranged rs to make favorable impression
citizens. They should bring into notice the
very best elements of our colorcd population,
and In what Is said and done on these occa-
-iOns, we should find deeper and broader
comprehension of our relations and duties.
They should kindlc In us higher hopes, noblcr
aspirations, and stimulate us to more carnC At
Cndeavols; they should help us to shorten the
distance between ourselves and the more
highly advanced and highly favored people
among whom we are. If they fail to produce,
IN some measure such results, they had better
be discontinued. am sure that such lecture
as have now given on this point may be dis
tasteful To- a part of this assembly. But can
say, in all truth, that nothing short uf IA pro
found desire TO promote the best interests Oi
all concerned has cmboldened me to run the
risk of such diSplcasure, and hope the M
tive will excuse my olfcnSc.
No one but thhOsc who have the imme
diate control of these celebrations know
what it costs to run these street parades
and for the information of the liberal public
the following estimate is given:
The chief marshal has about 800 mounel
horsemen, including his chief Of staff, right
and left aids.