Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-08-19
FLEMON WAS THERE.
An Interesting COlOred Campmeeting
Out at Williamsburg.
THE ACQUITTED PREACHER GLAD,
Likewise Two of His Attorneys, That His
Faith Was Firm.
COL. EcHOLs AND MR.. BALDWIN SPEAK

The campmeeting of the colored people
at Williamsburg Grove yesterday was COM
plete success. A larger or more respectable
crowd has seldom been seen in any gather
ing of this kind, The colored people had
focked from all points of the compass, and
each was arranged in his best, and his most
elegant smile. High stiff hats, Prince
ALBERT coats, gold-headed canes and fash
iionable attire of all kinds were there.
Nearly as many whites as colored folk
were present, drawn there no doubt by the
report that the Rev. E. f. Flemon would
speak, and by their desire to see the far
famed preacher. Rev. G. F. Clinton, pastor
of the Arthur Street NJ. E. Church, acted as
master of ceremonies, and introduced the
various speakers. There was very good
singing in the grove, and plenty of it; in
deed, this is almost foregone conclusion
when the colored people have charge.
COLONEL ECHoLS TALKS.
After the prayer, by Rev. Mr.. Flemon,
Colonel John w. Echols, the attorney who
had defended him against South Carolina
gallows, was introduced as the first orator of
the day. He spoke briefly of the interest
he had taken in Flemon and of his feelings
for those of his clients whom he had sue
ceeded in saving from the gallows. He
drew yery appropriate morals from the
whole occurrence and argued that the col
ored people should aim at higher standard
of manhood. There were two chief ways he
would suggest to secure this end. The hrst
was by means of education; the second, an
increased effort on the part OF the colored
10
spoke feelingly of his interest in the colored
race and expressed the hopes he entertained
for their future prosperity.
Major j. II. Baldwin, another of the at
torpeys interested in the Flemon case, was
the next speaker. He claimed that the
colored race should aim not only at the at
tainment of manhood, but of Christian
manhood. The hand of God had been
plainly visible in all that had happened to
the colored race. The acquittal of Flemon
marked a new era in the history Aot that
race. Just as Flemon had been defended
successfully from his enemies in the South,
so should the 1000, 900 of his fellow people
down there be defended.
IT WAS A SHAME
that throughout the whole of the North not
a single organization existed among colored
men for the protection of their brethren.
the other cities would follow her example.
He advanced, in addition, most effective
plea to have the debts contracted in the late
trial obliterated, and his words had quite
fuarked effect on his hearers.
During an intermission collection was
taken. and Rev. Mr.. Flemon busted himself
in disposing of tickets for his lecture to-
night. Afterward he made few remarks
from the platform, expressing his pleasure
at being present, and his thanks to all who
had helped him in his late trouble. He
drew a powerful moral from his own ex-
perience. He had always trusted in Sod,
and when he was taken South, placed in the
hands of his enemies, and almost brought
face to face with death, that trust had never
weakened. That ltwas not without strong
foundation was shown by his acquittal, and
he appealed to his audience not to desert
God of such goodness.
The colored ladies present were intensely
affected, and their halIelujahs and amens
were especially fervent. The campmeeting
will be concluded next Sunday.