Charlotte messenger. [volume] (Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., N.C.) 1882-18??, 1889-01-05
WE ARE FREEMEN.
Emancipation Celebration = Fine
Weather-Immens Crowds-In-
terest Growing Good Order.

Weatn0r-lmmeuS0 CF0WuS-In-
terest Growing Good Order.
Last Tuesday was the ANNIVERSARY of
the emancipation of the Southern slaves.
The rain of the Gay previous was dis
couraging to some, but early on this
morning, the clouds had disappeared and
the rain had begun drying the streets
All the morning trains brought in crowds
of people and the country roads were
crowded with vehicles, horsemen aud
footmen. Early in the forenoon the
principal streets were crowded.
Two brass bands directed the crowd
to the Presbyterian church where the
procession was formed. The Charlotte
Light Infantry with their beautiful new
uniform with overcoats and shining bay
onets led close behind band Of martial
music. They were commanded by
Capt G s L A Taylor, Lieutenants Gun
ningham and Butler were also on hand.
The Neptune Fire Company and the
Odd Fellows with their varied hues fol-
lowed close behind the soldiers. while
the country organizations and the citi-
zens followed. The speakers and Off
GERS rode in open carriages.
The line of march was: Up 18th to
Tryon, down Tryon to Trade. down
Trade to Mint, down Mint to Clinton
Chapel where the exercises were. held
The church is the largest in the city, but
could hold only about half of the crowd.
At 1850 o'clock Prof Taylor called
the house to order. Prof Ratley's choir
sang and prayer was offered by the
chaplain, Rev E G Davidson. The
prayer was fervent and pathetic, con-
trasting the present with the past and
thanking God, the giver, for the great
blessings we now enjoy. 1t brought
about a solemnity that lasting through
out the meeting.
The programme was then entered
upon as follows:
Announcing the Officer of the Day
by the Reading Clerk. Sergeant ] j L
! Taylor. Music.
General Introduction, Capt. G s L A
Taylor.
Reading the ProcIamation-By Mr.
Anthony Hagler. Music.
Reading the POem-By Miss Gertrude
Brown. Music,
The Annual Oration-By the Orator,
Mr. James E King. Music.
Reading of Resolutions. &C.. by the
Clerk.
Doxology and Benediction.
On the platform besides the committee
and officers, were: Revs p p Aston. A
A Powell, r P Wyche and ] A TYLER.
The alter was nicely decorated with
flags, bunting and pictures. Over the
platform hung large picture of Presi.
dent Lincoln and of President Grant,
also apicture of the Neptune Fire Com
pany and engine.
Sergeant J J L Taylor, the reading
clerk, is what is by some termed. q
"beardless youth" but, being "a chin
from the main block, i" 1--WE can't saw old I
he has that dignifed, manly and soldier.
ly bearieg Characteristic of a TAYLOR.
Capt Taylor needs no commentator.
He bore his part as is usual.
Mr. Anthony Haglcr read the procla.
nation in loud, distinct and fauItless
manner. He has beautiful, deep, mu-
steal base voice, particularly pleasing to
the ear.
Miss Gertrude Brown recited in a las
cinating and faultless style. ssThe FLAG
of the Nation" The poem could moi
have been better rem 1ered by the com.
poser. Miss Browns enunciation. gest.
ures and handling of the flag were per.
feet. Her gestures of the hands, arms
and body, indicating, ''surging bilIows
ETC." was difficult task gracefully per
formed. Miss Brown surpassed the ex.
pectatlons of her most sanguine friend,
and won . laurel she will wear many
years.
Mr. ] E Kings Grafton was simnlv
grand. Any comment by us would be-
an injustice to Mr. King. His sneech
was most excellently prepared Of Just
such matter as do the heart and soul
good. Noone was surprised ut his elo.
quence, but the solid, logical reasoning
Of the speech took us by surprise. Il
was a grand speech, well suited to The
occasion.
Resolutions Of thanks to the officer.
snd to the ladies for their aid in dec.
waiting the cbargff hse. were passed.
Theccmmittee Of ladies who decorated
the church were: Mrs r @ Moore, Mrs.
II B Kennedy, Mrs T Thomas and Mrs
Frank Morrow. The committee an
pointed on the next celebration is Geo
D Melton, Geo II Johnson, J COahning.
ham, Jesse Walker.
The music by the choir was good
throughout the exc; cses. The National
hymn, anthems, etc. were sung. The
choir was made up from the different
churches and led BY Prof ] Il Ratley.
Alter the exercises the line Of march
was reformed, having been largely
augmented by mounted men from the
country. each carrying flag. The nil
itsry returned 10 their arm0ry, the fire.
men 70 their ball and the others disband-
Cd. Thus ended the celebration Of the
20th anniYernarY Of or Characterization