Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-08-28
GLAD THEY ARE FREE
cOLORsD FOLKS TO CELEBRATE
EMANCIPATION ANNIVERSARY.
A big Entertainment Arranged to Take
Place I'm This CITY on October
18th, 18th. and 18th.

Inere Will be Dig gathering OF coioiD"
people here on October 18th, 10th. and 17th'
Ii is proposed by that race to celebrate
tho twenty-seventh anniversary Of the
emancipation proclamation with great
jubilee.
The committee having the matter IN
charge is composed OF some OF the best
known colored men in the city. They haye
been working quietly for several months.
and are now confident that the event VIII
be success. They expect the most promi-
nent colored persons from every state 10
be here. and President Harrison will be
urged to bo IN attendance one day.
WHAT TEEY WILL DO.
The programme has not as vet been oil
agreed upon. but the celebration Will be on
the Exposition Grounds, and among other
features will be addresses from several
noted colored leaders.
The railroads have oil agreed to make
reduction in rates and excursions Will be
run from several southern cities.
It is proposed to have q celebration or
this kind each year hereafter at some point
in the South.
All the leading colored persons in the
country have endorsed the move and Will
work with the local committee to make IL
q success.
WHO ARE MANAGING IT.
George Williams. yr., is general superin-
tendent of the celebration; Rev.. J. A.
Traylor. solicitor: Major J. B. johnson
and w. p. Burwell, counsellors; Ii. IL.
general secretary. The Executive Com
mittee is composed as follows: u. A.
Randolph, Rev. J. L. Jones. ID. d., W. w.
Browne, Professor G. W. HAYES. Professor
ID. w. Davis. Major J. B. johnson. and Dr.
Il. +. Jones.
THEIR CIRCULAR.
The following circular has been sent out
| all over the country by superintendent
Williams. and explains fully the object OF
| the celebration
There will be q national gathering of
| the colored citizens of the United States
in the city of Richmond, Va. commencing
October 18th and continuing three DAYS.
1T has been twenty-seven years since
Abraham Lincoln issued the memorable
Emancipation Proclamation abolishing
slavery within the jurisdiction OF the
| United States; aud although there nave
been spasmodic efforts to keep alive the
mandates and innate sentiments connected
Herewith. they have been efforts prompted.
for the most part by motives unworthy SO
great cause and entirely devoid OF sys-
| tenn and consistency. We WISH TO STATE
IN THE OUTSET THAT THIS GATHERING HAS no
POLITICAL SIGNIFICANCE WHATEVER. one OF
the many objects hoped to be accomplished
by this meeting will be the fixing upon
a definite day acquiesced IN by the entire
people through their representatives,
whereby we may be enabled yearly TO cele-
brate this day as Our Great Thanksgiving
Day at one and the same time over the en-
| tire country. This freedom TO our
| fathers was a blessing. the fruits OF
which we do now enjoy. 1t is sad COM
mentary upon our race pride-patriot-
| ism-to say nothing OF our protested love
| of God, TO whom we owe all and the sane
| tity of His dealings with the children or
men that we do not show in some positive
way that we cherish Ill memory the loving
hand Of our Heavenly Father in our eman-
cipation.
THEIR OBLIGATIONS.
at is not well, if we are TO CLEAN our
facts from the history of other nations,
that we forget too soon the rock FROM
which we were hewn nor the PIT from
which we were digged.' This is not the
time nor place to discuss what may seem
| debatable in the question as such; there
is one thing very evident and that is the
question Of our obligation In what way
we are 10 shoulder this obligation IS
| question for individual settling. when can
| in no way interfere With tne mOIo seI iouo
| INQUIRY. Are we doing all we may TO implant
deep down IN the hearts of our people that
glorious and everlasting sentiment and
GROWING fact for the ages, the power OF
| God TO make and keep US, and Gods good
ness to US as people? This celebration
would impress us with the fact of the unity
of hitory as seen in the life of nations and
race/. and ours but an 'offshoot.' from the
| hand of Jehovah. The railroads have
| agreed to a reduction i'll the fare so as to
enable all desiring TO come at one fare for
! the round trip.
| THE PRESIDENT.
Speakers from various parts OF the coun,
try will be present. A special effort will
| be made to secure President Harrison for
one day. Many prominent men will be
present. Please read this to our people
and do all you can for the success OF the
project. We are especially anxious that
| the older people be present, and special
effort should be made to have them come;
Let every one do his duty and we Will
have an instructive and helpful gathering,
You are CORDIALLY invited and urged to add
your testimonials of approval and support
| . tlx.,, 1tt.ro ~